Change to Park Entry Minimum Age Requirement

[DizneyFreak2002]

But really, how many people are we talking about? How many parents of kids 13 or younger go to WDW and buy fewer ticket days than their tweens? And if they're locals, wouldn't they also have APs?

It just seems unlikely that the number of people who don't go through the WDW gates with their younger kids is a big enough percentage to make any kind of real money dent.

May be more than we think... Say parents have a 10 year old and a 13 year old... The kids want to go to MK while the adults want to spend one of the days relaxing by the pool or at one of the onsite spas... Prior to the new rule, the kids would hop the bus and off they went while the parents took a day to get pampered... Two tickets bought instead of 3 or 4... Now, with this new rule, the parents have to buy that extra ticket or two when previously they didn't have to... The MK gets 17 million visitors a year... Say 2 million of those have been kids entering without their parents... Now, WDW will see an extra 2 million (possibly an extra 4 million) tickets sold.. At $100 a ticket, that adds up...

While I doubt many parents let their 8 year old run wild in the parks by themselves, plenty do let their 12 or 13 year olds go off alone...

WDW has to pay for this nearly $2 billion NextGen nonsense... One easy way is to change the rules so more money has to be spent by guests...

[Granny Jill A]

As a grandmother, I am a professional worrier when it comes to my grandkids. All I can think of is "what if"......

What if they got sick in the park and there was no adult or chaperone around?

What if they got injured?

What if they acted up and got in trouble?

They wouldn't need to be joined at the hip with an escort, but it makes good sense to have someone available by cellphone in case one of the "what if's" came true.

[MNNHFLTX]

May be more than we think... Say parents have a 10 year old and a 13 year old... The kids want to go to MK while the adults want to spend one of the days relaxing by the pool or at one of the onsite spas... Prior to the new rule, the kids would hop the bus and off they went while the parents took a day to get pampered... Two tickets bought instead of 3 or 4... Now, with this new rule, the parents have to buy that extra ticket or two when previously they didn't have to... The MK gets 17 million visitors a year... Say 2 million of those have been kids entering without their parents... Now, WDW will see an extra 2 million (possibly an extra 4 million) tickets sold.. At $100 a ticket, that adds up...

See, I still don't totally see the logic in this arguement. WDW is destination vacation and based on what I have seen and heard on the boards, families tend to buy their tickets/passes as a group (and almost never buy individual tickets for a multi-day stay). I can honestly say that I have never heard one parent ask a question or indicate they intend to buy a shorter pass for themself so that they can send their kids into the parks alone and they can relax back at the hotel. Some parents have asked how old a child should be to be able to venture off alone for a short time while in the parks. And maybe some parents would allow their older children to go off on their own to a park. But to plan for it as a way of saving money? I doubt that it is a common practice. Even the locals would be unlikely to drop their kids off because it is a major undertaking to drive them onto property--definitely not like dropping them off at a nearby mall.

As far as Disneyland, that is a whole other matter. It is more of a community attraction and I can see that locals are more likely to drop their kids off (or allow them to take a bus or walk, etc). But then again, if you're local in Anaheim or the surrounding communities you are definitely more likely to have an annual pass anyway and Disney would not get any more money out of the parents even if they did pull them into the park with their kids.

Anyway, that is my take on it. I won't even venture into what part NextGen might play in this as there are many on here much more versed on that than myself.

[Melanie]

See, I still don't totally see the logic in this arguement. WDW is destination vacation and based on what I have seen and heard on the boards, families tend to buy their tickets/passes as a group (and almost never buy individual tickets for a multi-day stay). I can honestly say that I have never heard one parent ask a question or indicate they intend to buy a shorter pass for themself so that they can send their kids into the parks alone and they can relax back at the hotel. Some parents have asked how old a child should be to be able to venture off alone for a short time while in the parks. And maybe some parents would allow their older children to go off on their own to a park. But to plan for it as a way of saving money? I doubt that it is a common practice. Even the locals would be unlikely to drop their kids off because it is a major undertaking to drive them onto property--definitely not like dropping them off at a nearby mall.

