Only minors (no adults)?

[disfan07]

I guess I just don't understand what's so bad about waiting until one of you is 18? That's what my friends and I did.

Just wait until you are legally allowed to go. I have to say, I can't imagine a trip staying in a hostel with no real transportation options, etc being a fun trip. Why don't just wait until you can do Disney the way you planned by staying on property?

It's the law in the US. When in the US, you follow our laws no matter how stupid you might think they are (believe me...there are many many laws that I think are relaly stupid that we have here)

And regarding safety....there is no place that is really, truly 100% safe. There was a murder in our area 2 days ago. Very suburban, very wealthy neighborhood (not our neighborhood but one down the road)...very quiet and serene. Nobody would have ever thought it would happen.

Also, there was a violent sexual assault near the hospital that I am a patient at. The hospital is in an area where a 450sq ft condo will cost you $400,000. Across the street is a very very nice and expensive hotel ($500+/night). So not a bad area.

What I'm saying is, crime can happen anywhere in teh US just like anywhere else. So you may question how it could be unsafe but in reality, there are parts of Orlando that are very unsafe. That type of attitude and thought regarding safety that you have is what could get you into big trouble because it does happen

 

[ilusionista]

I guess I just don't understand what's so bad about waiting until one of you is 18? That's what my friends and I did.

Just wait until you are legally allowed to go. I have to say, I can't imagine a trip staying in a hostel with no real transportation options, etc being a fun trip. Why don't just wait until you can do Disney the way you planned by staying on property?

It's the law in the US. When in the US, you follow our laws no matter how stupid you might think they are (believe me...there are many many laws that I think are relaly stupid that we have here)

And regarding safety....there is no place that is really, truly 100% safe. There was a murder in our area 2 days ago. Very suburban, very wealthy neighborhood (not our neighborhood but one down the road)...very quiet and serene. Nobody would have ever thought it would happen.

Also, there was a violent sexual assault near the hospital that I am a patient at. The hospital is in an area where a 450sq ft condo will cost you $400,000. Across the street is a very very nice and expensive hotel ($500+/night). So not a bad area.

What I'm saying is, crime can happen anywhere in teh US just like anywhere else. So you may question how it could be unsafe but in reality, there are parts of Orlando that are very unsafe. That type of attitude and thought regarding safety that you have is what could get you into big trouble because it does happen

I know it does happen, but how stupid do you think we are? Here in Buenos Aires kids younger than me can go armed and rob and kill and it's COMMON. And we would be all day at the parks, so no chances of anything happening.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

 

[Mrsjvb]

I know it does happen, but how stupid do you think we are? Here in Buenos Aires kids younger than me can go armed and rob and kill and it's COMMON. And we would be all day at the parks, so no chances of anything happening.

that is naive of you. VERY naive. you may think that BA is soooo scary and evil and dangerous and that if you can get through a day there you will be immune to any other possibility of danger anywhere else. BULL. that is a prime example of the immaturity/lack of real world experience that could get you into trouble in America.

America has gangs of teenagers that rob and kill and walk around more heavily armed than the local law enforcement. WDW may be the happiest place on earth. it is NOT the safest one.

Save your money and when you are legally old enough to come here without needing Mummy and daddy's permission, you can do so and be able to afford a Moderate instead of a Value. the Mouse will still be around. you don't have to rush.

 

[ilusionista]

that is naive of you. VERY naive. you may think that BA is soooo scary and evil and dangerous and that if you can get through a day there you will be immune to any other possibility of danger anywhere else. BULL. that is a prime example of the immaturity/lack of real world experience that could get you into trouble in America.

America has gangs of teenagers that rob and kill and walk around more heavily armed than the local law enforcement. WDW may be the happiest place on earth. it is NOT the safest one.

Save your money and when you are legally old enough to come here without needing Mummy and daddy's permission, you can do so and be able to afford a Moderate instead of a Value. the Mouse will still be around. you don't have to rush.

I never said that, but you don't know how living in a place is unless you actually live there. I'd guess you never came to Buenos Aires, but I did go to Orlando. And you can't compare. Here you have small kids asking for money on stop lights and parking lots. I didn't see any of them at Orlando. At any place. Let alone a park. If I'm going to get murdered, it wouldn't be inside a Disney Park.

