What Age Can Children Do Parks Alone

[CatherineH]

At what age do you feel comfortable allowing your children to go to the parks alone? We are going in March and have three guests who have just turned 14 (two girls & one boy). We also have younger children who obviously have different interests. Would you let the older kids go to the parks alone occasionally during the day? the night?

Thanks to all for any input.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Since we have amusement parks (Cedar Point, Geauga Lake) around here and all us parents decided to start dropping them off at 12 (they're with friends, and none of us wants to spend 60 days per summer in the amusement parks, like they do ), we did the same at WDW.

But, I can see people who aren't used to letting kids loose in amusement parks wanting to wait until they're older!

 

[CastMemberDWA]

IMHO it depends on the maturity of the kid in question. If he/she can be trusted to have good manners and behave accordingly, and if you have at least some sort of wireless communication to be in touch - then I think 14 is a good age to let them wander a bit alone. 12 is questionable.

Just my opinion as a mother, PT Disney employee, and as a school teacher.

 

[SuperGurl]

 

[MouseWorshipin]

12 is questionable.

Just my opinion as a mother, PT Disney employee, and as a school teacher.

Believe me, there are tons of 12s (and younger) running around our amusement parks. It isn't just our neighborhood, which is as well credentialed as you are...we're SAHMs, teachers, professors, engineers, cardiac surgeons, other doctors (2), nurses, owners of construction companies, lawyers, clergymen, veterinarian assistant, businessmen, chemical engineers, and a retired couple. But none of us have part-time jobs with Disney.

But, again, lot of us grew up here, we went as kids, too. This isn't a big deal. And we were all fine. Our kids were all fine. Matter of fact, the only problem at any of the parks in my whole life was a 9-month pregnant woman who rode a roller-coaster and proceeded to have her baby on a picnic bench in the park. (The baby got a lifetime pass! )

 

[CastMemberDWA]

Wow a lifetime pass, cool!

I just meant that 12 was questionable because it really depends on the 12 year old. Some can handle it - others can not. The worst thing in the "world" is kids running helter skelter or ruining the "show" experience for others due the fact that they are out of site of any adult who might keep them in line. We have experienced kids much older than 12 (16-18) running in packs and being rude to other guests. So much that so that they risk being tossed out of the park altogether.

So it comes back to how the kids are raised - either with or without good manners. I say if they are responsible and well mannered then let them have their fun. If they are hooligans then it is the parent's responsibility to keep a close eye on them until such time that they can be trusted.

P.S. I'd like to point out that when I wrote my original post yours was not posted yet...so my comment about 12 was not directed at you. It just appeared that way since you apparently were quicker to hit return than I was. I was typing slower I guess.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Wow a lifetime pass, cool!

I just meant that 12 was questionable because it really depends on the 12 year old. Some can handle it - others can not. The worst thing in the "world" is kids running helter skelter or ruining the "show" experience for others due the fact that they are out of site of any adult who might keep them in line. We have experienced kids much older than 12 (16-18) running in packs and being rude to other guests. So much that so that they risk being tossed out of the park altogether.

So it comes back to how the kids are raised - either with or without good manners. I say if they are responsible and well mannered then let them have their fun. If they are hooligans then it is the parent's responsibility to keep a close eye on them until such time that they can be trusted.

P.S. I'd like to point out that when I wrote my original post yours was not posted yet...so my comment about 12 was not directed at you. It just appeared that way since you apparently were quicker to hit return than I was. I was typing slower I guess.

OK, my bad. Sorry.

Our kids don't get wild in the parks because they do it all the time. The boys laugh and the girls giggle, but it isn't any more exciting to them than going to McDonalds. Just more fun.

I remember being a kid in the Amusement Parks. It was great. You got a few bucks from Mom, and you got to eat ice cream, cotton candy, and funnel cakes and ride rides all day long. Total freedom and total fun. And no pressure or hurrying, because you know you're going to come back 60-80 times that summer alone.

