Episode 377 Is Now Available

Authored by: wdwtodayfanclub on Friday, February 29 2008 @ 10:30 AM CST

Mike,

I agree 100% with you, there are too many "what ifs" or variables if you will. What if they have a confrontation with another park guest, or they lose track of time and their cell is out of range or they lose the cell and they were suppose to meet you at 8 and now its 930. Now you have to explain to a cast member you left you kids in the park alone, who knows where it could go from there.

On the flip side nothing could happen and it works out great, however I always err on the side of caution when it comes to my kids. I also wonder if Disney has an official park policy on how old kids have to be without a parent or legal guardian?

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WDWTodayfanclub

We are not Disney nerds, we are enthusiasts

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Authored by: ranseus on Friday, February 29 2008 @ 11:36 AM CST

When I was 16, I visited WDW with another 16 year old friend of mine, and that worked out fine. My parents were in the same park the whole day, and it was no big deal... and we didn't have cell phones.

13 and 8... not so much, but let me give a different perspective:
Minor injuries are the least of my worries, frankly. So my 8 year old son splits his lip, a cast member will easily be able to get him to a first aid station, and he'll be fine. Even a more major injury... say he breaks his leg, Reedy Creek Emergency Services will be a lot more help than I will. Yeah, I won't be there to comfort him, and that would suck, but from a life safety standpoint, I'm not worried.

Frankly, my bigger concern would be that he would get out of control. If I'm not there to discipline him, it could at the very least annoy some other guests. If it got to the point where Disney needed to call me to come pick him up, the "walk of shame" would be unbearable.

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Authored by: AnnF on Friday, February 29 2008 @ 01:10 PM CST

In 1995, when I was almost 9. I was allowed to be in the same park with my family and go on rides with the friend I brought along.
In 2001, when we returned as a family I was allowed to use Disney Transportation and go where ever I wanted with the friend I took on that trip. We did have to my dad for dinner each night.

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Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, February 29 2008 @ 06:55 PM CST

The comments made on this show confirm the fact that we live in a society based on Fear. No wonder we continue to lose the freedoms our founding fathers sacrificed to obtain. Yes, there are bad people out there, but we lock up 2% of our total population and violent crime continues to drop every year. Statistically, it was much more dangerous to allow a child out in public in the “good old days’ than it is today. But so many people have been convinced that danger lurks around every corner that they deprive their children for experiencing the good and the bad things in life. Maybe an 8 year old and a 13 year old shouldn’t be allowed to roam the parks alone; however, rather than base that decision on fear and discomfort, it should be made because the child has not yet been equipped to handle that level of responsibility. It is regrettable that the “what if’s’ wins out over the “what can be’s.”

Dare to be brave…

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Authored by: cp1999 on Saturday, March 01 2008 @ 01:35 AM CST

I know this is probably not the place, but did anyone else see the pic of Scopa over at Glen Whalens Passamaquoddy site? If not head on over there and scroll down the page. It is funny.

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Authored by: mommyl on Saturday, March 01 2008 @ 01:00 PM CST

I agree that it's terrible we live in such fear, and it shouldn't keep us from experiencing and enjoying life. We should never let fear of strangers or of potential physical harm keep us from, say, going to Disney World in the first place. Talk about a magnet for predators and criminals... thousands of tourists in one place at one time with their guard down? Jackpot! And possibilities for injuries? High g-force rides and walking MANY miles a day... it's a pietri dish for illness and pain.

But, children are still learning to make decisions and they lack the life experience to make them alone at a young age. That's why we don't boot them from the nest before they are 18 (in theory). My children are really young now (almost 2 and 4), but I am looking forward to using our trips to Disney over the next ten years to help them gain that life experience that will help them make those decisions. They are with me as much to observe and to learn about life as they are to have fun. Same with any other trips they take. Heck, they learn good solid life lessons at the grocery store. Everything from how to pick a good apple to why it's a bad idea to stand on the other side of the cart.

