Age restriction enforcement starting March 23

[mringgenberg]

Just in time for spring break. No one under 14 could ever take care of themselves.

[JenMuse]

I know it may shock some people, but my parents let each kid roam about the Magic Kingdom alone at age 7; which in turn made it a mighty big deal to turn 7 because it meant you could be independent. Now it wasn't a free for fall and my parents weren't completely irresponsible. It was always a timed exercise of independence with clearly defined parameters (no leaving the land you are released within--and if it was Tomorrowland or Frontierland, no riding Space Mountain or Thunder alone) and meet back no later than a set time or else no free roaming (and no park time the next day if you misbehaved). I'm sure one parent or the other probably shadowed my older sister and I, but I never misbehaved (older sister did, once, just once, and lost park time the next day--I think she talked back to a cast member).

Granted, it was the early 80s, and it was always January (February one year but we learned that was a bad idea when we *gasp* had to stand in lines of more than 10 minutes!); so, we're talking very minimal crowds...crowd levels so low that sometimes we stayed in our vehicles (even Peter Pan!) 2-5 times in a row.

When I turned 7, I had already been to Disney World 3 times and knew my way around rather well (having memorized the map on the first trip). We knew a fair number of the cast members from previous trips. I valued every moment alone (yep, even as a child I was an obvious introvert) and would never do anything to jeopardize that time; so, I was probably the most polite & responsible person in the park at those times.


In today's year-round crowded parks though, well, I don't know the times, they have a'changed...

[Amy]

Wow JenMuse. That is great that you got that opportunity and that your parents trusted you and followed up with a punishment when your sister didn't behave. I don't think many seven year olds are responsible enough for that freedom though. And sadly, many of the teenagers I have interacted with in the parks aren't even responsible enough for that sort of freedom. It would definitely depend on the kid and their level of maturity on how soon I would allow them very much freedom in the parks.
I would definitely agree the parks have changed quite a bit too. I can't imagine this new policy will change much other than parents making sure their minors are accompanied into the parks. Once they are inside, I think people will do whatever they have always done as far as letting their children roam unsupervised.

[Soarin08]

It would be fantastic if they would implement a policy in regards to those gosh darn cheerleaders and BTGs... there is actually a specific set of a BTG that is early teen girls between 13-15 and they roam about all on their own with no adults and that's when the restaurants and restrooms end up trashed the most. Same with the junior/high school cheerleaders.

[Amy]

It would be fantastic if they would implement a policy in regards to those gosh darn cheerleaders and BTGs... there is actually a specific set of a BTG that is early teen girls between 13-15 and they roam about all on their own with no adults and that's when the restaurants and restrooms end up trashed the most. Same with the junior/high school cheerleaders.

That brings up a good point. Most of the BTG seem to be in the early teen years. Do they come in with a chaperone and then get left to their own devices to tour the parks? They always seem to be alone...well, as alone as 40 - 50 loud kids can be

[Wizzard419]

And I see xenophobia theater has begun again.

[Amy]

And I see xenophobia theater has begun again.

Nah, just an observation. F1gment and I actually quite the nice conversation with a small group of about four girls from the BTG on our bus to the park one morning. They were quite lovely young ladies. Only one was brave enough to speak with us as the others were sort of unsure of their English. They were really sweet and we enjoyed chatting with them. Unfortunately the larger groups can be quite loud and annoying ~ and not only the groups from Brazil ~ that goes for Americans as well! The cheerleaders come to mind...although their parents tend to be the more annoying ones of that group

[Wizzard419]

Man Amy, you just love to put labels on people.

[cy1229]

Man Amy, you just love to put labels on people.

You should see the label she's slapped on your persona.

[Wizzard419]

I already saw, Dr. Sexypants is a correct label.

[Soarin08]

And I see xenophobia theater has begun again.

It's actually a response to the fact that certain groups of people think they can act any way they darn well please and get away with it. Maybe you should visit sometime when the mass hoards of Brazilians are here.

[Wizzard419]

Yeah, that sounds absolutely nothing like xenophobia.

[Soarin08]

Tell that to me when I have a foreign boyfriend. I won't be told any of that.

Accusations aside, let's get back on the actual topic. Because pointing relevant things out is allowed around here, as everyone well knows. Until a MODERATOR says otherwise.

[Wizzard419]

You mean like talking about tour groups from specific countries in a thread about how Disney is now requiring people under age 14 to be accompanied by an adult when entering the park?

[Amy]

Man Amy, you just love to put labels on people.

You should see the label she's slapped on your persona.

I already saw, Dr. Sexypants is a correct label.

No comment!
Regardless, and back on topic, I do think this new rule is a good thing, although I really don't think it will change much inside the parks...