fibbing on son's age

[toystorymom]

I guess you could bring a birth certificate but I really don't think it's necessary at all. When we went last time, one of my boys was a few weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. He was never given so much as a second glance. At the time he enjoyed telling people he was 5, just like his brother. I think that if a CM were to ask a child, it would be conversational, not trying to find out if the parents were trying to cheat the system. But like I said, no one ever asked or even looked like they cared about his age.

I think Disney relies on the honor system, and as guests it is our responsibility to be honest with them.

 

[stacy6552]

I dont think you need to bring a Bcert. We took our son a fewq times around his thrid birthday and we were never once asked. We took our younger son last spring and again we were never once asked. Though I bought him a ticket, I would have been really aggrivated to buy him a ticket and have him not be allowed on any more rides than he could have ridden when he was an infant, because he wasnt 40". He just made it though.

 

[xplor]

Originally posted by crabmeal
Just to say I know someone who besides going free with military passes put her 6 yo in a double stroller and got her in free. HEr DS was in the same stroller was over three too. I couldn;t believe they did this and got away with it. She told me to do the same with my DS but I said no Im buying him a ticket. I could understand if they turn three on ths vacation but she was way wrong doing that.

I'm sure you didn't mean to- but you "sound" as if you are saying she was also "wrong" for using a military pass. I really don't mean to be picky, but what she did wrong was get the kids in free. (the way you used "besides going free she did this....")

 

[HappyMommy2]

I've enjoyed reading this thread's uplifting "honesty-is-the-best-policy" posts. Glad to hear that so many of us are teaching our kids to be honest even in this day and age!

I remember when I was about 7, I asked my dad why he paid for my little brother to get into the movies even though my brother had just turned 3 (the cutoff age) the week before. My dad replied, "Honey, would you walk off with one of those pumpkins they're selling in front of the grocery store without paying for it?" Of course I said, "NO! That would be stealing!"
He said, "Think about it. Is there really any difference between the movie ticket and the pumpkin?"
That little conversation has stayed with me all my life. I'm so thankful my parents taught me right and wrong; I hope to give my kids the same gift!

 

[MinnieGi]

For all those who have twos and will be near their third birthday or tunring it during their trip, please do not get anxious or worry someone will question you at the gate. No one will question you. I just don't want anyone to have another thing to worry about, there is enough already when trip planning.

Thank you to all the honest parents out there too! It is nice to see.

Our DD has had three awesome free trips b/c she was under 3 into Disney. Now that she has turned three we are buying her an annual pass. There is soooo much for a 3 year old to see and do there. IMHO you get your money's worth!

 

[tonysgal34]

Our problem is that our son is only 9 years old but looks like he's 13!! Around 5 feet tall and almost 200 lbs.!!! Anyway, so we are bringing his birth certificate with us so that we don't get hassled about the "child" hopper we bought him. Our daughter is the exact opposite! So we may not be asked at all-most will think that she's the "child" in our group as she is about 4 1/2 feet tall and only 68 lbs. but she's 12 1/2 years old!!!

 

[KathyFP]

I believe that it is more about the lesson for your child and not whether you get caught or not. Children learn what they live. If you are willing to lie once you are willing to lie another time. Then when your children grows up and lies, what do you say……

They learn from you.

 

[aunties]

Honesty is the best policy! My nephew was always small for his age, but I would never embarrass him by lying about his age. But, it was amzing how many times we were rewarded for our honesty and he was given the reduced price, especailly at movies and museums. Even just a compliment to him for being honest made his day!

 

[4greatboys]

For those of you that have kids under 2 and under 9 but they are big kids I wouldnt worry. Our first trip my oldest was 9 but a really big guy--he still is at 16 over 6ft tall. Not one cm ever questioned us on his age or made us feel like they thought he was older. I didnt take his birth certificate and no one ever asked for it or asked him or us his age so dont worry if your kid is just big for their age, they wont give you a hard time.

 

[todddebtd]

Just to add, I think a photocopy of the birth certificate is good enough. I would hate to lose that important document. My mom is a cast member so I will ask her if that would work and post her answer.

 

[justhat]

I don't think you'd need any ID, though I don't have any personal experience yet, because when you book your trip or buy passes, they don't ask for or tell you to have ID for kids showing proof of age.

We just got back last night from a great trip and on Sunday morning we left AKL for breakfast at Kona Cafe before heading to the MK. Well once we got to MK, my mom realized she left her AP back in our room, but to go back and get it would have taken at least an hour, so we went to guest services to get a new AP for her. While we were in line, we met a family who was waiting to buy tickets and the father told us his daughter had just turned 3 two weeks ago, but he was going to say she was 2 so he didn't have to pay for her. They were in front of us and just said they needed tickets for 2 adults and 1 child and were never even questioned about the age of the 2nd child (the 3 yo). So I'm assuming that since the CM didn't even ask him if she was under 3, that they probably go on your honesty and don't check. Though I didn't agree with what he did at all, since he didn't outright lie to the CM in front of his 2 kids by saying she was under 3, I felt a little better about it, since his kids probably have no idea what the ticket policies are and wouldn't know he snuck the youngest in. Even so, they probably heard him telling us the story, so it doesn't teach them much, but what can I do, they're his family?

 

[ginnymac]

We went to WDW when my DS was 2 weeks shy of his third birthday. He was still 2yo, and quite big for his age (wearing size 5 clothes). Everyone at playground, home etc... always mistook him for older. At WDW, NOT ONE CM EVER ASKED!!! And we didn't need his birth certificate. Do what is right, and everything will work out OK!

 

[Gupsmom]

One other point. Aside from just being honest, what if the child gets hurt in the park. If your 3 yr old requires medical attention, not having a valid ticket could come back to bite you. Obviously, you'll get the attention but there could be insurance issues and just the embarassment of being caught.

I'm glad you're going the honest way. I've been there myself. My daughter was 3 yrs 2 months for one of our trips and she was only 37 inches. There was not a single ride that she could do that she hadn't done at 2. In a way it stinks...I wish Disney would do something for 3 yrs and under 40 inches but, "them's da rules!!" Oh well.

Anyway...Have a blast. It's worth the ticket to see the joy in your child.

Jess