3 year old not buying a ticket

[spot28]

I can't believe this discussion is still going , Wow. One thing to ponder... don't you think Disney chose age 3 and age 10 as the limits for the child and adult tickets for a reason? They probably realize it is awkward to question guests and hard to verify children's ages. I think one can definitely tell the difference between a 2 year old (free) and a 4 year old (paying child). So, perhaps they chose 3 as a fuzzy area, knowing some will bend the rule and others will comply. They probably tell CM's not to get too militant about it...if they are not sure "don't make an issue" type thing as "we're not really concerned about 3 year olds paying anyway" or something to that affect. The same for the 10 year olds - big difference between 9 and 11. I'm sure some 10 year olds skate by on the child ticket, and they apply the same philosophy to it. Just my theory.

 

[madgomez]

To follow up on that thought, although going off topic, I never understood why it was by age and not height. I had to pay for my 6 1/2 yo who was not tall enuf to go on several of the bigger rides that many 4 and 5yos go on.
Get measured at the gate, then no CM will have to argue with anyone at height restricted rides!

 

[susykt4]

Ugh, I didn't read through all the posts so this may be a duplicate, but I'm having terrible issues with the 3 thing right now. My son will turn 3 next week and we are going in January. I have called 3 different times and talked to 3 different people (at the Disney number) about getting him a ticket and getting him put by name on our ressies. I have been told three different times that if I just keep my mouth shut he can go without a ticket. One lady even called her manager to confirm this. They said his birthday is on the computer and they can't call a 2-yr-old a 3-yr-old EVEN THOUGH he will be 3 on our trip!

On the one hand, I'd love to save the money. BUT we're planning two character meals and the Family Magic Tour that I'd have to lie outright about his age. Personally, I'm not comfortable with that.

My plan is to wait until his birthday next Tuesday and then call back about the new free park hopper offer. The money we save with free hoppers will cover half his ticket. I'll then cancel a character meal if I have to to make up the difference. Maybe I'm nuts, but my DD5 will totally pick up on the age lies and I don't want that!

 

[tfiga]

I went when my son was two and my son was asked at MGM "honey how old are you"?

 

[justhat]

Ugh, I didn't read through all the posts so this may be a duplicate, but I'm having terrible issues with the 3 thing right now. My son will turn 3 next week and we are going in January. I have called 3 different times and talked to 3 different people (at the Disney number) about getting him a ticket and getting him put by name on our ressies. I have been told three different times that if I just keep my mouth shut he can go without a ticket. One lady even called her manager to confirm this. They said his birthday is on the computer and they can't call a 2-yr-old a 3-yr-old EVEN THOUGH he will be 3 on our trip!

On the one hand, I'd love to save the money. BUT we're planning two character meals and the Family Magic Tour that I'd have to lie outright about his age. Personally, I'm not comfortable with that.

My plan is to wait until his birthday next Tuesday and then call back about the new free park hopper offer. The money we save with free hoppers will cover half his ticket. I'll then cancel a character meal if I have to to make up the difference. Maybe I'm nuts, but my DD5 will totally pick up on the age lies and I don't want that!

If you wanted to, couldn't you just pay for him on the Family Magic Tour and the character breakfasts? I mean, does that really have anything to do with your room or tickets? I'm not saying you should cheat or anything, but even if he's listed as 2 on your room reservation, you can still tell dining he's 3 when you book your character breakfasts and say he's 3 for your tour too. I dont' see how any of those people would know his age otherwise.

 

[minijeanie]

To follow up on that thought, although going off topic, I never understood why it was by age and not height. I had to pay for my 6 1/2 yo who was not tall enuf to go on several of the bigger rides that many 4 and 5yos go on.
Get measured at the gate, then no CM will have to argue with anyone at height restricted rides!

I so totally agree with this statement. It always bugged me that you had to pay full price for a child that could not get on half the adult rides because he was to short.

On the other hand, I have another child who looked 6 at the age of 3....

Guess there has to be some happy medium....but to throw another wrench in.
What if you have a 3 year old who is afraid of characters, hates rides and attractions...

so literally, all this child does is sit in a stroller all day

so I say to the parent who doesn't buy them a ticket....good for you!!!

 

[Adrienne]

To follow up on that thought, although going off topic, I never understood why it was by age and not height. I had to pay for my 6 1/2 yo who was not tall enuf to go on several of the bigger rides that many 4 and 5yos go on.
Get measured at the gate, then no CM will have to argue with anyone at height restricted rides!

