If your 12/13 year old was invited to a massive theme park (like Alton Towers), would you let them go?

[QuintShhhhhh]

My son is planning his birthday, and he wants to take a few friends to a theme park.

Is that ok? Would you let your child go to a theme park with a classmate and their family?

Why wouldn't you?
Pretty sure mine went without adults at that age

Yes, absolutely.

Yes of course. Why wouldn't I?

Yes, and I have.

Yes.

Erm, in case they get lost, feel queesy, erm. I dunno.

Just seem like a massive thing. But on balance, I guess a theme park is no more dangerous than paint balling?

I am a major wuzz and feel nauseated by the very thought of a ride.....

Yes of course. I can't think why anyone wouldn't.

Dd is 13. I'd let her go on her own if she was dropped off & picked up.

It is quite a drive, so I reckon we will stay on site, but fully expect the boys to go off on their own.

Yes I would - have done.

My DD went on her own with friends in the Summer holidays between Y9 and Y10, 1 set of parents drop off at the gate, 2nd parent picks up, Chessington is about 1 hour - 2 hours away from us depending on the M25.

We had parties to legoland without parents when they were still at primary and as she is summer born a big trip with lots of her friends in Y6, never had any issues, there were some that went on all the rides and some that didn't, but then neither do I so we just sat and watched.

Yep of course

We took DD and 7 of her friends to Alton Towers this weekend, to celebrate DD's 13th birthday. The girls we took were 12 and 13. mainly y8 and one y7.

We drove them all - DD took 5 in his car and I had 3 in mine. Was about 1.5 hours each way.

All the parents were happy with this and agreed to let them go.

We had a great time.

FWIW, we had said the girls might go off on their own (as a group) for a bit but in the end they didn't - mainly as both me and DH like the rides too and the girls were more than happy to have us ride alongside them :)

One girl didn't do all the rides but she queued with the group and then waited til we got off.

We had no issues apart from one girl who was a bit car sick on way home - but her friends helped sort her out and she was fine straight after.

Last year we took just one friend to AT and stayed over for one night. That year DD's friend was very very poorly in the night with a nasty D&V bug. Luckily we know the girl really well and I just looked after her the same as I would my own DD Though her mum did come and pick her up early the next morning from the hotel - I called her about 7am. By then the girl wanted her mum. However, same girl came alng this time happily and with no probems at all.

Dd & her friend caught the tube then a bus to Thorpe Park last summer when she was 12, they were fine. We picked them up at the end as they'd had a long day & they were only young.

I once took about 8 12 year olds on public transport to Thorpe Park and another four joined us in the car park there. It was fine. We had two adults and one teenager for the group. The adults did a lot of sitting and chatting with regular meet-ups in agreed places and at agreed times.

I took dd to Alton Towers years ago when she was 10. it was fabulous - nicest of all the theme parks by far.

By the time mine were 13 they often went to Chessington in the holidays with friends - we are a short train ride and about 12 miles from Chessington.

Ds just went to a theme park day out with another family and I didn't bat an eyelid. He is 9.
I am quite relieved that now I don't have to cough up for the whole family to go this summer.... ds2 and I are complete wimps so 50% of the family ticket would be a complete waste of money!

We have never gone to a theme park....

Well, we took ds1 to Legoland when he was 3, not sure that counts anymore... He went to Chessington with his class in Y6.

I cant do rides at all. Too terrified.

I have contacted the parents of two of the boys, and they are up for it, so it looks like it is all go!