Weird question - what age child can be left unattended...

[mom2morgan]

My 15 year old daughter hated Epcot. She says when we go to Epcot, she'd rather stay back and hang by the pool. I mentioned this in passing on another forum, and was immediately told that she would not be allowed to stay at the resort by herself. On a related note - I thought I'd leave her in the room one evening with pizza and her nine year old sister for a couple hourse, so DH and I could slip down to the lounge, or go for a carriage ride, or whatever. Does anyone know if this is, in fact, true -that any child under the legal age of majority can not be left unattended for any time? And holy cow - that would mean a 20 year old couldn't be left unattended in Florida? (legal age 18 where I am).

[sisterdisco]

I don't know the legal answer, but.....
I watch WAY TOO MUCH Dateline NBC etc.....Even though it is Disney, you never know----I wouldn't leave them alone.

[sisterslovindisney]

I don't know for sure but that doesn't really make sense to me. She would be allowed to walk around in the parks by herself so I don't know why it would be a problem for her to be at the resort by herself. There may be some pool rules about the age that a kid needs to be to be alone but she could certainly hang out in the room. I also don't see anything wrong with her and your younger daughter staying in the room while you and your husband have dinner. Just my opinion though.

[kakn7294]

According to Latchkey laws, there is no legal age at which a child can be left alone in Florida so unless Disney has a policy about it, you can leave your 15 yo DD at the resort and the 9 yo can be left with her. If you feel safe with this, I don't see a problem unless the resort forbids it.

[mom2morgan]

According to Latchkey laws, there is no legal age at which a child can be left alone in Florida so unless Disney has a policy about it, you can leave your 15 yo DD at the resort and the 9 yo can be left with her. If you feel safe with this, I don't see a problem unless the resort forbids it.

Well, I knew it wasn't a LEGAL problem, since kids are babysitting much younger than that! Just if it's resort policy, and I guess I can call and ask - just wondering if anyone else had heard of that.

[Mfarquar]

IMO, the average 15 year old is capable of staying alone for a few hours. In fact, I was one of the most in-demand babysitters in my town at that age (in a cosmopolitan area, no less).

Additionally, my mother and father who tended to be over-protective, had no problem with me watching my 12-year-old sister while exploring the parks. Their only stipulation was that we stayed together because there are some weirdos out there. There was no Disney rule then, and I don't believe there is now.

OF COURSE, it all depends on the individual 15-year-old and you know your child best. I say gauge the situation by how much responsibility you give her at home. Is she the type who will invite a bunch of new "friends" into your hotel room, or is she a model child who can be completely trusted? If she's a kid who doesn't break the rules and exercises sound judgment and common sense at home, it might be worth a try - particularly if she and her sister and have a buddy system.

Go with your gut instinct - your her parent and you know best, and ultimately have to live with the decision!

[Sam&Alex&Josh'sMOM]

You know your daughters best... I can say that at 12 &15, my parent's would have been ok with my sister and I staying together in a room... Provided there was pizza, something to drink, and a tv... I think there would have also been an "ok" to walk to the food court area and back. Nowadays, we would use cell phones... they didn't exist when I was 12 and my sister was 15 tho!

I think the only "no" rule would have been "No Swimming" unless my parents were there too... I was a great swimmer, but my sister was a flirt and friendly to everyone... so my parents would have been concerned that she would get distracted and not stay as close to me as she should.

My parents also would let us go off for about an hour at a time at the parks... Just had to meet up... and STAY TOGETHER.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

I think she would be fine, even staying at the resorts by herself without her sister. It's all your own judgement.

I know when I was that age, my friends and I were allowed to explore on our own. We had cell phone/radios to contact parents when we needed them.

[Jeri Lynn]

I brought my daughter and her best friend last November and they were both 16 at the time.

Although for the most part we stayed together, there were times when they were off on their own or in the hotel room by themselves. They are both responsible, smart girls with common sense and I had no problem with it.

You know your daughter best, by age 15 your daughter has probably watched your youngest daughter at home. If they are out in the parks by themselves I would just make sure that they stay together and if they are swimming to be at a pool that has a lifeguard.

Enjoy your trip!!

[RaRaRoundTheWorld]

If it makes you feel better, hire a babysitter for the evening.

You can explain to your daughter that you're not clear on the legalities of leaving her alone, so this is a neccesity. See if you can request a "chaperone" who's good with older "kids". Maybe the "sitter" would be allowed to chaperone her to pool areas?

[thrillme]

If there's a rule then a WHOLE LOTTA people are guilty. I know I myself was babysitting when I was 12/13 years old. If you think about it Disney considers 9 and up to be "adults" price wise.

You know your kids best. If they want to go swimming...do you have confidence in their abilities. Summer time back in the day a lot of us kids 10 and up went to the neighborhood pools and went swimming without our parents. I know in our neighborhood association the age is 8 and over (I think 8's a little young yet but...that's just me). The pools are not that deep. Like I said...only YOU know their swimming ability and your 15 year old. Is she responsible with her little sister? Is her little sister mature enough for her age to follow direction from her older sister? Do they both get along well and look out for each other?

Honestly I think they'll be fine.

[SBETigg]

I vaguely recall seeing a sign that kids under twelve had to have adult supervision somewhere at one of the Disney pools, which means that over twelve would be fine. I think you can safely use your own judgment on this issue.

[Nurse Kim]

I am so glad to see this posted because on our trip in March we will have my 16 year old son and twin girls will be 13. My DH and I would like to go to Yachtsman Steakhouse followed by a carriaqge ride one evening. I am debating whether or not I am going to hire someone to come and sit with them because my kids fight
and I don't want to take any chances. My DH suggested we hire one to take them to Disney Quest the evening we go out. It's still up in the air what we will do.

As OP have said you know your children and if you are comfortable with it then go for it and have a great time.

[mom2morgan]

Thanks for all the feedback! I feel okay about leaving them alone for a bit. My older daughter is pretty darn mature for her age. And in fact, she'll actually BE a lifegaurd by the time we travel - she's completed all her training and passed all her tests, and is just waiting till she turns 16 for it to be legal - so I'm not even too worried about the swimming pool ;-)

[GrumpyFan]

This question, or one similar comes up a lot, and is debated without a clear answer. Here's something to think about in considering if your child is old enough to go it without you.

Make sure they are mature and wise enough to know what to do in the case of an emergency or adverse situation. Case in point: Last year my daughter and 3 of her friends ages 10, 11 & 13 were allowed to go to the other side of MK from where we were and ride Splash Mountain. While they were riding, the ride broke down. During the break down, Castmembers announced conflicting information about getting out of the boat, and not getting out. Some of the other boats' riders got out of their boats, and some people even took to mischief while waiting for a castmember to come an escort them out. My daughter stayed calm during the ordeal and got out without any trouble, when the CM arrived.

So, really, it just depends on the kid(s). But, this is something the parents should carefully decide.

[bruin1344]

i dont know if this helps but i was about 14 when my parents allowed me and my bro (2 years older) to go to parks by ourselves

[G]

My daughter is going to turn 16 on our trip this Oct. and I plan to let her and my 13 year old go to MGM while my husband and I go to Epcot. I am an over protective Mom and this will be the first time I do this but I feel it is way past time. I think 15 is a good age to start . I do think it is a good idea to have a buddy on these new adventures.

[crazypoohbear]

I have left my 13 year old sleeping in the room with our 17 year old friend. The boys have taken the busses to where they wanted and met up with us for ADR's.
As previously stated there is no "legal age"
If she is going to be a life guard then you really have no worries about the pool. They have guards on duty as well so you should be fine. go have fun.