What age do you think it's ok for kids to go on their own??

[MelindaKiah]

We're taking the family to Universal next summer. At the time, my kids will be 15 1/2, 14 1/2, 13 and 11. My husband and I feel that our two oldest kids will be okay going to check things out on their own, so long as they stay together. My MIL is telling me that we're crazy, etc. I remember being 14 and at disney world my cousin and I were allowed to walk around and meet our grandmother at a certain time and place. My MIL informs me that things have changed since then.

Of course, my two oldest really want to go on their own, as any kids that age would.

Anyone have any input? I don't want to put holds on them but also don't want any danger for them.

Thanks!!

 

[antmaril]

We were there in July with two 16 year olds, a 14 year old and a 12 year old (my 16 year old son and his cousins (boys & girls) They went to the parks together, with the older ones watching the other two (especially the youngest) They had fun and had no problems at all. However, we would not have allowed the two younger ones to go alone.

 

[highlander447]

Its always difficult to decide as u are scared of something happening but so long as your kids are responsible and only u can know then u have to trust them but why not invest in two way radios to keep in touch for peace of mind

 

[MelindaKiah]

Oh yes, we are definitely getting the 2 way radios, but I imagine there will be times that we'll be far apart from each other and they won't work.

My kids are pretty responsible. I think my two oldest will be okay. But I love hearing others opinons!!

 

[damo]

We trusted our 14 year old and his friend last year. No trouble whatsoever.

 

[Selina]

I think the two eldest should be fine going it alone in the park - I presume you will all be there too and have a meeting place in the park for a certain time. I would be hesitant after dark doing their own thing though. If you are going to a different park, then I think that each party needs a phone for back up in case of emergency/change of plans. If all 4 of your children get along well together It's possible they could all go together say for an hour meeting up at a definite time and a certain point if they all responsible. Then doing some rides with you , then all splitting up again for a while. Have a lovely one!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I started going around the park by myself when I just turned 14...BUT, we didn't go to parks much before I turned 14 (like only once a year) and so we would always want to be with family when we did go. I think 14 and up should be fine, but always depends on maturity and responsibilty level. My friend and I would always call my parents and occassionally meet up and knew what to do in case of an emergency. They didn't have to worry about us....much

 

[MelindaKiah]

Yeah, I'm not letting the just turned 13 year old or 11 year old go off on their own at all. They're my two girls and don't mind at all hanging out with us. Apparently it's too "uncool" for our boys to hang with us though!LOL

yes, we will be at the park too. We planned on a meeting spot at a certain time. We're staying on-site and the boys want to just meet us at the hotel whenever, but that I'm not going for!LOL

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Melinda - meet at the hotel? I've done that. Sometimes my parents want to sleep in at the hotel while I head off to the parks on my own and we meet up later and sometimes they go back to the hotel before me and I meet them there. I'm almost 16 though...so not sure if that's a "big" difference or not.

Though I've been to the parks a LOT and am very familiar with everything which probably helps my parents feel at ease with this.

 

[MelindaKiah]

I guess I'll probably have to make judgements about just how much "freedom" they'll get once we get there and we check the place out, etc.

Meeting at the hotel would probably be very convenient for everyone. Maybe I'll give them a shot at meeting us at a certain time and place and see how good they are about that and if they do well, give them some more freedom.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I think your two oldest will be just fine as long as you trust them to be responsible.

 

[MelindaKiah]

You're right SpideyHulk! Their father and I told them just now that we'd give them a chance. If they screw it up, they'll be in the hotel room with their grandma for the duration of the trip!LOL

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Great Melinda! They must be so excited!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think the older two's ages is fine to let them roam the park alone- with guidelines on when/where to meet because I personally would get nervous if it was like an all day thing... but if we met up a few times during the day say for meals or something- I'd be okay with that -at those ages.
I don't have children those ages but I practically raised my sister through that age because I was 12yrs older... I can only "guess" how I'll be with my children when they are that age.

But what I'd consider is that the 15.5yr old is almost old enough to drive... and the 14.5yr old- well, atleast here in Texas at age 13 they are considered old enough to stay home alone and/or babysit other children. So I guess I figure if they're both old enough to do that with one almost old enough to drive- they can handle roaming a theme park alone for a few hours at a time. Yanno? If it was me- I'd have to give them one of our cell phones- and we'd have one also- that way we could communicate if needed.