As far as Disneyland, that is a whole other matter. It is more of a community attraction and I can see that locals are more likely to drop their kids off (or allow them to take a bus or walk, etc). But then again, if you're local in Anaheim or the surrounding communities you are definitely more likely to have an annual pass anyway and Disney would not get any more money out of the parents even if they did pull them into the park with their kids.

Anyway, that is my take on it. I won't even venture into what part NextGen might play in this as there are many on here much more versed on that than myself.

I totally agree, Beth. We've all been around these boards and thousands of discussions for many years, and the whole 'sending the kids off to the parks alone so we can relax' scenario is not one I can ever recall being discussed. Not that it hasn't been discussed, and not that it doesn't ever happen, but I don't think it's common at all.

[Cheshire_Girl]

[QUOTE=Butters;2340253]I may be in the minority but I think it should be raised to 16!

[QUOTE]

Then I'm in the minority with you. Everyones' kids are fabuous respectful little angels when their parents are around...totally different story when they are un-supervised.

I wish they would raise it...and enforce it.
And as far as ticket prices go- an 11 yr old can pretty much enjoy all of the experiences the park offers-so why shouldn't their ticket reflect that? Just listen to all the hubbub about wrist bracelets for the RFID...well how do you think they would enforce a no ride ticket? There would have to be some type of bracelet that could not be removed without a specuial tool upon exit...otherwise the CM's would have to check all of our tickets at every ride to make sure we weren't trying to ride when we didn't pay full price...Imagine the long waits that would create??

[Tekneek]

If the families buy all their tickets as a group, then the policy makes even less sense. Let's assume they don't make an extra dollar off of this change. There is nothing about it that stops the parent from turning around and leaving the park 5 minutes later. Not one single thing.

If they bought the tickets as a "package", then they don't care about using up a day, because they bought them effectively as "length of stay" tickets most likely. They have factored it into the cost and don't care where they spend the day, or if a day is used up by 5 minutes in one park or not. They weren't going to call the office and ask for an extra day of vacation because they had unused ticket time anyway.

[Tekneek]

well how do you think they would enforce a no ride ticket? There would have to be some type of bracelet that could not be removed without a specuial tool upon exit...otherwise the CM's would have to check all of our tickets at every ride to make sure we weren't trying to ride when we didn't pay full price...Imagine the long waits that would create??

I understand your point here, but this is a problem that Disney created for themselves. They decided to charge 11 - 13 year old children just like adults. They decided to not let them enter the park like an adult. These are choices the Disney company made. Not me. They are the ones responsible for it.

Maybe they should bring back the Junior ticket. Perhaps they could call it the Tweener, for 11-13 year olds, with some price break to account for the fact that Disney is requiring an adult ticket be purchased and used for them to enter any park.

[MNNHFLTX]

I understand your point here, but this is a problem that Disney created for themselves. They decided to charge 11 - 13 year old children just like adults. They decided to not let them enter the park like an adult. These are choices the Disney company made. Not me. They are the ones responsible for it.

Maybe they should bring back the Junior ticket. Perhaps they could call it the Tweener, for 11-13 year olds, with some price break to account for the fact that Disney is requiring an adult ticket be purchased and used for them to enter any park.

I guess for me, this is a non--issue. I didn't mind paying adult price for my son when he was in the 10-13 year-old-range because he definitely rode all the rides and could enjoy the parks to their fullest. Nor did it ever occur to me to let him enter the parks alone, even when we lived in central Florida. It was a family destination, still is.

Paying adult price (to me) correlates to the usage of the park, not that kids should have all the adult privileges (or responsibilities). Heck, he's 20 now and legally an adult but can't drink, gamble or rent a car. But we as a society seem fine with that.

[Tekneek]

I suppose I am the type that doesn't like bad policy, whether or not it is likely to impact me or my family. I might test this policy out later this year and see what happens.

[Mickey'sGirl]

Heck, he's 20 now and legally an adult but can't drink, gamble or rent a car. But we as a society seem fine with that.

