2 yr old turning 3

[bkone]

Our family is headed to Disneyland in October, my daughter will celebrate her third birthday on day 3 of our trip. I was under the impression that she was free for the entire trip as she was 2 when it started. I wasn't sure if she needed a Halloween party ticket however, so I contacted Disney customer service and they said not only does she need a party ticket, she needs a park ticket starting the day she turns 3. Everywhere else on the internet seems to think differently, so I'm just curious where that comes from if that's not the official rule? I'm not trying to get away with not paying, I'm just wondering where the communication disconnect is? Do some cast members tell guests that?

 

[Jperiod]

When we attended 3 years ago, she didn't need a ticket. We celebrated with a birthday button and shirt and no one bothered asking for a ticket the entire week, including character meals. So unless something has changed...

 

[wilkeliza]

It is a grey area is a big issue. If you aren't staying on Disney property or booked as a package through a good neighbor hotel they really can't police when your vacation started. If you are at a Disney hotel I wouldn't worry about it especially if you bought a package.

Now this could be something they are working to close but honestly if she turns 3 on your trip and it is an uninterrupted trip (i.e. you aren't at a non-disney hotel and taking a few days for beach or LA between disney days) then you should be fine no one is going to ask for a birth certificate or anything like that.

 

[Jperiod]

Just to add to that, we were AP holders and our trip was off-site with breaks. I'm pretty sure I verified somewhere official at the time and it was confirmed she didn't need a ticket. I'd call back and see what answer you get a second time.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

I have always been told that the child's age on the first day of the trip is what matters. I could see them possibly requiring it for the party if they consider that a separate "trip".

I get very annoyed with those who lie about things like this, but honestly, you're well within the spirit of the rule and not trying to abuse the system. I'd just answer "2" to any age questions and not cause any unnecessary drama.

 

[bkone]

Thanks for your replies. I hate people trying to cheat the system, so now I honestly feel guilty about not getting her a ticket. Had I not asked I wouldn't have even thought it was an issue though as most everywhere else says age on the first day of trip is what matters.

 

[chopstick]

We were at Disneyland when my daughter turned 3 so we bought a ticket to use starting on her birthday. One of the following days she was holding her ticket while in the stroller and the cast member didn't even look at her or scan it... so we took that day as a "freebie" and saved that day on the ticket for another day later on (military tickets so the expiration was several months away). I don't like to think about people lying to get away with a free entrance, but I think a lot of the time the cast members don't even ask...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Email guest relations so you get the final word from Disney in writing, phone CMs are notoriously inaccurate. Personally, I wouldn't buy a ticket yet but I would be ready to buy a ticket. If you are ultimately turned away at the turnstile just turn around and go to a ticket window and buy a ticket there.

 

[NokOnHarts]

I wouldn't believe that CM, likely if you called back, you'd be told you were fine without any ticket for your 2 year old. If your DD is 2 when she starts the trip, I have always heard that they are considered that same age for the entire time... similar to the policy of free dining... if you start your trip with it, it continues for the whole trip, even if your dates overlap into "non-free dining" dates. You will never be asked to prove the age of your child because it has never been Disney's way to question parents over this.

 

[SMD]

I wouldn't believe that CM, likely if you called back, you'd be told you were fine without any ticket for your 2 year old. If your DD is 2 when she starts the trip, I have always heard that they are considered that same age for the entire time... similar to the policy of free dining... if you start your trip with it, it continues for the whole trip, even if your dates overlap into "non-free dining" dates. You will never be asked to prove the age of your child because it has never been Disney's way to question parents over this.

Free dining is part of a package and DLR sells no such package. I would think if you get away with not buying a ticket for the length of a single hotel stay you should at least expect to pay for separate events like MHP, character meals or a dining package that commence after the child turns 3.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would like to know how they would know they child turned 3 on your trip. In general I am not about "cheating the system" but seriously, how would they know? They don't ask. If you started your trip and your child was 2 it seems like your child would be considered 2 for the duration of that trip.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

My understanding, like many here, is that if the child is two at the beginning of your visit you do not need to get a park ticket once the child turns three. However, I would expect that for any hard-ticketed event where you would pay separately you would take the child's age in consideration at the time of the event regardless of when you started your Disney vacation.

As for 'how would they know,' I expect that they don't know, so it's up to people with integrity to just be truthful. If Disney cast members wave the charge, then that's a nice 'gift', but in my case I would be up front with my own child's age, and recommend that others do the same.

 

[NokOnHarts]

Free dining is part of a package and DLR sells no such package. I would think if you get away with not buying a ticket for the length of a single hotel stay you should at least expect to pay for separate events like MHP, character meals or a dining package that commence after the child turns 3.

I am aware that free dining is not a Disneyland promotion, I was making the point since they are the same company and their main policies are the same regardless of location. I have taken multiple trips at both Disney World and Disneyland with small children (around 2) and no one has ever batted an eye. I just think it's a concern that is not warranted otherwise it wouldn't be a grey area at all, but there would be clear instructions from Disney as to how to handle the situation. Since there is not and no one is ever asked the age of their child, I think the concern is not necessary.

 

[wilkeliza]

I am aware that free dining is not a Disneyland promotion, I was making the point since they are the same company and their main policies are the same regardless of location. I have taken multiple trips at both Disney World and Disneyland with small children (around 2) and no one has ever batted an eye. I just think it's a concern that is not warranted otherwise it wouldn't be a grey area at all, but there would be clear instructions from Disney as to how to handle the situation. Since there is not and no one is ever asked the age of their child, I think the concern is not necessary.

