What age did you feel comfortable to let kids on own

[jans2kids]

At what age if any did you feel comfortable to let your kids do things on their own at the parks. Our sons are 13 and 11 and were asking if this year they could do rides by themselves ie ride RnR or TOT while we took in the Beauty and the Beast show. Do you feel its safe to let them go for an hour every once in a while. We have 2 way radios that we would use to stay in touch.

[wendy*darling]

I think our boys were about that age when we let them split off from us for a hour or 2 at a time. We used 2 way radios back then too. Just be aware that they do not work when you are IN a ride building, so you have to keep calling back until they come out.

We thought it was perfectly safe at that age to let them go "together" to other rides. We always stayed in the same park. We arranged a meeting place and time and the first few times, we tried to stay fairly close to where they were going (like your plans suggest).

I think by the time they were 14 & 17, we could all split off on our own if we wanted. The boys still usually wanted to do the same things together. By then, we would even let them go back to the resort to swim (BCV) while we were in Epcot. Then they would come back and meet us for Illuminations.

I think a large part of our feeling comfortable allowing them to be on their own was because our kids were WDW veterans. They knew the parks well, they knew how to get back to the resort in case that was necessary, they knew how to get help (and from whom) if needed. They are also Boy Scouts (my then 17 yr old is an Eagle Scout) and used to doing things for themselves, "thinking on their feet."
If I didn't have that comfort level, we wouldn't have let them loose so young.

[BronxTigger]

That sounds like some good first steps to independence. They will be physically nearby, and you have the radios. Try it and see how they handle the responsibility.

[luv2BnWDW]

My kids were 12 and 11 when we let them go off on their own. At first they had to stay in the same park that we were in. We all had cell phones so if anyone got split apart we were just a phone call away. Last year at 14 and 13 we let them take friends and they pretty much did their own thing but they had to let us know by phone whenever they made a move from one park to another. I always knew where they were and we always met back at the pool for a swim break in the afternoon then to dinner together. It worked out great and we actually ended up spending the perfect amount of time together and apart and everyone got to do just what they wanted. My kids have been to Disney so many times, that they know the parks and transportation system really well. I wouldn't do it if it was a first time. And communication is really important!

[Goofeygal]

Mine were also about that age when we let them go on their own the first time. I felt very comfortable about it. But you know your kids better so if they can handle it I would go for it.

[LauraF]

I and my siblings were about 10-13 when we were first allowed to go off by ourselves. My parents set the requirement that we all (3 kids) needed to travel together. (I was about 14 when my sibs were 10 & 9.) When my siblings turned 13, they could off individually. We never had any problems, since we all wore watches and knew what time we needed to meet up.

[Darbylew]

I think it depends on the children as to what
age it should be. We let ours go out on their
own about the age of 12 but we kept in touch
with them with cell phones and they were never
allowed to leave the park that we were in.

[crazypoohbear]

I think the age you let them go off on their own is a matter of maturity, not chronological age. Some kids are very mature and responsible at 11 or 12 and others still are not at 25!
This year my boys have been told they can venture off to different parks if they stay together and call often. They will be 12,16,17.

We have ADR's and they will have a copy of it so they know when they have to be somewhere and at what time.
They do have to spend family time with me, the aunts and little cousins and they usually like hanging with me anyway, but knowing they have the option of heading out on their own is nice.
We all have cell phones and they are Disney vets.
My only caveat is they are NOT allowed to go to DTD without adults. This is because of recent activities there!

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We let the kids go alone at age 9.
2) We let the grandkids go at ages 8 & 11.
3) This included letting them have charging on the room keys.
4) This allowed them drinks and snacks when they wanted them.
5) We set meeting times and places and made sure they were there.
6) They snacked by themselves, but ate with us.
7) They really felt grown-up.

NOTE: We were more worried about their charging privileges than walking around un-escorted. Things went well, but we envisioned a six-foot Stuffed Minnie Mouse being dragged back by the littlest one.

[magicman]

I think the age you let them go off on their own is a matter of maturity, not chronological age. Some kids are very mature and responsible at 11 or 12 and others still are not at 25!


This is true. I am 40 and my Mama still won't let me go off by myself. (I'm just glad I don't still have to where that leash.):D

[magicofdisney]

It's my understanding that children under 7 must be supervised. I tried to let my 6 yo girls ride Triceratops Spin by themselves earlier this year and the ride attendant wouldn't let them on without me. I stood on the side lines while they went through the queue. They were visible at all times.

