Would you let your kids go by themselves?

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

ANd if the 11 year old is feeling left out, maybe the three could do a short split off -- like, you and DH go to a meal whiel all three of them go off together to do 3 or 4 rides, then they come and meet you again at the restaurant when finished. The 11 year old mught enjoy the opportunity, too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

We let DS go on his own at 12 or 13 - and that was before cell phones were common. While I realize that WDW is still part of the "real world", and that intelligence and caution are very important, I still would feel better about dropping a teen off at the MK for the day as opposed to your local mega-mall.

Well, WDW LOVR, if you look at his new picture, you can see that Bill has been indulging his "other hobbies"

 

[JLTraveling]

I went to day camp every summer, and they always took us to the theme parks and the water parks. The rule was: Age 7 and up did not have to be with an adult, as long as we were with a buddy. This kept with Disney and other parks regulations that you must be 7 to ride alone. As others have mentioned, there were strict consequences for not showing up at the designated meeting time -- generally being stuck with the adults on the next trip. Nobody ever wanted that to happen, so we were all great about being on time. No problems, no lost kids, everything was just fine. So I definitely think that the 16 year old can take responsibility for the younger ones with no problems. Heck, when I was 16, we took a family vacation to Washington DC. I met some kids at the Rocky Horror Picture Show the first night, and I spent two weeks with them, coming back to the hotel to sleep. Somehow I turned out okay They'll be fine.

 

[goofy4tink]

When my dd turns 13 in 2006, she will be turned loose with her girlfriend who is also turning 13 on the trip. But, dd will have been to WDW about 8 times by then, and the other girl 3 times. They will be in the same park we moms will be in and expected to check in with us at set times. Little steps I figure. But since I was babysitting at 13, I guess she will be old enough to get around WDW with a friend.

 

[WDW LOVR]

Bill,

We'll gladly toast your b'day. Any reason to tip one is good enough for us.

Anyone else having a birthday/anniversary (like us) in the next couple weeks need toasting also? 7 days at the BW without the kids will leave a lot of time for celebrating!

 

[prncess674]

I know I am probably just being over protective, and I hate that! I always said I was going to be a "cool" mom. My 14 year old actually has a better handle on the transportation system, and I don't doubt that she could get where she wanted to go. Also, we will be taking 2 cell phones with us, so they could absolutely take one with them and check in periodically. Just scary thinking of my babies, er ah, young ladies going off on their own. More of a mom issue though I guess....

Since your kids seem pretty responsible, I would kind of test them to make sure they understand the transportation. Test your 11 yr old (sounds like the older ones get it) to get you to appropriate transportation and/or ride while you are with them before you let them loose on their own. I would be more concerned about the youngest getting seperated. Make sure that the all kids know how to get to the meeting spot, hotel, etc. Even though they should be sticking together.

 

[DVCLiz]

My DDs are 16 and 11, and I would absolutely let them go on their own. I'd even let them go from our hotel using WDW transportation, as long as I knew they had a cell phone and we could keep in touch if needed. DD11 is perfectly able to let a cast member know if she is lost, and they both can agree on arrival to a meeting place if they lose each other. This is a great way to practice some independence - Cast Members are specifically trained to see if children are exhibiting any signs of being lost, and there is ample "unseen" security in place. I think you should let all three of them have some time alone - and doesn't that mean you and DH have some free time too?

 

[vettechick99]

I'd say yes. When I was in 8th grade (13?) my summer camp took us to Six Flags and we were allowed to be off on our own as long as we had our buddy in sight the entire time. Now I was always a responsible gal, so no problems here.

If you are confident they will behave, why not!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Bill,

We'll gladly toast your b'day. Any reason to tip one is good enough for us.

Anyone else having a birthday/anniversary (like us) in the next couple weeks need toasting also? 7 days at the BW without the kids will leave a lot of time for celebrating!

