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View Full Version : What age do kids go solo?



locodemickey
04-06-2007, 07:42 PM
At what age do you (will you) let your kids walk around the parks by themselves? Is this the same age you would let them leave the hotel to go to a park alone? This could obviously vary if they were with an older sibling or friend. I can remember doing this when I was young but I can't remember how old I was (we always stayed at the Poly and there was only the MK and Epcot - also a different time back then).

slt21
04-06-2007, 08:16 PM
Well, I think it has more to do with maturity than age. I was allowed to leave my mom's side family first when I was around 9 or 10, but I was never gone for more than a few minutes.

My family let me stay in the parks without an adult at around age 14 (I was with friends of a similar age who, like me, were pretty mature). I was always responsible (well, I still am, I suppose), and I had designated "call-in" times where I was to call an adult and tell them where I was and what I was doing. Check in times were typically every 1-2 hours. I think that having the child there with another child (sibling or friend) that's also responsible is best at first.

For me, I think it worked well. However, I know some people whom I wouldn't trust in the parks without supervision today - and they're legally adults!

Basically, it depends almost entirely on prior experiences with the child, and knowing their level of trustworthiness, maturity, and responsibility.

Finally, the Disney Parks are, all in all, safe places with plenty of security and other workers around, and the same goes for the Disney transportation. I would feel comfortable with kids on their own at Disney World before I would in some other places.

SBETigg
04-06-2007, 08:43 PM
Last trip, the kids were 14 and 12 and we did let them have some freedom around the resort. We stayed at the Polynesian. After our first few days, we let them go to the pool on their own and we met up with them there a bit later. We let them go check out the Great Ceremonial House, walk to the beach, refill their mugs at Captain Cooks, and enjoy the arcade. They loved the freedom, and it was nice not feeling like they had to stay by our sides all the time.

Next trip, the kids are going to be sixteen and fourteen and we're letting them explore the parks on their own a bit. It does make me nervous, but I think they can handle some time going off alone plus we'll all have cell phones.

LoriMistress
04-06-2007, 08:59 PM
When I was younger, when our family would go to DLR my brother and I would have a few hours of freedom in the parks. We were around 10-12 years old at the time.

hooberry
04-06-2007, 10:55 PM
I remember being able to go on our own at junior high age 13-14 but by that time we had been so many times I could have been a tour guide:D I guess it would depend on the childs maturity and familiarity with the parks and transportation system. And since we are going so often ,I'm sure when my daughter gets to be about that age I'll do the same and let her venture on her own.:thumbsup:

alicia524luvstw
04-07-2007, 06:11 AM
I'm going to let my DS and his friend both close to 10 do blizzard beach alone while I try to catch some sun. I don't like the water slides. I figured they could stick together and go have fun. They will need to check in w/me though

magicofdisney
04-07-2007, 08:19 AM
When I was in middle school we'd take school sponsored trips to Disney. So kids as young as 11 were roaming MK or Epcot by themselves. Now this was 20 yrs ago, but I imagine those same schools are still taking trips to Disney.

iheartdisney
04-07-2007, 09:42 AM
We let our daughter "roam" with her cousins at ages 13 (x2) and 11. BUT we were in the same park at the same time and everyone had cell phones to stay in touch. We also had designated call times and places to meet after 1-2 hours or so. We also had a similar policy at the resort. And as others have stated, it all depends on the kid...and you know yours best!

SBETigg
04-07-2007, 01:04 PM
I'm going to let my DS and his friend both close to 10 do blizzard beach alone while I try to catch some sun. I don't like the water slides. I figured they could stick together and go have fun. They will need to check in w/me though

The wave pool there can be overwhelming for even strong younger swimmers. When my ds was 10, he had a little trouble in that pool and he was a strong swimmer. I dread to think what would have happened if my DH wasn't nearby because the lifeguards never even noticed. I think they'll be fine on the slides, but maybe give them a little cautionary note on taking extra care in the wave pool.

TiggerRPh
04-07-2007, 01:11 PM
For us....we started letting our oldest wander the park for a couple of hours alone and then check in with us when he was 13 and gave him more time when he was 16. We didn't let him go to a park on his own until he was 17 or 18.

