Let TEENS Roam?

[TLM323]

Hi All! :wave:

I would LOVE your opinions/experiences on letting your TEENS roam the resorts & parks (during daylight hours & when you're "basically" with them, at the same park or resort). Any (non-obvious) worries that I need to take into account? They each have their own cell phones, and will have each other to roam with.

Even though we (their parents) want to go on EVERY ride & do EVERYTHING that there is to do ... I'm sure they would enjoy some SPACE!

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions you may have!
~ Tammy

 

[Erika]

I think a lot depends on your kids. The last time I went with my family, I was 16 and my brother was 12. We were allowed to go off on our own a few times as long as we stuck together. No cell phones back then. But, keep in mind I was a big old Disney nerd. And probably the most trouble I had ever been in was bringing home a C on my report card. Oopsie.

As far as the safety issue goes, that depends on your personal comfort level and your kids' experience. Do they babysit? Are they streetsmart? Are they usually pretty aware of their surroundings? Things can happen anywhere, but I would probably be more likely to let my kids go off at WDW if we lived in a big city vs a small town.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

How old are they? There's a big difference between two 13 year olds and two 18 year olds. I'd say as long as one of them is 16 or older, and they are semi-mature, and get along together, then it's fine. I was probably that age when my parents let me and my sister (who's 5 years younger) go off for short periods of time. Its really great, especially when spending so much "together" time has gotten to the best of everyone.

 

[GarryandLindy]

Friday February 10th, 2006 their were 10,000 cheerleaders at the Magic Kingdom although some were a little loud they seemed to be very respective of others. I don't think you'll have a problem letting your kids roam. I think as long as they respect the parks their shouldn't be a problem.

Garry

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Theres always a flip side, ours never wanted to roam on their own.

 

[Pongo]

As a teen, I that you should by all means let them roam (as long as you trust them). I'm 17 and I've been to the parks by myself a couple times, as well as about 7 times where it was just one of my friends and myself. My parents just dropped us off at the parks and picked us up later.

I'm sure that your kids will have plenty of energy and want to get around to places at a speed that may not be yours (I've run around the parks a few times... in the rain), so it actually may be BETTER for you.

I wuggest having set times where you meet up for lunch or dinner, or to see a certain show. That way they can check in and everything.

Hope that helped!

 

[SusanAnne]

I may be a little over protective, but I waited until my oldest was 17 her sister was 12 at the time. My kids are great kids, never no trouble, etc, etc, however, Disney world is a big place, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. Maybe that they were both girls had something to do with it. I just feel you can never be to safe.

 

[QBMcNabb108]

I'm 15 and last year My two cousins and I went to Disney by ourselves. At the time I was 14 my cousin was 15 and my other cousin was 14 and she is handicap so we got a guest assistance pass and ended up doing all the rides we wanted to do at each park all in one day. Like space and splashmountain at MK and TT and M:S at epcot and so on and so fourth. It really not a hard place to get around and as long as you trust your children, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[unkadug]

I have distinct memories of events that happened with my parents in tow (so to speak) and events that happened on trips by myself.

My point is - this is a family vacation, vacation together. There will be time enough for trips by theirselves.

Let them roam for a couple hours, but have a specific time and place to meet back together !!

 

[LouDisney]

I think a lot depends on your kids. The last time I went with my family, I was 16 and my brother was 12. We were allowed to go off on our own a few times as long as we stuck together. No cell phones back then. But, keep in mind I was a big old Disney nerd. And probably the most trouble I had ever been in was bringing home a C on my report card. Oopsie.

As far as the safety issue goes, that depends on your personal comfort level and your kids' experience. Do they babysit? Are they streetsmart? Are they usually pretty aware of their surroundings? Things can happen anywhere, but I would probably be more likely to let my kids go off at WDW if we lived in a big city vs a small town.

I agree with Erika, it depends on your comfort level and the other things she pointed out. When I was 15 and 16, we were allowed to roam and we would have meeting times a few times a day check in, again, no cell phones back then. I think with cell phones (if you have them) it will be easier to check in with them. I have read a lot where families use two way radio too.

 

[luvGoofy]

Hi All! :wave:

I would LOVE your opinions/experiences on letting your TEENS roam the resorts & parks (during daylight hours & when you're "basically" with them, at the same park or resort). Any (non-obvious) worries that I need to take into account? They each have their own cell phones, and will have each other to roam with.

Even though we (their parents) want to go on EVERY ride & do EVERYTHING that there is to do ... I'm sure they would enjoy some SPACE!

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions you may have!
~ Tammy

We just got back from our weeks vacation with 2 teens ages 16 and 17 and 2 smaller children and we let them run around on their own as long as they stayed at the same park we were in. They both had cell phones and were always texting us telling us how the rides were they had gotten on. The last day they wanted to stay at pop century and swim all day so they did and then met up with us at Epcot for dinner. They loved the freedom and we were able to go at a slower pace with the younger ones. Basically it all depends on how comfortable you are with them on their own. You don't want to have to worry all day. I was ok with it as long as they promised to stay together and they did and everyone had a great time. Hope you have a great trip!!!:wave:

 

[tigsmom]

Hi All! :wave:

I would LOVE your opinions/experiences on letting your TEENS roam the resorts & parks (during daylight hours & when you're "basically" with them, at the same park or resort). Any (non-obvious) worries that I need to take into account? They each have their own cell phones, and will have each other to roam with.

Even though we (their parents) want to go on EVERY ride & do EVERYTHING that there is to do ... I'm sure they would enjoy some SPACE!

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions you may have!
~ Tammy

Depends on your kids...are they mature enough, do they follow your rules?


