Child turning 3 during trip

[bcla]

From the Disney Mom’s Panel:

“If my child turns 3 during our trip, is he still free?”

Greeting Sherri, and welcome to planDisney!

I am thrilled to hear that you will be celebrating your little Mouseketeer’s birthday during your upcoming trip. You will also be able to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort too!

I am happy to tell you that your little Mouseketeer is considered to be a special guest of Mickey Mouse when they arrive. Guests of Disney do not age during their visit, so your little one will remain his guest during your entire trip. You do not need to purchase a ticket or make park pass reservations for children under 3. However, you must include them in your Disney Resorts Collection hotel reservation and also all dining reservations. Be sure to stop by Guest Relations and pick up a birthday celebration button for your Mouseketeer to wear during your celebration. They are free and Cast Members and other Guests will help him celebrate.

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/child-turns-during-trip-free-489700/

That question was posed about WDW. Just sayin.

 

[brightlined]

That question was posed about WDW. Just sayin.

I noted that a few posts ago. (I also noted that both DLR and WDW have updated the policy since then.)

Are you not the OP asking if you should purchase a ticket for a child that will be 3 years old on the first day that you enter the park?

If a child goes through the turnstiles as a 3-year-old, they will need a ticket. If they go through as a 2-year-old, they do not need a ticket. Because your child is going through the turnstiles as a 3 year old, they will need a ticket. Having an on-site hotel reservation would not negate the standing rule about age and entering the theme parks because they operate as separate entities.

They already said they understood this - that's what they were citing in my post. There's no reason to re-hash this or turn it into another argument.

 

[2Lunds]

That question was posed about WDW. Just sayin.

That exact response was already posted on page 2 of this thread, and it does *not* definitely answer the question. A subsequent post quoted actual Disney policy though, so the question has been resolved.

Just sayin.

 

[BobaFettFan]

The only question left is what Dooney and Bourke will the mom buy for herself???

 

[2Lunds]

The only question left is what Dooney and Bourke will the mom buy for herself???

Lol, something Winnie the Pooh is my guess (I'm not the mom, I'm the friend planning alongside her).

 

[Living42Day]

I noted that a few posts ago. (I also noted that both DLR and WDW have updated the policy since then.)


They already said they understood this - that's what they were citing in my post. There's no reason to re-hash this or turn it into another argument.

I must have missed it? Usually there is no issue with repeating correct information, especially on a discussion board where multiple incorrect posts and back and forth on old policy bog down what the actual true policy is. Kudos to you for researching and quoting the Disney websites, anyone with questions on this particular Disney policy should go directly to @brightlined 's post on page 2 since they were the first to answer correctly and deserve the credit.

OP, it might be helpful in the future for these policy related questions to contact Disneyland directly. That way you can hear it directly from Disney and make decisions on how you want to proceed based on their information so there is no confusion.

 

[2Lunds]

I must have missed it? Usually there is no issue with repeating correct information, especially on a discussion board where multiple incorrect posts and back and forth on old policy bog down what the actual true policy is. Kudos to you for researching and quoting the Disney websites, anyone with questions on this particular Disney policy should go directly to @brightlined 's post on page 2 since they were the first to answer correctly and deserve the credit.

OP, it might be helpful in the future for these policy related questions to contact Disneyland directly. That way you can hear it directly from Disney and make decisions on how you want to proceed based on their information so there is no confusion.

Lol, good idea. I guess we can delete 85% of Disboards now guys.

 

[Living42Day]

Lol, good idea. I guess we can delete 85% of Disboards now guys.

You were offended by my post so I changed it, so that the person you were most accepting of having an answer from would be the only one giving you that answer.

I'm not sure exactly what you want from that response?

 

[brightlined]

I must have missed it? Usually there is no issue with repeating correct information, especially on a discussion board where multiple incorrect posts and back and forth on old policy bog down what the actual true policy is. Kudos to you for researching and quoting the Disney websites, anyone with questions on this particular Disney policy should go directly to @brightlined 's post on page 2 since they were the first to answer correctly and deserve the credit.

OP, it might be helpful in the future for these policy related questions to contact Disneyland directly. That way you can hear it directly from Disney and make decisions on how you want to proceed based on their information so there is no confusion.