When I started driving, I'd take the kids I sat for to Geauga Lake or Sea World. I loved going to Sea World. There is so much to see if you aren't in any hurry at all. I have stood and watched the Pink Flamingos for at least 30 minutes countless times. And the penguins...and the seals. There is SO much more to Sea World than the stupid shows.

But, again, if going to amusement parks is something you rarely do, and it seems overwhelming to you...I can see why you would be all worried about turning your kids loose.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i would have to say for me as a parent i would be comfotable with 17 and older letting my kid go out alone to the parks, i also believe it really depends on the maturity of the child i do not feel my daughter would be responsible enough to go out on her own before that and even at that age she could not go alone,

 

[sue1013]

I started letting mine go alone with a friend about 13-14. We all had cell phones and they knew the parks well. If they didn't have cell phones I don't think I would have let them.

 

[fan of the TTA]

if i had children i would really let them decide.

i think the staff and cast members can actually be very helpfull at disney and take care of young children. i'd say maybe 13 to travel alone

 

[subtchr]

I think besides the maturity level of the kids, a lot depends on how familiar they are with the parks and more importantly the transportation system. Although we don't go very often, we have always used Disney transportation on our trips (we're one of those weird families...we've always considered the monorail an attraction of its own... ). We always park hop as well as visit different resorts, so they know how they can get from one place to another. The funny thing is, for the most part we all stay together. That's not because we would not allow the kids to go off on their own, but we just seem to all enjoy the same things at WDW. I just count my blessings that my kids still like to hang out with us (at least on vacation!) and have a great time! I do have a "mom and dad only" meal planned for our trip in June, and this will be our first trip with evening EMH, so the kids might want to stay later in the parks than we do. But we all have cell phones, and our kids are older (20, 17, & 14). It will be nice to be able to do those things and not worry about it!

 

[Bronte]

we have been thinking about this alot lately too ...
Our girls are very mature and well mannered (ages 10&13) We were only thinking about letting them "alone" within the same park as we were in during the day with cel phones for everyone but I still keep thinking about when my girls "fight" ... they are different and have not yet mastered the art of comprises therefore they can fight verbally about choices which will cause problems for them and other guests. Though I would love to let them have their "freedom" as well as ours I just do not think they are ready ... they are always sisters but they are not always "friends"

 

[subtchr]

we have been thinking about this alot lately too ...
Our girls are very mature and well mannered (ages 10&13) We were only thinking about letting them "alone" within the same park as we were in during the day with cel phones for everyone but I still keep thinking about when my girls "fight" ... they are different and have not yet mastered the art of comprises therefore they can fight verbally about choices which will cause problems for them and other guests. Though I would love to let them have their "freedom" as well as ours I just do not think they are ready ... they are always sisters but they are not always "friends"

I just have to say this is a great post! So many parents are in denial about their kids, it's refreshing to have someone be honest and realize that they are not perfect...heck, they're kids! I could have written the same post a few years ago; my boys (now 20 & 17) always got along fine, but their little sister (now 14) could really set them off sometimes! I mean, they love her, and they would always protect her, but she really knew how to push their buttons. Now that they are all older, things are much better -- maturity has a way of smoothing out the rough edges! Anyway, thanks for being considerate of other guests, and hang in there, it really does get better!

 

[crzy4mk]

Our kids don't get wild in the parks because they do it all the time. The boys laugh and the girls giggle, but it isn't any more exciting to them than going to McDonalds. Just more fun.

I remember being a kid in the Amusement Parks. It was great. You got a few bucks from Mom, and you got to eat ice cream, cotton candy, and funnel cakes and ride rides all day long. Total freedom and total fun. And no pressure or hurrying, because you know you're going to come back 60-80 times that summer alone.