They do that at universal in hollywood. They have a woody woodpecker marking the height for fulll proce admission

Adrienne

 

[dlf]

I'm the OP and I've had a message from someone which I thought was quite interesting.

The lady concerned was also deciding whether or not to buy a ticket for her 3.5 year old girl. In the end she bought a ticket for the Disney parks, but not for Universal/Sea World/Busch Gardens. She said there was something about the Disney magic that she felt guilty not buying a ticket there, but just walked through the turnstiles at the other parks without one!

 

[momof2inPA]

I've never seen a CM ask a child's age. When I presented a ticket for my four year old once at MK, the CM acted like I was off my rocker. It's your sister's friend's decision, don't interfere. You'll end up looking like one of those Disney know-it-alls that drive everyone nuts.

 

[tjmw2727]

My nephew was asked twice on our last trip together with sil and bil. Once he was walking through the turnstyle and once when he was in the stroller. FWIW he is tiny but very verbal but the cm who engaged him when he was walking through seemed very sceptical.

So Yes to your question - I have seen a CM ask a child. My SIL did not have "proof" but didn't need it either time as the CM was evidently satisfied with my nephews explanation, LOL.

I agree with the others who have advised your sister to use another turnstyle. It should be very easy to do it descretely.

TJ

 

[VSL]

Dictionary definiton of moral - from dictionary.com

"morals Rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong"

Morals have everything to do with breaking rules or not breaking rules. I respectfully disagree with your assessment that it has nothing to do with morals.

Shelly

OK OK OK, duly noted!

I think the point I was trying to make is that it's not as if this is a loophole situation (like with the dining credits - people using 'child credits' to pay for adult meals)...

I can never get the right choice of words together!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Hi Disers,
I was wondering what the protocol is for my DS who is turning 3 on day 9 of our 11 day trip. Any ideas?
Thank you

DS is now 8 but has celebrated all of his birthdays in WDW. Sometimes we are there for the actual date, sometimes not. He actually turned 3 with 2 days left in our trip, same as your situation.

A few things:
1). We actually were asked about his age (he is small so I was a bit surprised). When I said "His birthday is Friday" that was it. They didn't push the issue.
2). I THINK that it is like the AP dilemma between an adult ticket & a child ticket. If your child is 9 when you buy the ticket & turns 10 before it expires you do not have to pay the difference between the two.
3). Since it is up to Disney's discretion (just like the airlines) I would keep a photocopy of your son's birth certificate in your wallet. They do have the right to deny admission unless you buy a ticket if they feel necessary. I would just be prepared either way.

You can always call guest services to ask about how they normally handle this. I guess it depends too, on whether or not you have a package that includes passes or not?

Good luck!

 

[Got Quattro?]

-------------------------

That's interesting advice.. What else have you advised people to do "if they can get away with it"?

Speed....speed limits advised anyway....

 

[LoriZH]

I've never seen a CM ask a child's age. When I presented a ticket for my four year old once at MK, the CM acted like I was off my rocker. It's your sister's friend's decision, don't interfere. You'll end up looking like one of those Disney know-it-alls that drive everyone nuts.

I agree!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I agree that the OP Sister should probably tell the friends that they need to buy a ticket for the kid.

 

[DreaminDisney]

OP, personally if I were you I wouldn't be getting stressed about this. I'd also tell my my sister (if it were her) not to stress either. It's not either one of your problem. If the friend doesn't buy a ticket and gets questioned (caught)......it's her problem.
You know what's right and what you'd do....... but you can't worry about what other people do

 

[dvcmember]

We have been visiting Disney 3 or 4 times a since my youngest was nine months old. We spent a week at Disney on month before her 3rd birthday and several times they asked her at the gate her age..She was able to replyshe was 2 and usually I would say ...."next month I'll be buying a ticket.". She is 4 now and an annual passholder. I think rules are for all . Barb

 

[In a hurry]

OP, personally if I were you I wouldn't be getting stressed about this. I'd also tell my my sister (if it were her) not to stress either. It's not either one of your problem. If the friend doesn't buy a ticket and gets questioned (caught)......it's her problem.
You know what's right and what you'd do....... but you can't worry about what other people do

I agree. You have no control over what other's do.

 

[C.Ann]

By the time this thread ends, the kid will be 9 - and then we'll have to go through the "Well he's small for his age, so do you think they'll ask? I'd hate to have to buy an adult ticket - there's so many rides he can't go on......"

Just have your sister stand no where near the rule breaker - so she doesn't have to be embarrassed right along with her..

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

We were asked her age a few times when we took DD for her 2nd birthday. She was even short for her age. I was shocked anyone asked because she was still so little.