Age 3 at BOOKING or TRAVEL?

[Picabo]

When I booked our trip for next year, they asked my DDs bdays and noted that they were 1 and 2 (currently). I questioned the CM and said that they'll be 2 and 3 when we travel and she said that didn't matter.

When I price out on the WDW website using age 3 for my older daughter, fo course she is charged for tkts and dining. But I've read a few places that DW goes by the age of the child when you BOOK, not when you travel. Does anyone happen to know how it really works? Would be awsome to not have to pay for her and especially the dining plan since she eats next to nothing. haha

THANKS!

 

[plutolovr]

Not true. Disney goes by their age at the time of travel. But if you child turns 3 during your trip, than you don't have to pay the increase.

 

[ajwolfe]

It's by the age they are when you travel, not when you book.
I would be calling back to add tickets on for your 3 yo.

 

[amandaraye]

It is most definitely age at time of travel. We are arriving the day before my daughter's 3rd b-day and made it by the skin of our teeth. phew! Unforunately it doesn't work out so well for your circumstances.

Disney's response I received yesterday:

"Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney Travel Company packages are based on the age at the time of
travel.

She will remain "2" in Disney's eyes for the entire trip. She is the age she was at check in so she will not be required to pay for buffets or character meals for the entire length of stay. "

 

[JUJU814]

That's interesting, because in 2006 when we booked our trip for December of that year, it went by their age when we BOOKED. The CM insisted that was the case so I concur with the OP as I was told the same thing by the CM. Dd was age 2 at booking and had just turned age 3 at travel. We paid her price at booking.

Julie

 

[Off2CDW]

The website always asks for age at the time of travel. My daughter is 9 and will be 10 when we travel, and that is another age at which price increases. She's considered a "junior" for our trip since she'll be 10.

When it's that close for a 2/3 year old, though, I wonder how Disney knows for sure anyway.

 

[JUJU814]

But what if you are not going through the website, and you are booking with a CM on the phone and you are HONEST with them...and say "she's 2 now but will be turning 3" and they SAY it doesn't matter, how old is she NOW.

I swear I'm losing brain cells because for the life of me I can't remember but I think there was a KTTW for each family member and our park passes were on that. My dd, age 3 at travel, 2 at booking had one and it just goes through entering the park. We got them all when we checked in. Do they not do it like that anymore?

Julie

 

[leebee]

Once again, Disney is inconsistant. Just go with whatever your booking agent tells you. They (meaning Disney) are the ones making the rules. For all we know, the agent who sent the "Walt Disney Travel Company packages are based on the age at the time of travel" email is incorrect, or maybe you are booking through CRO and they have different conditions than WDTC, or something like that!

 

[In a hurry]

I think that I'll book us for our next 10 years. DS2 won't need a ticket for ages!

 

[Picabo]

It's by the age they are when you travel, not when you book.
I would be calling back to add tickets on for your 3 yo.

Right now we have room only b/c when we booked the rates were not out yet. But I made clear that we were booking tickets/dining plan at a later date.

I think that I'll book us for our next 10 years. DS2 won't need a ticket for ages!

haha Wouldn't that be great? Unfortunately Disney doesn't let us book more than 499 days in advance so that plan wouldn't work. DARN!


In anycase, since she will be almost FOUR when we actually travel I woudln't even feel right NOT paying for her. A) We'll be on the dining plan and she'll need meals too - picking off of our plates won't cut it when we have 2 toddlers along. And B) She already doesn't look 2 yrs old b/c she is tall. By the time she's 4 she definately won't look like a 2 yr old.

Thanks everyone....!

 

[java]

We go every year with 4 children that are currently 3.5.11.14.

It has always been the year at the time of TRAVEL. For us anyway. The day you check in determines everyone age-

If not everyone would be booking WAAAAAY in advance so they could get cheap tickets for their kids. imagine going with a 6 year old for free because you booked the trip 3 years ago.

 

[tjmw2727]

Regardless of what a telephone CM may tell you - the age of the child is the age at check in. This works for you if a child is 9 and turns 10 during the trip and against you if a child is 9 now and turns 10 before travel and checkin.

If you are questioned at the gate by a CM or by a server at a restaurant and your child is 3 I doubt that explaining that "Jane from reservations 10 months ago" told me it was fine to go by the age at booking.

I have booked several trips for stb 3yo's and stb 10yos and have always been asked for the childrens ages at the time of travel. This is supported by the verbage on the website.

TJ