If this is your experience with your own kids, and those are the great memories you have from when you went by yourself as a pre-teen/teen, that's great! But trust me, it's not like that everywhere. We live less than an hour away from Six Flags over Georgia, and one of the reasons I hate to take my family is because of the parents who treat the park as "cheap day care" for their 11-17 year olds while they are out of school for the summer. A season pass bought at the right time is about $50, and many people (I have seen it as we walk in the gate) pull up, unload 3 or 4 kids out of their car, and drive off to pick them up 8 hours later. Many of these kids have no business being allowed to roam around that park by themselves. IMO, if your child can't respect other people and have the common courtesy not to run wild, use foul language every 10 seconds, and grope their boyfriend/girlfriend in broad daylight for all the world to see, don't drop them off at the local amusement park so they can offend the rest of us. Take them to work with you and see how your co-workers enjoy it!

Not directed at anyone . . . just a rant I developed while reading this thread. I'm sure some teenagers are fine on their own in parks, I just know that many aren't.

 

[Grammyof2]

My youngest kids are 23 and 25 and I still don't let them go alone. Otherwise, I would have to go by myself and I would hate that.

I have a feeling this will turn into a hot topic. I hope not because it is a very good question. Just like everything else, it is a decision you need to feel comfortable with.

 

[Tegra89]

Grammyof2,

I agree with you. It's a parental decision that you have to feel comfortable with.

 

[NMAmy]

We're going in 9 days and dd is bringing a friend. They're both 15 and I've discussed this issue with the friend's parents. We're all comfortable with the girls spending some time alone in the parks. DD has been many times and is familiar with the layout of the parks and the transportation. While I'm okay with them going back and forth to the parks alone, I'm not okay with Downtown Disney, particularly at night. So, they've accepted my rule and we'll go from there. Both girls are very mature and polite.

Now that DH isn't able to come along on this trip, the girls have stopped talking about this as an option. DD told me she didn't want to ditch me and leave me alone. Although I'm kind of thinking that for once in my life, I'd love a chance to stroll through the World Showcase shops without everyone nagging me that they want to do something else.

 

[Hannathy]

I would feel fine with 14. We went last when my daughter was 12 and we let her go with a radio to different things in the park or waterpark9no radio in waterpark of course) we were in. If she were with a friend at 14 I would let her go to another park and have her check in when the got there. I agree with no DTD alone it is too accessible to the public without Disney security. She rides a city bus home from school and I think more could happen on that trip than at Disney. She is mature and I have always allowed her enough freedom when it was safe that I know she can handle herself.

To the poster with the girls who fight sounds like my sister and I and yes we fought terribly still disagree alot as adults BUT when we were left alone like at a park we did fine. Ask any teacher kids are very different without Mom and Dad. I think they would work together a lot better than you think. But you know them.

 

[DonnaL]

Our family experience is similiar to subtchr......our kids are almost 25, 22, and almost 17 and we all have a ball together. We have a four year old grandson who is a real disney kid also. On our last trip dd and dgs couldn't go because dd had recently started a new job and didn't have the vacation time available. We wanted to take dgs with us, but, she didn't want him to go without her (she was afraid halfway through the week he would really miss her and give us a hard time......I didn't think so since he would be at Disney and he would have his two uncles to keep him occupied) but, we deferred to her wishes. However, on the subject of adolescents in the parks........only you know your kids and whether they behave differently when you're not present. Several months ago there was a post on the boards about a group of young teenagers riding Soarin. They carried on so bad, the CM's actually had to stop the ride (not too easy since everything is hydraulic) and remove them because they were disturbing everyone else on the ride so much. I guess when they were removed, everyone else on the ride began to cheer. I don't know if they were asked to leave Epcot, but, they were removed from that particular attraction. Hopefully, they learned a valuable lesson from the experience.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

my daughter is 12 and I let her and her friends roam the parks as long as we both have our cell phones. her school field trip last year was to Busch Gardens. they let them run, but had to check in at certain times.