teens off on their own.. long

[A Mickeyfan]

I usually let my 12 & 14 yr old go off on their own (but in the same park as me). We are going for almost a week in July & was wondering on everyones thoughts of letting them go to Disney Quest (12 will almost be 13) by themselves. We will be staying at the Poly so they can just get on the bus almost door to door. They have been to Disney many many times & do know the way around (we average 1 weekend trip per month). My husband says it is time for us to let go & I am still a bit worried. I have no problems when we are in the same park, but to be at different parks? We will take a second cell phone so they can have one & communicate with me. How have you Moms let go???

 

[wdwnutze]

It is difficult to let go but if you think your boys are responsible they should be fine. The cell phones are a great way to keep in contact. I let my 15y.o. son go off to different parks. We also kept in contact via cell phone and I set up times that he had to physically return to me so I could see him and know that he was o.k. We also were staying at the Poly so the transportation thing was very easy. He really enjoyed himself. I would base it on what they are allowed to do at home(go to the mall alone, movies, etc.) No one knows your kids like you and your husband. As long as you can get them on the cell they should be fine. Good luck and have fun!

 

[pdzabe]

How did wdwnutze know they were boys? Anyway, my opinion is that if this is the first time your children will be going it alone, Disney Quest would be a good place to start since it is in one building right? With the cell phone turned on at all times, no problems staying in touch. But the most important thing, I think, is that you know your own children and how mature they are at this point. I note you said they have been there enough times to know their way around. If they can handle the responsibility, letting them do this on their own only builds mutual respect and that's a good thing.

 

[wdwnutze]

pdzabe---I thought I read that they were boys but I guess not. Oooops! Well, my advice goes for boys or girls.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

the 12 yr old is a girl & the 14 is a boy. I do allow them to go to the movies alone (with friends) We drop & pick them up. I have let the 14 go to the mall with friends (again, drop & pick up service LOL), but not the 12 yr old. I guess it may be time to let go a bit???? Thanks for the thoughts...

 

[bianca]

When we were at DW in December, we let our 12 and 13 year old girls go off by themselves on several occasions. They took the bus from FW to Downtown Disney on several occasions. Of course, I am sure that it helps them to have been at DW for at least 3 weeks a years since they were 5 years old. I am confident that they know their way around and can get back. The situation may be different if they were in entirely new surroundings.

 

[Praise2Him]

We stayed at the AKL a few weeks ago and our 2 boys (15 & 12) went to DQ almost every day by themselves. We gave them a pre-paid phone card and they checked in with us every so often. They did great and it was our first time at Disney since 1997, so they weren't familiar with anything, but it didn't take long at all to figure out the buses.