Under 16 for Keys to Kingdom?

[EjandMD]

Has anyone taken a 15year old? Has anyone ever gotten a special waive of the age? My nephew is 14 and broke is collarbone on Monday, we leave Wed for WDW. He won't be able to ride many rides so I thought this would be cool for him.

What about the treasure hunt tour...is that for little kids or would a 14 year old teenager, football, popular with the ladies kind of guy like it?

 

[DizneyKrazed]

Unfortunately the minimum age for the Keys to the Kingdom tour is 16. I have not heard of them making special exceptions for any tours (I have a friend who was 2 months shy of her birthday and they still would not let her participate in the Segway Tour)

 

[DHSsenior007]

When I was 15, I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I kind of... ummm... stretched the truth about my age, but it's not that uncommon that people do it. They don't ask for IDs or anything, so they never knew I wasn't really 16...

I hope I don't start a controversy here...

 

[Joanna71985]

The age limit is there for a reason. When I took it in August, a whole family dropped out of the tour because one of the daughters was a few months shy of the age limit. People shouldn't lie about their ages to take it. That's wrong.

 

[pezpam]

DD is waaaay under the age limit, so I haven't tried KTTK, but as far as taking a 14 year old ladies-man footballer on the Family Magic tour, I wouldn't. Maybe the Mickey's Magical Milestones Tour? We did the Family Magic when DD was 7 and she enjoyed it, but she was definitely the oldest one there. The MMM tour says it's designed for 10 and up, so that might be a good choice. (If you do it, let us know how it was. We could do it in 2 more years! lol)

 

[LongIslandCouple]

I took K2K this summer. The age limit of 16 was probably placed so that people don't try to "smuggle" in their much younger children as they know it would spoil a lot of the WDW experience for the 8 - 10 year olds. In my opinion, the rule is arbitrary and one that you should use your best judgement as far as whether you want it applied to the 14 year old or not.

If you know it's going to add to his experience in WDW, then I would stretch the truth. It would be a shame for someone not to get the most of their vacation because they happen to be going a few months too early.

Flame suit on. ;-)

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'd lie too. The idea that a fifteen year old might not have the physical strength or endurance that a forty year old has is ridiculous. I think they set it at 16 so that people wouldn't bring little kids.

Not only would I lie, I'm GOING to lie. My son that won't turn 16 until August will be touring with me in June.

I wouldn't send a teenager on the kiddie Treasure Hunt...unless you want to hear about throughout the vacation and for the rest of your life.

 

[Schmeck]

I took K2K this summer. The age limit of 16 was probably placed so that people don't try to "smuggle" in their much younger children as they know it would spoil a lot of the WDW experience for the 8 - 10 year olds. In my opinion, the rule is arbitrary and one that you should use your best judgement as far as whether you want it applied to the 14 year old or not.

If you know it's going to add to his experience in WDW, then I would stretch the truth. It would be a shame for someone not to get the most of their vacation because they happen to be going a few months too early.

Flame suit on. ;-)

Gee, rules are arbitrary? You get to decide which rules you want to follow? Can we all do that? Like, can I come take your car away from you, I mean, really, that stealing rule is so arbitrary in my life...

I agree, teach your kid to lie about his age now, so when he wants to sneak into a bar in a few years, he's really good at it. Or when he lies to you, you'll know you've trained him well!

 

[buzz2400]

I always thought they put the age limit to keep the magic alive as long as possible for kids, ie most kids don't know that there are tunnels underneath. Also some of the tours can be a little boring for younger people and could possibly be a little distracting to the adults.

 

[Joanna71985]

Disney has a reason for the age limit (and it isn't for keeping younger kids out). If that was the reason, then why isn't the age limit 15? I know a lot of mature 15 year olds. Whatever the reason is, it's there for a reason. I'm sorry, I just can't condone lying.

 

[EjandMD]

actually the offical reason I got was that it was the company policy to "keep the magic alive" and I do think that's important, but has WDW look around lately? I think it should be 12 and older. And now I could just kick myself cause I have to find something else for this him and we already told him about it! I say if a child at 10 has to eat off the adult menu (for twice the price) a 14 year old should be able to take the tour!

 

[disdancin]

My 13 year old DD was interested in Keys to the Kingdom. Since she cannot go, I signed us both up for Mickey's Magical Milestones (ages 10 and up) for our upcoming April trip. Does anyone have any details about the tour that might help the OP and folks like me? Most importantly, I hope this tour is not geared too "young" for young teens. I certainly don't want to hear about it forever (ha ha)!

 

[suzimar57]

back in oct 1995, my DS (then 10) took the KTTK tour with me and my sister - guess that must have been the last year WDW allowed anyone under the age of 16 to take this tour - by the way, DS had a wonderful time then, enjoyed seeing cast members without their character "heads" in the utilidors and still talks about it!

 

[Schmeck]

Disney could also have an insurance policy that does not cover guests under the age of 16 in the 'backstage' areas. Are there other tours that take 15 and unders backstage?

 

[Traveliz]

Yes my daughter (who is now 18) has attended tours that take them backstage - they were through the Disney Institute but the age groups were definitely under 16.

As far as lying to take the tour... you are aware they do require proof of age now for the tour...my daughter and husband took it this summer and were told to bring IDs and they did have to show them....I am not talking Disney resort keys either...proof of age and who you are IDs.

Liz

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I was 15 when I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour. I would say that is acceptable Anything much under I wouldn't suggest it. If your nephew can't do many of the rides there is plenty more he can do like seeing shows (lights motor action), Some Disney Quest activities, travel on the friendships in EPCOT, Most of World SHowcase, slow moving rides (Great Movie Ride), Walking along the trails in DAK

 

[scakul]

We went on the tour last year and they checked the ID's of every one in the group including my son who had just turned 16.

 

[PatriciaH]

You do need picture ID/drivers license for KTTK. They collect them at the beginning of the tour.

"Guests must be at least 16 years old to attend this program. Guests are required to have a photo ID in their possession during the program. Large bags and cameras are NOT permitted."

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Well what happens if you don't have a photo ID

In Mass you can get your license when you are 16 but I didn't have mine untill 3 weeks later....

 

[DebbieB]

I think this rule is also for the consideration of the other guests taking the tour. You pay alot of money for it, who wants 12 or 13 year olds who were dragged along goofing off during it.

Disney makes the rules clear, it's their tour, they are in charge. It's not up to the guests to decide if it's fair or not.