The problem is that OP already had the answer they needed - it didn't need to be repeated, and, even if that wasn't your intent, it came off as patronizing.

OP did exactly what you just did there. OP quoted the post of mine that you're mentioning here, bolded the key part, and offered a light joke. That was a perfect way to the end the thread. ("Answer accepted".)

As the person who supplied said answer, I was content to like that post and consider the topic closed. Now, we've another page of posts that just make the board look like an unpleasant place to hang out.

Even your advice in this answer - telling OP to talk to Disneyland directly? That also comes off as patronizing - you're basically telling OP to take a hike.

Basically: it's not helpful. I know it feels like you're being helpful, and maybe trying to be helpful, but it's not helpful. It just makes people not want to ask questions here.

You were offended by my post so I changed it, so that the person you were most accepting of having an answer from would be the only one giving you that answer.

I'm not sure exactly what you want from that response?

Maybe just let this thread go? Anyone seeking out this answer in the future is going to have to read all of this. (I'd almost like a moderator to come in and delete everything after Post #37.)

 

[tlovesdis]

Just a friendly reminder for everyone to be nice to each other! No need to be rude or answer something if you don't have anything positive to say. We don't want to delete comments or issue violations, but will if we feel it is needed!

Thanks and happy Friday everyone!

 

[zobel0022]

I’m not sure if the information in this thread is correct. I just called member services and was told my child would not need a ticket for her 3rd birthday since we check in when my child is 2. They are considered a guest of Mickey for the entire stay. This might come down to who you end up dealing with but I bet if it gets escalated to management they don’t make you buy a birthday ticket.

 

[brightlined]

I’m not sure if the information in this thread is correct. I just called member services and was told my child would not need a ticket for her 3rd birthday since we check in when my child is 2. They are considered a guest of Mickey for the entire stay. This might come down to who you end up dealing with but I bet if it gets escalated to management they don’t make you buy a birthday ticket.

The trick is that CMs often have conflicting information. It doesn't necessarily matter what Guest Services says if the gate CMs say something else.

The best answer was in the later piece of advice on the last page - it's unlikely that a gate CM is going to ask for the age of your child. Unless you announce that your child is 3 as you're entering the park, they probably won't say anything.

 

[Love Tink]

The trick is that CMs often have conflicting information. It doesn't necessarily matter what Guest Services says if the gate CMs say something else.

The best answer was in the later piece of advice on the last page - it's unlikely that a gate CM is going to ask for the age of your child. Unless you announce that your child is 3 as you're entering the park, they probably won't say anything.

I'd double down on your unlikely and say there is a zero percent chance the gate agent asks the age of the child.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

We took our rather tall and large then 2.5 YO in 2022 across two trips and never once were we asked by any CM at the front gates and character meals how old he was. Since neither of us are tall at all we figured there was a chance he would get mistaken for being 3+, but that never happened.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I vote no need for ticket. Technically, they are not 3 yet, as your child was born at 11:30pm, right?

It's honor system, and most legal documents do not display the time of birth. At 3 years, 1 day, I would personally buy the ticket.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

If you book a package with tickets and room and the child is still 2 and turns 3 during the trip they would still be 2 for the trip. I wouldn't worry about it at all. They are 2 at check in and your staying multiple nights. Literally will be no issue at all.

 

[sheilafri]

As a practicality, what 3 year old isn’t going to blurt out, “Today is my birthday. I’m three.”

Mom made the right call to move the trip.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

As a practicality, what 3 year old isn’t going to blurt out, “Today is my birthday. I’m three.”

Mom made the right call to move the trip.

None of mine ever did that, heck my two youngest were always shy and nervous around strangers at that age.

 

[PirateBrigade]

None of mine ever did that, heck my two youngest were always shy and nervous around strangers at that age.

My youngest will talk to everyone, and my oldest has become a habitual liar and told the ticket booth she was 15 years old. hahahah

 

[Love Tink]

As a practicality, what 3 year old isn’t going to blurt out, “Today is my birthday. I’m three.”

Mom made the right call to move the trip.

I reiterate: even if a child does say that, the gate agent won't blink an eye.