To let DS1 take DS2 to Thorpe Park?

[MinniePluto]

We only have 2 DCs and they have an 8 year age gap, DS1 is 16 almost 17 and DS2 is 8.

They're as close as they can be with such a big gap. DS1 is very responsible, has taken DS2 out on his own numerous times, has babysat him etc

Today DS1 and his friends, 4 other boys that we've known for years, were booking tickets for Thorpe Park. They kept trying to think of who else would be free to invite as they had an odd number when DS2 asked them if he could go as he's never been.

He's been to Legoland & Chesington but he's on the small side, so we didn't think he'd get much out of Thorpe Park.

They agreed, no idea what initial reactions were as I wasn't in the room. DS1 asked if DS2 could tag along, I said as long they were sure and wouldn't lose him, then it was fine.

Told DH when he got home and he was really surprised I'd agreed, DS2 is pretty shy, he doesn't like to speak up and most likely won't request to go on any rides. DH thinks that they'll put him on one or two rides and then go on all the big kid rides for the rest of the day, which DS2 will either be too short or too scared to go on, meaning that DS1 will have to miss out or leave DS2 to be chaperoned by one of his friends whilst he's on the rides.

DH thinks I should have said no, but is it unreasonable to think a 16 year old can decide this for himself, he's told DS2 No plenty of times in the past.

[JudyCoolibar]

I agree. They must be very nice kids to agree to DC2 going, and I suspect DC1 is perfectly capable of sorting out how the rides work. How did it go?

[Witchend]

Not totally sure (went for the first time yesterday)
Just dc1 and dc2, fine. Not sure with friends.
A lot of the rides are 140cm or more. The ones that were for smaller ones had hardly anyone waiting, so they might be prepared to do some of those. But the big rides were queues of 45 minutes generally, so he'd either be spending a lot of time queueing to not go on, or they wouldn't be doing the big rides, which would be unfair.
There's also no where easy to wait. Plus the other issue is they didn't look too hot on checking height so they might well just pop him on when he's too small.

But it was lovely for them to ask him.

[NoahVale]

i think an 8 year old cant go without an accompanying adult, ie. over 18?
plus he may well be too short for most of the rides that the older dc will want to go on

[Jinglebells99]

From the Thorpe park website


Our Resort regulations state “No child or children under the age of 12 will be admitted to the Attraction unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over and such child or children whilst on site must remain under the control or supervision of an adult at all times. Merlin reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to change the age restrictions referred to in this condition, if any particular circumstances so require in the interests of safety and security”.

So your 8 year old shouldn't be in the park without an over 18. I also think that his day out will be impacted negatively if your younger son is not tall enough to go on the rides.

[CecilyP]

So its only really possible if any of the other boys is over 18, otherwise its simply not allowed.

[MinniePluto]

They're booked to go for tomorrow, one of the boys is 18, so they should get admittance but I don't want it to negatively impact them.

They're going bright and early, perhaps I can give DS2 a deadline of 2pm? so around 4 hours in the park and then I come pick him up, leaving DS1 & his friends the rest of the day.

[MrsJayy]

They will be fine your son wouldnt have asked to take him if he wasnt prepared to look after him the picking him is a good idea ask ds1 if he wants you to do that but if not its fine your ds2 will have a great time with his brother your husband is overthinking this.

[Pengweng]

I think it sounds like a lovely idea but i would worry your older lad would get bored waiting around. I think your suggestion that you pick him up a bit earlier to let them have a bit of free time is a great one though. They can do all the smaller ones first, have lunch and then you collect.

They sound like a lovely group of friends to include him though.

[MyKingdomForBrie]

No one needs to wait with him, he can queue with them and just walk through and wait with the ride staff the other side.

[NoahVale]

that sounds a great compromise, to pick him up early to let them have the freedom.

[NotMyMoney]

I think it's great they've invited him along I would get your DS1 to give you a ring around 1 to see if he wants DS2 collected