MsMin
04-07-2007, 01:39 PM
I let my son start to leave my side at 11 and sometimes his sister (9) would go with him but they were very responsible and I had rules e.g. a place and time to meet and privileges were lost if they were not prompt.
I started with small times and built up as they aged. They started with the old arcade on Main Street when I was shopping. They were always escorted into the park and were not allowed to leave the park. I reminded them about not leaving with others and who to go to for help. When they got a little older I let them go back to the room alone but we were at the OKW so it wasn't as easy as hopping on the monorail or as risky as leaving the grounds.
Remember that preditors don't like to be trapped and in the parks you are basically trapped. Also it's expensive and much easier for them to go to the mall or other public place. I'm not saying it's impossible but it is safer there than many other places.
Our law here states that it's not the age the parent leaves the child alone but the decision that the child is mature enough to be left alone. You are responsible for their actions and the risks.

Willowwind
04-07-2007, 02:14 PM
I'm planning on letting my two older kids (ages 14 & 13 by the time we get there) have some more freedom this year around the hotel and at the parks. They'll be allowed to go off on their own (only as a pair) in the same park that we're in for an hour or two with cell phone contact and face to face check ins every hour or two.

The two younger kids coming (ages 8 and 9 on the trip) will have to stay with us. I don't trust them enough to listen to the oldest and stay safe. I'm expecting that will cause some trouble, but such is life.

JMTStone
04-07-2007, 03:43 PM
I don't think my DD14 will be going anywhere on her own for a while. Besides... who will ride the rides with her Dad while I'm with the 5 year old?

That aside... I would feel very nervous about say her and a girlfriend "doing the parks" on their own. Even if its the safest place, I wouldn't be enjoying myself worrying about her. Maybe when she matures (she's amazingly gullable and lacks some common sense - believes EVERYONE at Disney is like us)

Age is just a number. Maturity level counts.

RockChalkKimball
04-07-2007, 04:03 PM
On our next trip we will have DD19, DS14, Niece16, and Nephew!. This is the first time we are going to let them have some freedom. Of course, DD and DS have been several times, so they know how to navigate the busses and the parks, etc. I think knowing your child and their level of responsiblity is the key. I took my DD at 18 and she had a semester of college under her belt and it made me nervous to have her on the busses alone. My DS is 14 and I would probably let him go now on his own, just because he has more common sense! Cell phones make the "world" a much easier place to feel safe in.

January-2007
04-07-2007, 06:49 PM
When I was 15 I wasn't allowed to leave the park we were in, but I could go off on my own within that park. When I was 16 we stayed onsite for the first time, and since I had been taking public transportation at home by myself for a year, I was allowed to pretty much go wherever I pleased. My parents gave me some money for meals and I was off. Disney transportation rocks! That was back when they had E-ride nights, and I paid up to go to that. I remember walking down Mainstreet awful late at night, practially sleepwalking, and there was my dad, waiting for me. I don't know if I'd ever been more happy to see him in my life! Turns out, after I left that night he decided to go too, but then didn't see me while I was there and decided to just wait for me at the end on Mainstreet when it was close to over so he could drive me back to the resort. It was very nice. My last trip with my parents was when I was 19, and I only did a few things with them, like go to River Country and meet up at the Biergarten. I'll be 23 in a couple weeks and I've been with my husband twice now, once a few months before we were married and once on our Honeymoon. We're going with my parents and brother and sister in law in May, and no, they don't expect us to stay by their side ;)

I really think it has a lot to do with what you let them do at home, where you are staying, and how responsible they are. Good luck! :thumbsup:

mouseketeer mom
04-08-2007, 07:45 AM
My girls will be 13 and 11 on our next trip. They are joined at the hip and responsible. I will let them monorail from the Poly where we are staying to the MK only. They will have a cell phone and must stay in touch. My son will be 8 on our next trip and no way could I trust him to listen to the girls. He's still a handful, full of spunk and adventure. My girls are do gooders, stay in line type of girls..my son..hmm..he might be Oh! 20 or so before he can go to the parks on his own! I will allow him to venture to Captain Cooks or the beach with the girls while at the resort, but thats it.