teen safety

[brajfamily]

We are headed to Disney in April and have a wide range of kids. Our two oldest are 13 and 14. Although we have been to Disney several times and they have gone off together (without any "adults") in the same park as us, they have never gone to another park. We would like to think that if we have them stay together they would be safe but WDW is a big place. Any opinions out there?

Thanks

 

[MSSANDRA]

I say No.

 

[hematite153]

I'd say it depends on your teens.

Are they generally responsible? Good problem solvers? Do they go off on their own together at home? Etc.?

When I was 13/14, I used to take my two sisters (3yrs younger and 5yrs younger) all over the place and we lived in a big city.

But, most of the 13/14 year olds that I know today don't seem to have the same "survival" skills.

What would they do if the power went out and they were stuck in a ride? What if they disagreed about which attractions to visit, would they stick together anyway? What if they got on the wrong bus and ended up at a different resort? Would they quickly approach a CM and ask for help "just because they'd noticed that the same person had been behind them in 3 lines"--i.e. many would dismiss it as irrelevant, but, it's worth worrying about.

If they are generally competent with these kinds of situations, then being in a different park is likely not that different from being on the far side of the park relative to you--in both situations they have to look out for themselves and each other.

 

[brajfamily]

thanks for the advice. Definitely gave us something to think about and scenarios to run by our kids . . .

 

[jazzmine]

I agree, definitely depends on the teen. When I was 13 I did a few days at the parks alone (not what was originally planned but what ended up happening). I was a little nervous at first but I did well on my own. I had been to the parks before so I knew where everything was and what I wanted to do. It was nice to have a taste of independence in a "safe" place.

You know your kids and you know how they act on a day to day basis. I would go on that. Also, if you have more than one cell phone, I would make sure that they have one so they can call you if needed.

 

[hematite153]

I would go on that. Also, if you have more than one cell phone, I would make sure that they have one so they can call you if needed.

This is good. But, I'd make sure they understand how to get quick help. Being able to call a parent is good and might help one calm down. But, if your parent is in another park, they could be a full hour away.

I have seen several situations where parents set up, "call me" as their solution to problems arising. However, the teen usually needs to solve the problem (or at least get a solution started) before their parent can get there and/or take over.

I also agree that wdw can be a good place to learn about going around without your parents, if you are comfortable there already. But, it is still a large place with a lot of people. So, safety strategies are important.