What age do you let your kids roam the parks?

[dzorn]

First, it's obvious many feel the same way you do and whatever you are comfortable with as a parent is obviously your decision - I certainly am not judging any other parenting choices and really appreciate the same.

Secondly, to think that your children are safer at WDW - if anything, I would put money on the opposite - but again, if that's what you want to believe, your decision. I am preferring to take off the rose colored glasses even when I am at my happy place (Although admittedly, I don't wear them too often anyway).

Lastly, I don't disagree that at 16, a little independence is warranted, I said just that in a pp as well. It's younger than 16 that I would be and am less apt to allow certain things.

Let's see undercover security
Camera's all over
Mulitiple CM's at every ride
CMs cleaning up trash
CMs in every store
a CM would just about be within shouting distance always
Limited controlled entrances and exits, would be very hard to get a child out of a park unseen.

Yep I'm still going with Disney Parks are a lot safer than the local playground.

DH was the chaperone for the end of year band trip to Cedar Point (an amusement park). The kids were allowed to go off without an adult. They were required to do the buddy system and your buddy had to be the same gender as you. DD and her girlfriend choose to stay with DH but they could have gone off without him.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Quick note about the family vacation part. When you're there for a week or more (in my case, 10 days), a couple of hours apart on one or two afternoons can actually be a good thing. There is plenty of family time during a trip that is more than a week long.

Even after reading this thread, I'm still OK with letting my kids (16 and 14) go off on short spurts, and I'm OK with my 14 yo doing a little bit of WS on her own because she asked to do that and I think she's mature enough to handle it. Of course, every family is different and all factors (maturity, age, past park experience, independence at home, etc.) have to be considered before deciding what works best.

 

[Sleepy425]

I was afraid of most of the rides as a child, so my parents often left my sister and I alone while they rode, or I would have to stay by myself. This probably started around when I was 8. They would often tell me to go ride the TTA while they did everything else in Tomorrowland. This was before cell phones. When my friend and I were in 7th grade we were aloud to tour the parks alone.
When I was 16, we stayed off site. My parents drove a friend and me to Disney property in the morning, and told us to catch the bus back to the offsite resort before the last one left. We of course missed the bus and had no cell phones. But my parents had raised me right and taught me to think for myself. We got on the Monorail to the Poly, where we had the front desk call our hotel and leave a message letting my parents know where we were (I figured the Poly would be easist to find us at, since it wouldn't be overrun with people like the TTA). We then called our friends back home (using a calling card - novel concept, you should tell your kids about these) and told them we were stuck in Disney. It was a great night!
I am in the camp that a child should not have a cell phone until they are mature enough to come up with a way to pay for it. Those of you whose kids have cells yet aren't mature enough to be alone - why do they need the cell? Aren't they always with you?

 

[KimiCoconuts]

16 is completely old enough to be able to tour alone. 13 is just fine with the 16 year old. I would go for it. My 13 and 11 year old went around at Disneyland alone for dinner and rides, they had a blast.

 

[Magical Kingdoms]

That is immediately what I thought of.

I think it depends on the maturity of the kid, but I remember going on a field trip to Six Flags (I think it was still Great Adventure back then, and we had to walk uphill both ways from the horse and carriage to get there) in sixth grade and we were allowed to roam. Without cell phones. I was ten or eleven, as I was young for my grade. However, I know some of the eighth graders I teach would make me nervous on their own. Not because they aren't street smart, but because they would misbehave,

At 13 I started having to watch my younger brother at home while my parents went out alone, and they went out A LOT. So they had to buy me a cell phone. They bought him one too, but he wasn't mature enough for it and lost it. So he uses mine all the time.

Anyway,

I took a field trip to Islands of Adventure and we were all split up into groups of at least three and up to five, and we were all free to roam as long as at least one of us had a cell phone and that none of us was left by ourselves. We were all 13-16 on this trip.

We also had to check in at a certain time in front of a certain ride, and I ended up stuck in a group where one of the girls took the lead and ended up taking the other two with her onto the Hulk and leaving me alone by the lockers. Then they missed the meeting time by going to get ice cream (I had ended up meeting up with my parents and getting to the check in), and the same girl ended up ditching me later on and taking the other two with her again but luckily I had my phone and called my parents and spent the rest of the day with them. Another downside was that they rushed me through everything and I didn't get a chance to really do what I'd planned. It wasn't fun with my group, but the park was fun.

