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

[mickey0624]

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??

Personal decision...but I wouldn't. Even though it feels like you're in another world when you're there, you're not.
But again, that's just me personal opinion. I'm sure others disagree.

 

[pa. dad]

There's going to be a few times during the day that somebody has to go to the bathroom or someone is holding the table while you pay for the food etc.
So to be on the safe side, I would go over some common sense things like not walking off with strangers . Then as far as the rides, I would try to build up the young one's courage a little also. Maybe you can talk him into trying the 7D Mine train with you. If they see a lot of kids their age in line for it, that may be an encouragement. You might get the younger child to try one or 2 things this trip that wouldn't do previous trips.
But I feel anxious leaving a 9 year old alone not becuase of the 9 year old but because of the many people you don;t know that would see the child sitting alone.

 

[Govols1997]

I would do what others have said, scout a waiting place and use the chicken exit. Kids are more competent than we give them credit for these days.

 

[biondagirl]

No. I'm a nervous nelly.

Last year was the first year I left my 12 1/2 year old alone outside of ToT. He hates it. We sat him at the end of the ride and he had his cell phone with him. We had fast passes so it wasn't too long. My 9 year old daughter would FREAK out if we left her alone.

And I agree with taking the chicken exit. That way you don't separate for too long. I remember when I was a kid waiting for Space Mountain, not knowing what it was, and getting to the top and my mom and all three of us kids chickening out. My dad loved it and it's still one of his (and our) favorites.

Have a fabulous trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

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

Best solution.

You can add in some time before each ride that you don't know about, and find a good meeting spot for each. So if you're not sure where the chicken exit ends vs the actual exit, just find a spot and that's where she waits.

I thought about the chicken exit but then I'm not sure how complicated it is to get out and where exactly she would be to meet her.

No matter what it's not going to be complicated. And if she is willing to ask the CM where *you guys* will be exiting, it's even better.

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

WDW doesn't have baby swap areas, unless you consider *anywhere in the park the waiting adult and child want to be* the area.

Last year was the first year I left my 12 1/2 year old alone outside of ToT. He hates it. We sat him at the end of the ride and he had his cell phone with him. We had fast passes so it wasn't too long. My 9 year old daughter would FREAK out if we left her alone.

But it sounds like your kids and the OP's kids are the exact opposite. Apart from the rides, sounds like her 9 year old is the mature one about being alone, and the older one isn't.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Luckily (or not), I have 7+ months to think/obsess over it, lol.
And I'm not talking like 5-6 rides a day that I would do it, maybe 1 or 2 tops. Since I don't go on any super fast or spinny rides, ODS would be on his own on those regardless (Space Mtn., EE, Dinosaur, Test Track, etc.)

 

[minnie mum]

BTDT. And we did exactly as some here have recommended- had DD go thru the queue with us, take the chicken exit and wait for us. If you don't know ahead of time where the ride lets out, just ask the CMs. Before you all get in line, take your child there and pick a spot for her to wait.

By 9 years old, discussions about strangers should not be a new subject. A simple reminder should be sufficient. Since the majority of rides exit thru a gift shop, have her plant herself near one of the checkout counters where a CM is always stationed if it makes you feel better. My DD enjoyed checking out all the merch.

 

[elaine amj]

Yes. and I have. Most of the time, DH goes with DS since they're both chickens. One time (I can't remember why) when he was around 9 or 10, DD and I wanted to ride ToT and DS didn't. Dh was somewhere else. I walked DS to the gift shop, told him to stay put (he knew who CMs were and that he could always ask them for help) and DD and I got on the ride. He was comfortable with the arrangement and so was I.

 

[brockash]

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??

That's a tough one. Will the 9 year old have a phone where they can contact you? Thinking what if you get stuck on a ride type thing? How mature is the 9 year old and how old of a 9 year...like just 9, or more like almost 10? If I could find a place for my mature 9 year old to sit in daylight and the way was only 10-15 mins., then yeah I might do that. You really can't convince/bribe the 9 year old just to go on them? I too would feel bad having the 13 year old always ride alone...I'd really try to convince the 9 year old just to go, but if it's just absolutely out of the question, then I might try leaving them somewhere with a phone/back up plan/emergency plan etc.

 

[brockash]

You have asked what I would be comfortable with, so don't take this as me judging or preaching about others.

No. I would not do it. My priority would be to comfort and protect the younger child and give the independence to the older child. Whichever child that is left alone will have a certain feeling. The younger child, if left alone, would feel guilty or sad for creating the divisive situation. The older child, if left alone, would probably not have these feelings and instead might feel grown up and independent. Between those two feelings, I would try to avoid the former.

Hmmm...I have a 9 year old and a 14 year old, and this def. wouldn't be the case for my kids. My 14 year old would feel bummed having to ride a bunch of stuff by himself and the 9 year old would not feel bad about it at all. I love her to death but pleasing the 14 year old is just not high on her priority list. Lol. I also feel like it's a choice for the 9 year old. No one is saying they can't ride (I get it, if they have some medical issue or if they've done it and are just truly terrified of it, but that doesn't sound like this case). Obviously the older child has a choice not to ride, but that's asking them to miss out on something and kinda ridiculous to ask at a theme park in my opinion.

