Big 2 year old - Proof of age?

[browerjs]

We'll be going to WDW in early Feb, a couple weeks before my DS turns 3. He is very big for his age, nearly 40" already. Will I need some kind of proof that he is 2? If so, what? Just a copy of his birth certificate?

 

[mesaboy2]

We'll be going to WDW in early Feb, a couple weeks before my DS turns 3. He is very big for his age, nearly 40" already. Will I need some kind of proof that he is 2? If so, what? Just a copy of his birth certificate?

You won't need it, but bring it if it makes you feel better.

 

[browerjs]

You won't need it, but bring it if it makes you feel better.

So when you enter the park, do you just tell them that he's 2? Is it as simple as that?

 

[Robo]

So when you enter the park, do you just tell them that he's 2? Is it as simple as that?

Yes.
Simple as that.

Disney does not ask parents to bring proof.
They just ask that parents be honest.

 

[MSSANDRA]

But be aware that they may ask him how old he is at all you can eat meals where he is free. Never had a question at the gates but more than once at Character meals we have had Cm's ask our on the boarder child how old he was. They answered the right age (some kids don't), or some crazy age number, and it was no biggie. We have carried a, reduced to credit card size, copy of the birth certificate. Never needed it. I have heard, but never confirmed that CM's are not allowed to ask for proof but just take your word. My youngest would always give a "teen" number for how old he was for years. At two he would tell people he was 14!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

We'll be going to WDW in early Feb, a couple weeks before my DS turns 3. He is very big for his age, nearly 40" already. Will I need some kind of proof that he is 2? If so, what? Just a copy of his birth certificate?

~We arrived at WDW a few days before DS's third birthday. My DS is also tall for his age and we had no problems, even at the character & buffet meals. Officially, as long as your child is two when you first arrive at Disney, he/she will be fine for the duration of your trip. It wouldn't hurt to make a copy of the birth certificate, if it gives you piece of mind, but it's not necessary. Have fun!

 

[browerjs]

But be aware that they may ask him how old he is at all you can eat meals where he is free. Never had a question at the gates but more than once at Character meals we have had Cm's ask our on the boarder child how old he was. They answered the right age (some kids don't), or some crazy age number, and it was no biggie. We have carried a, reduced to credit card size, copy of the birth certificate. Never needed it. I have heard, but never confirmed that CM's are not allowed to ask for proof but just take your word. My youngest would always give a "teen" number for how old he was for years. At two he would tell people he was 14!

He has actually started saying that he's 3 occasionally if you ask him, I think he's excited because his birthday is coming up. I like the idea of a small copy of the birth certificate.

 

[Suellen]

I for sure would bring it! I've been humiliated at the gate with my then 2 year old who was 40 inches. She was also an early talker (5 months old) so by the time she was almost three (this happened in March and she didnt turn three until July) she had an amazing vocabulary and very clear words. The old man CM let us in but rolled his wyes at me and said "that's what they ALL say!" after I told him she was under three. I wished I'd had her birth certificate with me. Then we were charged for her at all buffets. Unfortunately I didn't know until we arrived home (DH always pays - I never usually even look at the bill) when I called GR I was told that if the child takes a plate the charge is correct. They are only free if they eat off your plate.

That was probably our worst CM interaction trip ever. When we went back that April - we decided to up her age to three And but her a ticket and dining plan.

 

[julieanddanny]

We didn't have any problems or questions with our larger almost 3 yr old. If fact he was tall enough for btmrr!

 

[Robo]

Carrying a "birth certificate" proves nothing.
Why?

If a guest wants to scam the system, it's very easy to print one up.

So, if you don't want to have a CM "look at you funny" it really won't matter if you have a "certificate"
or not. That CM may think your certificate is a phony.

If you know your child is under three, just say so, and ignore any "looks."

 

[Suellen]

I would have felt better had I had it.

My second tiny skinny mini child could have gotten in as under three until she turned 5. Now she is super tall though. Funny I never once tried to sneak her in - we just shelled out for her AP the July after she turned three. That is best part is I would t have snuck someone in. Oh well - those years are behind me now!

 

[twinboysmom]

We went in September with 2 2 year olds a month shy of their 3rd birthday. They are tall for their age and most people thought they were 3 many months before. We were asked once by a cm and that was it.

We also travel to WDW with some friends who have two daughters. Both went just before they turned 3 and they are tall girls, very well spoken, and look much older IMO. They were never questioned. We also took a trip after the younger girl was 3 by several months. They didn't buy a ticket and they were never asked (no flames, not my kid and not my decision, I thought it was wrong).

 

[huhwhat]

just snap a pic of the BC with your phone

 

[letsgoreds]

Who cares what a particular CM thinks???? Honestly someone who brings a birth certificate looks guiltier to me than someone who just honestly answers the question.

DS7 was a very big 2yo(40+) and I was never once asked. I never once worried about it....because they really don't care.

 

[Robo]

just snap a pic of the BC with your phone

Sorry, that might be the least effective "proof" ever.

 

[CalSea12]

I have always wondered the same thing about my DD, granted she is not even 1 yet but I know we will have the same issue. She will turn 1 in a month and has always been at the 99% for height. She is currently 33 inches. I guess when I get to that point you just ignore the looks, because I wont pay for my DD if she is under 3.

Mine was an earlier talker as well and she already has a good vocab. She really acts more of two than one.

 

[tsme]

My DD is 10. She's always been on the tall side and I'm short (5ft). So when she's with me, people always assume she's older than she is. When she was 2 1/2 we went to Disney & didn't have any problems. Now that she's older, we have gotten a few stares when we want a child's menu for her. This past trip when I explained she was only 10, I did get looks of disbelief, but no one said anything. Truth be told, even if she was older, she would still want to order off the children's menu. She rarely likes anything on the adult's menu & doesn't eat alot. So I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Even if a CM thinks he's older, they won't argue with about it.
Have a magical trip!

 

[staticgirl50]

Easy to say ignore the looks and comments. Some are sensitive and do not like others thinking they are doing wrong. Especially when they are not. Is it to much to ask that CM keep snide comments and looks to themselves? I brought the original one year, of course my daughter looked, acted and talked her age so no one needed it. As a newbie I did not want any surprise expenses in case and planned for any questions. You just never know and I felt better having it.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I for sure would bring it! I've been humiliated at the gate with my then 2 year old who was 40 inches. She was also an early talker (5 months old) so by the time she was almost three (this happened in March and she didnt turn three until July) she had an amazing vocabulary and very clear words. The old man CM let us in but rolled his wyes at me and said "that's what they ALL say!" after I told him she was under three. I wished I'd had her birth certificate with me. Then we were charged for her at all buffets. Unfortunately I didn't know until we arrived home (DH always pays - I never usually even look at the bill) when I called GR I was told that if the child takes a plate the charge is correct. They are only free if they eat off your plate.

That was probably our worst CM interaction trip ever. When we went back that April - we decided to up her age to three And but her a ticket and dining plan.

Hmm -- the "off the plate" distinction is so weird. When DD was 13 months, (last time we were at WDW), I put one of those disposable placemats down and put her food directly on it. I guess I'll do that this time, on her 2nd birthday trip, just as a precaution, even though I normally trust her with a plate at this point.

 

[Keegansmommy]

We have never had a problem letting our kids eat off their own plates at the buffet. It's not like you're going to fill an entire plate for a two-year-old. If my kids are big enough to feed themselves, I am going to give the food TO them to eat...not sit there and spoon feed them off my plate.

Last year our little guy was 2.5 and we were charged once for him being 3. We noticed before we paid and alerted the server that he was only 2.5 and it was immediately fixed - not an issue.