Originally Posted By danyoung BoyStory, the only stories I've ever heard are the urban myths, like the story about the kid who was kidnapped, had his hair dyed, and was smuggled out under a coat. The stories I've seen have all been debunked. I'm not saying that the thread you saw doesn't exist, but I'd sure like to see it for myself. I just don't see the panic in letting a 13 year old cruise around on his own, if he really wants to (and I know I did at that age!).
Originally Posted By alexbook >>I was roaming the park by myself when I was eight. However, that was 30 years ago when the world was much safer...at least at DL.<< I'm not convinced the world was safer. I think we just didn't know how dangerous it was. ----- My experience as a pre-teen kid at DL was that I was *desperate* to get away from the adults and wander at my own pace. We'd split up and meet up at scheduled intervals--I'd get a set amount of time to explore on my own and then we'd meet up at a particular ride or restaurant. (Not being a parent, I can't address it from that side.)
Originally Posted By BoyStory No panic here... just common sense. I've never heard the story you're referring to (which is almost comical trying to imagaine how that could be pulled off. It wasn't an "urban myth" sort of story, just a "heads up" for us parents based on a PERSONAL experience. As I recall, it was the story that was in the same thread as the one Berol is referring to. I remember that it happened on a rainy day, the LPer's son who had been given permission to go off by himself in the MS area just briefly. Someone approached him and tried to convince the boy that his parent(s) were looking for him and he was to bring him to them. The boy thankfully was wise to what this man was attempting and took off and found his parent(s). It could have been as long as 2 years ago this was posted. No one questioned or refuted the story then so I don't know why it's being questioned now. I personally really appreciated it as did the other parents who posted to the thread. I think these things can happen ANYWHERE, and I'd certainly have my parental head in the clouds to think a busy place like Disneyland is exempt from the very possibility of child preditors. Do I feel safe at Disneyland? Of Course, but I'd feel a lot better to have my 13 yr old buddied up with someone his age if he was to separate from us for any length of time.
Originally Posted By danyoung Well, it's been a long time since I was 13, and I do think the world is a more dangerous place than it used to be. I guess my only point, which you alluded to, BoyStory, is that stuff can happen anywhere. I still hold that a Disney park is much safer than the average walk to school or kids at a mall scenario. As long as the kid's well trained, and like in the example above knows what to do when creeps approach him, he'll be fine. But of course you know your kids far better than I do, and have to be the final arbiter of what they get to do and what they don't. However it works out, I hope you all have a great time!
Originally Posted By BoyStory Thank you danyoung. My kids are exeptionally well-behaved (thanks gottaluv btw for that compliment so it's not half as much them that I'm worried about. Yet I can TOTALLY see ds13 doing the "I forgot what time it was...." or "I was in line for"... Being the oldest, he can be very responsible but so far where time is concerned....not so much. My other kids are VERY extraverted- even to strangers, no matter how many times I tell them not to talk to strangers, so there lies my personal concern for my kids. Anyhoo, my dear hubby and I disagree about this to a degree, so I'm just hoping it's not a point of contention on our vacation.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Okay so the boys aren't suppose to talk to strangers and probably not allowed to go to chat lines etc... Hmmmmm look at you as an example - you are talking to strangers about letting your kid go off alone!!! Just kidding - my kids give me a bad time about me trying to keep them of myspace and such - but here I am on a Disney site!!!!
Originally Posted By Mteacups We roamed the park alone at 8 or so, but we were a large family and that was a loooong time ago. We even went on honor society field trips in 7th grade and were allowed to go in groups of 4 without parents. We were kept in line tho!
Originally Posted By TheParsec The First time I roamed the park my self (With a Friend same age) was 12..... Now I have an 18 year old boy, 16 year old boy, and a 13 year old girl, I haven't let them roam the park them selfs yet... We go to Disneyland every year.... It's not the I dont trust them, just really never wanted to split up... Now watch, we are going to Disneyland in 12 days, watch they all ask to split up when we go!!!!
Originally Posted By DyGDisney BoyStory - I totally remember the thread you are talking about. It was an LP poster, and it was on Main Street. I can't remember who either. I really don't think Disneyland is as safe as people think. I mean, yes, it's safe, but I'm sure there are perverts there and people who aren't right in the head. And maybe they even go looking for the opportunity to grab a kid and shove him/her in a secluded area. I really wouldn't put it past someone. You know the Cinema on Main Street? Well, our family has been in there twice, and both times the only other person in there was a creepy man, alone. We went in there on our recent trip, and were planning on spending some time in there, but the guy in there really gave me the creeps and kept watching our family. I was like, "Okay, time to go." My kids didn't know why, but I told my husband that guy gave me the creeps, and he said he felt the same.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney That being said, I would not let my kids EVER wander around alone, but maybe with a other kids, and definately not before the teens. But I agree with BoyStory, the whole point of a family vacation is family time!
Originally Posted By DyGDisney The first time I ever wandered the park alone without my family was last year at 35 with BoyStory!!!! ;P
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 I believe I was about 14 or so the first time I went off in Disneyland with a friend the same age. When I was about 18 I walked around the whole resort with my boyfriend but this was mainly because we preferred to stay in the parks a little later than my mom. As many already said though we prefer to just stay together. I have to say though if your child is 17 and you don't let them walk around Disneyland on their own I am little worried...you have to let your kid grow up sometime especially considering they would be entering college.
Originally Posted By MerryMouseWife We took a family-plus-DDs-best-friends trip in 2003. We met up with BIL and SIL and their 2 DSs. We had two 15yos, two 13 yos, two 11yos and the two boys were 14 and 12. They all went off by themselves for about 4-5 hours on 2 of the 5 days we were there. The oldest DD/BF combination took the youngest DD/BF combo and did some stuff, and we all had all of us together time, too. We went in early November when the park was not very crowded and the older kids all had cell phones, as did SIL. I was more comfortable with the kids being on their own at DL than I am with them being at the local mall. Anyway, to answer the original question, I thnk it depends on the child/children in question. What is their maturity level? We have always discussed the responsibilty/priviledge factors. With priviledge comes responsibility. Now that the oldest DD is almost 18, next DD is almost 16, and next DD is almost 14, they want to be together with my DH and I. I feel honored that my kids want to be with us in Disneyland. They may ride an attraction without DH and I, but rarely venture out on their own. I am glad we had the opportunity when they were younger to let them go off on their own for a bit and it was at Disneyland.
Originally Posted By lesmisfan the first time i was allowed to take off without them was when i was thirteen, i believe.
Originally Posted By WiniPu The earliest I was allowed to wander alone was when I entered college, and bought my AP. I don't remember my mom ever letting us wander around. We didn't get to go too often, even though I grew up in Anaheim. I think I'm making up for it now. I let my DD13 (She reminds me EVERYDAY that she is almost 14) take my DS8 for short periods of time. Usually it's because my DS5 doesn't want to go on certain rides. We'll split up to ride something else, then meet up shortly after. I guess that's not really letting them wander, but it's as far as they've asked to go. Maybe it has something to do with me having more money for churros than they do =)
