Do I need birth certificates for the kids?

[jbm02]

Hopefully someone can help me with a question. We're scheduled to go to WDW this summer. It's the first time we'll be using the DDP (we always stayed at SOG before and it is not available there). And, although I'm "vertically challenged" my two children take after their dad's side of the family - DH is 6'5 and my FIL is 6'10. Our 9yo is already 5'5 and our 8 yo is 4'10 - just 2 inches shorter than me!! Should I plan to bring their birth certificates with me in case anyone challenges their status as a child for purposes of DDP? (I'll probably bring them anyway but with the craziness of getting ready and out the door to get to the parks early, what if i forget them one day??)

 

[brokenlola]

I am wondering this too for my nearly 3 year old. She definetly looks over 3 already. I think I will take a copy of her birth cert. just in case.

 

[Colleen27]

We didn't have a problem taking my then 5'2"ish, 100+lb 9yo football player, so I don't think you should have a problem. I don't think Disney really pushes the issue, from some of the things I've read on the board... We've had servers in restaurants IRL not want to give him the child's buffet price (even in places where 12 is the cutoff), but no one said at word at Disney and we took 2 trips in the last 6 months of him being a child.

 

[n2mm]

They are not going to police you on your children's age. They are/or might ask you and whatever you tell them is what they will go with. There will be no challenge here. Personally they may think you're lieing, but you know you're not, so don't worry. During our last trip, they asked us several times how old our granddaughter was and we told them she was almost 3. You could see a few CM just want to roll their eyes, but that stuff just doesn't bother us. If you have nothing to worry about, don't worry. Personally I'd be more worried about how you ever are going to feed a 9 yo and 8yo on kids' meals. With our almost 3 yo granddaughter last year, she gobbled down the kids meals and was still wanting for more. She often got the chix soup for her appet. (cup), pizza as her entree and sundae for desert. She never had a problem eating her entire meal and she's not much of an eater (so we thought). And those 4 nuggets they give her at lunch time was funny. We started buying her adult nugget meals. We even bought her 1 yo sister her own meals, but generally just the entree because there was never enough to share. They are heading back with us in May and we bought the DDP for her this time, but will be prepared to pay OOP for her if she needs more.

 

[jbm02]

Thanks n2mm!!
That's why we're planning to book lots of buffets and family-style service!!!

 

[ClarkusR]

I am wondering about the birth certificate thing too as my DD will be a couple weeks shy of 3 when we trip in Sept. Don't want the hassle of taking a birth certificate to prove her age but I will if necessary to ensure she doesn't require a park ticket.

 

[piratemamaof3]

from things I have read the only time you would need a birth certificate is if you want the free ticket on your birthday. Other than that they take your word for it.

 

[AlternateEgo]

You can always just get a copy of the birth certificate. Keep it with your insurance papers (in case of emergencies).

 

[2Monkeys]

Most likely they will ask the kids, b/c kids won't lie about their age! I read a post on hear about funny things you've overheard...a CM asked a child how old they were upon entering the park with no ticket, child said '3' and CM sent the parents to Guest Services to buy a ticket!!

I don't think you'll have to worry about it!

 

[n2mm]

Most likely they will ask the kids, b/c kids won't lie about their age! I read a post on hear about funny things you've overheard...a CM asked a child how old they were upon entering the park with no ticket, child said '3' and CM sent the parents to Guest Services to buy a ticket!!

I don't think you'll have to worry about it!

I also wouldn't worry about this as my granddaugther always said the wrong number. When she was 2 1/2 she would say she was 5, because she liked the number 5. She even said she was 3, months before she was 3. Believe me, Disney is not going to argue with anyone about their kids' age unless it's totally unbelieveable, meaning if your supposively 9 year old son has a 5 o'clock shadow, then they might challenge you.

 

[smiths02]

Most likely they will ask the kids, b/c kids won't lie about their age! I read a post on hear about funny things you've overheard...a CM asked a child how old they were upon entering the park with no ticket, child said '3' and CM sent the parents to Guest Services to buy a ticket!!

I don't think you'll have to worry about it!

So I guess I will bring a birth certificate then....I mean just b/c kids won't lie (and many would) doesn't mean they know their age or their age at arrival, as many children will celebrate a birthday while staying at Disney...