I let my 17 y/o take her sister (11) to the snack bar,arcade and the shops while we get ready and have been doing that for about 4 years.
I've let me 17 y/o go to EPCOT by herself these past 2 years while we do other things. She is a very responsible kid and won't even charge to the room without calling and asking even though she has the ok from us.
We always ask her to call in every so often when she is in the parks by herself just to let us know how things are going. She even called me to let me know she took the wrong bus and would be later coming back because of it.

I have also let them play the games on the Boardwalk and shop (after dark) when we met a friend for drinks at the Boardwalk Inn. Again, the phone must be on at all times, just in case. They actually didn't have a good time that night and went up to the room to watch TV while we were in the lounge. My problem isn't them getting into trouble when they are on their own, but keeping them from fighting all the time. :lol:

 

[bullitt05]

Let them roam. Here's why:
1. I was allowed to roam from the age of 12, as long as there was someone with me. Cell phones help immensely with the check-in of it all (I clearly remember desperately trying to find a payphone when I was going to be late to an off-site hotel b/c of lines---I showed up in tears to a highly amused mom). The trick my mom used was this---if you eat with me, I pay. If you eat on your own, you pay. We always ate with her.
2. WDW is a better place than any to give your kids some slack. There are CM's (costumed and "undercover") all over the place with a keen eye. It's like having thousands of babysitters around.
3. From a parental standpoint, it will be interesting for you to see how they do on their own in a pretty controlled environment. It can be on a trial basis...if they start off on the wrong foot, you can reign them in.

If you're nervous, do two things. First, have them check in at meals--make priority seating reservations that they have to show up for. Second, be sure you are all in the same general location...i.e. all of you are at Epcot.

That's my humble opinion.

Have a great time!

 

[jesserin]

Theres always a flip side, ours never wanted to roam on their own.

That was us! We always wanted to do things as a family - My sister and I are both married now and we're taking a family trip this May - but I'm sure all 8 of us will do almost everything together... after all, it is a family vacation - most parents rarely see their teens at all when their home due to school, sports, ect... family vacation was always a time for us to catch up and hang out - with the exception of hanging out at the pool at night... we always did things together as a family - we didn't want to go out by ourselves...


So here's my suggestion - I would wait until they ask... if they really want to seperate themselves from y'all that's one thing... but if they don't ask, then just enjoy your family together!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I cannot think of a safer place to give them a chance to "roam".
It's a heck of a lot safer that hanging at the mall or going driving or out to a friends house, yet it sends the same message, that you trust them.

With communication, whether it's cell or walkie talkie, they can be contacted quickly if you need reassurance.

It's gonna happen soon anyway, so why not give YOURSELF the practice now.

 

[Erika]

I have distinct memories of events that happened with my parents in tow (so to speak) and events that happened on trips by myself.

My point is - this is a family vacation, vacation together. There will be time enough for trips by theirselves.

Let them roam for a couple hours, but have a specific time and place to meet back together !!

That was us! We always wanted to do things as a family - My sister and I are both married now and we're taking a family trip this May - but I'm sure all 8 of us will do almost everything together... after all, it is a family vacation - most parents rarely see their teens at all when their home due to school, sports, ect... family vacation was always a time for us to catch up and hang out - with the exception of hanging out at the pool at night... we always did things together as a family - we didn't want to go out by ourselves...


So here's my suggestion - I would wait until they ask... if they really want to seperate themselves from y'all that's one thing... but if they don't ask, then just enjoy your family together!

That is all so true-- but I also think that a little bit of sibling bonding time is important. Sometimes it's nice to escape from under the parental umbrella and just be buddies for a while. I have a lot of memories from that trip but some of the strongest are from our few hours of brother/sister quality time

 

[Neverwhere]

Well, I don't have teens, but I was often allowed to roam WDW (and Las Vegas ) alone with my brother (5 years younger) when I was a teen. Granted this was over 10 years ago, but I'd think the basic rules still apply.

They have cel phones, which is something we never did, which is good. The fact that they have each other is also good.

I think it really boils down to how old are they? There is a big difference between what I'd allow a 13 year old to do versus what I'd allow a 17 year old to do. How mature are they? Do they do things alone at home, such as go to the mall, movies etc? Can you trust them in those situations? If so, WDW should be no problem as long as you trust them.

WDW security is very good. There are CMs everywhere. Make sure they know who is an adult they can trust there. Let them know if they feel "weird" they can call you and should head to the nearest shop/stand/ride and talk to a CM.

I think in most cases, they will be fine.

 

[TLM323]

Thanks again ALL, for your suggestions!

They will be 14 1/2 when we go (they are twins, girls), one is diabetic (and because of that, is a bit more mature than the other). Neither has EVER given us ANY trouble, they are straight A kids. We live in a College Town, and they do go "into town" with friends, atleast once a week. I also let them roam the MALL (when I'm at the MALL with them!). I have NO INTENTIONS of dropping them anywhere, I just thought they might want to shop, while we sit, kinda thing. We will be spending LOTS of quality time together ... beginning with a 16 Hour Car Ride! Thanks again!

HAPPY DISNEYING!
~ Tammy

 

[figmentmom]

We let our teens roam, with certain limits. What better and safer place to experience that first bit of freedom? Of course, if the kids abuse that freedom, and get themselves into trouble (or don't check back in at the agreed-upon time), then they should lose the privilege.

 

[dandaman]

Good example of why you should let them roam a bit: While the parents take a midday nap back at the resort, the kids can go to the counter-service place and get a snack (I'm sure the one diabetic girl would be able to get some sugar-free treats), or explore the whole resort, or sometimes take the monorail in the MK loop over and over and over again.

Guilty of all three. :lookaroun