What age do you let your kids roam the parks?

[Pixiedust34]

Anybody have comments about only children? Just wondering your age comfort level letting them roam independently?

Our last trip DS was almost 14 so we let him sleep in a couple mornings & did RD or went to the pool. By the time we'd get back from RD for a pool break he'd just be getting up When we all toured, it was great having him be the FP runner! Our last night he was too pooped out to stay at Epcot and since DH was going to meet us, instead he waited at the resort while DS rode the bus back. Then DH met me at Epcot for dinner. DS later told me he liked the independence riding the bus alone.

When we go to amusement parks at home we'll split up for rides that both of us don't like to the other can ride, but then we meet back up. If he's with friends they tour & we'll meet periodically. Next trip we're going to find ways to give him more independence. However, since it's a family vacation I don't want him to sleep in EVERY single day

I have 2 kids, but as stated upthread I am giving my 14 yo dd time alone in the World Showcase, and I'm fine with that. I think she'll handle it well, and the independence is good for her.

 

[laughinplace199]

DD just turned 13 and DS just turned 11. I would definitely let them roam a park alone, as long as they stayed together.

 

[Bonnie151]

I'm at Portaventura (Spain) right now and have let DS go off on his own a few times. His sister is too small to go on the really big coasters so we've been agreeing a meeting place and time and off he goes. He's been really responsible and back right on time. There's one coaster right at the park exit/entrance and as we've been heading back to the hotel for our afternoon break, he's hopped on it and met us back in the room (hotel is attached to the park).

So, I'm fairly certain that being able to manage a Spanish theme park on his own, he'd be fine at WDW!

 

[CanadianPaco]

My DD at 14 was allowed to stay in a park if we were leaving and ride the bus back on her own.

I think in upper elementary and middle school they can go off on their own in the park we are in. By high school they can go off completely on their own, ride the bus, return by themselves. And especially if they are with another kid.

Absolutely! Couldn't agree more!

 

[brewhome]

We'll be taking DS 12 and DS 10 in January... I had a talk with them about this and they would like a little freedom, maybe an hour at a time here and there, to go on rides together. I asked them what they think the rules should be and here's what they said:

- always stick together, including going into the bathroom together
- check in with Mom & Dad at the correct time
- use the park map and if lost, call Mom & Dad and describe where they are
- never go anywhere with a stranger
- look for a CM if they need help
- stay in the park
- be respectful of other people

I thought they came up with a pretty good list on their own, so I thik they're ready.

They both did say they like to be with us too - so I don't think we'll have them running all the time by themselves, but a little bit every day will be good for them.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I don't know the answer to this...it depends on the child. Ours are 5 and 8, so clearly we are not even close to considering this yet. But, please keep this in mind...how will your child behave when not around you? We were in line for ToT behind some boys that I would guess are "old enough" to roam (maybe ages 12-15) and they were the worst behaved kids I have ever witnessed....wrestling in line, invading our personal space, and then spitting ice chunks at each other, one that eventually hit our DD8 at which point my DH laid into them. I'm pretty sure, or at least I hope, they wouldn't have been acting that way if their parents were in line. Ugh!

 

[nansmama]

I don't know the answer to this...it depends on the child. Ours are 5 and 8, so clearly we are not even close to considering this yet. But, please keep this in mind...how will your child behave when not around you? We were in line for ToT behind some boys that I would guess are "old enough" to roam (maybe ages 12-15) and they were the worst behaved kids I have ever witnessed....wrestling in line, invading our personal space, and then spitting ice chunks at each other, one that eventually hit our DD8 at which point my DH laid into them. I'm pretty sure, or at least I hope, they wouldn't have been acting that way if their parents were in line. Ugh!

Adults misbehave all the time too. Should we not let adults roam the parks by themselves?

The fact is, people are people. Some teens are going to act like doofuses just like some adults are going to kvetch at cast members/other guests or line cut at every opportunity. If you think your kids will misbehave badly out of your presence... then it's your choice as a parent to not let them roam. My kids are well-behaved Disney geeks so I'll give them the freedom and experience of letting them wander the parks on their own.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Adults misbehave all the time too. Should we not let adults roam the parks by themselves?