 

[livndisney]

I never said that, but you don't know how living in a place is unless you actually live there. I'd guess you never came to Buenos Aires, but I did go to Orlando. And you can't compare. Here you have small kids asking for money on stop lights and parking lots. I didn't see any of them at Orlando. At any place. Let alone a park. If I'm going to get murdered, it wouldn't be inside a Disney Park.

But you are not able to stay at a Disney Park. You are considering staying offsite, most likely somewhere along I drive or 192. Those areas are NOT Disney. Just to give you an example, today 2 grown adults in the Walmart parking lot in broad daylight were approached by an attempted robber. And this Walmart is right up the road from the Youth hostel mentioned here.

Orlando has more than it's share of people asking for money. Orlando has a good bit of crime, and a lot of it focused on tourists. But hey what do I know? I live here.

 

[ilusionista]

But you are not able to stay at a Disney Park. You are considering staying offsite, most likely somewhere along I drive or 192. Those areas are NOT Disney. Just to give you an example, today 2 grown adults in the Walmart parking lot in broad daylight were approached by an attempted robber. And this Walmart is right up the road from the Youth hostel mentioned here.

Orlando has more than it's share of people asking for money. Orlando has a good bit of crime, and a lot of it focused on tourists. But hey what do I know? I live here.

I was discussing to him about staying at Disney, not this. And of course there are dangers, but I never heard anyone complain about Orlando's insecurity, USA's insecurity in any city etc. (I'm speaking about tourists, and I go to a school where almost everyone has gone there many times).

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Ilusionista, I agree with you on not getting murdered by gangs of heavily armed U.S. teenagers. Haven't seen any of those at Disney! Just watch out for those Pirates of the Caribbean though! The U.S. may have such gangs, but not in most places - none in my suburbia or the many places in the U.S. where I travel. Such gangs are normally located in the most economically distressed neighborhoods & typically prey on each other - if they murdered more non-gang Americans, I'm sure something would be done about the murder rate! Not that they don't sometimes, but generally not if one is not in those neighborhoods.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, Americans are not familiar with unaccompanied traveling minors, so I hope you can look beyond some of the posts.

I don't see how waiting 1 year will make much difference in your maturity & safety. There is nothing shameful about relying on your parents at your age; it is natural. Families should rely on each other throughout their lives.

Folks on this thread should not get the cart before the horse. You don't know yet if you can or cannot stay at a Disney resort or a Downtown Disney hotel (all of which are perfectly safe). If you want the trip now, go for it. Contact Disney and/or the Downtown Disney hotels & ask for the forms to be completed by your parents. Let us know what you find out.

If that doesn't work, I'm sure you can find a BA tour group that can get you a room.

I think one of the above will work, so start packing your bags!

Julie

 

[livndisney]

I was discussing to him about staying at Disney, not this. And of course there are dangers, but I never heard anyone complain about Orlando's insecurity, USA's insecurity in any city etc. (I'm speaking about tourists, and I go to a school where almost everyone has gone there many times).

You have never heard anyone complain about Orlando crime? I suggest you start doing some homework!

Let's see you can google -
I Drive crime (Crime is so bad they had to set up a task force)
and just for fun try " Disney CM arrested".

We have had teen shootings at Wet and Wild, teens groped at Disney waterparks. There was a teen who was raped in an elevator....

And the area along 192 is full of homeless people and abandoned motels.

In the last 24 hours:
• Assault on MILLENIA BV / W OAK RIDGE...• Other on 10XX UNIVERSAL STUDIOS PZ• Other on UNIVERSAL BV / HOLLYWOOD ...• Other on 68XX SPERONE ST• Theft on 55XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Theft on 49XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Theft on 52XX INTERNATIONAL DR D1• Theft on 65XX INTERNATIONAL DR 107• Other on INTERNATIONAL DR / W OAK ...• Theft on 49XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Theft on 49XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on 53XX MILLENIA BV• Other on 54XX VINELAND RD• Theft on 49XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on 51XX INTERNATIONAL DR• Assault on 56XX MAJOR BV 141• Other on 56XX MAJOR BV• Theft on 56XX MAJOR BV• Other on 58XX CARAVAN CT• Assault on 57XX MAJOR BV• Other on 52XX MILLENIA BV• Burglary on 67XX CONROY RD• Robbery on TURKEY LAKE RD• Other on PARC CORNICHE DR• Theft on 61XX CARRIER DR• Other on ROYAL ELM DR• Other on UNIVERSAL BV• Other on TURKEY LAKE RD• Other on RIDGE CLUB LP• Theft on 58XX AMERICAN WY• Assault on UNIVERSAL BV• Arrest on 63XX OAK CHASE CT• Assault on PRAIRIE FOX LN• Assault on HARCOURT AV• Other on INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on INTERNATIONAL DR• Theft on 61XX PEREGRINE AV• Theft on AREZZO AV• Burglary on WHITE ASH ST• Other on MASTERS BV• Other on INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on HILLWOOD DR• Other on PRATO AV• Other on INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on TURKEY LAKE RD• Vandalism on INTERNATIONAL DR• Other on RAVINNIA DR• Vandalism on INTERNATIONAL DR• Vandalism on 54XX VINELAND RD• Other on 54XX S KIRKMAN RD


