Teens unsupervised?

[drinkme]

This year when we go to WDW, the kids will be 14 and 17. We are thinking we will let them hang out without us some of the time. Our plan is that they have to be in the same park as us and they will have their cell phones on. Anyone let their teens go off together or are we crazy?

My dd15 flew to New Orleans by herself last month. We went there on vacation & at the last minute she couldn't come with us because of something at school. She flew out a couple of days later.

I would definitely allow my kids to go around wdw by themselves. In fact, they did last summer. Getting around wdw on the buses is pretty easy especially if you are frequent travelers to wdw.

 

[hsmamato2]

of course they'll be fine.... unless there's another problem with the kids not mentioned...... at those ages, they should be self sufficient enough to enjoy themselves without parents around.... I let my kids wander Disney onsite starting about age 12 or so, they always had a buddy system and traveled around together.... it's a good place for kids to feel that little bit of freedom from the 'old' parents I know my kids like that part the best,we always stay onsite,and they know how to get around using buses,etc. Of course, while I'm a watchful parent, I also base my parenting on my own skills as a kid...I was babysitting alone for multiple kids by 11 years old, and I feel it's fine to give kids personal freedom,and responsibilty....(plus we all need a break from each other after a week+ in a hotel room)

 

[Mickeypooh99]

They must not enforce that rule about 14 years old to enter the park alone. My nephew went to meet his friend at the parks several nights without his parents (took the bus from AKL) and had no issues - he wasn't 14. I definitely don't see any issues with letting two teens go around the parks without their parents at all.

How long ago was that. I don't think this rule has been around very long. It seems like it just became a rule last year.

 

[happymommy]

How long ago was that. I don't think this rule has been around very long. It seems like it just became a rule last year.

How could they enforce it? The cast members cannot know if your parents are in the line next to you. The parents may have gone through the line right ahead of the kids, or in the line 2 rows over, or have already gone through 10 minutes ahead of time while someone was in the restroom.

They may say so on their web site, but it isn't enforced. It would be impossible to enforce. Many folks have no magic bands, so they don't know who you are entering.

 

[SmallWorld71]

How long ago was that. I don't think this rule has been around very long. It seems like it just became a rule last year.

How could they enforce it? The cast members cannot know if your parents are in the line next to you. The parents may have gone through the line right ahead of the kids, or in the line 2 rows over, or have already gone through 10 minutes ahead of time while someone was in the restroom.

They may say so on their web site, but it isn't enforced. It would be impossible to enforce. Many folks have no magic bands, so they don't know who you are entering.

At the time the rule was made (a little over a year ago?) I had read that it was to cut down on big groups of younger kids (more like tween age) being dropped off at the parks. That it really didn't have anything to do with individuals. Not sure if this is true or not, but I've never heard of anyone getting questioned at the entrance about it.

OP - I went with just DS and DD last year (14 and 10 at the time) and there were several times that I had to visit first aid and/ or rest and I let them go about together rather than have to sit and wait for me. There were no issues.