My 18yr dd want to go to Disney without her family after graduations with a classmate

[despina]

After high school graduation, my daughter and her friend want to go by themselves to Disney. Both girls are 18 and they are responsible young adults. They would be staying at a Disney Resort and using Disney transportation to get around, even taking the Magic Express to and from airport. My daughter has been to Disney many times, including twice last year, so she knows Disney pretty well. With this said, I am still trying to convince myself it would be okay for them to go without me. Should I let her go...would you...confused...maybe I'm worrying too much

 

[angelmichelle]

If she's as responsible as you say she is.. definitely let her go...

Is she going away for college? This would be a helpful dose of restricted independence. They won't have a car to leave Walt Disney World grounds... Disney is a very safe place. I would surely let her go.

 

[smitch425]

After high school graduation, my daughter and her friend want to go by themselves to Disney. Both girls are 18 and they are responsible young adults. They would be staying at a Disney Resort and using Disney transportation to get around, even taking the Magic Express to and from airport. My daughter has been to Disney many times, including twice last year, so she knows Disney pretty well. With this said, I am still trying to convince myself it would be okay for them to go without me. Should I let her go...would you...confused...maybe I'm worrying too much

Will you be footing the bill or is she paying her own way? I say let her go, especially if she is paying for it. As long as she is a trustworthy kid, let her spread her wings, and be proud of yourself for raising a confident daughter who isn't afraid to do something so big on her own.

 

[taylor3297]

After high school graduation, my daughter and her friend want to go by themselves to Disney. Both girls are 18 and they are responsible young adults. They would be staying at a Disney Resort and using Disney transportation to get around, even taking the Magic Express to and from airport. My daughter has been to Disney many times, including twice last year, so she knows Disney pretty well. With this said, I am still trying to convince myself it would be okay for them to go without me. Should I let her go...would you...confused...maybe I'm worrying too much

Of course it would depend on the maturity of the girls. At 18 I know my parents would have let me go. Though they would have required me to check in on a regular basis.

Sit down and talk to them more about what they have planned. Ask them what they would do in an emergency etc.

 

[ashley0139]

Won't she be going to college by herself just a couple months after that?? I went at 19 with friends (didn't actually ask my parents, just told them I was going, and paid for it myself) and we had a great time.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I did this with a friend our first year in college. We also just planned and paid for it ourselves, we didn't ask for permission. We also stayed offsite and rented a car, crazy I know.

 

[zhazhazsu]

At 18 I was pretty much an adult in that I would have paid for & arrainged a trip like this by myself. I don't see the problem.

 

[littlewitch34]

Of all the places to be worried about an 18 year old, relatively responsible and level-headed girl to go, Disney is not one of them. My parents would have let me go with my friends at 18.

 

[despina]

Well, I'm feeling better already about letting her go. Its just hard letting go of the fact she is not a little kid anymore. I have two younger girls so hopefully I will be better at this when they are her age. Thank you fellow disboarders for your input

 

[DisCopper]

As with any "kids," it depends a lot on them. I see you live in Massachusetts... do you live in a rural area, where your daughter never does anything on her own? Do you live near a city, where she is out and responsible for herself on a regular basis? I'd probably say that if she's ever gone into Boston on her own, she's probably more than ready for Disney by herself.

And if you're worried, maybe a little extra planning would help. For example, if they want to go to Universal for a day, set up a Mears shuttle (if I remember right, you can book in advance ??). That way, you don't have to worry about them suddenly deciding mid-trip to go, and getting messed up with a bad cab driver or something.

 

[Britard]

I went on my first trip without the parents when I finished high school. I had numerous trips prior to that trip and I stayed on property as well.

I would say, if she and her friend are mature enough, everything should be fine. It is a lot easier to be at Disney than somewhere in Europe where some teens go alone.

You'll worry regardless-at least you know she is familiar with Disney

 

[DizneyLizzy]

A few days after I graduated high school I went to WDW with my three best friends...no other adults. Our parents were thrilled when we told them we wanted to do this because it was much safer than going to "senior week" at the jersey shore like many of our peers were doing!

 

[despina]

As with any "kids," it depends a lot on them. I see you live in Massachusetts... do you live in a rural area, where your daughter never does anything on her own? Do you live near a city, where she is out and responsible for herself on a regular basis? I'd probably say that if she's ever gone into Boston on her own, she's probably more than ready for Disney by herself.

And if you're worried, maybe a little extra planning would help. For example, if they want to go to Universal for a day, set up a Mears shuttle (if I remember right, you can book in advance ??). That way, you don't have to worry about them suddenly deciding mid-trip to go, and getting messed up with a bad cab driver or something.

Sure she has done things on her own...where I live doesn't matter, she does not live a sheltered life LOL...She's traveling by plane to another state for a week for the first time without her family...isn't it normal to some degree to worry about your child of any age doing this for the first time??? I was just looking for a little reassurance from my fellow disboarders. And as I mentioned, she is not leaving property, so what you wrote about Universal is not even an issue. I appreciate your input.

 

[despina]

I went on my first trip without the parents when I finished high school. I had numerous trips prior to that trip and I stayed on property as well.

I would say, if she and her friend are mature enough, everything should be fine. It is a lot easier to be at Disney than somewhere in Europe where some teens go alone.

You'll worry regardless-at least you know she is familiar with Disney

Thank you, I will let her go. Like you said, I will still worry a little, but thats part of being a parent I guess.

 

[RoosMama]

I went to Europe when I was 17 and Australia with a friend when I was 18. If your DD is going off to college soon, I'm sure she will be fine at WDW.

 

[despina]

I went to Europe when I was 17 and Australia with a friend when I was 18. If your DD is going off to college soon, I'm sure she will be fine at WDW.

Wow, that is awesome that you did that. I'm worried about WDW when you went to those places LOL. I agree, she will be fine..thank you

 

[3happydancers]

I would feel the same way. My dd is now 15 and is my only child. She is smart, level headed and independent but I know when the time comes, I will still feel what you are expressing now. I would say keep in touch and stress to your dd that she and her friend stick together. It sounds like you have done a wonderful job raising your daughter. Congratulations!

 

[despina]

I would feel the same way. My dd is now 15 and is my only child. She is smart, level headed and independent but I know when the time comes, I will still feel what you are expressing now. I would say keep in touch and stress to your dd that she and her friend stick together. It sounds like you have done a wonderful job raising your daughter. Congratulations!

Awww, thanks. She is my oldest of three girls so I will hopefully be better prepared when my others get to this age.

 

[js]

I have a 19 year old and although shes away for college I think I would still leg her go. The only thing I think you should check is the age for checking into the room. Make sure you can be 18.

 

[taylor3297]

For WDW resorts you have to be at least 18 to book a room.