Question for some of you parents out there...

[Ihave3daughters]

Hi everybody,

We're spending a few days at POP in about 3 weeks, and I can't wait! It'll be our first time at WDW, and a surprise trip to boot! We'll have a down day on a Saturday, so here's my question:

I know my older girls (13 and 11) will want to run off to the arcade or the food court at some point- DD13 has a cell phone- would any of you feel comfortable with that? Am I being overprotective if I say no? How comfortable with the environment at POP do you all feel about that? I was just looking for a little feedback from you guys so I'll know better what to say when they ask me- and they will ask me.

Thanks-

-Eric

 

[McKelly]

My kids are younger than yours, but as a former police officer, let me say, there is NO PLACE that is "safe". People have a very false sense of security in places like Disneyworld, or even small towns. Please err on the side of caution. My answer would be No, do not let them wander by themselves, who cares if others think you are overprotective, I call it being smart.

 

[THERESA522]

My kids were 4 & 3 when we travelled, so it's not something I had to worry about with them, BUT we brought my 14 year old niece with us - we didn't allow her to go anywhere without us. I agree with the other poster, err on the side of caution.

 

[Sandi]

I allow my DD12 to go to the arcade and to get soda at the food court by herself. She has a cell phone and we keep connected and check in with each other at set intervals. We stayed at Pop in February and again in August. I can't stand the arcade for more than 10 minutes, so I'd take her there and then go sit by the pool or wander the check in area. I would also let her walk to the food court in the morning by herself and then I would meet her there after a short time (or vice versa).

I agree that erring on the side of caution is the right way to proceed. Make sure that your girls are aware of their surroundings and that they only go where they say they will go.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

I wouldn't. My kids are younger, but we just returned from a week at Pop and its BIG. There's lots of people, its really busy...not when traveling...too much of a risk.

 

[livndisney]

Hi everybody,

We're spending a few days at POP in about 3 weeks, and I can't wait! It'll be our first time at WDW, and a surprise trip to boot! We'll have a down day on a Saturday, so here's my question:

I know my older girls (13 and 11) will want to run off to the arcade or the food court at some point- DD13 has a cell phone- would any of you feel comfortable with that? Am I being overprotective if I say no? How comfortable with the environment at POP do you all feel about that? I was just looking for a little feedback from you guys so I'll know better what to say when they ask me- and they will ask me.

Thanks-

-Eric

I would not feel comfortable. Sadly there have been stories on the news lately of less than "nice" people here in Orlando. Like another poster said "no where" is safe. That being said the arcade is right across the hall from the store and food court. Perhaps you could have a bite in the food court while the teens are in the arcade. I would suggest having them "check in" often. The arcade is quite loud and doesn't have the best cell phone reception.

 

[DizzDoll]

Agreed with the OPs - err on the side of caution. If you're even just a little skeptical about letting the kids go to the arcade themselves, then maybe you could give them, say, a 5 minute head start, then go either to the food court or over to the hippy dippy pool and hang out there, or even browse in the shop and you'd be out of sight but close enough to spot check, as it were. Don't feel you're being overprotective - pretty much we all are.

Now, on our recent trip to WDW, I had these two situations: my 14 year old son cannot tolerate MGM, but he'd go for an hour or two to do some things I thought he'd enjoy (and he did), then he would ask to go back to the hotel. Cell phone in hand, he'd call me every 5 minutes until he was back at the hotel (which was Pop Century), and I'd spot call just to check on him. All was well, even though he ate the food court out of chicken fingers and pizza . Now my 16 year old daughter...at an MK late night, she wanted to go back to the hotel (we had moved to the CR by then) because she just plain ran out of steam, so I walked her to the monorail, waited till she boarded, then went off to catch up with the rest of my crowd. "Herself" had me on the cellie for the rest of the night until we got back to the hotel. This was my first time in letting them do this. Was I uncomfortable doing it? Most of the time, to be honest, yes. But it was also pretty good for me to do this because 1) it gave my son a little independence; 2) they kept in constant communication, and 3) I learned that my daughter will NEVER be independent!!!

 

[unicorn1]

At the parks - no. At Pop - yes, ONLY if they agree to stick together at all times, and you trust them enough to feel comfortable that they'll do so. I would NEVER let one of my kids go alone, but, at that age, if they get along well and can be trusted to always stay together I would let them go to the food court or arcade together.

 

[pooh2001]

When my DS was 15 - I allowed him to use the game room right next door to the laundry room in the Dolphin. He did come back for more $$'s to play games about every 20 minutes. My DS is also a green belt in Tae Kwon Do.

We do not allow our kids - even at 15 to go to the snack area or stay in the parks alone.

 

[mrsnj91]

We didn't stay at POP (we were at POR) and I let my 14 year old walk to the food court to get refills on soda w/my middle DD who was 9. I would not let either go alone. And they had to be back in a few min or one of us would come and we were right near the building. So if we were further away, probably not. I probably would not do the arcade or food court for a meal. That would be too long away.

