SURVEY - Leaving kids alone at WDW

[Nie0214]

My 16 year old brother would go to the pool alone, one day while my mother and I went to Animal Kingdom, he went to Hollywood Studios & Disney Quest alone. He is responsible and trustworthy enough (albeit, he is a boy, so I know you have extra concerns about leaving your girls alone).

I think the pool is fine, there are two pools, and there are tons of things to do at the big pool. Every day they have things like a movie at 8pm, Bingo at 2pm, a dance contest, etc. so there is plenty for them to do and plenty of supervision.

As for Downtown Disney, I wouldn't see a problem with leaving them at the hotel, provided they had something to do like watch a movie. Although, there's so much to do in the world, I could see them wanting to leave to do something else. I think you should bring them to DTD with you. Disney Quest is open until midnight I believe, so they would at least have that to do. They can also go catch a movie while you have quality time with DH!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Yes to both- in a heartbeat, assuming they are mature, reasonably responsible kids.

I agree with this!

 

[*Seanaci*]

I don't see a problem with them being down at the pool for an hour or so by themselves.

And I also dont' see a problem with leaving them in the room with the door locked and chained (if there is one) while you and DH go out for a couple hours...really it would be no different than leaving them at home. KWIM? Also, if you are leary of leaving them in the room for a couple hours while you and DH go out, why not hire in a baby sitter. I know, I know. The 15 year old would probably have a fit...but, it all comes down to how you feel about leaving them alone in the room for a couple hours.

 

[dijid]

To the OP: AT the ages of your children, I would think they'd be okay - as long as they stay together. I think using the Buddy System is very important in the situations you are talking about.

What I can't understand are all the parents who are willing to let a child as young as 10 go to the pool alone. We had a drowning at a municipal pool this summer. The newspapers, the news all were quick to report that the primary job of the lifeguard is to enforce the rules. Second, they will provide life saving measures (ie CPR) when necessary. Their job is NOT to babysit or watch over all the unattended children at the pool. Imagine what it would be like if everyone sent their kids to the pool alone? So, please, don't assume the lifeguard is going to be keeping an eye out for your unattended child.

 

[mjkacmom]

To the OP: AT the ages of your children, I would think they'd be okay - as long as they stay together. I think using the Buddy System is very important in the situations you are talking about.

What I can't understand are all the parents who are willing to let a child as young as 10 go to the pool alone. We had a drowning at a municipal pool this summer. The newspapers, the news all were quick to report that the primary job of the lifeguard is to enforce the rules. Second, they will provide life saving measures (ie CPR) when necessary. Their job is NOT to babysit or watch over all the unattended children at the pool. Imagine what it would be like if everyone sent their kids to the pool alone? So, please, don't assume the lifeguard is going to be keeping an eye out for your unattended child.

My 10 year old is a much stronger swimmer than I, and I was on a swim team as a child. Even my 5 year olds were on a swim team this summer (not that I would send them alone to the pool). Seriously, I think you need to take a child's maturity and swimming ability into account - my children spend every day of every summer in the pool.

Heck, when I was 10, spending the summer at my grandparent's shore house, we'd go to the ocean without adults!

 

[kent285]

pool - yes

resort - No, NO, No

 

[delmar411]

To the OP: AT the ages of your children, I would think they'd be okay - as long as they stay together. I think using the Buddy System is very important in the situations you are talking about.

What I can't understand are all the parents who are willing to let a child as young as 10 go to the pool alone. We had a drowning at a municipal pool this summer. The newspapers, the news all were quick to report that the primary job of the lifeguard is to enforce the rules. Second, they will provide life saving measures (ie CPR) when necessary. Their job is NOT to babysit or watch over all the unattended children at the pool. Imagine what it would be like if everyone sent their kids to the pool alone? So, please, don't assume the lifeguard is going to be keeping an eye out for your unattended child.

The lifeguard doesn't need to babysit my child. My child can swim very well, is mature, doesn't act like an idiot and has fun going down the water slide and playing the games at the pool that are run by the lifeguards. What does a drowning have to do with a parent being there or not? The parents could be sleeping on a lounge chair or reading a book or listening to music or having a drink at the bar. None of those things would save their child's life. Which is in fact the lifeguard's actual job. Hence the reason I'm ok with my 10yr old going to the main pool where there are lifeguards. The WDW guards take their jobs very seriously and I watched them for hours so I feel comfortable that if my child was doing something stupid they would tell her to stop or make her get out of the pool or if something extraordinary happened that they would be quick to see it and save her.

 

[amandaraye]

I would allow it. Of course, you know your children best but I'm sure they're perfectly responsible great kids. My parents used to let me and my sister go about on our own in Disney. They'll be fine! Have a great time and a nice romantic evening with your DH!

 

[Reese]

I have left my 15 year old alone. He's very responsible and found with this many younger siblings he could use a little down time. He hung around the resort by himself. He always has his phone in tow so he can get a hold of us. We have one of his friends coming with us next month. We anticipate a few times that they will be off alone as they will want to be going to the thrill rides well we are doing the kid stuff. I also let DS and DD(11) and DD(9) go to fill up drinks together. The best judge of your children is you. I wouldn't hesitate to leave my 15 and 11 year old at the resort with some ground rules(stay in the room and watch TV ) for a couple of hours. But again it all depends on the child.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

At 13 and 15, I'd let them go to the pool alone and if they were fine with that then they'd be fine while you went to DTD.

 

[Del]

I would let them do the pool but I wouldn't leave them in the room alone. I'd be afraid someone would break in. (I worry too much)

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Unless they are wanderers and you don't trust them, then let them stay in the resort themselves. You could always call the front desk and ask who is on duty that night and give them a name of an adult (preferably female) they can call if they need anything. Also, have you ever heard of anyone breaking down a door at a Disney resort and abducting two teenage girls- or anyone abducting two teenage girls at Disney period? Test them out and put tape on the outside of the door if you really need to, I guess. I went to WDW when I was 13 with a friend and we had a blast all by ourselves. We also knew not to talk to strange people or let anyone try to hit on us and that our moms would kill us if we get into trouble. If your girls have common sense, then shouldn't they be allowed to have some freedom? And if sitting with the door bolted in the resort room is freedom to you, then you're not living! I just don't see how kids are supposed to grow into adulthood with hover mothers scared to death over everything. I had one of those and I was a nervous wreck. If they disobey the rules, then take away the privileges. Simple. If your kids are good, then reward them. If they are little terrors, then keep 'em on a short leash.