I think the check in idea is good, but the face-to-face check in is best. It's important to know if the kids are still there. If you want to let them go into the park by themselves, I'd make sure that they're mature enough, and just to be sure, one of them (If there's more than one) should be at least 13 and have a cell phone. And you should make sure to have them leave the park with you.

Good luck.

 

[livinintexas]

For my 13 and 15 year old daughters, the highlight of our upcoming Christmas trip will be getting to wander the parks and buses as they want to. They know the parks, transportation, and hotels.

Kids can't become independent young adults if they don't get practice problem solving and navigating their environment. If I'm going to trust my 15 year old driving a car I'd hope she can get herself around a theme park!

My husband and I are looking forward to some alone time and honestly teens aren't the easiest age group to tour with!! We are excited to share this new milestone with our girls!

 

[rentayenta]

Ours will be 15, 14, 13, and 11 and you bet we'll let them have some park time without us.

They cannot learn to be independent and self sufficient without giving them opportunities to learn.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm a big fan of the buddy system. My older two have been allowed to go off on their own, within the same park we were in, since they were 8 & 11. I'd let the two of them park-hop without us now too, though they haven't asked yet.

As far as being solo, DS didn't ask until 14 and I let him; he wanted to stay at Blizzard Beach longer than the rest of us, so he finished out the day and took a bus back to Pop on his own. He takes a city bus to visit his dad, I think he can handle a Disney bus from a park to a resort. DD has a ways to go before I allow that same freedom. She's responsible and level-headed but very much a small town girl, trusting and soft-spoken around strangers, and I don't think she's street-smart enough to be on her own in unfamiliar surroundings yet.

 

[tinkbyday]

So you won't let you kids be alone without you because of the stuff you see on TV news about kids being abducted or abused. What about all the stories on the news all the time (much more often than the ones about kids) where grown women are abducted/raped/killed? Does this mean that you never go out without your husband, because anything could happen, and it does happen all the time, just watch the news!

I have been extremely respectful to all of the comments - some of which were borderline insulting, including this one - you are putting words into my mouth - where in the world did you read that I won't let my child be without me and because I saw it on the news - I think you should go back and read ALL of my posts on this topic.

Just because someone has an opinion other than yours does not mean it is wrong.

I thought I would make it easier for you since you obviously missed this one:

"she goes to school, participate in sports, has attended sleepovers (as long as I know the parents fairly well), takes walks around our suburban neighborhood with friends (and the dog), etc. - I, personally, would just not be okay with having her roam around a place like WDW at an age younger than 16 years old"

 

[tinkbyday]

Let's see undercover security
Camera's all over
Mulitiple CM's at every ride
CMs cleaning up trash
CMs in every store
a CM would just about be within shouting distance always
Limited controlled entrances and exits, would be very hard to get a child out of a park unseen.

Yep I'm still going with Disney Parks are a lot safer than the local playground.

DH was the chaperone for the end of year band trip to Cedar Point (an amusement park). The kids were allowed to go off without an adult. They were required to do the buddy system and your buddy had to be the same gender as you. DD and her girlfriend choose to stay with DH but they could have gone off without him.

LOL

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Well, here's the thing. Many people said "well when I was *** age MY parents let me"... Or reference a trip when they were younger. The world has changed so much since then.
At the risk of someone criticizing me again, I'll repeat that my child at age 9 does not go in our front yard unattended. Do other people let their children? Yes. But i also know the world is a pretty ugly place. Im not stunting her growing up and preventing her from learning how to live in the real world. I'm keeping her safe. Be thankful if YOUR world feels safe enough that you let your children roam without you.

I would never let my child roam Disney at her age. I would prob let her if she had a buddy and was 16.

 

[Hannathy]

Well, here's the thing. Many people said "well when I was *** age MY parents let me"... Or reference a trip when they were younger. The world has changed so much since then.
At the risk of someone criticizing me again, I'll repeat that my child at age 9 does not go in our front yard unattended. Do other people let their children? Yes. But i also know the world is a pretty ugly place. Im not stunting her growing up and preventing her from learning how to live in the real world. I'm keeping her safe. Be thankful if YOUR world feels safe enough that you let your children roam without you.

I would never let my child roam Disney at her age. I would prob let her if she had a buddy and was 16.

The world is actually safer now than it was in the past. Child abduction and crime is down from years ago. You only hear more about it than you did before because TV news channels have 24 hours of time between commercials to fill.


A child is safer now than they were when we were kids.

I am curious about your ages. Your child is not going to go on a field trip in school? Because long before they are 16 they will be allowed to go off with a buddy on these trips.

