Unsupervised kids at DL - what age?

[PeterPansPixie]

If he is 15 he is almost old enough to drive. So, he should be able to handle a theme park with a friend (unless he is very immature.) It is a good place to let him try some independence. Having been a camp counselor/teacher for years, we took groups of jr. high school kids to marine world, great america, the boardwalk where they were allowed to travel without a leader (only about 10 yrs ago ) and 99% of the kids were fine off in groups on their own with check ins of every 2 hrs. He will soon be able to go anywhere without you, so show him you trust him, and hopefully when he has the freedom, he will use it wisely.

He will just have turned 14 and his friend 15 when we go in June. I trust him and his friend wholeheartedly but I didn't want to be one of "those" moms who let their kids run loose.

Also, we have a theory in our house that one boy has one brain but two boys have half a brain. They seem to do things together that they wouldn't otherwise do alone.

 

[Dukland]

My first Disney trip that I remember, I was 16 and my sister was 14. We were allowed to go off together. We would meet my parents at meals so they could feed us, then we were off again. I can honestly say that that was the funnest time I have ever had my whole life! We were old enough to do what we wanted, and young enough to not have to pay for a penny of it! LOL

And I think your boys would be just fine going to and from the Tropicana. As a grownup, with our kids, that's where we stayed these past 2 visits. (Dh and I have only been twice as grownups). It's not far at all, and half a brain or not, they should be able to find their way just fine. I have gone the McDonald's by myself at 1 AM and wasn't a bit worried. I've also done laundry until 2 AM downstairs by myself. I talked with everyone I saw and wasn't bothered at all. I'm sure a very cool teenage boy wouldn't be dorky enough to talk to a bunch of tourists in the laundry at 2 AM. So they'd definitely be safe!

 

[Dukland]

Also, they should also have to wear a fanny pack if they are late. Pink mouse ears and a fanny pack. If they have any complaints, you'll turn a picture into their school newspaper. LOL

 

[MATTERHORN]

Also, we have a theory in our house that one boy has one brain but two boys have half a brain. They seem to do things together that they wouldn't otherwise do alone.

LOVE IT!!! I am gonna have to remember that when DS gets older!


Andrea

 

[ACDSNY]

Our kids are now grown, but I always laughed about how often we would run into them when they would go off on their own for a couple of hours. We'd get off a ride and see them. I think they were worried they were missing out on something since we always had a few extra family members traveling with us.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I went with a group for a conference in Anaheim when I was 15. We had one day in DL. We were allowed to roam as long as we had at least one other teen with us. It was a lot of fun, and at that age I felt confident and safe. So I'd say 15/16 is a good age!

 

[honeymom]

When I was 16, I went to Disneyland as part of a teen tour. That day (as every other day on the trip) all 20-30 of us were let loose on the park with some spending money and a meeting place and time for the end of the day. I think your kids are old enough for a few hours here and there on their own. How about staying in touch with them by walkie talkie.

 

[Zoemakes5]

That is great! I just told him that and he said, "Are you serious?!" I told him yes and he wanted to know if we would have our cell phones with us then. If you only knew how cool he thinks he is then you would know how serious that threat is.

My older one would be mortified, but my younger one might do it for kicks even without the threat! He's into "shock value" now, and apparently, for a 10 y.o. boy, the wearing of pink is a shock! Though, he's so well liked that there's now a number of boys in his class wearing pink, they joke and say "you know, pink is the new black!" Now that it's becoming more accepted, I really don't want to see what he's going to do for shock value! You'd never know it, but he's in the gifted and talented program at school and he's really smart! I guess you have to pick your poison! My threat to him would be that he has to be his little sister's buddy for the entire next day, doing what she wanted to do! That would get him!

 

[PeterPansPixie]

Now that it's becoming more accepted, I really don't want to see what he's going to do for shock value!

As the mother of 12th and 8th graders, I can tell you that you DON'T want to know!

My oldest DS came home last night with both ears pierced which isn't totally horrible but he pierced them himself! AND he has two different earrings because his friend didn't have a matching pair. It looks so awful that I think I am going to go buy him a pair of earrings. I guess it is better than piercing his lip or tongue which he was talking about doing last week.

 

[kelmac284]

I agree with some of the others that it is probably ok but I would NOT let them walk to and from the hotel cuz you just never know when some psycho could drive by and snatch them.

I would make them go to the park with you and then you can split up. If they have a cell phone or walkie talkie then I would just have them check in every so often and perhaps meet up for meals etc.

I think they definitely can handle themselves I would just make sure they are well behaved if you let them loose cuz I have seen some really obnoxious teenagers jumping over people, cutting in lines etc.

Otherwise I am sure they would be fine.

 

[rosiep]

It will be good for them to have phones, I imagine them waiting in line for a ride only to discover they have 10 minutes until meeting time and they're just about to board POTC. I guess what I'm saying is don't panic if they're a few moments late. That won't be any fun for you. I remember how hard it was to let my kids "go" it alone. Heck, first time I let them walk to school alone I trailed behind in the car. LOL. They're young women now, and well..I'd still follow along if they'd let me.

 

[mrs.beast]

I would have to agree with not having the boys walk to and from the hotel. It is an unfamiliar neighborhood, and you never know who might drive by