You gotta come north! 18 for gambling and car rental, and 19 to have an adult bevvie!

[AgentC]

I guess for me, this is a non--issue. I didn't mind paying adult price for my son when he was in the 10-13 year-old-range because he definitely rode all the rides and could enjoy the parks to their fullest. Nor did it ever occur to me to let him enter the parks alone, even when we lived in central Florida. It was a family destination, still is.

I'm with Beth on this. It's really a non issue for me. We have had season passes for years. The children's passes used to be about $30 cheaper than the adult. Now unlike the regular tickers, annual passes are the same prices for children and adults. My 4 year old costs what I do. I'm pretty sure no one will think I should let her wander the park alone because she is paying an adult price.

Could money be a factor? I suppose, but it is probably not the only factor. As a comparison the local children museum in Tampa does not allow anyone under the age of 18 in without someone over 18. When I take my children there I have to pay to get in and there are no adult activities. I am paying to supervise my child.

[Tekneek]

Could money be a factor? I suppose, but it is probably not the only factor. As a comparison the local children museum in Tampa does not allow anyone under the age of 18 in without someone over 18. When I take my children there I have to pay to get in and there are no adult activities. I am paying to supervise my child.

It is more than just an entrance policy there. If you're talking about the place I think you are, then these rules also apply:

No adults allowed in without children.
No children (under 18) allowed in without adult.
It also requires that the adults stay with the children the entire time they are in the museum.

If Disney's policy required the adult to accompany the child all of the time, I would have less of a problem with it. It is pretty clear that this is an entrance policy only. As such, what does it accomplish?

[AgentC]

It is more than just an entrance policy there. If you're talking about the place I think you are, then these rules also apply:

No adults allowed in without children.
No children (under 18) allowed in without adult.
It also requires that the adults stay with the children the entire time they are in the museum.

If Disney's policy required the adult to accompany the child all of the time, I would have less of a problem with it. It is pretty clear that this is an entrance policy only. As such, what does it accomplish?

Yes, it does. The no adult entrance makes sense in there rules because there is really no reason an adult would ever want to go there alone. And yes they do have the rule that you are supposed to supervise but they also offer free WiFi for adults and have numerous places where you can sit and technically "supervise" your child without being able to see them. Also despite this policy I was able to exit the museum and renter without my children. They were with my friend but the people at the door did not know that. So any policy has its flaws.

It would be next to impossible for a any theme park to verify that an adult accompany a child at all times. And I don't think Disney wants to force someone to ride something that they do not like or is dangerous for them to accompany a child. And I'm sure they may have considered that some parents may just walk the kid through then leave but I think for most that would be a lot of effort. Thinking about MK as a local, it is pretty easy to drop someone off in the drop off zone, but a lot more effort to drive in, park, take the monorail over and then just leave.

And I suppose it might have made more sense it they made the age 18 instead of 14, but is it a bad idea to have what is probably going to be an adult at least somewhere in the park in case something happens to a 11 or 12 year as opposed to being an hour away? Even something as simple as falling and getting injured? I realize we can leave all our children at daycare or a at children's club at Disney or various other places and are children can get hurt when we are not around.But again is it a bad idea to at least try to mitigate the possibility?

It might be a money grab. It might be a COPPA thing. Or it might be something that has a reason none of know. For me, it is not a big deal. My children are still quite far from being old enough to be in a park alone but I understand why it may be an issue for others.

[BrerGnat]

I suppose I am the type that doesn't like bad policy, whether or not it is likely to impact me or my family. I might test this policy out later this year and see what happens.

Why would you do that? For starters, Disney could simply ban you from the parks for violating a known policy. I'm sure you'd probably just get a little lecture and slap on the wrist, but why would you want to go through that?

