OK To Drop Your 7 Y.O Off At MK Alone?

[lugnut33]

OK, the title is a bit sensational, but yesterday I purchased some WDW annual passes on-line and was reading through the terms and conditions. I wish I had copied the lines but one of the conditions is that "Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult". And if you're going to a water park the age goes up to 10. Really? Would anybody let their 7 year old go alone to the parks? Am I missing something obvious? Why is that age requirement so low?

 

[Golf4food]

That's insane.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I would never allow my seven year old to go to the parks alone. I'm sorry, but even though it is Disney, doesn't mean that the child is capable of making safe choices in such an overwhelming environment.

 

[jeanigor]

I'm not a parent, but I couldn't fathom doing that. That's a second grader, or so right?

 

[mikelan6]

Following Disney's logic ... an 8 year old might have money to spend at the shops

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yeah.... that's a bit young. I think 12 is more like it.

 

[john1928]

I guess it depends what "unaccompanied" means...

Dropping off a 7 year old alone at the front gate at age 7, probably not.

Dropping off a 7 year old with their 14 and 16 year old (non-adult) siblings, probably okay (or maybe not for some kids )

If it means that while they're playing on a playground or waiting in a queue I could walk 100' away to buy a soda, I guess I'd be comfortable doing that with a 7 year old (varries again based on the child in question of course).

 

[little bob]

I would let two 12 year olds go together if they were responsible(if I was at the park at the same time) It's just scary letting go as a parent. NEVER an eight year old.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

No way no how. My son would be in 1st grade at that age. That is just crazy!

 

[peanut1967]

But for some people it needs (sadly) pointing out.

How many times have you seen young children out and about and wondered where the parent was?

So for some people if it isnt in black and white it means its ok to do it.


angie

 

[lugnut33]

I actually found the line in my e-mail confirmation from Disney:

Persons under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult when attending the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios™ or Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. If your ticket includes admission to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park or Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, please note that persons under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I actually found the line in my e-mail confirmation from Disney:

I guess I take this to mean something different than you cant leave a 7 year old at the front gate.

I understand this to mean that a child under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult (meaning someone over the age of 18) rather than a minor of whatever age..

Disney Cruise Line has a policy that states that anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult over the age of 21 booked in the same stateroom. This means that two 17 year olds cant book a stateroom on their own.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I guess I take this to mean something different than you cant leave a 7 year old at the front gate.

I understand this to mean that a child under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult (meaning someone over the age of 18) rather than a minor of whatever age..

Disney Cruise Line has a policy that states that anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult over the age of 21 booked in the same stateroom. This means that two 17 year olds cant book a stateroom on their own.

This is how I took it too. I can see someone sending their 13 or 14 year old to a park with a 6 year old sibling. Not something I would do, but I can see it happening. Of course, those kind of people don't read the fine print on the tickets either.

 

[lugnut33]

I know what you mean Kevin and that's probably what it means, but shouldn't they put something like "at all times" in there? It just doesn't read right to me. Or maybe "at all times" is implied?

If I have a kid that's 8 it doesn't say they need to be accompanied by an adult, or anybody for that matter. Maybe I'm just really dense (I know what commons sense tell me though).

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I know at Disneyland, you also have to be 7 to ride alone on some attractions. DS6 wanted to ride Mr. Toad in his own car (with DW and I in the car behind him), but the CM asked his age and wouldn't allow it.

 

[wishspirit]

I wasn't left on my own in the parks until I hit secondary school (age of 11), and even then it was usually with my older sister, or a 'stay in this shop 'till we come get you in 20 mins' deals.

I was pretty responsible by that age, and would know to go to a CM if my parents were gone any longer. Usually I used to love looking in the shops so much that they still had to drag me out when they got back!

 

[simonkodousek]

I think it depends on the child, but I would never let my 7 year old go to a park alone.

 

[DrMomof3]

I just bought my kids APs this week and saw the same thing. I, like Kevin, took it to mean that your 16 year old can't take your 7 year old to the park while you sleep in. Not that I have a 16 year old but I like the idea of sending the kids to the park while I sleep. (And I'm really joking here - my 2 year old hasn't slept at all this week so sleep is sounding really good right now!)

Amanda

 

[PHILCT]

Following Disney's logic ... an 8 year old might have money to spend at the shops

LOL !

Thanks for making me Laugh.

 

[fakereadhed]

Since they are "adults" in the parks at 10 that makes perfect sense to me!