need alittle advise about 12year old & WDW

[drakester]

I just wanted some advise and opinions. My 12 year old is not the bravest in the family and will pass on some of the bigger thrill rides. Do you think she is old enough to wait in the gift shop at the end of the ride or on a bench while the rest of the family goes on the rides? She is very responcible. I call her my 72 year old woman in a 12 year old's body. It's not her I worry about. Do you think she will be safe?

 

[Hannathy]

Yes she will be fine. There are a lot of CM's around and people. My 12 yr old would go to a ride by herself or go and get food while we waited some where. My DS 7 would sit and wait for me while I was in the BR. I wouldn't think twice about letting a 12 yr old do what you are suggesting. If she wants to wait in line with you all the thrill type rides have chicken exits that she could use and stay with you longer and also experience the pre-shows and que displays.

 

[lovethattink]

I think if you have to ask that question, there is some doubt in your mind. Better to be safe than sorry. My 13 year old knows WDW like the back of his hand. He does not like to wait anywhere by himself at WDW. If he has a friend or someone else he knows with him, he will wait anywhere.

 

[mjh8955]

I think if she had a cell phone she would be o.k. That way if for some reason she had to move from her spot, she could easily check in and reconnect with you.

 

[sskem96]

My dd#1 will be almost 11 when we go in Dec, and she doesn't do many rides and also won't do the 3-D shows. Even on our last trip when she was 8, she waited outside most of the attractions for us. She had a cell phone in her fanny pack with the number to our other cell phone written down. She would much rather sit and people watch than go on rides. She did love the Buzz Lightyear ride, so we let her go on that a few times in a row while we went on Space Mountain. I know some people would think it was horrible, but when I was a kid, my parents always let me go around Six Flags by myself from the age of 7, and I never had a problem. I really don't see someone being able to take a child out of the park, and it's not like you can accidentally wander out on your own. I wouldn't do it if I was going to be waiting in line for an hour or something, but when you have a fastpass and you know you'll be out in less than 10 minutes, and the child is responsible and would prefer to be sitting outside anyway, I just don't see a problem with it. Disney's official rule is you have to be 7 to enter the parks by yourself, and 10 to enter the water parks by yourself. I would never leave the kids in a park by themselves, and we don't split up and go on own ways at all, but waiting outside an individual attraction that you don't care to go on is not that big of a deal to me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Yes she will be fine. There are a lot of CM's around and people. My 12 yr old would go to a ride by herself or go and get food while we waited some where. My DS 7 would sit and wait for me while I was in the BR. I wouldn't think twice about letting a 12 yr old do what you are suggesting. If she wants to wait in line with you all the thrill type rides have chicken exits that she could use and stay with you longer and also experience the pre-shows and que displays.

I agree.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

Our last trip our son 10 and his siter waited in the gift shop for us while we rode rockn roller coaster. I was a little worried, but they sat in there and he let his sister draw and eat a snack. He had a cellphone and we had mine. We also had a dream pass so we flew threw the line. I know some people would die first then let the children stay but I think 12 is def old enough.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I would make sure she has a cell phone or walkie talkie with her.
Also, show her who the CM's are. My daughter is 12 now and I'm still always reminding her not to "talk to strangers."

I recently had the conversation with both my girls again. Reminded them that adults don't ask a child for help. So if an adult were to say to them "can you help me find my ______________" that should be a red flag that it's not okay.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I am super super super over-protective and I think it is fine. As long as you are sure she won't wander away. Just because it could cause you to have to hunt for her.

 

[solgent]

Yes my DDs who were 11 (nearly 12) and 7 (nearly 8) on our trip in August waited in shops at various times. They are fine with it. They really enjoy browsing in the store. They are not waiting, wondering and getting nervous because they are very absorbed with checking out the merchandise!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

My kids sit out of certain rides too-but we make them come into the lines with us and then right before we board, DS or DD will exit through the chicken exit and we meet them in the shop at the end-usually do this for ToT. Never any problems since they are both very smart and responsible. They know not to leave the shop under any circumstances.

 

[drakester]

Wow, thanks for all the advise. In my gut I know she'll be fine, I just wanted to know what other people do in this situation. I never even thought of the chicken out exit. Thats a good idea. No cell phone until 16 but I did just mention to my husband I'd like to take some walkie-talkies next time we go. We are starting to split up more and more now the kids are getting older. Thanks again to everyone who posted.:hippie

 

[Hannathy]

My kids don't have cell phones either but for Disney we got one of the cheap prepaid ones at Walmart so who ever split up from the group would have one and my DH had his. They aren't expensive and this way we have one for whoever is going to practice to take if we aren't sure when to pick them up. We put $100 dollars on it and used it a lot at Disney and still have close to $50 on it after 9 months.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

By the time my older ds was 12, he would set out on his own in the parks. We just required that he keep his cell phone handy and not leave the park without telling us. Some times he would meet up with friends, other times he would just spend some time on his own. We always have set times for meeting up for dinner or to be back at our resort. Never had a problem. I did the same at his age -- minus the cell phone.

 

[trennr]

wow...my DS12 the same way.

A 70yo trapped in a 12yo body. Little old man.

I would say your DD12 would be fine waiting...but I'd Fastpass as to minimize the wait. Also... use a Walkie Talkie or Cell Phone. Tell her to shop around the exit shops or sit on a nearby bench.

I've talked my DS12 into trying Space Mountain this year.

He road Test Track 2 years ago and loved it. So I told him that Space Mountain wasn't nearly as fast (55mph vs 28mph). Ride was a little Rougher but all in all SM is pretty tame for a Coaster. A little cash incentive to get him over the hump and he agreed to ride.

Same Technique worked for Splash Mountain.

Told him...he need to turn his into a !!! 1st he had to realize that he's 99.9999% safe and get over being scared and enjoy it for thrill factor...cause nuttin's gonna happen.

I told him I used to be terrified of Coasters...until one year I was with a Church Youth Group at Opryland USA (RIP : ). I rode some Coaster-like Ride that was in a half pipe (Screamin Demon or something). It wasn't that bad so I rode another True Coaster (Rock'n Roller)...WOW...I was hooked!!! Took me a few years to work up to one the went upside down though.

Anywho... if she's dead set on NOT riding then I think she'll be fine...just use Fast Passes and have a way to communicate. Good luck!

 

[drakester]

I didn't even think about getting prepaid cell phone. That really is a great idea. I like that idea better than the walkie-talkies, I won't have to worry about picking up other people on the same air waves. Ok, How much freedom does she get at HH this summer. she is taking a friend and I feel very confident about her moving around on her own there. What about the 9 year old and her friend?