I don't really understand the anger about this. Disney obviously has a pressing reason for enacting this change, or it wouldn't have come about so abruptly, and coincidentally, RIGHT at the same time as the RFID tickets began rolling out. I GUARANTEE it's some legalese, and a team of lawyers is behind this policy change, for one reason (RFID tracking) or another (general liability). I tend to think it has a LOT more to do with the RFID tickets, as when all the privacy concerns came to light with MyMagic+, Iger very clearly mentioned that "we will not track or collect any data from children 13 and under."

There is nothing magical about the age of 14 and the ability to conduct oneself properly in a theme park without an adult present. However, the age 14 "magically" becomes old enough for RFID tracking to not be an issue, according to the law, so...

Really, this has nothing to do with money. If it was about money, they would eliminate child ticket pricing altogether and just charge one flat rate for park admission.

[MNNHFLTX]

That sounds logical to me, Natalie.

[Mrs Bus Driver]

Perhaps I am naive but there are parents who would drop off an under 14 year old alone to places like DL? Seriously?

Once at a Mc Donalds I saw a woman come in and collect her child (still in diapers). She had been shopping in a store nearby. Some people leave there kids alone all the time.

[Tekneek]

Why would you do that? For starters, Disney could simply ban you from the parks for violating a known policy. I'm sure you'd probably just get a little lecture and slap on the wrist, but why would you want to go through that?

No, not at all. Having my son go ahead of me in the queue is not a violation of the policy. We're still entering together and I'll know if a CM stopped him at the gate or not. We just won't talk to each other while entering. We have entered the parks "at the same time" by any legal standard, while not being in the same queue, over the years. There's nothing abnormal about it and there are many ways to test a policy without violating it. I have a lot of professional experience doing just that.

I don't really understand the anger about this. Disney obviously has a pressing reason for enacting this change, or it wouldn't have come about so abruptly, and coincidentally, RIGHT at the same time as the RFID tickets began rolling out. I GUARANTEE it's some legalese, and a team of lawyers is behind this policy change, for one reason (RFID tracking) or another (general liability). I tend to think it has a LOT more to do with the RFID tickets, as when all the privacy concerns came to light with MyMagic+, Iger very clearly mentioned that "we will not track or collect any data from children 13 and under."

I'm not angry about it. I just don't agree with it. I also don't subscribe to the belief that every law, rule, policy, etc, is there "for a good reason" and should no longer be discussed or challenged as a result. There is ample evidence throughout history that this is not always the case. It may be "a good reason" in the eyes of Disney, but that doesn't mean it isn't lazy, motivated by greed, or any other number of things. If, due to legal compliance issues with changes in Disney park operations, these children are no longer adults then something a little more explanatory will really go a long way. Maybe that will come out.

Really, this has nothing to do with money. If it was about money, they would eliminate child ticket pricing altogether and just charge one flat rate for park admission.

For the impacted children, they are already charged as adults. There is no child ticket pricing involved.

This seems to be argued from multiple angles. It was proposed that all the locals already have passes anyway, so presumably it wouldn't cost them anything to park and go in for a little bit. So then, since parking and going in is already paid for, they have an incentive to actually stay somewhere in the park all day? I'm not seeing it. Whatever Disney's motivation is, being upfront about it would be preferred over the subterfuge.

[Tekneek]

Ok, I have edited my post.

I had thought I found the smoking gun for the change in entry age requirement, but the Terms of Service of My Disney Experience only refer to being 13+.

Children under 13 are not currently permitted to register on the Site/App, and they may only participate in the Experience as a member of the Experience Party of a guest 13 or older.

[BrerGnat]

So, the age to start participating in MyMagic+ is 13.

So, they added a buffer year so they wouldn't have to deal with "Well, I'm almost 13...I turn 13 later this week...I'll be 13 next month" type issues.

Still going with MyMagic+ as the catalyst for this.

[TheVBs]

To be completely honest, I'm stunned that young kids were ever let in without an adult. You can put forth all kinds of theories about a money grab, but the bottom line is that this is a common sense rule. I'm further in the minority by agreeing with those that said 16 without an adult makes more sense. Paying an adult price for my child's ticket does not absolve us of our responsibility for her as her parents.