I see myself as responsible for providing them the mentoring and relatively safe environment for learning that they need in order to make good, solid decisions as responsible adults. And I feel that this can only be done over time in a stepped manor with graduated levels of independence. Let's face it... there's lots to learn out there. Right now, we are teaching them how to tell us when they need to go potty and how to politely and respectfully stand in line. In a couple of years, they'll be budgeting their spending money. Later, they will be going through the line by themselves for something we don't want to see or do, but we'll be right there waiting for them to exit. When they are teens, they will be allowed to prowl a park with each other or a trusted friend... I don't think I'd allow them to be responsible for another, younger kid in the parks until they are closer to the inevitable push from the nest. Let them learn their own lessons before they are expected to teach others, you know?

By the by, we also believe in teaching them that Mommy and Daddy love each other and like to, nay, NEED to spend time alone together sometimes. We use babysitters and we will use the kid's clubs at Disney as soon as we can get them out of the cursed diapers... but that's another parenting issue all together...

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Authored by: Jeanine on Sunday, March 02 2008 @ 11:42 PM CST

Actually, I think the compelling part of the podcast is where we find out Newell was out on the streets, with his own job and apartment at 13--what was he, the Artful Dodger?

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Authored by: kmkonop on Sunday, March 02 2008 @ 11:59 PM CST

Brilliant Topic! Coincidentally enough as I was listening to this episode I was driving home our 14 year old babysitter. I asked her how she would feel about taking an 8 year old around Magic Kingdom. (Keep in mind this is a 14 year old that on her days off from school works in a daycare.) Her response, “NO WAY!” I then asked her if she would be comfortable wondering about the Magic Kingdom with a few friends her own age & adults somewhere in the park. She responded with, “Oh, yeah, no problem.” So I asked what she saw as the difference. She said when she was with her friends they would all be “equal.” She then said with the 8 year-old she would be acting as the “adult” and that made her uncomfortable…”I wouldn’t be able to relax…I’d worry.”

The bottom line isn’t whether or not adolescents are capable of being in the parks in small groups with out immediate adult supervision, we seem to agree that there is “some age” that it is possible, but rather if it is fair to give an adolescent “adult” responsibility so the adults can have “adult time.”

Side note: In May of 2007, I had my 18 year old brother take my 8 year old daughter around Magic Kingdom while I took the younger children to Fantasy Land. It worked out fab! She went on rides, ate tons of junk that I would never let her eat, and they made their own fun memories.

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Authored by: wandlessxxmagic on Monday, March 03 2008 @ 01:33 AM CST

I think it depends on how much you trust your children and how responsible they are. When I went to Disney last year, my parents allowed me (then 15) to walk around epcot with my younger sisters and brother (then 14, 10, and 8) and we were fine. They trusted me to babysit them at home, so being at the parks wasn't much more responsibility. It was actually easier; they were so busy having fun, they forgot to argue :) I wasn't worried: I had a cell phone and knew there would be a cast member to help if I needed it. I'm sure Disney first aid would help an injured sibling more than my parents could.

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Authored by: Mcmillanmom on Monday, March 03 2008 @ 04:44 PM CST

I think this is a great discussion. I really believe that every family has to do what's right for their own family. If one parent thinks this is a bad idea, than it's not for him. Another parent might have a sophisticated child who has been all over the world and be fine with this.

I think you have to "know" your kids. I also think your own life experience has a lot to do with this. If you have been a victim of crime, especially as a child, I can imagine as a parent you would keep your kids close to the vest.

I'm a helicopter mom, so this is CRAZY talk to me. Strangely enough, my daughter is a fearless, maverick. Her famous words are, "I'm OK Mom. Don't worry." She pats me on the shoulder and off she goes. Go figure.

