Exceeding occupancy limit w/ 3 yo? Sneaking?

[TheLittleRoo]

Does WDW really pay attention if we book a value for 2A2C, and bring our 3 y/o under the radar? I would like to stay somewhere other than Alligator Bayou at POR, and could also use the $$ savings by downgrading from Mod to Value.

I realize this is probably a touchy subject, but really, does anyone notice and/or care? DS3 would sleep in a little pullout chair or some such comfy-ness. I realize it might be tight quarters but we would put away his bedroll other than nighttime anyway.

TIA for your responses.

 

[HM]

Values have no comfy chairs.
Your child will not have a room key and won't be eligible for Extra Magic Hours.
Your family will not be able to all do the dining plan or get tickets of everyone on resort keys....or at least your 3 yr old will be left out.

People have done what you suggest. However, you are taking the chance that housekeeping notices and tells someone and you are then tossed out of your room for having too many people.

I know you want to save money, but if you dont' want to do POR, then how about a suite at ASMusic instead. That would accomodate all of your family, and each child will have his/her own bed.

 

[christa112]

I completely understand, we have 3 children too, but like PP stated there are no comfy chairs and no room for a fold away bed, which I am sure they would not give you anyway (not even sure if they have them). When we stay at ASMo my dd was in a pack n play and it was really tight, we had to move the pack n play just to move around.

I am sure this is not what you want to hear, but I would look into a Mod or family suite.

Also, like you mentioned this a very touchy subject be prepared.

 

[ChelleinNC]

You also wouldn't be able to use ME as well as the other stuff mentioned by pp's, and the biggest issue is safety. The room occupancy limits are because of fire codes.

 

[DawnM]

We have 3 kids too and have done this at other hotels, but not at Disney.

We stay off-site to save money and get a 1 or 2 bedroom condo which is so much more comfortable for us.

Dawn

 

[roadtripper]

While I've never heard of anyone being tossed out for occupancy, you might also consider that if you are frequent visitors to WDW, they ask names and ages of the family. They might wonder where your four year old came from next year, if they're not listed on this year's ressie.

I agree that WDW should have more options for larger families. We are a family of four, so it doesn't apply to us, but I'm sure I would be tempted as well.

 

[lillygator]

my youngest has never had to show a room key for extra hours, in fact neither of my children have.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I hadn't thought of all the key issues, but not expecting that to matter anyway since DS3 won't be getting into the room by himself (wink).

I know we'd have to buy him a ticket separate (Undercover Tourist), and we never do the EMH parks anyway. I know my DS, and he won't even be aware that his ticket is 'different' in any way. The 'comfy chair' is from home, it's the kind you sit on or unfurl and it makes a toddler sized bed.

I had not thought of ME, so that's a deal breaker for us. We'd have to get a taxi, which might still come out ahead $$, but as a cumulative savings + hassle, probably not worth it. Unless we drove....

Fire hazard I just don't understand. If all the rooms were filled to capacity, that is the fire code maximum. But you know they're not each filled with exactly 4 people, so how can one extra tiny person in a room tip the scale?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It is against the rules so I would say no.

 

[imsayin]

does anyone notice and/or care?

Honestly, the answer to this question would be "not really". What it comes down to for me is what I want to teach my kids by example. Your older kids may notice and wonder why cheating is okay for this.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It's not that it is a fire hazzard to have more than 4 people in a value room. It is a fire code violation. Disney does not dictate the fire code for Value Resort rooms, the county in which those resorts sit sets the room occupancy limit. Disney is compelled to enforce those limits.

So, it's not like this is a "Disney Rule". It's the law. You can certainly try to do it. You will probably get away with it. But if you are caught, Disney will have no recourse but to either offer another room arrangement that will suit your family's size (at your expense and rack rates) or else you will be asked to leave the property. And yes, it has been done.

I'm not being judgemental. This is just the way it is. Whenever anyone decides to break the rules - whether by exceeding the speed limit or an occupany limit - they do so by assessing the risk and the consequences. Only you can decide if the risk of getting caught is worth the consequences.