http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...do-hotel-hotel-employee-sexual-battery-charge

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...8_1_lascivious-battery-orlando-area-three-men

 

[ukcatfan]

I don't think I saw this covered yet (quickly skimmed thread), but I do not think that there is any way possible for you to enter the US under 18 without a parent, legal guardian, or legally authorized chaperon. Even those under 18 traveling alone must be received by an adult legally declared to be one of those. So, I don't think you can even get here. Having one person over 18 is not going to work either. An 18 year old would not be able to chaperon three 17 year olds. You also could not bring along a letter of authorization from your parents.

If you tried any of those, you would likely get off the plane and be turned away at customs. Then you would be forced to change your return flight to the next available one (at your cost BTW). You don't have to like it, but it is our law and our border laws are not flexible.

 

[pjhootch]

Kids still travel around Europe without adults, and of course there were risks. I went overseas without an adult during the 70s and I'm not sure why anyone would think it was safe back then. The world really hasn't changed that much in regard to crime and safety... I think we're just more aware of it these days.

During the 70s kids traveled around the USA without adults too. During the 1980s as well. I assume there are still kids that do so. Of course there are risks, but give the kid a break. He is correct that the risks of staying in a hostel in Orlando and going to Disney World are manageable risks.

Whether or not a group of 17 year old kids can enter the U.S. right now without a sponsoring adult on this end... I don't know. I know that in the 90's I had to sponsor my friends' younger siblings that were traveling here without adults. They were coming over here from Ireland and as long as I signed the sponsorship papers they could enter legally.

 

[butterfly71076]

Ilusionista, I agree with you on not getting murdered by gangs of heavily armed U.S. teenagers. Haven't seen any of those at Disney! Just watch out for those Pirates of the Caribbean though! The U.S. may have such gangs, but not in most places - none in my suburbia or the many places in the U.S. where I travel. Such gangs are normally located in the most economically distressed neighborhoods & typically prey on each other - if they murdered more non-gang Americans, I'm sure something would be done about the murder rate! Not that they don't sometimes, but generally not if one is not in those neighborhoods.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, Americans are not familiar with unaccompanied traveling minors, so I hope you can look beyond some of the posts.

I don't see how waiting 1 year will make much difference in your maturity & safety. There is nothing shameful about relying on your parents at your age; it is natural. Families should rely on each other throughout their lives.

Folks on this thread should not get the cart before the horse. You don't know yet if you can or cannot stay at a Disney resort or a Downtown Disney hotel (all of which are perfectly safe). If you want the trip now, go for it. Contact Disney and/or the Downtown Disney hotels & ask for the forms to be completed by your parents. Let us know what you find out.

If that doesn't work, I'm sure you can find a BA tour group that can get you a room.

I think one of the above will work, so start packing your bags!

Julie

You are kidding, right? You must really live a sheltered life if you think there are no gangs in "suburbia". I live in the suburbs of Chicago, about 40 miles from the city, and, yes, there are gangs out here. Do we see them as much as in the city? No, we don't, but, that doesn't mean it isn't a problem. As for suggesting gangs are only in "economically distressed" areas, why would you think that is the cause of gangs? Poor people = gangs?? This is the problem thinking of so many people in this country. I, myself, grew up in a bad neighborhood, in a "economically distressed" family. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother, NOT ONE of us EVER joined a gang, and they were in my area. Please don't generalize a group of people, just because they might not have a lot of money and have to live in a less than perfect neighborhood, doesn't mean they are gang bangers.