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Authored by: Barb on Tuesday, March 04 2008 @ 08:59 AM CST

I was about 13 or 14 years of age when I went to MK with a church group back in '75 or '76. I got separated from the kids who were my age, basically wandered the park for about 4 hours by myself, riding rides till I ran out of my tickets. Things were alot safer then than they are now. I have a 9 year old son, who wished that we'd let him wander off by himself----he knows the 4 parks so well! But, my hubby and I won't probably let him do that for at least another 6 years! I do believe that if a teen around 14 or 15 should be allowed to be in the parks without hanging around mom and dad if they're with a group of friends or at least another friend their age. But, they would need to at least have a cell phone on their person.

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Authored by: Martin on Tuesday, March 04 2008 @ 11:13 AM CST

I was cleaning the kitchen while listening to Podcast 377 and I had to drop everything and send my comments before it was too late. I'm a stay-at-home Dad with two children ages 6 and 9 (and needless to say we are all great devotees of the Disney brand). I will probably offend some people and I regret that, but I hope my two cents will help others protect their children from harm. First I believe Mike Scopa and the woman (whose name I regrettably forget) on the program were 99% dead-on correct with their advice on the subject at hand. I wish to elaborate. On any given day there are child predators in the Magic Kingdom. This is not a poor reflection on Disney or even our society. It is a fact of life and the imperfection of the human species. The predators may be paying guests or even employees. By the way, there are likely some predators in your shools, churches, synagogues and families. Sorry to tarnish the magic, but your childrens' welfare is predicated on your accepting this fact. Leaving an 8 year old in the care of a 14 year old, is irresponsible parenting for all the reasons mentioned on the podcast AND that predators prey on victims WHO ARE VULNERABLE. An eight year old in the care of a 14 year old in an area as croweded and dynamic as the Magic Kingdom (or any other comparable venue) is most assuredly vulnerable. They are vulnerable on a ride line. They are vunlnerable in rest rooms. They are vunlnerable on the food court lines. They are vulnerable in the day and they are vulnerable in the night. They are vulnerable entering the park and they are vulnerable waiting for transportation. They are vulnerable everywhere. This is true even if they have cell phones. This is true even if you have an exceptionally mature 14 year old. In some cases, the 14 year old is vulnerable too. Now I am only a passionate voice on the internet with no credentials, and no face. You may be skeptical, indeed irritated by my judgemental and opionated remarks. Fair enough. Don't take my word for it. Procure Gavin deBecker's book PROTECTING THE GIFT, read it and decide for yourself, but at least read the book to make an informed decision. Mr. deBecker has the credentials that I lack. By the way, I swear on a stack of Bibles (and my mother's grave if she were deceased) that I am not Gavin deBecker trying to drum up sales for my book. You can find the book in many libraries for free and online for cheap.

I would not leave my children alone in any video room even if there is an underpaid worker supervising the gift distribution and troubleshooting the temperamental machines. They are just as vulnerable. They are just as vulnerable if you are in the park within a five minute walk.

As for what age do let your child go by themself, that depends. Yes it depends on how reliable your child is, but also how vulnerable they appear. For example, I'm comfortable if you let your 15 year old daughter go by herself if: 1) she is accompanied by friends 2) you absolutely trust your child's judgement and her friends' judgement 3) they promise to stick together 4) they are not diminutive in size and their self-esteem is in tact.
If there is a shred of doubt of any these conditions, I don't recommend they go alone.

I am not comfortable if you let your 17 year old son go alone if: 1) his judgement was questionable 2) his maturity was questionable 3) he is all alone 4) he looks much younger than his age 4) he has low self-esteem.

As you see there is a lot to consider, but the key to remember is: 1) is my child vulnerable? or 2) does my child appear vulnerable?

I have preached enough. If you are comfortable having your 14 year old care for your 8 year old by themselves at a place such as Disneyworld, OR if you aren't sure if this is wise, please read PROTECTING THE GIFT.

Have a magical day.

with all sincerity,

Martin B.

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Authored by: AllanADale on Wednesday, March 05 2008 @ 06:36 AM CST

I'm very late to the party on this, but I just caught up on the episodes on the train today.

