Disney bans solo kids under 14 at U.S. parks

Laura Bly, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Starting this weekend, children under 14 won't be allowed to enter Disney's U.S. theme parks unless they're accompanied by someone the same age or older.

The new policy, which takes effect March 23, will apply at Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Since most youngsters under 14 don't carry government-issued IDs, "the policy will be enforced as guests are entering the park, (with) a visual screening for someone who appears to be younger than 14," said Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown. If the staffer determines that the guest is under 14, a parent or guardian will be notified and required to escort the child in the park, she said.

The policy was not triggered by "any kind of issue or incident," but was intended to "provide a consistent age of admission and address a question we occasionally get from parents," Brown added.

Families with annual passes, some of whom routinely drop their children off at a park for the day, were notified about the policy change in an e-mail last week, she said.