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Unescorted Kids Younger Than 14 Banned From Disney Parks

Disney World
Posted at 5:25 PM, Mar 20, 2013
and last updated 2014-07-14 12:13:45-04

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (ABC News) -- As strange as it might seem for a place so popular with kids, Disney Parks will deny entrance to children younger than 14 who aren’t accompanied by someone who’s older.

The new policy will take effect Saturday at all U.S. Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts and parks, WDWMagic.com reported.

The parks have no age requirements now, but chose 14 based on guest surveys and input from child-welfare organizations, Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown told The Associated Press. She said visitors and the organizations agreed on the new age limit.

“That was the age they felt was appropriate,” she said. “That’s also the age the Red Cross recommends for babysitting.”

Brown also said there was no particular incident that triggered the new policy. “This was a move to bring a consistent age policy across our domestic resorts,” she  said.

If a child who appears to be younger than 14 tries to enter the park without someone who appears to be older than 14, Disney cast members will engage the guest in conversation. The employee will then verbally try to determine whether the guest is too young. If he or she is, the child’s parent or guardian will be contacted to escort the child into the park.