CONFIRMED! Disney changes admission policies for teens and tweens.

[mlggator]

Okay, a question here.

I have two kids ages 11 and 9. We have APs and go all the time. We are all very familliar with the park. Sometimes, while one of us is waiting in line, another may run to grab a fastpass. Now with the fastpass new rules, this is something that I would likely rely on even more.

Also, sometimes if we are waiting in a long line (Toy Story for instance), I'll let my kids run and ride something with a short line (Screamin) while I wait. Or maybe they'll go pin trade while I wait.

So my question is, will this no longer be allowed? I'm in the park and not far away, and they know the park very well and where I am. I will be very bummed if they can't do this.

They're good responsible kids.

OR is this just a rule about getting into the park? Which I have no problem with and would fully support. I would never have my kids go to the park alone without me at this age.

[skratch addict]

Not sure how to take this. I wasnt aware it was an issue, first of all.

[Bongo]

I am unsure how to feel about the situation. True, the policy can take the bad ones out of the equation, but what about the others that are law abiding citizens? Also, while I am unsure on the figures of this, what if one of those teens aspires to work for Disney or become an Imagineer themselves from their frequent solo trips to Disneyland growing up?

Plus I wasn't even aware that this was an issue.

[SnorkletsMom]

I'd assume "accompanied" means if a cast member asks where your parent/responsible adult is, their location had better be somewhere in the park. Too many parents use the park as a safe place to drop their kids on non-school days, so yes this is a good thing. It's too bad that it became necessary to make it official, but at least it's clear.

[calsig31]

Wow isn't 14 a bit too old to be the minimum?

Nope. If anything I would raise it to driving age. That way it is easier to show proof of age.

[thedude76]

So 14 is the new seven? How slow are we going to let kids grow up? I get that there was a terrible incident recently, but I don't like the idea of continuing to slow down childhood development.

[G24T]

Okay, a question here.

I have two kids ages 11 and 9. We have APs and go all the time. We are all very familliar with the park. Sometimes, while one of us is waiting in line, another may run to grab a fastpass. Now with the fastpass new rules, this is something that I would likely rely on even more.

Also, sometimes if we are waiting in a long line (Toy Story for instance), I'll let my kids run and ride something with a short line (Screamin) while I wait. Or maybe they'll go pin trade while I wait.

So my question is, will this no longer be allowed? I'm in the park and not far away, and they know the park very well and where I am. I will be very bummed if they can't do this.

They're good responsible kids.

OR is this just a rule about getting into the park? Which I have no problem with and would fully support. I would never have my kids go to the park alone without me at this age.

Good question! While it's not very clear yet what the specifics of the policy are I'm going to assume it's only a gate policy because it's near impossible for any CM to verify a guest's age once they're in the park (unless they can check a guest's age on point of sale machines). And even then, if every CM had to be on the lookout for unattended minors it would probably bog down park operations.

[Malina]

I'd assume "accompanied" means if a cast member asks where your parent/responsible adult is, their location had better be somewhere in the park. Too many parents use the park as a safe place to drop their kids on non-school days, so yes this is a good thing. It's too bad that it became necessary to make it official, but at least it's clear.

I'm guessing this is the case, too.

So 14 is the new the seven? How slow are we going to let kids grow up? I get that there was a terrible incident recently, but I don't like the idea of continuing to slow down childhood development.

There are places to send your kid out alone, if you so choose, other than Disneyland. There's probably nothing stopping you from taking your kid into the park and letting them have a bit of free time before meeting you back at a certain point.

I started going out alone (to the store, on the bus, etc.) when I was about 8. We lived in a major urban area. I was obviously able to handle it. My classmates did, too. I'm sure there are kids at Disneyland who are responsible enough to handle a day at the park by themselves.

However...if they are amending the policy I'd imagine it's because there have been issues to the contrary. If parents really are using Disneyland as day care, as some have said, it's totally understandable that Disney would not want to take on the responsibility of being babysitters and becoming liable for those kids' welfare and safety in the park.

[thedude76]

Good question! While it's not very clear yet what the specifics of the policy are I'm going to assume it's only a gate policy because it's near impossible for any CM to verify a guest's age once they're in the park (unless they can check a guest's age on point of sale machines). And even then, if every CM had to be on the lookout for unattended minors it would probably bog down park operations.

myMagic+ ?

[Disneymike]

myMagic+ ?

I was thinking the same thing.

[Poisonedapples]

I confirmed this with a phone call to Disneyland Resort this afternoon. It's certainly going to change the way some people decide on whether they want to keep buying AP's for their kids:

so basicly any kid under 14 can't go to the parks alone. that makes sense to me, i get why they might be doing this. a safety thing i think..

[calsig31]

So 14 is the new the seven? How slow are we going to let kids grow up? I get that there was a terrible incident recently, but I don't like the idea of continuing to slow down childhood development.

Not allowing someone under 14 in the park without a parent is slowing down their development how?

[JediPrincess]

I think that is a great idea! It is frightening to me to think of a little 8 year old in the park alone and unsupervised! Who are the parents that would do that? I'm actually surprised that it took so long to create this rule.

[KiMcHeEfOrLiFe]

I think this policy is more like a parental supervision kind of thing. I've seen groups of teens that are delinquents! Maybe it's to combat the group of teens that cause trouble in the parks without any adult supervision?

[KellyMcG86]

This is a great change. Thanks for reporting!