Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest; Animal Kingdom
  • On Nov 18, 2011
    Susan from IL Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    we will be going to disneyworld over christmas with our 2 daughter who are 16, and 13. can our girls go and explore the parks by them selves, or do we have to stay with them the whole time?

    Hi Susan,

    Disney's official policy that is stated when you purchase tickets says:

    "Persons under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult when attending the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ or Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. If your ticket includes admission to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, please note that persons under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult."

    With that being said, I would have never allowed my 7 year old to explore on his own however he was thrilled when we began letting him go on rides by himself around the age of 9. We waited right at the exit to retrieve him safely!

    Allowing your teens to explore on their own is a decision that you'll have to make as only you know their maturity level. However, if they have a cell phone, know how to reach out to a Cast Member, and will stay together, I would imagine that your daughters will have a wonderful time exploring on their own!

    Just this year, our now 11 year old son was able to visit some attractions by himself while we relaxed nearby in the park. I felt better about allowing him freedom since he could use his cell phone to contact us.

    So, no, you don't have to stay with them the whole time. Since you'll be there over Christmas, I would just caution to watch for the level of crowds in the parks. Allowing your kids to roam around freely on a quiet day in the parks isn't the same as on a crazy, chaotic day when the park is near peak capacity.

    Best wishes for a wonderful holiday in Disney!



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Meet the Panelist: Kimberly, Tennessee

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 12 year old son. I thrive on planning vacations, especially to WDW. Inspiring families to vacation at Disney with a memorable itinerary and budget-saving tips is extremely rewarding for me. Learn More About Kimberly

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