Disney Parks Change Admission Policy For Unaccompanied Kids - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

ANAHEIM – Walt Disney Co. has announced it will implement a new admission policy starting March 23, 2013 that will require all children under the age of 14 to be accompanied by an adult when entering Disneyland and California Adventure.

A company spokesperson said the change in policy wasn't the result of a particular incident, but instead wanted to be consistent with a similar policy currently in place for its theme parks in Florida.

The move will end the longtime practice of having parents use the parks as "de facto daycare centers." For decades, scores of parents in Southern California would drop off unaccompanied children at the parks and pick them up later in the day. However, with the sharp rise of admission prices. combined with safety concerns, the practice has become less popular.