A few months later I let my 9yo son and his 9yo cousin ride ToT by themselves. The rest of the family just waited outside the exit area. They did fine. I think I'll experiment more with this, but by the age of 11, I think more freedom is in order. I know that my middle school took field trips to the parks when I was younger and we were allowed unsupervised freedom the entire day. And there were no cell phones or walkie talkies in use at that time. :mickey:

[dteed]

We let our sons 13 and 10 go off together as lond as they are in the same park. They both have cell phones and are required to have them on while they are away.

[Tygger7]

Maybe I'm old-fashioned....or just plain paranoid...but my daugther is 14 and we still don't let her run around unsupervised anywhere, including Disney. I thought about letting her (and her friend) go alone for part of the day...then I saw the news story about a little girl being molested on Disney property at one of the resorts. Unfortunately, there are just too many sick people in the world, and I don't feel safe anywhere...not even at Disney. Don't get me wrong, it's better than most places. But when you consider the thousands of people, from all over the world, I just feel like I'd be putting her in a potentially dangerous situation. She's very mature for her age, but even the most mature kids can have a lapse of good jugement. Besides, it's a family vacation and we like to do all the same things. She'll be grown and gone soon enough, so the rule stays: hang with mom & dad. :mickey:

[jans2kids]

Thank you all for your feedback. They are both boy scouts and are used to the buddy system so they will not go any where without the other. This will be their 6th trip so they are very familiar with the parks and layouts of the parks.

We agree that this will be and always has been a family vacation but everyone has their favorites and not so favorites, so this way we can enjoy more of the shows that they may not enjoy as much and they can enjoy the rides.

At this point it will always be in the same park and probably not for more than an hour here and there.

[pamcastle]

:mickey::mickey:

My girls are now 17 and 12. I now feel comfortable to walk around the Park on their own. However, they walk around with us because they feel we came there as a Family and we should go on all the rides as a Family. Great thinking on their part huh?

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

Wow, I have not given this a thought yet. I am still okay since the boys are 10 and 7 but, I guess this is something we will need to figure out here in a few years. The thought makes me sad, I love walking around the parks as a family. :(

We only went to WDW as kids with my parents once. I was 14 and the oldest and we stayed together the whole trip.

This situation is all new to me. Good reading for the parents that aren't quite to this point yet. :)

[Jared]

My family let my brother and I into the parks alone when I was around 12 or 13 and he was seven or eight. When I turned 15, my parents let us visit the parks at night alone for Extra Magic Hours or nighttime shows.

Walt Disney World theme parks are rather safe, especially for teenagers. I bet your children will be fine.

[BigRedDad]

As long as they stay together, I don't think there is any issue. Also, you are in the same parks and nearby. I know the world is nothing like it was when I was growing up. They will be fine. Just make sure they understand the ground rules before setting them free.

[wdwfansince75]

Ah, the memories.....Our 4 children are spread over 11 years. On youngest's first trip, at age 4, his older brother was 15, and had been to other amusement parks without us. He was allowed to go off on his own. Their sisters were then 10 and 12, and were allowed to go off together in the park. We used to use the Pavilion as our meeting place. Still do, 27 years later. With grandkids spread in age from 18 to -5mo, we let their parents set the rules. Seems like the first "solos" are to the game rooms, or for snacks.

I note that most of the contributors to this thread are concerned parents. Wish all were like you! Note other thread about large groups of teens and tweens with little or no supervision! Some kids are never ready to be on their own, but those are the ones who are most likely to be chased off, rather than set free! I remember long ago being told at a family reunion, "You're so lucky, your children are so well behaved!" It ain't luck!

[Mickey91]

My DS(13) has ridden a couple of rides on his own. Mostly when DH doesn't feel like it at the time and I don't usually like the thrill stuff. He didn't start this until he was at least 11. And, I still don't leave him. If he does Mission Space, we browse close by at Mickey's Mousegears and if he goes on Space Mountain, we will take a leasure ride on the TTA. He has a specific spot that he is to stay until we get back if he finishes first. As he gets older, he will be allowed to have time frames and a wider area to explore on his own. But, for the most part, we take this in as a family trip and like to stick together.

[DNS]

At age 25. :blush:

[NewmanFamily6]

Wow I had not considered this either. My oldest DD is only 10, then DD6, and twin DSes 4. I guess in a few years I might allow the older two to use the buddy system. The twins will have to wait quite a while but at least they will have a buddy:thumbsup: It is hard to trust the unknown these days but holding them back just pushes them away:confused: So I guess it is trial and error.