 

[RedStars]

Nope.
But I like the chicken exit idea!

 

[AshleeH]

I wouldn't - I have a 13 year old and a 9 year old. I would let my oldest ride alone, but wouldn't leave the younger one to go do a ride. This also factors in the personalities of my boys - my 13 year old was much more responsible at age 9 than my 9 year old. He can't find his shoes if they are in the middle of the floor three feet away from him, so I would NEVER allow him in a theme park alone for any duration. My oldest - at age 5 - knew his way around town from his car seat. I let him have full freedom on our Disney Cruise last year - his brother had limited freedom (he had to be with the oldest at all times).

 

[AshleeH]

That being said, if my younger child didn't have a fear of the rides and just didn't want to ride, well, he would have to suck it up and go on it because his brother wants to. And vice versa. If there's no fear, then you step up for family, even if it's not appealing or convenient to you. That's just the rule in our house.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

My son is 9 and I know I would not leave him alone outside of the exit to go on a ride. I would send the older child to go on the ride by them self or, now I don't know what Disney's rules about this is, but I know our local theme park allows the person who doesn't want to ride on the ride to wait in line with you and then cross over and wait near the exit but still inside the ride line for the rest of their party. Not sure if Disney allows this though because I have never tried. Another option is maybe plan something for the 9 year old with "no adults allowed" theme. Like the Grand Floridian does that pirate adventure thing for a few hours or there is Lilo's Playhouse at the Poly. That way your 9yr old is having fun doing things in a supervised atmosphere and then it gives you a few hours with your older child to do some of the big rides.

 

[rg35]

This isn't really an answer to what you asked, but I'm curious if you have tried watching POV ride videos on youtube with your 9 y.o.? Perhaps seeing that some rides are not as scary as they thing might make them more comfortable with actually riding them?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I have done that. She didn't want to ride ANYTHING at all that trip and was being a brat. So I took her where I wanted her to stand to wait for us, gave her my cell phone so we could reach her and my husband, myself and my son went on the ride.
One time during that trip she asked if she could go shopping (we were in Tomorrowland) while we rode Buzz Lightyear and I told her sure and gave her my cell phone so we could reach her - just keep in mind her budget - and she was happy as a clam.

It worked very well - I even let her stay in the room by herself one morning, she used the deadbolt thing so I knew she'd be fine.

I just read all the other posts and I'm obviously in the minority. Guess I'm a very relaxed parent.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I think it is important to understand Disney is not as safe as one would think. Unfortunitly I learned the hard way. My daughter was violated at Disney. She was taught how to handle situations. She did not respond in the way I would expect. She said she was having a hard time processing what was happening and what to do. It was while she was on the Stitch ride. I was there with her one seat away, and she was sitting by her baby sister. It was during the dark part of the ride. I learned the hard way that Disney is not seperate from the world and predators lurk everywhere. We reported it immediately and police were called. The police officer informed me it happens more then one would think at Disney. She gave a discription of the guy but they were un able to locate him on the cameras. It isn't so much about a nine year old and if she can handle it, but more about the sick people realizing she's sitting alone.

It makes me sick to think not only did this wacko get away with it, but that another family may also learn that even the happiest place on earth can have a dark side.

Maybe you could offer a deal with her to try a ride and you can reward her with something special. Watch videos before hand to reassure her it's ok. I would not recommend leaving her alone anywhere in Disney at 9 alone.

 

[famy27]

I don't see any issue with allowing the 9 year old to wait, as long as she likes the idea. The chicken exit would work, but so would sitting on a bench and waiting. My older DD is the same age, and I would absolutely let her wait by herself. In fact, I was going to have her wait while we rode ToT on the last trip. She ended up changing her mind at the last minute and rode instead. But she has gone on rides by herself when my younger DD was too small to ride. She did Soarin', TT, and Space alone when she was 8 and had no problems.

 

[lovewdwfun]

No way, but I wouldn't judge for you doing so. Before you do, ask yourself these questions:

- If there was an emergency park evacuation or shutdown, would your child be able to get himself out and know what to do? I was recently at a Legoland Discovery Center and everyone had to evacuate when an alarm went off. It isn't likely, but it is always possible, so I would at least review with your child first.

- Would your child be able to resist going with any stranger, even if someone said they were a cast member?

- Is your child comfortable finding a restroom, using it, and coming back to the same place?

- Would your child be comfortable approaching not a cast member for help if needed?

- Would your child be able to resist wandering off?

- Would your child be well-behaved? I detest when parents leave kids unsupervised and the kids decide to harass ducks at Disney or have other obnoxious behavior.

 

[Vijoge]

My first thought was , "yeah, not a problem". Then I thought about my precious Katie Bug, who will be turning nine on our trip next January, and everything in me screamed "NO FREAKING WAY!" I don't know if I'm realistic or overly cautious, though, but my gut still says no.