 

[LAH LAH]

If it was ok it would read: 2 adults, 2 children and we don't mind if you sneak in anyone under the age of 4.

In my opinion this is not right.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[TangaroaTiki]

Does WDW really pay attention if we book a value for 2A2C, and bring our 3 y/o under the radar? I would like to stay somewhere other than Alligator Bayou at POR, and could also use the $$ savings by downgrading from Mod to Value.

I realize this is probably a touchy subject, but really, does anyone notice and/or care? DS3 would sleep in a little pullout chair or some such comfy-ness. I realize it might be tight quarters but we would put away his bedroll other than nighttime anyway.

TIA for your responses.

We've done this many times in the past with no problems at all, even EMH

 

[DianeV]

As far as the older children 'noticing' and knowing they are 'cheating' come on..kids dont notice or even know about things like that

We all know what the rule is...what someone chooses to do is up to them and it doesnt make them a bad person

 

[TangaroaTiki]

As far as the older children 'noticing' and knowing they are 'cheating' come on..kids dont notice or even know about things like that

We all know what the rule is...what someone chooses to do is up to them and it doesnt make them a bad person

Agreed

 

[imsayin]

As far as the older children 'noticing' and knowing they are 'cheating' come on..kids dont notice or even know about things like that

I have had several situations where I could have cheated on my kids age. They are both small for their age. DD has seen me argue to pay adult prices for her when the cashier is charging me a child rate. Maybe your kids don't notice or maybe you think they don't notice, but mine do, and I make it a point to show them how I would want them to handle it. To say kids don't notice or know about things like that, I would have to strongly disagree.

 

[LAH LAH]

As far as the older children 'noticing' and knowing they are 'cheating' come on..kids dont notice or even know about things like that.

My kids would notice...and call me out on it. I think we sometimes don't give our kids enough credit...they are always listening and absorbing values and such.

Good luck with your desicion!

 

[cm387]

I wouldn't do it just because of the space issue. We just came back from there on Sunday and there is no way we would do that. We stayed there once when it was just 4 of us. We had the pack and play, a double stroller and our luggage and could barely walk in the room. We put the pack and play between the two beds which barely fits and the luggage took up a large space and with the stroller there was just no where to move. We go two connecting rooms this time and everyone had lots of room and two bathrooms was great. I would close the doors in the morning when I was getting ready and the kids could sleep in a little longer and no one was fighting over space and who was sleeping with who. Everybody had their own bed and it was wonderful! There is no way I would try and squeeze everyone in again. They would have let us stay at POR this trip since the youngest is 2, but no thank you. I gladly spent an extra couple of bucks for two rooms. I know we weren't in the room that much, but I can't see all of us in one room. Especially with getting ready and trying to get out the door. This is just my experience.

 

[WDWorBUST]

If that's the rule then I wouldn't do it....however....I thought the values would allow you to have 5 as long as one of the children was 3 or younger. (I only have one child so no personal experience...just thought I had read that here on the boards at some point).

 

[Green Tea]

I have had several situations where I could have cheated on my kids age. They are both small for their age. DD has seen me argue to pay adult prices for her when the cashier is charging me a child rate. Maybe your kids don't notice or maybe you think they don't notice, but mine do, and I make it a point to show them how I would want them to handle it. To say kids don't notice or know about things like that, I would have to strongly disagree.

But if you are being charged a child rate for what should be an adult rate, your child must be considerably older than 3. A 13 year old is certainly more cognizant of rules than a 3 year old.

A 2 year old would be fine as a fifth person in a value, so I can't see what the fuss is about a 3 year old in that same room. You can't list the 3 year old on the reservation, so in terms of that, it is certainly up in the air. I can not imagine a housekeeper reporting a suspicious toddler to management and management actually coming to investigate. But that is just my take on the situation. Do whatever you want. It is your choice, though I suspect many here will tell you they would never break a Disney rule.

One of my 3 year olds was a real handfull. If management had come to investigate I may well have said, yes, he is 3. You can take him away and I pick him up when I check out. And, thanks. Have a very Disney Day.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.