[dolphinmickey9170]

We let our girls 11 and 13 go off with another friend who was 14 and they had a good time together. I gave them my cell and they could call us if they needed anything. They, at one point, even went back to the resort and we stayed in the park. They were great. They called us when they got back to let us know they made it and they were going to the pool. I was completely comfortable.

[WelshieLover]

I think that MGM is a great park to try this out with your kids. On our last trip - 2 families - 6 kids (some ours and some friend's of our kids) aged 13 though 17. All of them had cell phones and at the airport everyone programmed everyone else's number into their phones. We let them go off in the same parks as us. It was amazing how often we would run into them. As a family we have our favorites and we always would run into them at these locations/rides. The 17 year olds went to breakfast in the MK once without us. I do not think having younger teens in another park by themselves is a good idea. However if any of us are going to let our kids off on their own we really all need to make sure they are aware of what is going on around them as well as being polite to others. Unfortunately teens always get blamed for being trouble makers. Younger teens especially often get caught up in the excitement of evrything and forgetting their manners.

[jszczur5]

I am so glad you brought up this topic. We are leaving for Disney in four weeks, and my 11 and 12 year old sons are begging for more independence. Last year we let them go on a couple of rides together while hubby and I waited in the gift shop or outside the ride. This year I may give them an hour or two on their own, at the same park that we are all in.
My only concern is that they sometimes fight, and may not conduct themselves properly while in line. I would probably have no way of knowing if they misbehaved unless one of them squealed on the other.
I don't know...I think we'll play it by ear, day by day, park by park, once we get down there.

[Nekochan]

I would be comfortable at age 11 or 12 going off in a park for an hour or two with a buddy, but not solo. Going solo should be saved til probably at least 14. Although, I am considering allowing my son (he's 12) go to Disneyquest for one or two hours while I go to nearby shopping. I think he'd be okay there. But that's not a park, it's one building.

[Gottaluvgoof]

I guess I'm kind of like Tygger. I just feel better, and it makes my trip much better if I don't have to worry about them, so they stay with me. I like every ride, so we all pretty much stay together. If someone doesn't want to ride something, then DH or myself stays off with them. For the most part, we all do everything. My oldest son, 16 doesn't like to go at all so we leave him at home with a relative. The rest of them DD 14, DD 12, DS 11, are perfectly content to hang out with DH and I.
When we are at our local Six Flags, which we go to on a weekly basis, I do let the girls go off with their friends and we stay in touch by cell phone. I am in the park, but usually with my youngest son and his friends.

[McGoofy]

I think 13 and 11 would be ok with your two. It's very nice that they have a buddy system.

While I am here, I just thought I would throw this out as well:

Let's be clear...I am in no way promoting leaving small children alone. However, are you aware that in the Annual pass entitlements section of the annual passholder ticket keeper/benefits book, it says

Quote:
"Persons under the age of 7 years must be accompanied by a person over the age of 21 years when attending the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park."
That means that children over 7 years old could potentially be dropped off at the parks and wander around all day without adult supervision. My DH and I were like "NO WAY!!" when we read that. Our DS is 9 and there is no way on earth we would let him wander around the parks alone. We do let him ride rides alone. For example, he loves the Stitch ride at MK, and we hate it. So we let him ride it, and we sit right at the exit and wait for him to come out. Even during that short time we make him put one of our cell phones in his pocket just to be sure that he has a way to contact us. That's as close as he gets to being alone for a few more years at least.

I also agree with somebody else that said the child's maturity has a lot to do with it as well. Disney, on the whole, is a safe place. However, I have seen some very unruly teenagers wandering around that really needed adult supervision!

[tomorrowschild]

My brother and I were pretty much the exact ages of you kids when my parents let us go on our own. The same as some of the above posters mentioned- 2 hours at a time. We always stayed in the same park as my parents. We had a blast, and never worried because there are so many CM around. We had been to DW many times, so new where we were going. :mickey:

[crazypoohbear]

This is true. I am 40 and my Mama still won't let me go off by myself. (I'm just glad I don't still have to where that leash.):D

:funny::rotfl::
Hey that's great about out growing the lease!!

:woohoo::woohoo::high5:

[AdventurerKim]

I think my parents started letting my brother and I go off together when I was 13 and he was 10, other than us running ahead to be the first on a ride when the ropes dropped. They wouldn't do it often then, but once we were older, we went off more. I always felt comfortable and safe, and this was pre-cell phone. By this time, we had been going to WDW for several years, so we knew our way around the parks easily. WDW was the only place they'd let us go by ourselves.