I remember growing up, that when I was around 9 or 10, my parents would let me go off with a friend for a few hours in the park, then we would have to check in. As I got older, I was able to spend more time alone. I know times have changed and was just wondering what other parents do.

We didn't start going regularly until the kid was about 14. On any non school trip, she has always been allowed to go of with her friend as long as she had her phone with her so she could check in.

My daughter is almost 12, and I would let her go off with kids at this age...last time we were there she was 10 and I probably wouldn't, due more to her own flakiness..plus, we weren't traveling with anyone else then.

My kids have been going to Disneyland since they were babies, and they used to love to sit in their strollers and 'read' the map. Needless to say, they are quite familiar with the park.

So, when they got to be about 10, we'd let them go off on their own, initially for a short time, to a specific location (such as Tom Sawyer Island), and then for longer times. They still do not have free rein for hours on end, and we all enjoy being in the park together.

I think the most important thing to consider is your child. Will s/he behave or 'go wild' if you are not there with them? Will s/he know how to get from point A to point B? (And will s/he know what to do when a parade happens to block access to the designated meeting spot--it happens.) Does s/he know to/feel comfortable with asking a Cast Member for help or directions?

Having a cell is useful, but there are places in the park where service is spotty. Having a *plan* is essential and should be clearly communicated (i.e., meet me at the entrance to the Mark Twain at 12:30, for example).

This is a highly personal choice and you know your child best.

I'm glad you brought this up, as my best Disney pal and I have been discussing this a lot lately. We both have daughters who recently turned 13.

When I was a 'tween and teen (a looooong time ago), we ran free throughout Disneyland. We would regularly go with Girl Scouts or other groups. We'd get dropped off, then we'd meet somewhere when it was time to go home.

My pal and I are both pretty overprotective mothers. (Our kids have never gone on a field trip that we didn't attend as chaperones. But that's another story with some pretty compelling reasons.) A few months ago, the four of us were in line for breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace when the girls joked about running over to Pirates. We told them to go. I don't know who was more surprised -- them, or us.

Now we're trying to decide how much freedom we should give them at Disneyland. I've let the Tinkerteen ride Space alone -- but I walk with her to the entrance and wait near the Star Trader. Both of them have since received cell phones, so they can certainly stay in touch with us.

They're great kids, but we both worry not only about other people, but about them going a little crazy with their sudden freedom. But when they go to college, we can't go, so we know we have to let them test their wings. The question is, how much, and is Disneyland the right place?

I'll be interested in hearing what other parents do!

Before cell phones, I allowed the kids to "roam" once MDM was about 12, and she was allowed to take her brothers. We would arrange a meet time every few hours, and regardless of how late mom was, the kids better be there. Once they had cell phones, we just checked in via phone (they were about 15 then.) Rules were they had to stay in the park, they had to call me back within 20 mins of a call, and they had to stay together. When Youngest was 16, she wanted to go "by herself". I finally relented and she did better than I expected. We wanted to leave the park, so it meant she would need to catch the shuttle to the Hilton on her own. She was required to call me while waiting, then once on the shuttle, then when she got off the shuttle.

Now, my kids knew their way around the park from a very young age. Never an issue with getting lost in the park, and there was only one park when they started "being free". I would think as long as you can trust them to stay IN the park, no problems...

Oh, and I required receipts for food. Somehow I would give them cash for food, and it would be gone, adn they were starving (seems they would save it to spend elsewhere....) So, if I gave them $20, no more cash til they had $20 in receipts. They got good at collecting their receipts. Yes, you can get a receipt for a churro! Escape Artist once had a friend along and they had lunch at Pacific Wharf. They needed more money and I asked for receipts. His friend went "We didn't get a receipt!" EA said "Oh yes we did" and pulls out a soaked receipt... (They had gone on the Rapids...)

My son is only 6 months so I won't be in this situation for awhile, but I am really interested in what others have to say on this subject. DH and I were just discussing this morning at what do we think it would be ok to let a boy go into a public restroom by himself.

They got good at collecting their receipts. Yes, you can get a receipt for a churro!

I like that whole story -but I'm kind of surprised at this part. At WDW, they don't give you a receipt if you pay for cash at an ODV cart. I even asked one time when we were going to do a 'full money/food/dining plan' analysis - so those ones I just wrote down on another recept. (No, I haven't completed the data entry to do the analysis.)