 

[jgallant]

we just returned from csr and wl and we did let our kids go together in a group to the arcade and the food centres as long as they were in a group and stayed together. our friend's son was with them also ( BF 11, Em is 11 , Ethan is 10 ) we also have two other children who we made stay with us (8,7 ) .
We are pretty cautious as we do not let the kids even walk to school at home yet and are very selective of who they play with etc. but I personally think if they are in a group and they stay together and it is for small periods of time they are fine. Now, at the parks...no way!
But as far as the arcade or to go get a drink, we give them a cell or walkie talkie and send them on their way for about a half an hour and thats it.
Oh yeah, and only during the daytime....and this was the first time we let them do this and it was with some hesitation but at some point you have to give them small amounts of freedom and independance. They were great.

Plus we were fairly close to these areas as well.... so please do not take offence. Its just that, at 11 they are old enough to be at home themselves and at 12 they are allowed to babysit ... so I guess I could deduce the decision to it all depends on the child and the parent and what you are comfortable with .......

 

[5onadime]

NO, NO, NO!!! Why take the chance? And, my thought is that it is a family vacation and we will be a family. We stay together.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm the lone dissenting voice here, but I'm sure that your girls will be fine for a little while at the hotel on thier own. I agree with the above poster about how nowhere is "safe", but I'm sure you've talked with them about strangers, and if they know not to leave the arcade area (except to walk to and from), then there should be no problems. Letting teenagers learn a little about independence and personal repsonsibility in a relatively "safe" and contained place like WDW will help them become responsible, well adjusted adults.

 

[goofy4tink]

Last Oct, my dd turned 13. We traveled to WDW with a friend of hers who was also celebrating her 13th...parents all met at childbirth class, and remained friends. It was a mom/daughter trip for the ladies. This was also the trip my dd was going to be allowed to go off on her own in the parks, with her friend. She is very knowledgable about all the parks, so I had no qualms about her getting lost or turned around. Both girls had cell phones, as did the two moms. They had a time frame set out, for when they had to call in, and one for when they had to meet up with us.
There was one night, that we all took the bus to YC/BC, rather than wait for the BW bus. As we crossed the bridge area towards WS, the girls went back to our villa, while the two moms hit the F/W Festival for a few hours. The girls did just fine. I think the other mom was a bit nervous, but as long as it was the two girls together, I wasn't too concerned.

It's up to each parent to decide if their child is old enough for this added responsibility. Yes, the world is different now, or it could be that we just hear of bad things more often. If the girls want to head off to the food court or the arcade, I would let them go but for a set period of time. Then, not to be sneaky or anything, but I would walk over to wherever they are, without them knowing about it beforehand, just to see how they are doing. I mean, you're entitled to a drink aren't you?? That's all you'ld be doing, just getting a quick soda...heavens dear, would we check up on you?? (tongue very much in cheek here!)

 

[RLRDA]

My kids are younger than yours, but as a former police officer, let me say, there is NO PLACE that is "safe". People have a very false sense of security in places like Disneyworld, or even small towns. Please err on the side of caution. My answer would be No, do not let them wander by themselves, who cares if others think you are overprotective, I call it being smart.

I totally agree with this poster! Today's world is not the world we grew up in in the 70's & 80's. You can never be too cautious....having a cell phone is not a guarantee of safety.

Stay safe and enjoy your trip!

 

[drgreene1096]

Sorry, but maybe this is a sick way to look at things, but I'm thinking that the false sense of security could be a breeding ground for all kinds of perverts. No way would I let my kid go anywhere alone! Not unless she was 15 or 16 at the very least and that would be unlikely, too.

 

[corinascot]

I usually don't like to post on these "parent advice" topics, but I was rather surprised at the answers to this one. I think you should do what you do at home with your girls. My ds is 12. We live in a very large, urban area. He walks to school. He stays home alone at times. I send him to the corner store every now and then. He babysits the boys across the street. He rides his bike to sports practices. It's very common for children his age to do this in our town. He didn't do these things a couple years ago, but he does them now. Not everyone, but most kids his age around here get this kind of freedom. When he shows up at baseball practice on his bike, most of the team has arrived on bike. When we go to WDW, he usually makes a few trips to the food court to get a drink and return. He did last year too. Sometimes he was with his cousins, but a couple times he went alone. And a couple times DH and I went to the pool or for a walk and ds stayed in the room and relaxed. I'm not comfortable with him going anywhere alone in the parks, though. He's a smart, confident boy. Does it make me nervous at times? Yes! And sometimes I think it would be easier to drive him everyplace. But it's our comfort level. You should go with yours. If your girls are used to being fairly independent, have a cell phone and stick together, and don't just wander around, would you feel ok with it? Have a wonderful trip!