The fact is, people are people. Some teens are going to act like doofuses just like some adults are going to kvetch at cast members/other guests or line cut at every opportunity. If you think your kids will misbehave badly out of your presence... then it's your choice as a parent to not let them roam. My kids are well-behaved Disney geeks so I'll give them the freedom and experience of letting them wander the parks on their own.

That was exactly my point, sorry if that didn't come across to you. The parents of those children should not have let them "roam" alone. We saw just as many good young ones

It was just a heads up to know your child and their behavior, and factor that into your decision.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

I have 2 kids, but as stated upthread I am giving my 14 yo dd time alone in the World Showcase, and I'm fine with that. I think she'll handle it well, and the independence is good for her.

Thanks for pointing that out! I was reading so many posts about allowing the kids to roam "together" that's why I was asking about the only child. That's what I was ultimately interested in, I should have worded it that way - if parents will allow an only child or just one (older) child to roam on their own, alone in the parks or use the bus, etc

And I agree, the independence is good for them

 

[nansmama]

That was exactly my point, sorry if that didn't come across to you. The parents of those children should not have let them "roam" alone. We saw just as many good young ones

It was just a heads up to know your child and their behavior, and factor that into your decision.

Glad we agree! I'm thinking that bad parents wouldn't care if their kids misbehave. Thus we are stuck with obnoxious teens being obnoxious.

 

[Bonnie151]

Thanks for pointing that out! I was reading so many posts about allowing the kids to roam "together" that's why I was asking about the only child. That's what I was ultimately interested in, I should have worded it that way - if parents will allow an only child or just one (older) child to roam on their own, alone in the parks or use the bus, etc

And I agree, the independence is good for them

My son(10) has been great on his own at Portaventura this week. He's not old enough that I'd let him take the bus on his own at WDW, but he'd be fine in the park. He's been so funny this week- keeps bouncing up to me to say, "they put me on the ride with this really nice man/woman! I don't know what they were saying to me, but they were really nice!" He's having a great time with a bit of independence.

 

[Murron]

My boy/girl twins were 16 when I cut them loose in Disney by themselves and/or with their friends. Cell phone required. Answering cell phones required. No debate here with me. Any younger than that in our family would be unacceptable. Oh and if you didn't answer cell phone or text back...privileges gone. Obviously, I'm old school. But it worked. They are terrific adults now.

 

[aprilgail2]

My sister and I were 12 and 13 when our parents cut us loose in the Magik Kingdom for the day. We didn't have cell phones, but we had strict times and places for meetups, and failure to appear on time would result in the loss of freedom. With phones, you could have set times you want to be called for a check-in.

Mine was with a friend last week and they were both 12 wandering aroud the parks together.

I'm curious for those who feel this way... Do your kids plan on going off to a traditional college experience (dorm living, etc.) and how old will they be when they leave? Both my girls will be 17 when they start college and I can't imagine feeling like they were ready for that if I didn't think they could handle the very controlled environment of WDW on their own just a year or two earlier.

We live on a military base and have specific regulations regarding children left alone. Children are not to be left home alone until the age of 10. Even then, it can only be for a few hours. I can't imagine letting my kids roam Wdw until middle school. I am fairly protective and I would have no problem letting my 13 yr old roam with their 16 year old cousin.

Well it would depend where you live but here 10 IS middle school for many of the kids--its 6th grade. Even the school don't offer any kind of after school care past 5th grade here.

 

[Absolutely Disney]

I'm a 13 year old girl. We're going to WDW in August, and this is the first year my parents are giving me the option to wander around by myself because WDW is so heavily guarded. I don't really have an opinion on this, but I hope the information helps!

 

[mansionmama]

We'll be there next week, and I plan on letting my 11 yr old son (and his cell phone) do a trial run to ride Space Mtn by himself while we're at MK. Last December he was allowed to walk by himself from the room to Capt Cook's to get a Dole Whip each day. Small steps!

 

[leitadisneyfan]

When my son was 14 we let him go back to the resort by himself. He stayed with us in the parks but after he rode the rides he wanted to do he would go back for a swim and we were fine with it.