What age can kids go to the pool alone?

[Disneyfun1]

We will be staying at Beach Club Villas, and on one day, we are going to do a tour my daughter is not old enough to go on. She is 14. She is not sure if she wants to go to the park we are going and go on rides, stay in room and sleep and meet us there, or go to the pool. We wanted to see if she is even able to go to the pool alone or not with her age. She is very smart for her age so we are not worried on that part and will have a cell phone on her as well. Not wanting to be flamed, just an answer please.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I've been going to the pool by myself since I was 8 so I'm gonna say yes she can go by herself.

 

[Allison]

The stated rule is 12.

 

[RMulieri]

The stated rule is 12.

2nd

 

[Mlopez]

18

 

[perkinsrose]

2nd

Yes--the signs say children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult

 

[DaParkers]

I would still be concerned. The rule is 12, but there are a lot of predators, even at WDW. I know that and is unlikely to happen, but the recent issues at the water parks have shed light on this issue. Most kids that go to the pool by themselves have a parent near by (in the room, elsewhere at the resort). Yours won't, so just keep that in mind.

 

[Surr]

Yes--the signs say children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult

I think I would be more comfortable with two 12 years old going together without an adult than one 14 year old going alone. All water safety guidlines I have ever seen say you should never swim alone, even if there are life guards.

 

[Ktharee]

I've been babysitting since I was 13 which not only left me responsible for myself, but for someone else's children. It really depends on the maturity level of your daughter. I was very responsible at that age, but some of my friends were not. It's entirely your call. Only you know your daughter.

 

[Hannathy]

I would and did let my 14 yr old go to the pool alone and if she is the least bit social she'll be talking to other 14 yr olds and having a blast.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

12 is the stated age but no way would I ho off and leave my teenager alone at resort. Too many risks, also not sure of the laws if anything happened to him while I was away.

 

[Hannathy]

12 is the stated age but no way would I ho off and leave my teenager alone at resort. Too many risks, also not sure of the laws if anything happened to him while I was away.

What laws? 14 is hardly a child! My goodness there are thousands of 14 yr olds at Disney on band trips, cheering,etc, yes there are chaps. but they are more or less on there one for large parts of the day. 14 yr olds are in charge of watching other kids as babysitters. At 14 my DD was more than capable of staying in a park if we were ready to leave and taking the bus back herself. I'm sure she stays by herself at home, why would it be any different at a resort? Actually better in my opinion because of all the people and staff around.

 

[KellyNY]

I would still be concerned. The rule is 12, but there are a lot of predators, even at WDW. I know that and is unlikely to happen, but the recent issues at the water parks have shed light on this issue. Most kids that go to the pool by themselves have a parent near by (in the room, elsewhere at the resort). Yours won't, so just keep that in mind.

What is going on?

 

[cart-mom]

I would still be concerned. The rule is 12, but there are a lot of predators, even at WDW. I know that and is unlikely to happen, but the recent issues at the water parks have shed light on this issue. Most kids that go to the pool by themselves have a parent near by (in the room, elsewhere at the resort). Yours won't, so just keep that in mind.

Something to keep in mind, but also think about this - SAB is the largest pool on site and they have the most lifeguards on duty as well. We were there last year and left our kids in the pool while we went to the room for a rest and felt comfortable with doing so. My oldest was 13 and youngest was 6. This was later in our stay and they "knew" the pool very well. The lifeguards aren't babysitters, but they watch out for everything. Just make sure that your DD knows what to do and who to talk to if she needs anything. If she's confident in herself and independent, she will be fine.

 

[cart-mom]

What is going on?

A few weeks ago there was a child in Typhoon Lagoon that was improperly touched by a man.

 

[KellyNY]

A few weeks ago there was a child in Typhoon Lagoon that was improperly touched by a man.

Was that man a CM or another guest, was he arrested? Did boy got hurt?
It is a terrible news, considering nobody is expecting this sort of things to happen at Disney. I an shocked.

 

[dtum]

DD was 15 and DS was 12. They were together though which is better. I don't think I'd ever let them go alone...first rule of swimming-never swim alone. Even with tons of people around, that doesn't mean they are watching your child. IMO it's a safety issue.

 

[cart-mom]

Was that man a CM or another guest, was he arrested? Did boy got hurt?
It is a terrible news, considering nobody is expecting this sort of things to happen at Disney. I an shocked.

Sorry, should have posted this before -

Typhoon Lagoon reports another molestation incident
By Leah Zanolla
Jul 19, 2009

Yet another sexually-related incident has been reported at an Orlando water park. On Thursday, a 13-year old boy reported being molested by an adult male at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. David Eugene Thomas has been charged and is being held without bond in the Orange County Jail. Investigators believe Thomas may have molested several other children as well. This incident is the sixth of its kind at the water parks since March.

Psycologists suggest that water parks are a temptation to sexual offenders because children are often unsupervised and are wearing little clothing.

Theme park officials are searching for a reason that the number of reported incidents has been on the rise. The Orange County sheriff's department has been reviewing security procedures for the parks and say that the theme parks are working in full cooperation with the law to stop this trend.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

What laws? 14 is hardly a child! My goodness there are thousands of 14 yr olds at Disney on band trips, cheering,etc, yes there are chaps. but they are more or less on there one for large parts of the day. 14 yr olds are in charge of watching other kids as babysitters. At 14 my DD was more than capable of staying in a park if we were ready to leave and taking the bus back herself. I'm sure she stays by herself at home, why would it be any different at a resort? Actually better in my opinion because of all the people and staff around.

A 14 year old is most certainly a child. Yes, you must starting giving teens some responsibility, but that should come in small increments. Treating a young teenager as an adult or assuming they can take care of themselves as an adult, is well, dangerous.

 

[Hannathy]

A 14 year old is most certainly a child. Yes, you must starting giving teens some responsibility, but that should come in small increments. Treating a young teenager as an adult or assuming they can take care of themselves as an adult, is well, dangerous.

How much smaller could you get for heavens sake? going to a crowded resort pool with families, staff and life guards?

Considering my 14 yr old was babysitting 2 little girls all day at the time she was 14 and taking them to swimming lessons and all around town on the bus and feeding them etc I hardly think going to the pool alone a massive increment!

I can't believe 14 yr olds don't go to community pools without their Mommies so why would Disney be any different.