 

[disfan4life1]

My daughters, now ages 21 and 16 have never wanted to go off of their own at WDW..We have sent them for fast passes across the parks when they were probably around 10 and 15.. They look forward to taking the yearly trip as a family. When we head there in September they have actually talked about staying out later than us if we dont stay for the late night EMH..and I know they will be ok as they could probably navigate the parks and transportation with their eyes closed..I guess I'm grateful that they enjoy spending time with myself, their father and my sister(their favorite aunt)..I am not sure what they enjoy more...the planning(for months, what they wanna first here or there or what could we do different this time than the other times), or the daily singing of Disney tunes for the weeks before we go, or the 11 hour car ride we take cause flying would not be the same for them..or the actual parks..or the touring of the resorts taking pics everywhere they can find a place to stand and smile...gonna keep enjoying it for now cause I know one day it will all end..until then...only 43 more days....

 

[tinkbyday]

The world is actually safer now than it was in the past. Child abduction and crime is down from years ago. You only hear more about it than you did before because TV news channels have 24 hours of time between commercials to fill.


A child is safer now than they were when we were kids.

What is your source of this factual information please??

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I am curious about your ages. Your child is not going to go on a field trip in school? Because long before they are 16 they will be allowed to go off with a buddy on these trips.

Children rarely go on field trips in my district. And they are never allowed to go off on their own, buddy or no. And it is certainly not tantamount to going off for the day to ride rides.

 

[msmith07101]

OP here...I want to say I respect everyone's opinions and feelings on this topic. Everyone has a different comfort level regarding the level of freedom and independence they can/will give their children. While I felt pretty comfortable with the decision that my 16 year old is more than capable of being given some freedom to be away from the adults in our group if he desires, I wanted to find out what others thought, or allow. These boards are full of great tips and advice, and what makes it so great is that there are so many different opinions and views. Thanks to everyone for your feedback and experiences on this topic!

 

[ssreward]

What is your source of this factual information please??

The US government for one! I can't post the link (not enough posts) but if you search "crime rate 1980 2012" you can see a census bureau report of 'Crime & Crime Rates by type of offense'.
It's a well known fact in news that if it bleeds, it leads & there weren't 24 hours news stations by the bushel back in the not so good old days. That's why people have the impression of the big, bad modern world

 

[Travelingdad]

I think the key is are they aware of how to handle any issues or emergencies that can occur. If they are prepared and know what to do then the risk is minimzed whatever the age. If they want to run free and then panic or freeze if there is a problem that won't do. Having a cell phone may be a false safety - lose it, leave it off, don't hear it, battery dies. We just had that happen at Kings Dominion when storms hit Washignton and VA area. No cell coverage for a while and then a dead battery. As two adults trying to connect and find each other it was frustrating and difficult.

 

[chloe4ever]

The world has changed so much since then. But i also know the world is a pretty ugly place.

The world is not scarier than it was 50 years ago. It is not more dangerous. Just as many kids were being snatched (not many at all) 50 years ago as today.

The only thing that has changed is that the media reports on it 24/7 and has scared the heck out of parents.

Repeat after me:the world is not scarier. It is not more dangerous. Turn off the tv and stop believing all the scary hype.

 

[kaligal]

Well, here's the thing. Many people said "well when I was *** age MY parents let me"... Or reference a trip when they were younger. The world has changed so much since then.
At the risk of someone criticizing me again, I'll repeat that my child at age 9 does not go in our front yard unattended. Do other people let their children? Yes. But i also know the world is a pretty ugly place. Im not stunting her growing up and preventing her from learning how to live in the real world. I'm keeping her safe. Be thankful if YOUR world feels safe enough that you let your children roam without you.

I would never let my child roam Disney at her age. I would prob let her if she had a buddy and was 16.

The world isn't more dangerous. There were kidnappers, pedophiles and murderers before 1990.

Besides, whatever the world is like, some parents (like me) feel that their job is not to shelter their children from the world, but to prepare them to live in it.

If the child goes off to college at age 17 or 18 and isn't prepared to deal with everything the big, bad world is going to throw at them, they are in for some serious trouble.

I think people who shelter their kids from the world and then toss them out into it are doing the child/adult no favors.

It's a hard thing to do...giving them the experience and tools to handle the stickier, more unseemly parts of life. But, IMO, it is necessary. And it cannot begin at sixteen, seventeen or eighteen. There simply isnt time at that point. It has to be done gradually.