Would you leave a 9-year-old while you go on a ride?

[ngm]

I haven't done it at Disney, but have done it at other amusement parks with my 7 year old. I would all go through the line, and then have her just wait the few minutes for the actual ride at the exit.

 

[Kathryn777]

I agree, I would have my 9 year old use the chicken exit. I would not get into the line, not even fp without him. As I often wait for child swap I know the fp/child swap wait can often be a lot longer than you expect it to be, I think it'd feel like an eternity to a 9 year old

 

[SaintsManiac]

No

 

[wilkeliza]

Planning a trip for me and my two kids. My 9 year old does not do any big rides - like not even Splash or 7DMT. My 13 year old loves them, and I feel bad thinking about him ride them all by himself. I was thinking maybe for some rides I could go on with him and leave my daughter at the exit of the ride where we will be coming out? Obviously not if it's a long wait, but say 10-15 min. Max. What do you think??

As PP mentioned use the chicken exits to your advantages. So 9 year old stays in line with you and then right before you load she tells the CM she doesn't want to ride. They will either walk her through the chicken exit or show her where it is. At BTM they just walk through the train car and wait on the other platform until they see you get off and meet again at the exit, same with 7DMT they just go through the gate that separates the loading area and exit area. Space Mountain is a little harder since you exit around the other side so there is a walk way she would be taken through. Most likely a CM would walk with her to the exit if one is available. There are other rides where it is as simple as waiting on the other side like Splash and Everest. For mission space there is the play area they can go to or a nice CM would let her wait just outside the ride vehicles where they line up the next crew. So with the chicken exit as long as there are no ride stops she is alone for a few brief minutes less than 5 on most rides.

 

[JimmyV]

That does not describe my kids at ALL. My 9 y.o. would not feel guilty or sad in any way, shape or form, lol. She would actually probably feel grown up. The 13 y.o. going on the rides by himself, I know will feel sad that he has to go on all these rides alone.

...which is why each person needs to evaluate their own situation and not make a decision in a vacuum. The emotions and sensitivity levels of all children are unique.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Have your daughter go through the line and then take the chicken exit to the gift shop. She can wait for you there.

Yes, I would. My newly - 9 year old would be ok with it. I would first show him where I want him to stay. And then I would have him come through the line with me and use any chicken exit there is...and then he will be waiting where I asked him to when I get off the ride in 2 - 5 minutes.

I agree with these posts. If my 9 year old felt comfortable enough to be left alone (that's key here), I'd let him/her know where I would expect to meet him/her, take him/her through the line with the other child and me, and then send him/her through to the chicken exit to meet us when we finished riding.

 

[ginny_lynn]

it depends on the child, and only you know your kids that well. Some 9 year olds would be fine, others not. My son rode alone some rides when he was 9 (using my moms fast passes since she does not like big rides) one thing to remember is rides break down. I took the kids on splash while my mom waited, she started to get worried because it took us so long, even with FP. The ride had broken down and we had to wait to get evacuated. A small wait could turn into a long one, would the child be okay if it took longer then expected. Do you have 2 cell phones to keep in contact if there is an issue?

 

[TJDisneymama]

sounds like the chicken exit is a better idea..i've never used it so had no clue what it is like. if she can just be waiting right there when I get off, that would be perfect..... Not worried about Space Mountain b/c I don't go on anything too fast or spinny, so DS will be on his own on that one, lol.

 

[newdeal]

heck no

 

[DavidNYC]

what about the 9 year old waiting in the baby swap area?

I don't believe those exist at any rides any more. There used to be a few of them but now it's all swap passes. But I agree with those who say have him go through the line with you and allow him to take the chicken exit. Will result in only 2-3 minutes of alone time and usually him or her waiting very close to where you'll disembark. You can even ask before you get in the line where that will be so you all can see together where the meeting point will be.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

That is up to you and what you know about your child. The most important part is probably if your daughter is aware that she should not leave the area where she is waiting or go off with anybody, no matter what they tell her. And even if she is aware, is she the sort of kid who would wander off if bored, or would go off with someone anyway if given a good enough excuse, like someone offers to buy her a treat or if they say you have been injured and they have been sent to bring her to you. At 9 she should be able to recognize cast members and alert one if anything or anyone bothers her, but only her parent would know if she is likely to do so. Do you have a cell phone and can you leave a phone with her? Sometimes rides break down.

