When to Leave Them Alone?

[Sabrina90744]

Hi All

I just wanted to get different views, we are heading back in February, my 9 yo DS doesnt ride the Mountains, EE or TOT, etc but my 7 yo DD does. Have any of you ever left a 9 yo at the exit to wait for you. I am a single momma and it is just the 3 of us going this time around. I don't know if I am being overbearing with him. Is 9 really old enough to be left alone??

 

[julsmom]

Honestly, I would be nervous to. It only takes a minute.

 

[susancl]

Bring him through the line with you and have him wait as if you were doing a baby swap. I think there is a CM there.

 

[Hannathy]

Iwould let him wait at the exit. Almost all of the Rides exit into a gift shop, I'd put him there they all have CM's and if there was a problem he could alert them. I left my 8 yr old alone waiting a few times this last trip and he was fine. The nly ride in your list without a gift shop is BTMR and he could walk up the exit ramp and wait right were you get off and there are CM's right there.

 

[noodleknitter]

My nine year old would be fine waiting. He is a relatively calm child, and not prone to wander. No one is going to snatch a nine year old at WDW. In the circumstance you suggested it would be impossible.

Have a great trip! My mom took us on her own, and the memories will live forever!

 

[Sabrina90744]

Bring him through the line with you and have him wait as if you were doing a baby swap. I think there is a CM there.

This is what I was thinking, but the over protective mother in me has me really wondering if he will be safe. I was thinking for BTMRR I would bring his gameboy along, I would show him where he is to stand/site while he waits, then he could stay in line with us until we get on and he would know where to wait. I dont know I'm glad I have time to think about about it still

 

[Sabrina90744]

My nine year old would be fine waiting. He is a relatively calm child, and not prone to wander. No one is going to snatch a nine year old at WDW. In the circumstance you suggested it would be impossible.

Have a great trip! My mom took us on her own, and the memories will live forever!

Thats how mine is, he wouldnt dare wander off.

I am really looking forward to this trip, our first trip I took my nephew (10) and little brother (11) and cousin (11) with me, I had fun but I really want to enjoy this trip with just my kids.

Thanks!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You know I just do not think I would do it. Depending on the line, duration of the ride, factors such as break downs etc., you could be gone a really long time for a 9 year old. Not really scared anyone would snatch him, but lots of things could happen to make him anxious or scared. I would either take him though the line and see if he can wait there for you to exit (ask a CM ) , or try to convince him to try some of the rides or just stick to rides everyone can ride.

 

[tripplanner]

I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them at the exit. I would feel comfortable having the 9 year old go through the line with me and handling it like a child swap.

 

[crisi]

The CM won't take care of your child for you with a child swap. He will need to exit and wait by himself.

So he'll be by himself.

You know your kid - we don't. If he is the type to wander off, talk to strangers - not a good idea. If he is the type to sit where he is told for ten minutes, and understands how to deal with risks - I'd go for it.

(My son is eight, and I'd have no problems leaving him by the exit - he doesn't wander and he does understand the risks. My daughter on the other hand may be 26 before we leave her unattended for five minutes - she is a complete space case).

My take would to only do it with Fastpasses - the rides aren't long - particularly the thrill rides (barring breakdowns - they happen, but small risk) - but the lines could get too long and he could - well intentioned - wander of looking for you. Make sure he understands who cast members are and how to yell "No, You are Not My Mom!!!!"

I'd also really limit it - let your seven year old pick ONE ride in each park that he has to wait for. Don't let her do Splash, SM, BTMRR - all while he sits around. That just isn't nice.

 

[suevee]

Bring a book or a camera or something for him to do while he is waiting to make the time go faster. Also I think most of these rides have chicken exits so he can stay in line with you up to the very end and so not have to wait by himself very long.

 

[DisHubby]

Just drag him on kicking and screaming, toss him in the seat and tell him to deal with it! (I'm just kidding!!!) That would be rough. My DW and I have a 7mo. old, and we are already talking about whet to do with some rides. Is there a friend that could go with you? (you never know who could use a WDW fix) And you two could trade off with the kid swap. That could be an option as well. Or better yet.. grandparents are perfect for this. Just a thought.

Hi All

I just wanted to get different views, we are heading back in February, my 9 yo DS doesnt ride the Mountains, EE or TOT, etc but my 7 yo DD does. Have any of you ever left a 9 yo at the exit to wait for you. I am a single momma and it is just the 3 of us going this time around. I don't know if I am being overbearing with him. Is 9 really old enough to be left alone??