Yes - May 2 is our 25th Wedding anniversary!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

We are going to WDW this June. Going are me, DH, DD16, DD14, and DD11. The 16 and 14 year old recently started asking if they would be allowed to venture out on their own. I am not really sure about this. I understand why they want to go, but I am hesitant. Anyone know if there is an age limit on admission? Like if under 16, must be accompanied by adult? I would be comfortable with them going their own way in the same park as we are in, but they are talking about going to a separate park. Not because we aren't going where they want to go, but to be "grown up" I suppose. Any help would be great!

yeah 14 and 16 would be fine by me - unless they are very small for their age and incapable of fending for themselves or very naive and gullible. My 9 year old is well trained in how to kick the crap out of an adult. She has a step father who is a sheriff who has taught her various ways of responding to attacks (i.e. screaming, what to say, running, kicking, punching scratching), and different ways that people entice children, and I have always let her assert herself and taught her very early the various vulnerable spots where she can inflict the most pain and or life threatening injury. I also filled her in on not dealing with strangers. But at 9 I would still not let her venture out on her own in the parks. AT 14 to 16... she is so tall now ... that at later ages I would hate to be the person that causes her any grief. At 9 she's already taken a full grown adult to the ground.

 

[dejavu]

We let our kids 16 & 13 (at the time) go to the parks while we played golf. They had a cell phone and we agreed to meet back at the BC at a certain time for dinner-They had a ball and so did we! As long as they have good judgement and stay together I think this is fine. I have sent these two off to college and believe me they need to start leaning to be on thier own a little bit and learn what goes along with that responibility BEFORE they head off to a college campus or look out!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

My best friend and I have taken 2 trips to WDW together, with my parents accompanying us. However, they did allow us to venture away from them. When we were both 16 they let us go wander the same park they were in and have a designated meeting time and place to reunite. When we were 18 they allowed us to go off into a park on our own. But, one of the influencing factors of letting us go on our own was that I've been to WDW every year since I was 2 so they know I know my way around like the back of my hand. You are the best judge of character of your children. Why not at the beginning of the trip allow them to wander on their own in the same park as you. Then if you feel confidant enough by the end of your trip allow them to go to a park alone?

 

[WDW LOVR]

We'll toast your 25 yrs also Dr. T.

We're celebrating 20 years ourselves (although our actual anniversary was in March. Couldn't get away then, stupid work kept getting in the way!)

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

Thanks for all of the encouragement guys. My DD16 has never been to WDW, so I am kind of counting her out as the "guide". My 14 yr old, however, has been several times, and knows how to maneuver around the parks. All of my kids are pretty responsible, and I trust them, I just worry about them being alone. As far as the 11 yr old, I think she would be fine with them (I would make her carry the cell phone). I was more worried about people in the park rather than the 3 of them getting into trouble. Even if the 11 yr old doesn't get to go, she will be fine, she LOVES getting all of the attention from me, and she would only have to share with my DH! WDW just inspires such trust in people, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy for thinking that it might be ok.

 

[idofabric]

When our now 19yoDS was 11 he went off alone, after we checked with a CM.We were at ECPOT and I stopped a "Security"CM and asked if it was safe for DS to wonder around. He said, "Mam, there are cameras EVERY where, and if a person is seen anoying a child, even if we think it is their child, there is an undercover "guest" security person there in moments."
So he was gone till the meeting time. The CM also said that in any given day there are a lot of "plain clothes security" that look just like the guests, they go on rides/stand in line, eat at the restraunts, ect. They are everywhere. Now I don't know if that is true, but we have let the kids wonder around in the same park we are in alone since they were 11, and the 2 oldest have park hopped since they were 14 (DD) an 13 (DS). And this was before we all had a cell phone. The youngest son stays with us- he knows who feeds him! And the other 2 are away at college now...

 

[newholidayx2]

If DS13 wants another ride on Buzz and I want Space Mtn thats ok
If DS13 wants to play around in Innoventions & I want to shop in Mousegear thats ok
We'll be in the same parks near each other