child age question

[jenniferrose]

We are going to DLR in 6 weeks. My daughter just turned 2. She is a pretty big 2 and her vocabulary is that of a much older child. Do you think we will be questioned about her age? Should I bring a copy of her birth certificate? I really don't want to carry it around, but I don't want to end up being hassled (not that I would ever think anyone at DL would). We are also doing character dining where she will be free, but again, do you think anyone would question me?

Thanks!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I don't think you will have any problem. My DD is 2 as well and sometimes mistaken for older, we have never been questioned.

We didn't do a character meal though last time we were there. We will be doing one in November, which is the month before she turns 3 - I hadn't really thought about it, but I would hope they would take our word for it.

 

[Royalpine]

We went last year with our 2 yr old son a few weeks before he turned 3, he was huge for his age and we never got asked once to provide proof of age. We did have a copy of his birth certificate just in case. We did go for a character breakfast and they never asked either.

 

[disheadz]

We wondered about this on a trip with our very verbal 2 year old. But had the same experience as the other posters. We were never even questioned so I'm sure you'll be fine without a birth certificate.

 

[ballarinamom]

No problem for us when DD was 2. No one ever asked us for either park entry or at character meals. And she has always been extremely tall for her age and very verbal. Currently she is 7 years old, 4 foot 10 and a size 7 women's shoes. Clothing is a challenge as she could still fit into a child's large waist size but they are wayyyy to short!

 

[jenniferrose]

Thanks everyone! I wouldn't expect that at DL, but it just popped into my head, so I thought I'd ask. I had an airline almost make me buy a seat for my son who wasn't 2 yet, because I couldn't provide proof of his age. And he was non verbal!

 

[pixiewings71]

Just an FYI, we were entering DCA once behind a nice Asian family, they had 2 kids, both in strollers, the CM at the gate argued with them over the age of the second child in the stroller. She almost refused them admission because she did not believe he was under 3, she told them point blank, "next time he needs a ticket". She did let them in but we were delayed for a good 3-5 min. while they argued back and forth. And just an FYI, he did look "too big" to be under 3 IMO. Of course who knows, kids come in all different sizes these days.

 

[tiffntwins]

Another not so magical story here. My niece was off the charts tall for her age and they wouldn't let us in--she was 2 at the time. Believe it or not--they said since she was over 40 inches and she could ride everything anyway,she needed a ticket.We argued with them, but we ended up buying her a ticket,even though she was under 3. So I would advise to bring her birth certificate- I always brought my kids after that horrible,horrible experience.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

My DD is 2 yrs and 40". She talks her head off. We've never had a CM so much as look at us funny & we've been about 9 times since DD has been this tall.

 

[Royalpine]

Another quick thing, I did some research before we went with our 2 yr old last year, I heard somewhere that someone got questioned on the age and they were forced to buy a ticket. After they got home they sent DL a copy of the birth certificate and got a refund. I can't remember where I heard this but I'm sure if it came down to it this would be an option, DL has great customer service so I think they'll have options for you.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

IMO ticket prices should be based on height not age, however just because a 2 year old is tall enough for the Mountains he/she might not want to ride. DD still isn't tall enough for Indiana Jones ~ even if she was she does not want to go on that ride Same for buffets ~ DD eats nothing, DS outeats me - yet I'm charged the same price for them! Something else ~ DD will only take those Thin Strips when she has a cold (why is there no generic form???) now that she's 6 she takes 2 ~ she doesn't weigh much more than she did at 5 and she'll weigh much more when she's 12 (6-12 take same dose) so I don't see how she needs 2 of them now??? Pardon my rambling.

 

[jenniferrose]

It just dawned on me I never ordered her birth certificate... oops! Guess I should do that! She isn't 40" yet so hopefully I wont get harrassed too much.

 

[Leofoenget]

Just an FYI, we were entering DCA once behind a nice Asian family, they had 2 kids, both in strollers, the CM at the gate argued with them over the age of the second child in the stroller. She almost refused them admission because she did not believe he was under 3, she told them point blank, "next time he needs a ticket". She did let them in but we were delayed for a good 3-5 min. while they argued back and forth. And just an FYI, he did look "too big" to be under 3 IMO. Of course who knows, kids come in all different sizes these days.

I got messed with at GCA gate once too, but never at the main gates. Wonder what's up with that? If you are worried about it, take a photo copy or a half size photocopy

 

[abouley]

I've never been questioned either and my kids are tall and big and verbal! My daughter will be just weeks shy of 3 on this next trip and I hadn't planned to bring anything. I do think it's kind of funny though that she'll be free early Oct but late Oct I'd have to spend well over $100 for her to go.....Guess we should get in a character breakfast during her last chance to eat free!!

I hate the amusement parks that charge adult price for kids over 48" regardless of age. My son is 48" tall and 5. He will not ride the large, upside down roller coasters that they are essentially charging more for (and, even if he wanted to, I don't think I'd let him go on them).

 

[MommiePrincess]

My DD is tall for her age (3.5 years) we just got back from a 8 day trip and stay at GCH. We did almost all the character dining.....we always said she was 3...but Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and Breakfast at Minnies didn't charge for her. In fact at Goofy's the CM said "how old is she?" I said "3" and he said "Oh, well today she is 2!". I didn't argue.

When we went last year when she was 2.5 years (and tall for her age) no one ever asked her age.....she was just free for everything.

She eats next to nothing...so it all fairness, Disney didn't loose much $ for not charging her....she was so excited by the characters she didn't sit still. She certainly didn't eat what an older child would that is for sure.

 

[brergnat]

I have a very tall son too. Last year, when he was 2, I got questioned SEVERAL times about how old he was. I have an AP, as does everyone in our family. Luckily for us, our son ALSO has a speech delay (well, not REALLY "lucky", but in this case, it worked out for us). The CM's would try to ask him how old he was and he wouldn't respond at all, or he would sort of babble, and then I'd say "he's 2", and they would believe me. One time, a CM at the DL front gate incredulously said to him "You're ONLY two?!?!?...You're a BIG BOY!!!" And, I just smiled to her and said, "Be glad YOU don't have to carry him around when he gets tired!"

I used to think the Disney CM's would *never* ask. But, they DO! If it's really close to your child's birthday, I'd have a copy of birth certificate handy, just in case. I go about once every other week. I was actually GLAD when he finally turned 3 and I had to buy him his own AP. I could stop worrying about being harassed, and feeling like they thought I was trying to "pull one over on them".