My first thought was, "Great America". That's a Six Flags park near Chicago, for the uninitiated. I remember vividly class trips or band trips to Great America when I was in Junior High, probably as early as 6th Grade and certainly as early as 8th. So we're talking 12-14 years old.

If you would let your kids go on a school trip to an amusement park, museum, or other open area where they may split into groups, why would you not let them roam somewhat free in the Magic Kingdom -- especially if you were in the same park, but doing something else? I gotta say, I'd be less protective than my parents were, too, because of the prevalence of cell phones and the general helpfulness of cast members.

I would NEVER let a child under 15 alone in a park when all supervising adults -- in this case, the parents -- are someplace else. And I wouldn't let my 15-year-old watch my 10-year-old for more than a few minutes; e.g., "we want to ride Space Mountain" while I need to go to the bathroom or something. But if you're all in the same park...I'd be okay with a little bit of freedom.

(sez the young guy with no kids).

Mr. Voice

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Authored by: Nickole on Thursday, March 06 2008 @ 05:25 PM CST

I've been to the World multiple times as a child, teenager and now an adult. I vividly remember one time while on vacation in July, I booked a surprise dinner reservation of my parents so they could have a vacation from us for a little while (My brother and I even pitched in some money to help pay for dinner, though it all comes out in the wash anyway). While they were out at dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (we were staying at Old Key West), I, having turning 16 mere days before, took my brother, age 11, and my sister, age 4, to Downtown Disney with the intention of seeing a movie. My parents had given us permission to go out while they were at dinner if we wanted to, but we were given explicit instructions to keep a phone on us at all time, etc. They didn't know that we were planning to see a movie so I was going to pay for it with no expectation of getting it back. We missed the movie we had wanted to see and decided to get ice cream and walk around instead. We had a good time and my brother and I both helped take responsibility for my sister. The only time there was even the slightest issue was when my sister had to go to the bathroom. To solve that problem, I just had my brother stand outside the bathroom door and talk to me the whole time he was out there as I was waiting outside her stale. Again we had a great time.

Yes, I know, I was 16 in this situation, however, I was in charge of a 4 year old. My parents felt I was responsible enough to care for both my siblings and my siblings knew that the minute they misbehaved we would be back on the bus and mom and dad would hear about it. I will say though that this was the first time we were allowed on our own in a place that wasn't in the same location as our parents. We were often allowed to go off and do rides in the theme park that my sister couldn't do because of her size, but we were in the same park.


I am the oldest child and am always given privileges at an older age then my siblings, example: There was a time when just my mom, my brother and my sister went to the world and they drove down. On their final vacation day, mom needed to get rest for the long drive back up to PA so my brother took my sister to the park of her choice to get in those last minute rides she really wanted to hit. He was 14 at the time and she was 7.

In a situation like this, it depends entirely on the children. It's not something there is a definitely answer to. I can tell you the my brother and I are more mature than many of our peers on always have been. And that's no offense meant to other children, but I help my mom raise my brother from the age of 5 (I was five, and my brother is 4 years younger) because she kicked out my abusive father. Because of that situation, I had taken on a semi-adult role in my brother's life. While my mom was at work my grandmother would watch us but I would be the one taking care of us. So, it should be no surprise then that when my sister (from another marriage) was born when I was 11, I became her second mother due to my nature. Both of my siblings know that when mom and dad are not around, I'm in charge. Even now with my brother being 16, I still am considered in charge, though I don't exert that "power" on him. It has never been an issue and again, due to our mature levels we have been given some privileges that others our age haven't gotten and shouldn't get.

For Ann, my suggestion would be to eat at a restaurant like Le Cellier and allow the children to explore Epcot. This way she is still in the park and she can have them report back to her how the experience went. Did they fight? Did they have fun? Ask them one on one. Ask the 13 year old if they were uncomfortable with the situation, would they do it again? Make sure both kids understand that they have to be well behaved and that if anything goes wrong they should not hesitate to call. It they can handle a park as big as Epcot on their own this trip, maybe next trip you can try out the California Grill and Magic Kingdom.

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