KIds riding without adult

123SA

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
I'm traveling without my husband for the next trip. My kids are 16,13, turning 11 during trip.

I would like to let the boys do something else while me and DD16 are meeting characters and seeing the Frozen Sing-along. They are well-behaved, mature and intelligent. I have no issues with allowing them to do things at WDW together, but without me.

I know that the age to ride without an adult is 7.

My DS10 is small. He is in the less than 3 percentile small. Last summer, he was smaller than most of the 7 years old on the swim team. I guess I'll see where he is this year, but he didn't grow much. If you are just looking at height, one might think he wasn't 7. If you stop and look at his face, or talk to him, anyone who is familiar with children would know he is not under 7 years old.

My 13 year old is pretty tall and mature looking for 13.

Is it likely that the 2 of them would be questioned and/or prevented from riding? I'm pretty sure my DS10 would be horribly embarrassed if he was stopped and asked if is 7 years old.

I don't know how to get a 10 year old an ID with his DOB on it. I could copy his birth certificate I guess, but that seems crazy and there is no photo anyway.


Thanks for your input.
 
It is usually handled as an honor code. The CMs will ask their age and if they answer confidently 13 and 10 they'll be fine. Most kinds who are under 7 will not be able to confidently lie about their age and that is when they get caught. They'll blurt out I'm sorry I'm really 6 but I was told to say I'm 7 or something like that. Since your kids are actually 13 and 10 I wouldn't be worried. At most the CM might ask them their birthday and since they are actually 13 and 10 they won't have to do quick math on that they can just give their real birthdays.
 
I don't know how to get a 10 year old an ID with his DOB on it. I could copy his birth certificate I guess, but that seems crazy and there is no photo anyway.


Thanks for your input.

In IL you can get a State ID for a child at the DMV. I don't know where you live but perhaps your state offers a similar service.
 


My daughter is 11.5 and still wears 3T underwear. She is the definition of tiny. She has been ridding alone for years now and hasn't been challenged since she was 7.
 
I'm traveling without my husband for the next trip. My kids are 16,13, turning 11 during trip.

I would like to let the boys do something else while me and DD16 are meeting characters and seeing the Frozen Sing-along. They are well-behaved, mature and intelligent. I have no issues with allowing them to do things at WDW together, but without me.

I know that the age to ride without an adult is 7.

My DS10 is small. He is in the less than 3 percentile small. Last summer, he was smaller than most of the 7 years old on the swim team. I guess I'll see where he is this year, but he didn't grow much. If you are just looking at height, one might think he wasn't 7. If you stop and look at his face, or talk to him, anyone who is familiar with children would know he is not under 7 years old.

My 13 year old is pretty tall and mature looking for 13.

Is it likely that the 2 of them would be questioned and/or prevented from riding? I'm pretty sure my DS10 would be horribly embarrassed if he was stopped and asked if is 7 years old.

I don't know how to get a 10 year old an ID with his DOB on it. I could copy his birth certificate I guess, but that seems crazy and there is no photo anyway.


Thanks for your input.

Under f.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/
 
My daughter is only 5 but also on the tiny side - she's by far the smallest in her kindergarten and she's had to hear comments from other parents like "are you even old enough to be in this class" or "this can't be your class, you're too small" always kind of disguised with a "haha aren't you cute" kind of attitude. But, she's aware that she's tiny and we've talked about trying not to have her feelings hurt if someone makes a comment about size vs. age and how to respectfully respond. I guess my point is, if your son is aware this might be called to attention, he'll be ready with an appropriate response and not be caught off guard or have his feelings hurt.
 


They will simply be asked their age. Unless they say something unusual it is extremely unlikely that they will be challenged on it. I have overheard it many times and the CM's are always friendly about it.
 
My daughter is 11.5 and still wears 3T underwear. She is the definition of tiny. She has been ridding alone for years now and hasn't been challenged since she was 7.

