Unsupervised teens

[boldlyreal]

My DH and I are thinking of going to Pleasure Island while we are at Disney in Dec. To do this our DS-16 would be in charge of our DS-14 and DD-12. Will our resort have issue with them being in our rooms without us for a few hours? We plan on letting them order pizza and watch their movies and play their games on their PS3.

 

[slappy magoo]

They'd have an issue if your children wind up running around the resort like idiots.

Since you feel comfortable with leaving them alone in the first place, I'm gonna go out on a limb and think: They're not idiots.

So no worries.

Seriously, kids run aorund unsupervised all over the resorts, hell, all over the parks, while parents nap or go to the spa or "tell secrets". They'll hit pools, arcades, the food court, etc. There's probably a few places in each resort they're not allowed to go unsupervised, like the gym and, of course, bellying up to the bar. Otherwise, if they're in your room, who's gonna know?

What resort is it? If you trust them, and they know to stick together and not take candy from strangers, you may want to consider giving them a little more freedom, like the aforementioned food court and arcade. It affords them a sense of trust that, hopefully, they'll respect and do their best not to destroy. AND if they do happen to become insufferable loads, it's not like there AREN'T cameras everywhere in each resort. Just some food for thought.

 

[MouseMadness]

I don't know policy (though somebody who does will undoubtedly pop up before too long here :lookaroun ) but if you are comfortable with it, I don't see any reason why this couldn't happen.

Would you leave them alone at home to go out a couple hours? Probably no worse off at a WDW resort then, as far as safety and their behavior is concerned.

 

[mpaul32001]

I'm an unsupervised 17 year old at the Parks and never have any problems! lol.

:ROFLOL:

I'm sure your teens are not nearly as bad as me! They'll be fine! :wave:

 

[kasey1988]

You know your kids best, so as long as you know there not going to be running wild or "sneak" out of the room to go somewhere there not suppose to be while your gone id see no problem with it.

Before you go out of course just set ground rules, like that they should stick together if allowed to leave the room and how far they can go, can they goto the pool, arcade, or food court? and if so what time should they be back to the room. And of course remind them of what to do incase of an emergency, i know its disney, but things can happen. Just remind them that the front desk is there to help if they need it, and be sure to carry your cell phone with you. Just periodically call and check up on them. Im assuming if you consider it then you trust your kids so go for it, you deserve a night out!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

You know your kids best, so as long as you know there not going to be running wild or "sneak" out of the room to go somewhere there not suppose to be while your gone id see no problem with it.

Before you go out of course just set ground rules, like that they should stick together if allowed to leave the room and how far they can go, can they goto the pool, arcade, or food court? and if so what time should they be back to the room. And of course remind them of what to do incase of an emergency, i know its disney, but things can happen. Just remind them that the front desk is there to help if they need it, and be sure to carry your cell phone with you. Just periodically call and check up on them. Im assuming if you consider it then you trust your kids so go for it, you deserve a night out!

Exactly what I was going to say. You know your kids best and how they act. If you think you can let this go...then it shouldn't be a problem. I know when I was 16 my parents had no problem letting me take care of my sister who was 10 at the time. I agree with setting some rules so they know what they can or can't do, but if they aren't mischievous kids usually then I don't think Disney would make them be.

 

[csaribay]

My DH and I are thinking of going to Pleasure Island while we are at Disney in Dec. To do this our DS-16 would be in charge of our DS-14 and DD-12. Will our resort have issue with them being in our rooms without us for a few hours? We plan on letting them order pizza and watch their movies and play their games on their PS3.

Depends on your personal comfort level. If you have no real qualms leaving them alone at home, then there should be no issues with being alone at a Disney resort. A PS3 + food will probably be enough of a distraction to keep them busy for a few hours. Definitely set the rules and expectations, and on what grounds and conditions they can leave the room. Be sure to let them know that they can always reach cast member (non-emergent) assistance just by dialing '0' on the in-room phone, or by visiting the resort front desk (in such a case they accidentally lock themselves out of their room).

Also, a (charged) cell phone, is a simple and effective lifeline.

I don't know policy (though somebody who does will undoubtedly pop up before too long here :lookaroun ) but if you are comfortable with it, I don't see any reason why this couldn't happen.