I would have a rule about not leaving the park though... so for me the meeting at the hotel wouldn't be an option. JMHO

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Yeah, I know what you mean about not leaving the park. All parents (and the KIDS especially) are different. I'm able to be trusted to leave the park to go to the other (go from IOA to US or vice versa) or the movie theatre in CityWalk, etc. I went on a church trip with my youth group about 6 months ago and I had a friend who is a couple months older than I. She wouldn't have been one who'd be allowed to roam around by herself...without her family...but since I was, my friend could go with me (I being the "chaperone" ) and I took her over to Universal Studios while the youth group was at Islands of Adventure (they only had one-day/one-park passes whereas we had annual passes.). I even took her to Hard Rock Cafe for a late lunch. BUT I had a cell phone and exchanged phone numbers with some of the adult chaperones on the trip. We called each other a few times to check up on one another. We then met up later in the evening

But even when I'm just with my parents...even when we know where each other will be...we each have a cell phone and call each other and sometimes meet up. I would not try being seperated from my parents without having someway to contact them in case of an emergency (or at least I wouldn't without at least a planned meeting time and place).

But, this is for me. It works because I give my parents no reason to not trust me. We spend usually all morning together at least. Gotta get SOME family time in there, ya know

 

[CarolynNC]

I have a now almost 17 year old son. I've been taking him and his friend to WDW for years and to US/IOA the last two years. I started letting them roam around the same park I was in at WDW when they were about 12-13. They were very familiar with the parks and were equiped with a cell phone with instructions to check in with me on a prearranged schedule. Things worked so well the following trip I graduated to letting them stay in the park later or had them meet me at our hotel or restaurant for dinner. I never experienced any problems.

The hotels and parks are so close at US/IOA that I have no qualms allowing them to come and go as they please. We set up certain times for joint meals and they work out their own schedule. He always takes his cell phone just in case I need to reach him.

I enjoy the chance to tour without having to keep up with them and they always seem to want to spend some time with me in the parks.

I will add I remember how hard it was to let him go the first time. Like all mothers I envisioned all the horrible things which could happen. I also remember how proud my son was that I trusted him to be able to tour the parks without me. It was the main thing they discussed with all their other friends on our return.

Carolyn

 

[MelindaKiah]

Thanks for your input. We're going to give the boys a chance and see how it goes. AT least we're staying on-site so if they were to get lost, they'd have no problem finding their way back to the RPR.

Funny how I'm so protective of my kids but I remember when my parents were the same with me!LOL What goes around comes around I guess.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Flyfly_Eclipse- it sounds like you/your parents handle the seperation thing like I would. You are almost 16- and I'd probably be more lenient on the back to resort thing (ie: leaving the park) at that age- because soon they'd be driving themselves anyway... have to learn to let go. But you also sound mature and trustworthy... it's hard for me to imagine my children that mature at the moment. LOL Perhaps they will be by that age- but already at their ages (oldest is 9) they aren't as mature as I was at their age..... more like how my sisters were at their ages. LOL Children can have different maturity levels and all that- you sound mature enough for your parents to make that decision. I hope mine are by that age also- we'll see.

 

[highlander447]

I think its the most difficult thing for a parent your kids want freedom and u want to be sure they are safe and when it comes down it u have to let them loose and trust them thet never tell u this when they are younger

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
But you also sound mature and trustworthy... it's hard for me to imagine my children that mature at the moment. LOL

hehe Well, I've always been more "mature" for my age...I remember I would scold my mother about not having a clean room when I was 3 years old, I think(though now, I kind of am the opposite. Mom and I have finally switched roles ).
Anyway, my brother, on the other hand, was a handful...during Pre-K he was in Catholic school and ran into the bathroom and stood on the toliet so no one who see his legs if they looked under the stall. They had all the older kids (like 5th grade) and nuns looking for him! He was kicked out of that school, I believe. He was always a tad immature...more mature than a lot of boys though. Anyay, he FINALLY grew up when he was 17 or 18. So, either way, you have hope!!! You just may have to wait a bit longer...LOL