Children under 3?

[rrali33tt]

If you do not have to purchase park tickets for children under 3, how does Disney verify this?

Obviously an infant 12 mo and under is easy to verify, but do you need to carry a birth certificate with you to prove your child is under three? Would they give a toddler a magic band at check in?

 

[mesaboy2]

If you do not have to purchase park tickets for children under 3, how does Disney verify this?

Obviously an infant 12 mo and under is easy to verify, but do you need to carry a birth certificate with you to prove your child is under three? Would they give a toddler a magic band at check in?

Faith and trust. No BC needed but you can take one if it makes you feel better. Toddlers get MBs too.

 

[morethananyonex]

We're going to carry around a photocopy for peace of mind, but children under 3 are still given a MB, so I'm assuming if they really wanted to they could scan that. I've never heard of people being given a hard time though. My son proudly tells people he's 2 anyways lol.

 

[khertz]

On our last trip, my son was 2 when we arrived, and turned 3 during the trip. We were only asked once about his age, and that was when a CM asked if he had a ticket for MNSSHP. We said he was under 3, and that was it. Other than that, we were never asked to verify his age, and you certainly won't need a birth certificate to prove it at the parks!

 

[LSUfan4444]

You don't need proof of anything. I wouldn't even bother taking any copies.

If they ask, just say she is not three years old...that's it.

 

[Woodmnky]

We just got back and I was really worried about this. My son was 1 week from his 3rd birthday and is slightly over 40 inches tall and weighs almost 40lbs. We measured him for several of the 40 in rides and he would have passed the test for any of them. Since he is so big I was really worried.

We were only asked 3 times (out of 9) at the entrance if he had a ticket. Each time I simply said "He's 2" and they smiled and said to have a magical day.

We were asked about 50% of the time at the FP+ check points, but each time when I said he was 2 they just smiled and were fine.

I never got the feeling that we were being questioned or that an employee felt we were breaking rules, which we weren't but I was worried I would encounter resistance.

I had read time and time again on DIS that there wouldn't be an issue, but I planned to bring some documentation just in case. I forgot, but it was never needed.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

On our last trip my DD turned 3 while we were there about day 5 of our 8 day trip. We were never asked even once for anything, tickets, rides, dining, etc. I did have a copy of her BC but it was never needed.

 

[taraaplin]

My DS will turn 3 the day OF arrival. We had to purchase tickets for him. Wish we could have arrived on day prior. Oh well!

 

[JEWLSVERN]

My DS will turn 3 the day OF arrival. We had to purchase tickets for him. Wish we could have arrived on day prior. Oh well!

That one extra day would save a lot of money. Not only do you need tickets but food also. At 2 they can eat off your plate at buffets and if you get the dining plan they are free.

We are going for 7 days our next trip and just 1 of my kids cost around $500. I would change my arrival day to save $500.

 

[taraaplin]

Oh I know. I'm in the education field. This is the only way we could do the dates. I have no time off (due to two family emergencies) so I had to go with the dates I had available. We aren't eligible for free dining for the dates (March 29-April 4) and will be eating mainly quick service. We will only do one character meal. No way to get around it!

 

[mamato3girls]

We went when our middle was about 2 1/2 but she was a very big and very verbal 2 year old. I think the only time anyone asked us was when we sat down to buffets and I just answered with "She's 2" and there were no other questions. We didn't have to provide proof of anything.

 

[LSUfan4444]

That one extra day would save a lot of money. Not only do you need tickets but food also. At 2 they can eat off your plate at buffets and if you get the dining plan they are free.

We are going for 7 days our next trip and just 1 of my kids cost around $500. I would change my arrival day to save $500.

We said our daughter was under three until she was about 3 1/2...our trip in two weeks is the first trip we are actually paying for her.

I'm not trying to reset anyone's moral compass, just sayin.

On a side note, when I hear people say that it is best to wait until kids are 5+ to take them to Disney World, all I can do is laugh. I always suggest the exact opposite....take them as much as humanly possible their first three years.

 

[ghtx]

I brought a birth certificate for my almost-three-year-old last trip but never had to use it.

 

[Manders77]

We said our daughter was under three until she was about 3 1/2...our trip in two weeks is the first trip we are actually paying for her.

I'm not trying to reset anyone's moral compass, just sayin.

On a side note, when I hear people say that it is best to wait until kids are 5+ to take them to Disney World, all I can do is laugh. I always suggest the exact opposite....take them as much as humanly possible their first three years.

I understand where you are coming from. I never did that at WDW but did it once for a dinner buffet here, 3 and under was free and DS was 3 by 1 month. DS3 is tiny for his age though. He's only 35 inches tall and 29 lbs. He can still fit in some 18m-24m pants, 2T fall off his butt even the adjustable waistband set at the smallest size still is big. 3T pants are out of the question. Now shirts he wears between 2-3 depending (because of his big head) lol. And with his developmental delays he doesn't talk either, so you could ask him and he would answer showing you all his fingers. He's 10.

 

[serene56]

Everyone gets a magic band. But under three is empty. Its just serves the purpose that they don't feel left out

 

[ferd]

I have a 2 1/2 year old and we are APs and are at the park nearly every weekend. We have done character breakfasts, rides, shows, etc and have never one time been asked about her age or to show proof of it. Don't stress about it.

 

[davedmaine]

My DS will turn 3 the day OF arrival. We had to purchase tickets for him. Wish we could have arrived on day prior. Oh well!

Are you sure his birthday isn't a week later?

 

[staceyeileen]

Oh I know. I'm in the education field. This is the only way we could do the dates. I have no time off (due to two family emergencies) so I had to go with the dates I had available. We aren't eligible for free dining for the dates (March 29-April 4) and will be eating mainly quick service. We will only do one character meal. No way to get around it!

There are plenty of ways to get around it! You can change his birthday on the reservation or just leave him off entirely.

 

[KrazeeK120]

There are plenty of ways to get around it! You can change his birthday on the reservation or just leave him off entirely.

Not everyone feels comfortable with lying.

 

[slholtz]

We have never had to prove that our daughter was under 3. If your child looks older or is tall for his age, I have seen them ask for the birthday, but typically not.