 

[saschab]

The CM won't take care of your child for you with a child swap. He will need to exit and wait by himself.

So he'll be by himself.

.

Wow...this really surprised me. I wouldn't expect the CM to "watch" my child, but was hoping there would be a place inside he could wait. Bummer.

My DS is almost 12, but becomes anxious about being alone too long in an unusual environment. His thoughts can get the best of him.

I'm not concerned with my child wandering or getting "stolen"...my concerns are more along the line of Mssandra's.

 

[tripletots]

Maybe you could get walkie talkies or a cell phone so you could keep in touch and let him know what's going on and then you would know where he is.

I have an 8 year old and I would not be comfortable leaving him to wait, because the wait could take too long. But if I could keep in touch I would feel better.

 

[solgent]

I was in the parks with my DDs ages 11, 11 and 7. The 7 year old's 8th birthday was only days away. I left the 3 girls together or 2 of them together several times. I left the youngest alone in a shop once, while the rest of us went to ride Dinosaur (with FPs). She's very sensible and reliable and I wasn't worried.

 

[tink55]

Don't do it. I have a 9 year old and I can't imagine leaving him ANYWHERE alone in WDW. Think about it! If something, anything, happens - whose fault is it?

 

[mlwear]

Maybe you could get walkie talkies or a cell phone so you could keep in touch and let him know what's going on and then you would know where he is.

I have an 8 year old and I would not be comfortable leaving him to wait, because the wait could take too long. But if I could keep in touch I would feel better.

That is what I was thinking, too! Be sure he knows who to go to if he has problem. Waiting in the gift shop, esp. if you are using a Fast Pass, I would think is fine for a responsible nine year old.

 

[Lora]

I wouldn't do it. There's plenty to do at WDW without those rides. Sure, I'd miss them, but that's nothing in compression to missing my dd if anything happened.

When I went to Six Flags with my 2 dd's (and without dh) and knew one wouldn't ride the big coasters, I took a babysitter with me.

 

[misshilda1]

You are the only person who can decide what is best for your child but I will say this I have a DD10 who I is very responsible and smart but I would not for a second leave her unatteneded. You might have them sit in the area where the CM's run the rides if you could. I saw where one person here posted that no one is going to kidnapp someone in Disney and I by all means am not flaming anyone but kidnappers and child molesters are everywhere just wanting for us as parents to slip up just one time...A kidnapper dosen't always abduct a child by dragging them off kicking and screaming and making a scene and once there gone it's to late. A well respected (at the time) pastor of a local church in my hometown was just arrested for molesting and have full sexual contact with 12-15 yr old boys. He was taped by the police talking about it to one of his victims and has since admitted to it and resigned as a pastor....Please listen don't be overprotective of our children and put them in a bubble they are children but don't let one time be the wrong time. I know I'm alive to tell you it can happen. I was a lucky one who survived a kidnapping and attack at the age of 12 and I had the most overprotective parents in the world. Sadly I was taken while resisiting as onlookers turned there back. They thought it was a child rebelling agaist there parent and no one helped.......Just think it over and please be careful........... This is very hard for me to share but I just wanted to say with experience and with love please be careful but the again out of respect ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Enjoy your trip

 

[java]

Ok I am thinking about the rides... EE there is a gift shop at the end of the ride- but then there is an area right in front of it- for the non-riders(being kind) On Thunder Mountain there is an area up by the exit= way around the back- where he could wait..it is generally deserted even in July. Um Space Mountain- there are seats right outside the gift shop in the back. TOT- has an area right inside the ride with benches. It is through the gift shop.Now if he is a responsible 9 and would stay put- then I guess there are areas that he would be ok at. But I am paranoid. I would take him on the line with me- then do the "chicken exit" with instruction to wait at the exit. Many Baby swap areas start at the beginning of the ride- so he would be standin alone from that point on. That is why I am suggesting = find a spot then all get in line- he can then exit at the point where you are boarding-(usually just walks right over the ride) and have him wait. That way shorter time alone- just the time the ride takes- also he is in an area where there will be others waiting. Good luck and he may surprise you when he gets there- it is amazing what a dare devil 7 year old sister can inspire a not so brave 9 year old brother to do.(can you tell we have BTDT.... the only one he ended up absolutly not riding was TOT)