Child turning 3 while on trip?

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

I have read online that as far as tickets go, if the child is 2 at check in, then they do not need park tickets. This makes a hot Sept trip checking in a day before he turns 3 more tempting to us. Is this also true as far as room capacity? We will be 4 people plus a 2 turning 3 year old. Can we book a DVC room with 4 person capacity? We want to follow the rules.
Also on that note Has anyone ever had issues with admission when child turns 3 midtrip and tells CM they are 3? My child talks VERY clearly and to anyone so I'm sure he will mention it in excitement. I don't want it to be a hastle daily entering the park or at character buffets. I'm assuming he'd be free at buffets still if he doesn't need a ticket. I hope that's correct.

 

[jsrowdon]

I have not idea on the rooms but as far as tickets go my daughter turned 3 during our last trip and she did not have a park ticket and we were never hassled about it. In fact I called Disney prior to our trip to ask how I should handle it and they told me not to worry about a ticket for her, she would be "mickeys guest" for the remainder of the trip.

The buffets were different, for the days she was 2 she was free but after she turned 3 we paid the kids price for her.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Child age is based on check-in date, per Disney. It would be a hot, hot mess to try to have the kid be 2 one day and 3 the next for ticketing and dining purposes.

Just carry a birth certificate if you're worried. But let him celebrate his birthday. It's not a problem.

 

[smiths02]

I have not idea on the rooms but as far as tickets go my daughter turned 3 during our last trip and she did not have a park ticket and we were never hassled about it. In fact I called Disney prior to our trip to ask how I should handle it and they told me not to worry about a ticket for her, she would be "mickeys guest" for the remainder of the trip.

The buffets were different, for the days she was 2 she was free but after she turned 3 we paid the kids price for her.

We went during my son's birthday week in 2011. We went to Crystal Palace on his birthday to celebrate his birthday. It was noted everywhere that he was turning 3. We did not have to pay for him at any AYCE or for a ticket. I called Disney and was told that he would count as 2 the entire trip because you don't get older at Disney.
We stayed with 4 adults and my 2 turning 3 year old in a room at AKL, so he did not count towards occupancy.

I did carry a birth certificate, but no one asked to see it.

I also went with two 2 year olds this summer, no one questioned them or me. They did almost charge me for the twins at Crystal Palace, I just told them they were 2 and they removed the charge.
(On a side note, my children are all small...they have talked somewhat early so they may sound older but they look young, so I don't know if that helped us get by)

 

[jsrowdon]

Would have been nice if we were not charged for food after she turned 3 but we absolutely were. Went to Chef Mickeys on her third birthday, it was noted that it was her birthday and we told them we were there for her birthday and we were charged for her that meal. They did give her a birthday card signed by all the characters at Chef Mickeys which was nice.

 

[davper]

They won't even ask.

My boss just took her son in December who is 4 and didn't buy a ticket. He wasn't small either.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

Since his birthday is under his profile in MDE app from previous trips they know his birthday so I'm not feeling the need to carry a birth certificate. Having to pay for buffets seems crazy since you can't even buy them a meal plan if they don't have a ticket. So I assumed he'd be free all week.
I originally wanted to go in October but with the point savings, and ticket and food savings Sept over his birthday looks more appealing even with the heat. But I wanted to make sure he does honestly count as 2 the whole week even if he turns 3 the second day. He is the type of kid who would argue with me if he heard me tell a waiter or CM he was "2".

 

[msb578]

The only aspect I'm still not clear on is hard-event tickets, like MNSSHP. To me it seems separate from the rest of a "stay".

Not that anyone would notice, I suppose.

 

[mort1331]

We took our DD while she turned there, 2 days into the trip. All things are as a 2yr old, tickets, food, even the MNSSHP.

 

[Dean]

I have read online that as far as tickets go, if the child is 2 at check in, then they do not need park tickets. This makes a hot Sept trip checking in a day before he turns 3 more tempting to us. Is this also true as far as room capacity? We will be 4 people plus a 2 turning 3 year old. Can we book a DVC room with 4 person capacity? We want to follow the rules.
Also on that note Has anyone ever had issues with admission when child turns 3 midtrip and tells CM they are 3? My child talks VERY clearly and to anyone so I'm sure he will mention it in excitement. I don't want it to be a hastle daily entering the park or at character buffets. I'm assuming he'd be free at buffets still if he doesn't need a ticket. I hope that's correct.

You should be OK but the only risk would be a split stay. Disney isn't known for splitting hairs on such issues, I wouldn't worry about it in this situation.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

As long as you don't change rooms and stay on the reservation that starts when he is 2 he won't need a ticket. As for dining if you use the dining plan then he will be free the entire time. If paying out of pocket then he would only be free if you told them he was 2.

I can't lie so we always have paid for everything once they are 3. Yes they don't ask for id but if too many aren't honest they can always take away the free for under three. I hope they don't but you never know and I believe in being honest.

We always bring the birth certificates just in case you never know when you will be asked. TSA asked for the kids ID the last time we flew so you never know.

Have fun and enjoy a trip before he turns 3