What age would you allow....

[daystar]

What is the age you would let your child go off in the park???My son will be just turning 16 when my family goes again...This time he wants to bring a friend which is fine by us but would i let them go off in park by themselves...
Thanks

 

[monorailsilver]

I was about 13/14 when my parents let us roam around.

We all went to the same park or they knew which park we were at (this was pre AK & some trips may have been pre-MGM).

It was me, my cousin who was my age but more of a fraidy cat to move alone & his 2 twin cousins who were a year younger then us.

Our parents gave us money, our ticket (if they were eating out of the park first) & told us where to meet them & at what time (roughly).

It was great. Many nights we would watch Illuminations & ask our parents if we could go to the MK after. They always said yes. So we'd high tail it to the monorail & then go to MK til midinight/1am (depending on what time it closed).

Most trips we were at the Poly so we didn't have to worry about the buses & just hopped on the monorail home. Plus they knew we knew where we were going.

In today's age, I would just give him a cell phone & be in contact with him & know where he is going. But at the same time I would make him spend alot of the time with you since it is a family vacation.

 

[bedgraynexl]

I think 16 is more than old enough. I realize it is a different world, but I was going off by myself at 13. Just set your rules and check in times and all will be fine

 

[talie95]

I think 16 is a fine age to be off alone in the park. I know I went to DL probably around 14 or 15 with friends by ourselves. I'm 29 now and I know that things a little different then (we used to play outside all day long and now I hardly ever see kids just running around the neighborhood). Anyway, I think it would be fine and maybe you can all meet up at certain times or for certain rides to just check up on everything.

 

[wendy46001]

Grew-up in the park, so we knew the ins and outs...bro and i would get dropped off at age 10 & 9....my mother always said mickey was the best baby sitter in the world....

 

[maleficent esq.]

What is the age you would let your child go off in the park???My son will be just turning 16 when my family goes again...This time he wants to bring a friend which is fine by us but would i let them go off in park by themselves...
Thanks

Two sixteen year old boys are plenty old enough to go around the parks by themselves. My daughter and niece were 13 when we would let them go off in the same park we were in by themselves. We would check in with each other every few hours. It seemed to work great. I did not let them ride transportation alone at that age but I did at 16.

 

[flortlebap]

At 16 I'd moved out of home! So unless you have a very immature 16 year old, I wouldn't think it would be a problem to let him "roam free"

We (my brother and I) were first allowed to go to the parks on our own at 13 (a very mature 13 though I might add). We were put onto the bus by my mother, and given a couple of hours, and were told to be back and we would be met off the bus. She only let us do it the once (so she could get some laundry done ) but it worked fine for us

Whether I'd let my own daughter do it at 13 is another matter... ask me again in 12 years

 

[t-beri]

I agree that growing up in theme parks your parents usually let you off your leash a little early I was definitely on my own by 11 or 12. 16 is plenty old enough. Age has less to do with it though, i think. you know your son, if he is going to go off and get into trouble then maybe shorten that up and make them meet you at check points every so often. I am a little bit of a nervous nelly so I probably would make them keep a walkie or phone on them. But I would definitely give them a little freedom.

 

[juligrl]

I was babysitting twin 2 1/2 year olds at 13 so I think 16 is more than old enough to be responsible for oneself. I do agree with the others that check-ins every couple of hours are not unreasonable (just remember that it is Disney, and you do want to factor in ride wait time between check-ins). If you're still uncomfortable with it, a two-way radio or a phone might ease your mind a little. Have fun at Disney!

 

[daystar]

I'm a worry wart, i just can't help myself...My ds is very mature, thats not what i'm worried, i think it's because of the world we live in today...Also being so far away from home...I worry even though he is my oldest in my eyes he's still my baby...I just wanted to hear what other people had to say on this subject..He will be spending most of his time with us but i know that he is going to want some time without us as well..

 

[Hannathy]

Think of it this way my sister takes her H.S. band to Disney all the time and they are from PA for a week over spring break and freshman are usually 14-15. They are on their own in the parks all week! So I think your son will be more than fine at 16. Doesn't he go places on his own now? Drive? We let our daughter go alone in the park we were at when she was 12. With a friend at 16 I'd even let her use the transportation system and go where they wanted. Relax and have fun.

 

[RN01]

16 is definately old enough to be in park with friends. I would even say younger than that if they are with friends.

 

[daystar]

My ds is only 15 now but when we go to disney he will be 16 so he doesn't drive yet...Yes he goes to alot of places around town but as long as i know where he is...I just worry about my kids and i know i need to let go just a little..Thanks for your replies...I was just wondering what other parents would do...My son is 6 foot, 180 pounds and is the linebacker for his highschool football team..I have decided that he will be able to go around the park with his friend but check in as he does at home with the cell...Thanks again..

 

[snugglepeas]

when I was 16 and my cousin was 15 we went off on are own I think 16 is plenty old enought to go off on there own, I mean really within about 6 months of 16 you can get your licence and be driveing a 2 ton car so i think taking disney busses to a theme park is fine.

 

[GADisneyDVC]

My 16 year old DS brought a friend for the first time with us in January. They had a blast and were very independent. Of course, they both had a cell phone and they always seemed to want to spend time with us when there was a meal involved! Hope you guys have fun!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'd let my 16 year old and friend go off by themselves, if they had a cell phone (and so did I) and if they were responsible kids and didn't get into trouble. I'm pretty sure I'd let my 15 year old. Not sure about 14, but there's a good chance I would. I don't think I'd let my 13 year old...maybe I would, but I'd say it would have to be in the park we're also in and possibly even the same side of the park.

 

[ekball]

Like many of the other posters, my parents let me "roam" the parks with friends around 13/14. I vividly remember the first time I was allowed to do this - Dad took my friend and I to the MK for the day, we were allowed to roam on our own, but were asked to "check in" regularly.... maybe every hour and 1/2 or so. I also remember that Dad pretty much sat in the same place all day (just by the castle) and every time we checked in he was eating something different. First time some popcorn, then some ice cream, then a pretzel....funny. I think my dad enjoyed people watching and eating all day. What a great guy. Anyway, sorry, a little trip down memory lane. 16 years old...plenty old enough to be on their own (though I'd add that I would stay in the same park as them, and travel to and from that park together)! Besides, only 2 more years until they will really be on their own in a different (more REAL) "world".