My son is only 6 months so I won't be in this situation for awhile, but I am really interested in what others have to say on this subject. DH and I were just discussing this morning at what do we think it would be ok to let a boy go into a public restroom by himself.

This depends. The first issue is whether the child will need any assistance, while in the restroom. Many times the sinks, soap dispenser, and towels or dryer are too high for a kid to reach, until they are six or so. My daughters are 7 and 10, and my 7 year old still often has a hard time reaching the sink, although, of course, the kids are independent in toileting and dressing. The second issue is security. If we are at a restaurant or somewhere we are sitting in one place, I would ask my older daughter to take my younger daughter. If we are sitting within sight of the restrooms, I might let my younger daughter go by herself. If it is a public restroom, and my older daughter does not have to go, I have allowed her to wait right outside the restroom, if I feel it is a safe location. Sometimes my husband is out with one or both kids, and he will wait right outside the restroom. I do feel safer if it is more of a family based area, or a familiar place. If we are at a stadium or someplace like that, I go with them, or they go with me, and they can wait outside the stalls, if they don't have to go.

The second issue is security.

This is more of the issue we were discussing. Especially in situations when it is just myself and my son. Or if we ever have a daughter and she is out with just Dad.

This is more of the issue we were discussing. Especially in situations when it is just myself and my son. Or if we ever have a daughter and she is out with just Dad.

This is why family restrooms are becoming more common. DH will let the 10 y/o go by herself, but the 7 y/o makes a trip into the men's room, unless there is a family one nearby.

This is why family restrooms are becoming more common. DH will let the 10 y/o go by herself, but the 7 y/o makes a trip into the men's room, unless there is a family one nearby.

I am a huge fan of the family restroom. I'm glad our mall has them, I just wish DL did too.

I wonder if which park it is has an effect... I just started doing Disneyland two years ago (when I was 18), but I feel like it's got a more familiar feel to it, & I'm not surprised when I see 12 year olds on their own. On the other hand, we've been going to WDW for years, & my parents didn't let my sister & I go off on our own (besides like, the bathroom or to get a fastpass at a really close ride to wherever we were) until I was 15/16 & she was 13. & even then, we checked in constantly on our cell phones, & when I went with my friend a few months later, I was like, stunned that her mom let us go to the park one night by ourselves.

I like that whole story -but I'm kind of surprised at this part. At WDW, they don't give you a receipt if you pay for cash at an ODV cart. I even asked one time when we were going to do a 'full money/food/dining plan' analysis - so those ones I just wrote down on another recept. (No, I haven't completed the data entry to do the analysis.)It isn't a register one, but the CM will write it down on a napkin and sign it. My son explained to the CM his mom doesn't reimburse unless he had a receipt, and had them sign a napkin. Now, yes, he could have forged a napkin, but he is dysgraphic, and he has enough of a problem writing like himself, let alone trying to forge something. And a forged napkin wouldn't have been a big deal, as they wouldn't have gotten away with 6 churros... And it taught them to grab receipts, which is handy now in business life!

I am a huge fan of the family restroom. I'm glad our mall has them, I just wish DL did too.

There are some in the Bug's Land. 2 or 3 between the traditional, mens/womens

I am a huge fan of the family restroom. I'm glad our mall has them, I just wish DL did too.There is one by Rancho, and you can probably use the one in the First Aid Station if this was a major issue in DL. I am usually traveling with 4-7yo boys and girls. We are still taking everyone to the bathroom. And if one has to go, Youngest (well, she is the Youngest, so she gets the job) takes all so she doesn't have to go back. She had fun on Halloween when they all decided one after the other they had to go, so she made 3 trips. Now she makes everyone go.

ETA - Does Adrienne's "Happiest Potties" have the family ones listed?

It isn't a register one, but the CM will write it down on a napkin and sign it.
You have taught your children well.

There are some in the Bug's Land. 2 or 3 between the traditional, mens/womens

There is one by Rancho, and you can probably use the one in the First Aid Station if this was a major issue in DL. I am usually traveling with 4-7yo boys and girls. We are still taking everyone to the bathroom. And if one has to go, Youngest (well, she is the Youngest, so she gets the job) takes all so she doesn't have to go back. She had fun on Halloween when they all decided one after the other they had to go, so she made 3 trips. Now she makes everyone go.