To the OP, if you can find a hotel that is willing to take a note from you parents, good for you! I hope you have a great trip! If not, WDW isn't going anywhere and will be waiting for you when someone is over 18 to get a room, either way, I'm sure your trip will be magical!!

 

[TwoIfBySea]

Whether or not a group of 17 year old kids can enter the U.S. right now without a sponsoring adult on this end... I don't know.

In theory, it is absolutely legal. The state department (Customs and Border Control) of both the US and of some other countries I checked do recommend having a signed and notarized letter of permission. And of course it will also depend on finding an airline that permits it, but google search show that many do.

In practice, I don't happen to know anyone who has done it (in this direction) without a sponsor or organized tour. I know lots and lots of people, including myself, who have gone FROM the United States to other countries by themselves at ages as young as 15.

And of course, one never knows for SURE what will happen at any border crossing. Non-citizens can be turned away for all sorts of reasons including but not limited to visa issues, financial issues, or questions about the purpose of your visit and how long you really plan to stay.

If you are turned away, that would be a shame but not a life-threatening tragedy (and generally not a financial issue either, since the airline that brought you here is normally responsible for repatriation in the event that you are denied entry to your destination country).

As for all the other dangers of travel, they are real but rare, and not significantly more likely to happen to street-wise kids from Buenos Aires than to a naive family of 40-year-olds from a quiet city in the USA.

 

[ilusionista]

In theory, it is absolutely legal. The state department (Customs and Border Control) of both the US and of some other countries I checked do recommend having a signed and notarized letter of permission. And of course it will also depend on finding an airline that permits it, but google search show that many do.

In practice, I don't happen to know anyone who has done it (in this direction) without a sponsor or organized tour. I know lots and lots of people, including myself, who have gone FROM the United States to other countries by themselves at ages as young as 15.

And of course, one never knows for SURE what will happen at any border crossing. Non-citizens can be turned away for all sorts of reasons including but not limited to visa issues, financial issues, or questions about the purpose of your visit and how long you really plan to stay.

If you are turned away, that would be a shame but not a life-threatening tragedy (and generally not a financial issue either, since the airline that brought you here is normally responsible for repatriation in the event that you are denied entry to your destination country).

As for all the other dangers of travel, they are real but rare, and not significantly more likely to happen to street-wise kids from Buenos Aires than to a naive family of 40-year-olds from a quiet city in the USA.

I'm not sure about the border line thing, but in theory to get out of the country you need a letter from your parents (signature checked by lawyers and stuff).

Would anybody from the US be able to call Disney World Resorts and ask about the OP? I mean I would but I'm not from the US

 

[TwoIfBySea]

Would anybody from the US be able to call Disney World Resorts and ask about the OP? I mean I would but I'm not from the US

Why can't you call -- if necessary, using Skype or something? Can't be all that expensive to call the US compared to the cost of the trip you are envisioning.

 

[ilusionista]

Why can't you call -- if necessary, using Skype or something? Can't be all that expensive to call the US compared to the cost of the trip you are envisioning.

I don't use Skype, I'll check the numer the rates and the area codes and call tommorow. I'd just figured it'd be easier for someone on the US.

 

[livndisney]

I'm not sure about the border line thing, but in theory to get out of the country you need a letter from your parents (signature checked by lawyers and stuff).

Would anybody from the US be able to call Disney World Resorts and ask about the OP? I mean I would but I'm not from the US

CRO is closed for the evening.

You don't reach Disney World Resorts when you call-you get a call center.

Even if "someone" called and got the answer you want-they will not be the person checking you in (provided you made it that far).

 

[livndisney]

I don't use Skype, I'll check the numer the rates and the area codes and call tommorow. I'd just figured it'd be easier for someone on the US.

A phone call to the US is bound to be a lot cheaper than air fare to the US.


Of course it does say on the Disney website, to be 18 to call or have your parents permission.

 

[ilusionista]

CRO is closed for the evening.

You don't reach Disney World Resorts when you call-you get a call center.

Even if "someone" called and got the answer you want-they will not be the person checking you in (provided you made it that far).

It wouldn't be to check in, just to ask.

Still, I think I'll let my parents talk to the travel agent and see what she can tell them. Maybe she'll be able to phone every single Orlando hotel XD and find something out.

 

[opraghst]

What the heck is a troll??? (Other than the dudes from Norse mythology)