My younger daughter still wears size 10 girls underwear (especially when she doesn't keep up with her laundry) and she's 22 years old. :crazy:

As long as they have a cellphone handy in case there is an issue, I'd say let them try. And if there is an issue, have them call you and you can ask for a manager at the attraction.
 
My daughter at 6 just before her 7th birthday slyly pulled a fastpass for Splash and then snuck off to ride it at the correct time. No one said a peep to her.
And she would have probably gotten away with it on my end if the ride had not been so long. I think it depends a lot on the confidence and maturity level of your child. If they arent giving out "I need a guardian" signals like looking lost or poor behavior they will be fine.
(In my defense we were doing a longer break underneath the railroad trestle in the middle of the day in August. The little childrens play thing isnt set up so you cant readily see inside. Absent standing there with your head sticking in the door kids will briefly be out of sight.)
 
They'll be fine. As others have said, they may ask your son his age and he will just need to answer. This happened to DS7 last year when he wanted to do the single rider line at TT. They asked him his age, he very proudly said "7!" and off he went.
 
I personally never ask if someone is a certain age, I just ask "How old are you?" Its really not very formal or confrontational. Working here you get pretty good at determining age. Shouldn't have a problem. No one is going to ask him to show ID. I've never seen anyone nor have I personally challenged a child when they told me how old they are. If he were 7 and looked 4 it might be a different story. But if people were going to lie about it most of them wouldn't add that many years
 
I go to Disneyland often alone with my almost 7 year old and my 4 year old. When we ride certain rides my older DD has to ride alone. She'll be 7 in a few months, but I am confident in her maturity and her ability to handle an emergency at this point, so I tell her to tell the CMs she's 7. I've explained to her why it's ok to lie in this case. Some may disagree with me, but oh well. If it helps matters I always bought them a ticket when they were 3!

To answer the OP, DD is small for her age. Everytime the CMs ask her how old she is. She says 7 or I say 7 and the CM has never batted an eye. So I say they will probably be asked but it's not a big deal.
 
DD8.5 is also very small (not even on the weight chart, and pretty low on height; she can literally wear her infant brother's shorts). She rode several rides by herself at DLR and was asked how old she was; she said 8 and it was never a problem.
 
My younger daughter still wears size 10 girls underwear (especially when she doesn't keep up with her laundry) and she's 22 years old. :crazy:

As long as they have a cellphone handy in case there is an issue, I'd say let them try. And if there is an issue, have them call you and you can ask for a manager at the attraction.

LOL. Same with my 16 yr old. We stopped shopping at kids stores only because she wanted more grown up clothe.
 
Thanks for your replies. This definitely makes me feel more comfortable.

And the phone is a good point. Both boys will have phones and they can always call me if things go wrong.
 
The presence of the older one might throw them off. They might want the older to be 13 if the younger doesn't look 7. So just be sure the boys understand that both of them are ok age-wise.

I guess my point is, if your son is aware this might be called to attention, he'll be ready with an appropriate response and not be caught off guard or have his feelings hurt.

I know some small boys. There is a world of difference in the reaction of a small boy vs a small girl.
 
The presence of the older one might throw them off. They might want the older to be 13 if the younger doesn't look 7. So just be sure the boys understand that both of them are ok age-wise.



I know some small boys. There is a world of difference in the reaction of a small boy vs a small girl.

Yes, there can be...but not always. Boys can be sensitive about their appearance as well, especially if caught off guard.
 
I go to Disneyland often alone with my almost 7 year old and my 4 year old. When we ride certain rides my older DD has to ride alone. She'll be 7 in a few months, but I am confident in her maturity and her ability to handle an emergency at this point, so I tell her to tell the CMs she's 7. I've explained to her why it's ok to lie in this case. Some may disagree with me, but oh well. If it helps matters I always bought them a ticket when they were 3!

To answer the OP, DD is small for her age. Everytime the CMs ask her how old she is. She says 7 or I say 7 and the CM has never batted an eye. So I say they will probably be asked but it's not a big deal.
I'm curious. What reason did you teach a 6 year old to lie in this case, but not others, was ok?
 

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