Free for under 3's - Do they check ?

[paulfoel]

Am I right in saying that the limit for free admission is still 3 yrs old?

Has anybody ever been / or heard of anyone having to prove the age of their child? I'm just thinking that generally you wouldn't carry ID for your child with you.

I suppose it must be difficult to judge on the size of the child considering the size of some kids in the US.....

On our next planned visit our son will be a week or two over three :-( . What would you do ?

 

[wils]

I believe that is correct

Personally if I was taking a 3 year old I'd pay for them though I don't know if and how they'd check child ages.

We are planning a trip just before DS turns 3 so that he's still free

 

[wilma-bride]

On our next planned visit our son will be a week or two over three :-( . What would you do ?

Disney policy is that children over the age of 3 need to have a ticket to gain entry. Personally, I would buy him a ticket

Just so you know, topics such as this have a tendency to get heated so be prepared for some varied (and possibly blunt) responses

 

[tashasmum]

Personally i would pay for a three year old. It would give me peace of mind. I am the sort of person that feels guilty going through customs and i have nothing to hide.

 

[AlanUK]

I would also pay. At the end of the day I would just rather be honest than risk having my holiday spoilt.

It might only take a quick question from a cast member and a small slip of concentration to give something away!

 

[TinkTatoo]

Another one who'd pay. DS turned 10 this year and his autism means that he hardly eats anything apart from a bowl of pasta at the buffet restaurants but as he is now 10 I'll pay the adult price for him. At the end of the day the ages for ticket prices and adult meals are Disney's policy so people should really abide by them

 

[jtlover]

Cast members might ask your child how old he is and that is where you will get caught out - it is just not worth the risk.

 

[paulh]

we went once when youngest was 3 1/2 went to buy tickets and they told us not too buy one as he was too small.Its up to you
Paulh

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Do Disney not go more by size than anything else?? - I was just thinking, you know your child, if they are small and not ready for most of the rides then it seems wrong to charge them for a ticket that they won't be using anymore than a 2 year old would??

Having said that I always obey all the rules and wouldn't feel right if I didn't pay - but I can certainly understand why someone wouldn't!!

 

[Cyrano]

Another who would pay. I know by DS would be proud to tell any CM that we wasn't 3 but 3 and 2 weeks

As Alan says better to be safe than spoil a holiday

 

[carolfoy]

I'd pay as well but only as Tim points out kids don't lie about stuff like that, at the end of the day though its your choice, I just know I'd be terrified that somebody would ask and that would actually spoil my holiday time looking over my shoulder.

 

[wilma-bride]

Do Disney not go more by size than anything else??

If they did, then you wouldn't buy tickets based on age, you would buy them based on height

I agree you know your child and some children are small at age 3 - but where do you draw the line. My daughter, who was 11 on our last trip, wouldn't go on any ride scarier than Dumbo - does that mean I should have been allowed to pay child price for her? No. It just meant I was more peeved that she didn't try and get MY money's worth

 

[Andy B]

There has been speculation that if you gain entry to the park or a ride under false pretences then you may not have full legal recourse should an incident occur. I am not sure how true this is.

However if you want others to respect other rules you approve of then I feel it is beholden on us to follow them all.

 

[carolfoy]

It just meant I was more peeved that she didn't try and get MY money's worth

agree joh, I think if Wdw is a massive financial undertaking then you have to work out first if its actually worth the expenditure for your family

 

[buzz182]

Again, i'm another that would pay.
We go every Nov and next year when we go our DS will have turned 3 in Oct.
We will have had him go for free last year and this year so we have had our moneys worth, not to mention the free character breakfasts and buffet meals as they don't charge for under 3's.

Like someone has already said they could ask your child at the gate how old they are, infact I have witnessed and heard on many occasions cast members speaking to toddlers especially asking them their age! Perhaps to see if their parents have purchased tickets for them or not.

Not only that, but it's teaching your child to be dishonest and lie about their age if asked.

Hope that helps,

Karina

 

[mikki.young]

Am I right in saying that the limit for free admission is still 3 yrs old?

Has anybody ever been / or heard of anyone having to prove the age of their child? I'm just thinking that generally you wouldn't carry ID for your child with you.

I suppose it must be difficult to judge on the size of the child considering the size of some kids in the US.....

On our next planned visit our son will be a week or two over three :-( . What would you do ?

Yes - under 3 is free
Yes, but not necessarily formally as other posters have given examples of how they ask the toddlers
If the child is over 3 you pay for a ticket. No question. Anything else is dishonest and theft. One day or one year over you pay. The only area I am not clear on is if the child turns 3 while you are there. Maybe someone else knows the answer to that question?

 

[Goofyish]

The only area I am not clear on is if the child turns 3 while you are there. Maybe someone else knows the answer to that question?

As far as I know if the child is under 3 at the start of the holiday, but has a birthday whilst there you don't need to buy them a ticket.

 

[cheryl.UK]

I don't go on any ride scarier than Dumbo either. Can I get a child's ticket please. (PS, I'm 41)

 

[paulfoel]

we went once when youngest was 3 1/2 went to buy tickets and they told us not too buy one as he was too small.Its up to you
Paulh

And they didnt ask you how old he was ?

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Buy a ticket simple