Yes, in some rides you can take her through the line with her and then send her to the chicken exit, which will serve to limit the amount of time she is away from her party. Same concerns still apply.

 

[m3retired]

I would not leave the 9 year old alone, especially since it would probably be several times a day. What I would do instead is let the 13 year old bring a friend along on the trip. We did that many times.

 

[Piglet_Mom]

Yes, I would. My newly - 9 year old would be ok with it. I would first show him where I want him to stay. And then I would have him come through the line with me and use any chicken exit there is...and then he will be waiting where I asked him to when I get off the ride in 2 - 5 minutes.

I don't think I would personally do it, but if you're going to do it, do this.

 

[robinb]

As PP mentioned use the chicken exits to your advantages. So 9 year old stays in line with you and then right before you load she tells the CM she doesn't want to ride. They will either walk her through the chicken exit or show her where it is. At BTM they just walk through the train car and wait on the other platform until they see you get off and meet again at the exit, same with 7DMT they just go through the gate that separates the loading area and exit area. Space Mountain is a little harder since you exit around the other side so there is a walk way she would be taken through. Most likely a CM would walk with her to the exit if one is available. There are other rides where it is as simple as waiting on the other side like Splash and Everest. For mission space there is the play area they can go to or a nice CM would let her wait just outside the ride vehicles where they line up the next crew. So with the chicken exit as long as there are no ride stops she is alone for a few brief minutes less than 5 on most rides.

Tower of Terror's chicken exit is a real elevator that brings you down to the lower floor where the ride lets out and you can see your photos. R&RRC has a door at the front of the line where they assign you a row. I can't remember where that lets out, but I would guess it's in the gift shop. You can also walk through the ride vehicle to the other side on Dinosaur and wait in the gift shop.

 

[ktlm]

We've done it at EE when DD chickened out at the last minute at age 8, and we have also done TT and RSR(DLR) single rider multiple times at age 8 and 9, which can leave her waiting for us if she gets placed in a vehicle in front of where we get placed. I would be okay doing it with the chicken exit on several of the rides. I probably would not just leave her and go get in line because that is significantly longer. If you just have her take the chicken exit, then she will only be alone for your ride time unless there is some sort of ride glitch. Be sure she is aware of what to do in the slim chance you get stuck on the ride- i.e. stay put and she can always talk to a CM in the area to check on things if she needs to. EE and Splash are easy places because there is a gift shop and it is simple just to send them there when you board the ride. DD chickened out at the last minute at TOT and I did not do it at TOT and probably would not. DD was scared in that building and I knew that the chicken exit involved going down the elevator and I knew she would be scared there too. A very nice CM offered to take her down to the gift shop and even wait with her until we finished the ride, but I still just went with her and let DH go that one alone.

 

[jenhum]

Like most people have said, you know your kid. I have a 7 yr old, and I would be fine leaving her at an exit. She's very independent, mature and a rule follower. I'm pretty sure she'd be more likely to be struck by lightening in the park than be abducted, so then it's just a matter of trusting her to stay put and not wander off, which I absolutely do. If you are comfortable with it, and your child is comfortable with it, I'd remind them of what a CM looks like in case they have a problem, and go have fun on the big rides!

 

[karasmom]

It depends on the child!

I am extremely cautious and overly protective but if I would do this anywhere then probably at Disney (Disney bubble? Perhaps...)

I would however make sure my daughter would have some sort of communication! Does your older child have a cell she could hang on to? That way she could get in touch with you/you with her if need be!

 

[mshanson3121]

I have a 10 and 12 year old, and I personally would send the older child on the ride by himself. I would feel better about doing that than leaving the younger one waiting alone.

This. I would send the older on the ride and wait with the younger.

 

[alliecat523]

The chicken exits are great and you usually end up only waiting a few minutes for your party to ride and exit. For rides like Space Mtn, you can have the child chicken exit and wait in the gift shop. There are CM's around that they can ask for help if needed.

 

[Shellyb84]

I have a 10 and 12 year old, and I personally would send the older child on the ride by himself. I would feel better about doing that than leaving the younger one waiting alone.

This. As another PP said, a lot can happen in 15 minutes, regardless of the maturity of the child.