travelling with young teenagers question

[dolphinmom]

I can't remember where I saw a thread on this before so I thought I would ask the question again.

We will be taking our 13 yr old dd and her 14yr old friend to wdw/universal/seaworld this april. I tend to be a worry wart and don't really want to let them go anywhere on their own. But at the same time I would like to give them a little free reign where appropriate. They are very bright kids and they have proven to me over the years that I can trust them to stay within the boundaries that I have set for them.

What I do worry about though is possible child molesters(sp) etc.

So my question is ( FINALLY) have any of you folks let your young teens wander on their own a bit at the parks or at the hotel, like leaving them for an hour or so at the hotel pool or arcade?

TIA

Dolphinmom

 

[Hannathy]

Yes definitely. My DD has been going off on her own since about 11 or 12 at Disney. She took her little brother to the arcade a few times at 12.
AT 13-14 I would let 2 together ride the Disney transportation alone. The only place I would not let them go completely alone would be DTD since it is a non controlled area. Going off in a park for a few hrs or to the pool is perfectly OK. Give them a cell (for the parks) and relax. In school they go to parks, etc and are on their own. Many High schools take freshman to Disney and they are 14 and they are really on their own.

Of course I am assuming a normal amount of freedom at home, if you have been over-protective and they have never been on their own I would start with short amounts of time apart from you in the same park.

 

[MommaPooh]

We let our DD13 and DS11 swim at the pool, go to the arcade, and wonder off in the parks. They had strict rules though. They had to stay together, keep the cell phone, call and check in and met us at a certain time.
They had a great time being independent and everything was fine.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would have no problem at all with two kids of this age doing some exploring on their own. Just have them check in once in a while via a cell phone.

 

[dolphinmom]

Thanks for all the replys. We live in a very (VERY) small town although in the summer it doubles and sometimes triples with the tourists. I am not over-protective too much I don't think. My grandmother was very over protective
so I always swore I wouldn't be when I had kids of my own because I think it is very important for them to be independent.

I feel much better after hearing from you guys. I will probably start out slow by leaving them at the pool and arcade and food court first. Then move onto the parks with restrictions.

Thanks again,

dolphinmom

 

[MSSANDRA]

I have a 14 year old very responsible child.

With two children 13 & 14 together I would be ok with:

Some time alone in the same park as you are with cell phones that you know work well. Required to check in every hour or two and meet up after a few hours.

Time to wonder around the resort going to arcade, food court or gift shop

Going into a differnt store than you at DTD but staying somewhat in the same area.

I would not be ok with:

any transportation on their own

being in a differnt park from you

too much freedom in DDT

The pool has a age limit to be there with out adults and I am thinking it is older than 13-14. That would be a tough call. Maybe time at the pool if allowed and your room is very close to the pool area and they both are great swimmers and the life guard seems to be really watching the kids.

Tough decissions only you can make.

MsSandra