Teenager do's and don'ts

[Pooh Crew]

We just discovered that a friend of our 16yr old daughter will not only be at WDW the same week we are, but will also be at the same hotel! Our other children are 5, 5, 5 and 4, so we had planned to go back to the parks with our older daughter after dinner (leaving the younger ones with g'ma and g'pa at the hotel) to let her ride the bigger stuff and see things that might scare the little ones. Our daughter and this friend are both good, responsible girls and we trust them to go places together here at home. Our daughter is asking what she and her friend will be able to do together. We are trying to figure out what would be acceptable for them. I am assuming letting them go off on their own while we are in the same park is fine. Here's my questions:

1) Is it considered "safe" for two teen girls to ride the monorail (we are at a monorail hotel) to MK or Epcot? Would you let them do it after dark?

2) What are some other do's or don'ts for them or us?

Both girls will have cell phones (as will all the adults in our party) and our daughter will also have a copy of our itenerary showing ADR's so we can meet up throughout the day.

 

[Belle5]

I know I wouldn't hesitate to send my 15 and 17 year old boys out as you described. My boys know WDW like the back of their hand, though, so I wouldn't worry about them getting lost or anything. Do the girls have a young, vulnerable look to them or are they pretty mature and confident?

 

[Brygida]

We just discovered that a friend of our 16yr old daughter will not only be at WDW the same week we are, but will also be at the same hotel! Our other children are 5, 5, 5 and 4, so we had planned to go back to the parks with our older daughter after dinner (leaving the younger ones with g'ma and g'pa at the hotel) to let her ride the bigger stuff and see things that might scare the little ones. Our daughter and this friend are both good, responsible girls and we trust them to go places together here at home. Our daughter is asking what she and her friend will be able to do together. We are trying to figure out what would be acceptable for them. I am assuming letting them go off on their own while we are in the same park is fine. Here's my questions:

1) Is it considered "safe" for two teen girls to ride the monorail (we are at a monorail hotel) to MK or Epcot? Would you let them do it after dark?

2) What are some other do's or don'ts for them or us?

Both girls will have cell phones (as will all the adults in our party) and our daughter will also have a copy of our itenerary showing ADR's so we can meet up throughout the day.

I would allow them to use Disney transport to get to any of the major parks or water parks on their own. I would not allow them to go to Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, or Disney Quest (which anyone can get into), unless I were on the premises as well.

My nieces go all the time with their Mom and they are allowed to go anywhere on their own at WDW property (while Mom relaxes and meets them for meals). Also, my niece has gone down for sports camp at WDW, staying at All Stars Resort. The chaperones allowed the teens to go anywhere that Disney transport would take them.

Does that help?

Brygida (used to go with my teenage sister throughout her teen years).

 

[DVCLiz]

I felt it was perfectly safe to let DD16 and DD11 stay at EMH one night at MK. We were staying at the Wilderness Lodge, and I got tired!!! They had a great time staying out until 1am!!!! I think the girls would be absolutely fine on their own.

 

[Pooh Crew]

I know I wouldn't hesitate to send my 15 and 17 year old boys out as you described. My boys know WDW like the back of their hand, though, so I wouldn't worry about them getting lost or anything. Do the girls have a young, vulnerable look to them or are they pretty mature and confident?

Hmmm...I don't know. They just look like 16 yr olds--and usually act like 16 yr olds, too. Our daughter is pretty short, but does not look young for her age. I don't think they would wander off with an adult (they think 20 is old ), but have no doubts that they would team up with some other teens without thinking twice. Also, I do not know if the other girl knows WDW or not, but our daughter has only been twice, so she does not know WDW well. I do believe she could easily read a map (matter of fact, I have park maps already and can test her on this before we go...showing her all the places to be at what time.) Does any of this help with your opinion?

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

If you let her go out with friends at home, I don't see a big difference with WDW. I was 16 when I went on my senior class trip to WDW in the early '90s. We were driven to the parks and given the whole day to run wherever. During HS band trips we were set loose in theme parks for the day with one or two check-in times. Have her check in every few hours to put your mind at rest, and let her have a ball.

 

[staci]

I would make sure that you and the other parents are on the same page as far as what was allowed.

I took a friend when we went when I was 17. My parents would allow us to stay in the park alone when they were done for the evening, but we had to tell them which park, and we were not allowed to hop. I think they just wanted to avoid us hopping to a different park, then DTD, then a boys car , etc. My parents and her parents talked it all out before the trip, and we had a BLAST!

Honestly, we were a little mischievous at home, but we were total angels there. I mean, its DISNEYWORLD! There are so many things to do that the parents APPROVE of, there was no TIME to find other people to get in trouble.

Oh, we always had a cell phone, and we were expected back at the resort as soon as the park closed.

Im sure there are a million ways to do this, but this worked well for us!

 

[Belle5]

Hmmm...I don't know. They just look like 16 yr olds--and usually act like 16 yr olds, too. Our daughter is pretty short, but does not look young for her age. I don't think they would wander off with an adult (they think 20 is old ), but have no doubts that they would team up with some other teens without thinking twice. Also, I do not know if the other girl knows WDW or not, but our daughter has only been twice, so she does not know WDW well. I do believe she could easily read a map (matter of fact, I have park maps already and can test her on this before we go...showing her all the places to be at what time.) Does any of this help with your opinion?

Yes, it does give me more information. With what you've described I'm not sure I would let them "have at it" totally. I think I would give them small license to move about at first and see how they do at finding their way back to you. Perhaps, go to a park with them and let them loose and see if they can meet you when and where you say before letting them hop the monorail and so forth. Before ever letting them take off from the hotel without you, I would say, "Pretend I am not with you and let me see you and your friend find the way from our hotel to Epcot". If they can pass a few tests like that I think they are ready to be on their own. If you find they are looking at you with the "deer in the headlights" look frequently, I would keep them close by. My guess is, they'll do fine.