Free dinning is different because it has always been length of stay based on check in day. All promos are actually based on check in day so it is a bit of a difference. A comporable thing would be if someone booked a discounted package then checked out and went to universal and stayed out their hotels checked out and came back to Disney and expected to have the same discounted package even if it was not a valid period for the discount. Technically even in this case Disney officially no longer recognized even birthdays from the 1st portion of the stay even though you never left the greater theme park area. There is no grey area there as many have come up against here since kids are now 3 on the reservation and the system shows them as 3. For Disneyland it would be like going to Knotts for a couple of days and then coming back to Disney. On the 2nd Disney portion you are starting fresh.

In the OPs case it appears they are doing a straight just Disney vacation so the child should be 2 the entire time.

 

[NokOnHarts]

My understanding, like many here, is that if the child is two at the beginning of your visit you do not need to get a park ticket once the child turns three. However, I would expect that for any hard-ticketed event where you would pay separately you would take the child's age in consideration at the time of the event regardless of when you started your Disney vacation.

As for 'how would they know,' I expect that they don't know, so it's up to people with integrity to just be truthful. If Disney cast members wave the charge, then that's a nice 'gift', but in my case I would be up front with my own child's age, and recommend that others do the same.

I agree with your statement about the Halloween party, if the child will be 3 on the day the party is occurring, I would buy the ticket. Or try to change the day I attend the party to when the child is still 2!

 

[NokOnHarts]

Free dinning is different because it has always been length of stay based on check in day. All promos are actually based on check in day so it is a bit of a difference. A comporable thing would be if someone booked a discounted package then checked out and went to universal and stayed out their hotels checked out and came back to Disney and expected to have the same discounted package even if it was not a valid period for the discount. Technically even in this case Disney officially no longer recognized even birthdays from the 1st portion of the stay even though you never left the greater theme park area. There is no grey area there as many have come up against here since kids are now 3 on the reservation and the system shows them as 3. For Disneyland it would be like going to Knotts for a couple of days and then coming back to Disney. On the 2nd Disney portion you are starting fresh.

In the OPs case it appears they are doing a straight just Disney vacation so the child should be 2 the entire time.

I completely agree that split stays are a totally different issue.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I agree with your statement about the Halloween party, if the child will be 3 on the day the party is occurring, I would buy the ticket. Or try to change the day I attend the party to when the child is still 2!

Okay, now I know virtually nothing about DLR, but do children under 3 eat free at the restaurants on property like at WDW? If so, does that change during the trip? If not, then the hard ticket party event shouldn't matter.

 

[SMD]

I am aware that free dining is not a Disneyland promotion, I was making the point since they are the same company and their main policies are the same regardless of location. I have taken multiple trips at both Disney World and Disneyland with small children (around 2) and no one has ever batted an eye. I just think it's a concern that is not warranted otherwise it wouldn't be a grey area at all, but there would be clear instructions from Disney as to how to handle the situation. Since there is not and no one is ever asked the age of their child, I think the concern is not necessary.

It's not the same thing because at WDW the continuity of free admission is based on a package. At DLR there is no such package. If a party is staying off site, it's like you're taking separate day trips to DLR. CMs may not question that a child turned 3 yesterday or may find it easier to waive it off so that a family with 5 day tickets doesn't create a scene when asked to buy a 2 day ticket for their newly 3 year old. But it's still lying by omission, especially for hard ticket events, buffets, premium viewing packages and split stays.

 

[bkone]

Continued thanks for the input. To be clear I do want to do the right thing, I was pretty sure I needed a Halloween party ticket for her I just contacted Disney to clarify. What was surprising was the info that she needed a park ticket. I've read on a million forums and blogs and websites that what matters is the age they are when the trip begins. Even the Disney moms panels says that and responds "nobody ages at Disney "
Just curious if anyone has been actually told by Disney that the child continues to be 2 or if everyone just assumed that...

 

[Malcon10t]

I don't see anything in the Disney "rules" that say a child who is 2 at the start of the trip is considered 2 the whole trip.

That said, I took my nieces and nephews to the Halloween party years ago. There were 9-10 of us. I bought everyone tix in July. Didn't think about buying "R" a ticket as he was 2. When we went in Oct, I had bought him an AP since he went with us a lot. When we got ready to go to the party, I realized I hadn't bought him a ticket (he had turned 3 a week earlier.) I went to the ticket booth to try and get an additional ticket. There were none left. The person at the counter called a lead. After explaining the situation and asking for an exception to buy a ticket, the lead told me to just take him in and if anyone questioned me, have them call her.

I know a lot of people who try to take their 3/4yo in as a 2yo, take the 3/4yo as a 2yo to a meal, say their 11yo is 9 for a cheaper meal. I just shake my head. I remember not that long ago, we were in Storytellers and the family (mom, dad, 15/16yo daughter, 11yo son) in front of us was being seated. The hostess asked the father if there were any children 9 and under. Dad said yes, pointing to son and said "He's 9." Teen daughter was flabbergasted. "Dad, he is 11, if we can't afford to pay, then let's go back upstairs and just eat in the room!" Dad looked sheepish and said "I forgot he was 11..." Kids know when you aren't being honest.

ETA - This is NOT aimed at the OP. Just go with what you feel is right.