I'm not aware of any policy. Parties of all ages split apart all the time, and cast members really don't get involved unless there's a disturbance or a party member requests assistance. Resort rooms are private spaces, and so long as conduct is reasonable and respectful, the cast member approach (if any) is hands off.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

As long as they can contact you in an emergency and don't annoy other guests then I foresee no problem

 

[Philo]

I can't see a problem with it but probably best to do it a few days into the holiday when everyones got a little less energy.

You know your kids and I'm sure there fine. Just make sure you take your mobile phone or let them know where your going to be so they could contact you if they need to.

Are you able to plug a PS3 / 360 etc into the TV's at the resort??? Where arethe 'resist temptation' smilies?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

We did this the last few years, they enjoyed the independence and didn't abuse the trust we showed them. They even toured the parks on their own, but preferred it as a family. Now there's a shock

 

[Master Yoda]

We do this fairly regularly and our kids are nearly the same ages as yours (16,14,6) and we have had no issues. We put charging privileges on the 2 older ones room keys so they can go to the food court or arcade. They also have a cell phone so they can get in touch with us if they need to.

 

[fosse76]

Don't worry. There is absolutely no federal or state law that would allow Disney to dictate to you about whether or not you can leave children alone unsupervised (although the State CAN have a say in the matter) in the hotel. And even if there were a policy, exactly how would they know unless they are secretly spying on the rooms. It's already disturbing that they have biometric data on you. The only reason children 17 and under can't rent their own hotel rooms is because they cannot be legally held to a contract and therefore cannot be held liable for any damages. As the guardians, it is up to you to decide whether or not a 16 year old can handle his younger siblings alone. If they cause damage, you are legally responsible, so they should have absolutely no problems.

 

[NadieMasK2]

I say go for it, they're old enough. Mine are 17 and 12, and when we go in July I have already told them that mom & dad are having a date night in Epcot. They know the parks well enough that I am letting them choose between MK and Epcot for the afternoon and evening, use the monorail and just keeping in touch with cell phones. It's a beautiful thing when the kids get old enough to give you a little alone time!!

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Our sons, 14 and 11, were let loose on the west side alone at DQ. We had no problem with it while the wife and i were at the AC and when they decided to go back to the resort they let us know, they know what will happen if they do the wrong thing while on their own.

 

[disney21]

Back when i was 15 my cousin (14 at the time) & sister (13) stayed in our hotel room in CBR and had a pizza delivered and we had no problems. so your kids will be fine im sure!

 

[figmentmom]

I see no reason why three kids that age - who you obviously trust to behave themselves - couldn't be left in the room alone. As others have already said, set the ground rules, and make it clear that you expect them to rise to the occasion.

I'm sure all will go well. :wave:

 

[Disneyfanman]

We sometimes left our kids in the room at 15 and younger (goodness that was 8 years ago) for short evenings and a dinner out. We arranged for pizza to be delivered and paid in advance. Back then we didn't have cell phones and called all the time to check up on them. Now, of course, cell phones help you keep in contact. Our kids were very responsible and we were never late. Now I can't get rid of them!

We always let them order a movie too. It was a big treat.

I think you will be fine, as long as the kids understand the rules and are responsible.

 

[boldlyreal]

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure of Disney's policy. They are an awesome group of kids.
Not perfect though, Just this past winter our middle son used poor judgement and walked home from school with a group of classmates without permission. The other boys decided to lay in wait for the school bus and attack it with snowballs once it stopped. Sadly the driver had her window open and got a face full of snow. My son however, said no way and set up a lawn chair and just watched from our porch. Did he get in trouble, you bet, but not as much as he would have had he even made a snowball that afternoon.

 

[NadieMasK2]

Boy that story rings too close to home! Your son did the right thing, you should be proud.

I had a cousin with major behavioral problems, and one day when I was about 10 he convinced me to throw mudballs at cars from behind a tree. He wasn't really aiming at the cars but was trying to get me in trouble. Sure enough, being the baseball player that I was, I nailed a guy right through his open window. I thought I was going to be killed by him. Man that was a bad day.

 

[Eyorefan]

If you trust your kids than I would say, go for it. I know I would probably trust my 15 year old nephew, but there is no way I would leave his 17 year old brother unsupervised!!! I don't even trust that boy to be alone in my house!