ETA - Does Adrienne's "Happiest Potties" have the family ones listed?

Good to know! Thank you! I'm a new mom so I'm not used to looking out for these kinds of things.

I can't imagine the day when I let my 6 y/o DD go alone, but I was about 15 when I didn't have to stay with my Mom in amusement park. And, I was 13 when I would do putt putt with my younger cousins in Myrtle Beach, but my aunts would stay right outside the putt putt.

The bathroom situation is a whole other story. 1. I hate that bc I have a daughter I ALWAYS have to take her to the bathroom if there isn't a family one, her Dad is always like haha...I'm glad we had a girl. 2. I only let her go in alone if it is a single stall. 3. If she doesn't have to go, I make her keep her foot under the door to my stall so that I know she is right there. 4. I think it is much easier to bring a 6 y/o boy into the women's room than a girl into the men's with urinals and all.

that's all I have to say for now, but good post:)

My almost 10 year old goes to the bathroom by herself if we are wating in line and such. She knows the park well. She hasn't asked to go off my herself with friends yet, but I'd consider it within the next year. She is SUPER reponsible.

My almost 10 year old goes to the bathroom by herself if we are wating in line and such. She knows the park well. She hasn't asked to go off my herself with friends yet, but I'd consider it within the next year. She is SUPER reponsible.

I wouldn't be so much worried about the child and how responsible they are, but more about the OTHER people.

There is one by Rancho, and you can probably use the one in the First Aid Station if this was a major issue in DL.
snip to
ETA - Does Adrienne's "Happiest Potties" have the family ones listed?

Actually saying the family one is by Rancho is misleading even tho it's factual....the one and only family/uni sex bathroom in Disneyland is in the Carnation Gardens seating area tucked behind a short wall that 'blocks' the view of a backstage access gate. If you look at the wooden fence/wall and look to the right you can see the 'gap' and the door is tucked in behind that short wall. It is almost always empty since it's so well hidden and by the same token it's almost always immaculate ....we've had one trip where that wasn't true but the CM's had it spotless for when we needed it later in the day. As for the bathrooms at the First Aid center, they are very generous with letting the Dads bring their daughters there to go potty in safety, I've seen it several times when we've been in the center for assorted needs. We've never had to use the family bathrooms at DCA...yet.

As for the Happiest potties site...it is my understanding that the one in Disneyland is/was not listed because it's was more planned as an HCA bathroom so the decision to leave it off the site so it wouldn't be overwhelmed was made...and raising 3 adorable little boys has kept the site from being updated to include DCA's facilities.....yet.

I let my almost 6 year old son use the men's restroom at DL the last trip alone. The line was incredibly long for the women's and he was certainly going to have an accident. (It was New Year's Eve and we were in New Orleans Square- you can only imagine!) I stood right by the door- probably too close- but figured that most of the other men were dads and it was very busy so if something crazy happened, lots of people would be watching. I was still terrified the entire time!

I have never ever allowed him to go in the restroom anywhere else in public alone. He goes with me! Our gym recently made a rule that boys 4 and over are not allowed in the women's locker or bathroom. I'm sorry, but I have not met a single 4 year old boy ever who should go into a men's locker room, put on his swimsuit and go to the bathroom and come back out. Stupid policy! We have to use the only family restroom in the whole place.

My kid is very responsible, a complete tattletale and very map savvy, I could see letting him and a couple of other friends at 8 or 9 going in the park for a short period of time. But they'd need to be in a group- it's too easy for things to happen in twos.

I could see letting him and a couple of other friends at 8 or 9 going in the park for a short period of time. But they'd need to be in a group- it's too easy for things to happen in twos.
That would make sense... even in high school, on choir trips to NY & WDW we had to stay in "groups of four or more."

I loved my nieces band directors rule, group of 3 so that if they had to vote on something there could be no ties, and if one screwed up the entire group was grounded (had to hang with the chaperone on duty at the time) so the 'other two' would talk the one contemplating mischief out of it. In all the trips she went on they only had to send 1 kid home.

As for letting my child lose in the park ...I let the older two stay at 12 and 13 while I ran my hubby back to his cousins 90 minutes away and wasn't worried at all. I gave them a specific time to be at the hub (I factored in traffic) and I beat them to the hub by about 15 minutes but they were there right on time. I think it really depends on your kids and how mature they are for their ages.