asking here for advice as well...

[kdtwiss]

but, I need to ask anyway. I was wondering if you are required to show a birth certificate when purchasing park tickets?
I only ask because I have a son who is 11 and is autistic. We are planning a trip - thougfh we may not bother if they no longer offer special passes so autistic children do not have to wait- anyway - the difference betwwen a child ticket and an adult is substantial - and to be honest IF we go - my son may very well have a shut down type day and not even GO on ANY rides - we just never know. Also - the magic plus dining option is alot more expensive for adults also - and my son #1 - would not eat anything not on the kid menu - and in fact eats like a bird. All my kids do actually - I can buy one Happy Meal for three of them to split. So I guess my question is - would I likely be able to get away with buying a child park ticket and meal plan?
And - please understand I am not trying to rip anyone off _ I just literally will have no idea if he will even go on any rides untill we actually get there. AND don't feel bad for Dis that I am ripping them off - I will be purchasing a ticket for myself (and I HATE rides - scared to death) so IF I go on any rides at all it will be just to accompany my children on a kiddie ride - and we will also be purchasing a ticket for my mother - who will literally be going on "It's A Small World" and probably nothing else. I don't mind doing this at all - but I really need to be able to buy a child's ticket for my son to make this affordable/justifiable. BTW when asked how old are you my son will usually reply - 7, 8, 9, 14. Or something like that. I really hate the idea of lying - but I really feel like they should offer a discounted ticket for cases like this when there is clearly a need. i am sorry for rambling - I just don't want all of you to think I am awful -I just really want to take my son- but I don't think I could bring myself to pay so much for an adult ticket when y son may very well decide he wants to stay at the hotel pool/KWIM?

 

[rascalmom]

No, you will not be asked for a birth certificate. You will be asked how old the children in your party are at the time of your visit. As far as the difference in child/adult prices - I'm not sure where you are getting your information. The price difference works out to about $10-12 a day for admission, depending on the # of days. Most people find they can come out better price-wise buy not doing a package. Yes, the dining option appears to be a good deal just on meal costs, but when you take into account that you will be paying full rack-rate for your room under that plan, it actually makes it more expensive. When you are not on a meal plan, you can order a kids meal for pretty much anyone, or even share meals. Check out the ticket prices on the site: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/ticketchart.htm#MYW1.

 

[mbb]

but, I need to ask anyway. I was wondering if you are required to show a birth certificate when purchasing park tickets?
I only ask because I have a son who is 11 and is autistic. We are planning a trip - thougfh we may not bother if they no longer offer special passes so autistic children do not have to wait- anyway - the difference betwwen a child ticket and an adult is substantial - and to be honest IF we go - my son may very well have a shut down type day and not even GO on ANY rides - we just never know. Also - the magic plus dining option is alot more expensive for adults also - and my son #1 - would not eat anything not on the kid menu - and in fact eats like a bird. All my kids do actually - I can buy one Happy Meal for three of them to split. So I guess my question is - would I likely be able to get away with buying a child park ticket and meal plan?
And - please understand I am not trying to rip anyone off _ I just literally will have no idea if he will even go on any rides untill we actually get there. AND don't feel bad for Dis that I am ripping them off - I will be purchasing a ticket for myself (and I HATE rides - scared to death) so IF I go on any rides at all it will be just to accompany my children on a kiddie ride - and we will also be purchasing a ticket for my mother - who will literally be going on "It's A Small World" and probably nothing else. I don't mind doing this at all - but I really need to be able to buy a child's ticket for my son to make this affordable/justifiable. BTW when asked how old are you my son will usually reply - 7, 8, 9, 14. Or something like that. I really hate the idea of lying - but I really feel like they should offer a discounted ticket for cases like this when there is clearly a need. i am sorry for rambling - I just don't want all of you to think I am awful -I just really want to take my son- but I don't think I could bring myself to pay so much for an adult ticket when y son may very well decide he wants to stay at the hotel pool/KWIM?

First off, Welcome to the Dis

WDW is expensive, no getting around it.

But there are lots of ways to save some $$ on a trip to WDW. You don't have to have a meal plan, if you don't feel that you'll get value for your money...and if you really watch for room code specials, you may be able to get a really great rate on your hotel room...and the new MAgic Your Way tickets really do offer lots of flexibility. Check Mary Waring's site www.mousesavers.com

I hope this helps some.

 

[dclfun]

Just another thought about tickets- there are also folks like myself who due to their level of disability cannot even physically access most of the attractions yet there is no discount and a full price adult ticket is required for us also. I agree with other posters who've mentioned ways to save money rather than by stating your child's age as younger than he really is. I can understand though how you feel- as far as I'm aware the GAC's for children with autism are still being offered and hopefully the CM's will do everything possible to ensure your son has a good time. Kathy