Teens and the parks

[dzneelvr]

We've been allowing our teens some measure of independance for many trips now...starting out they'd go together for an hour or two; now they can choose to go seperately (DS-19, DD-16). Its amazing that last trip they really chose to tag along with us most of the time. couple rules: we set a definite time and place to meet up and it's not acceptable to miss that hookup. We enjoy everthing as a family, but DS can go on Star Tours another dozen times in a row and DD can head back to the resort at an earlier time than the rest of us if she wants (we have her call us on the cell when she arrives).

 

[maelstrom]

I figure we only have a few family vacations left with them.

That's what my parents thought. Now I'm almost 21 and I have no intentions of stopping going to WDW with my parents. Ever.

 

[tiberius]

Last trip our 15 and 17 year olds were given quite a bit of time to tour on their own. They knew the basic workings of Disney transportation and how to travel to/from the parks. They were also given basic ground rules of behavior.
For us, all turned out well and the girls had a great time.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

I'm fourteen, and I love to go off by myself in WDW. My brother is 7, so he doesn't like a lot of the more thrilling rides, so he stays with my parents. I like going around by myself because it's a lot more relaxing... At DD I can take my time in the stores, get lunch... Or at the parks, it's really nice because you're not running all over the place, you can take your time walking around, and going on the attractions or stores you want. One afternoon my mom gave me the plastic and let me go, lol. My brother didn't want to go to the parks, so they stayed at the resort and swam. I went to Epcot, then bussed to MGM. It was really fun.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

a few summers ago, my dd was around 15 1/2, we also brought 2 of her friends with us. we would all go to the same park in the morning, not to early, then they went off for a little . we meet every few hours. we made sure we had meals together, if they wanted they would snack. i think only one day, they wanted to stay at the pool and we went to a park , then they met up with us. they were really excited about going with us, and actually they went on alot of rides with us. and of course they could call us if something came up. we really had a great time.................

 

[kath1210]

My DS15 was on his own for much of our last trip in August. He did not go to any of the parks, but spent his time at DQ and various hotel arcades. We had the free dining plan, so he was easily able to get snacks and lunch on his own.

We had a few rules and he followed them perfectly. He had to let us know where he was going, and call us on the cell phone when he got there. He also had to call us and at least leave a message when he went to another location. If he was spending the day at DQ, for example, he called every couple of hours (we'd set the times in advance) to check in. We always met for dinner. He knew that failing to check in or show up for dinner would result in loss of his freedom. It worked perfectly and he had a blast.

 

[Chuck65]

Just a thought, but one thing you may want to consider is, Verizon sells cell phones that are kid friendly. They can only be programmed for 4 numbers. Another service they have is gps tracking. That way you can tell where your children are.

 

[accarson]

Our teenagers usually hang with us. But want to do some seperate time for our Dec trip. DH and I time alone what will we do

 

[tkd lisa]

My kids are 13 and 14 1/2. My DS (the 13 year old) treasures his "alone" time at WDW. He really likes to spend a LOT of time doing one particular area, while DD (the older one) and I tend to criss cross the parks a lot to fit in a variety of things.

So we split up and make full use of cell phones. Since DS tends to stay in one area, the rule is that he stays there unless he calls and actually TELLS me where he's going to be. Leaving a message doesn't count. And I have "dropped by" a few times to be sure that he's really there and that he's behaving himself. I double check with CMs, who have all said he's a good kid. He's earned the right to alone time, so he gets it.

I have let him take the bus back to the resort by himself, but he calls when he gets on the bus, and calls when he gets in the room. I'm not willing to let him go from park to park by himself yet.

One thing that I have personally decided is that my kids won't go to Down Town Disney without me. Especially as it gets into the evening, the West End seems to have a bit of a rough crowd. That's just my opinion, but I'm not comfortable with my kids there by themselves.

 

[shades]

I believe Disney World parks (not including Downtown Disney) are a reasonably safe place for teens to go it alone. However, there are creepy people everywhere in the world and those creepy people tend to gravitate to areas where the prey is easy. On that note, please do not get a false sense of security just because it is Disney World.

 

[Denicio]

Not directly related to the Disney parks, but 2 weeks ago when we went to orlando...the early AM of the day we were supposed to do Universal...my body decided to pass its 1st kidney stone. I woke up at 3 am and thought i was dying!

After a trip to Celebration hospital (what a killer hospital...i got helped in less than 15 minutes), i came home doped up and exhaused. The wife and i decided to let the kids do universal by themselves. My kids are 15/13/11 and well mannered.

We have cingular cell service, so Cell to Cell is free. SO we could easily stay in touch with them.

Later that afternoon...when the 2 heaping shots of diladin wore off we 'suprised them' at the parks. They were having a fantastic time being "Trusted Young adults" for the 1st time.

We all ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp that night and hit the Halloween Horror Nights as a group.

Dennis

 

[lustergirl]

my sons are 13 and 17 years old. We let them go off on their own but we are also in the same park as them. We have a set of 3 walkie talkies that come in quite handy. Once on our trip we left them at the hotel because they didn't want to get up so early- I was a little nervous that our room wouldn't be there when we got back but all was safe, lol. I think teenagers are tough enough to handle being alone in the parks.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Our family rarely splits up at WDW. Disney has always meant precious family together time to us. It's rare that we all get to hang out together any more, so it 's kind of a big part of going to WDW in the first place.

A few rare exceptions have been once to let the boys (men) do Disneyquest while the women do DTD for a few hours- mostly cause the guys just aren't into spending much time shopping.

Most of the other times have been when someone was ill or tired and wanted to stay in the room or head back early to sleep when the rest of the group was still rearing to go. But even then, it's never been the kids on their own. Well, it was my mom who went back, but only the grandkids are under 21.

Otherwise we've done short splits for one ride (like one group hits SM while the littlest kids, and one adult, go on Buzz) but that's not the same.

Thirteen seems a little young to be without parents for a long period of time, but I could certainly see short split ups at various rides.