Has anyone ever had CM question child's age?

[KimberlyC]

I think we all realize this, even the original poster. Here is the relavent part of her first post:


The problem she is facing is that she had theoretically locked in 2005 prices for the entire package, was assured by her TA that they could "postpone" their existing trip rather than do a whole new ressie, and now, suddenly, just by virtue of her older son being 10+ instead of 3-9, her entire package (not just her son's park pass) has to increase to 2006 rates. If this happened to me, I'd be more than happy to pay for my eldest child's ticket increase, but no way would I be willing to suddenly have to pay 2006 prices -- to the tune of $300 more than planned -- for a package I originally booked at 2005 prices with travel insurance.

I'm gonna stick with my recommendation -- seconded by another poster who "got it" -- to upgrade his admission media from 3-9 to 10+ at park Guest Relations. It won't be free, but it sure won't be $300.

I don't disagree with your recommendation. The problem I have is that denanbob stated (back on page 3) that she was going to use the child tix for her 10 year old. She never indicated that she intended to take your advice but, rather, she suggested that she was going to do nothing....leave the incorrect info and use the child tix. She also stated that she didn't feel bad about it. Bicker then indicated that she considered what denanbob was doing to be "deceipt by omission" and denanbob responded by saying "What did I do wrong????????? What deception are you speaking of?"

My point was simply that while denanbob may not have known at the time of booking, she knows now. It's not Disney's fault that she changed her dates. If she wants to pass her 10 year old off as 9, so be it. But she shouldn't expect everyone to agree with her decision and by posting her intent, she shouldn't take issue with people who, like bicker, state that in their opinion its deceitful.
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DISUNC: I don't think this is a nasty thread. I just think some people (myself included) get frustrated by the fact that we need to carry around birth certificates (even though its a little piece of paper and not a major inconvenience) because others choose to break the rules and Disney really can't take anybody at their word because of it. I've said before that I don't really care what others do so long as it doesn't affect me. But if someone tells me that they intend to break the rules, I hope they don't expect me to openly agree with it and they shouldn't take issue with anyone who openly disagrees with it.

 

[amesmom]

My point was simply that while denanbob may not have known at the time of booking, she knows now. It's not Disney's fault that she changed her dates. If she wants to pass her 10 year old off as 9, so be it. But she shouldn't expect everyone to agree with her decision and by posting her intent, she shouldn't take issue with people who, like bicker, state that in their opinion its deceitful.
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Perhaps you didn't get a chance to see denanbob's latest post, but she does intend to upgrade the ticket at the park. She didn't know all the in's and out's of Disney (but I'd get a new TA if I were her cuz the TA should know). She's expressed appreciation for all the advice on how to upgrade the ticket. And she's asked for a truce. Do you think we could all agree to that? Please?

We took DS to WDW 3 weeks after his 3rd birthday. I insisted on buying him a ticket even though I got a little eye-rolling from DH.

 

[amesmom]

I wish I would have known about being able to upgrade a child's ticket. I bought an adult ticket for my 9-year-old because he would be ten by the time we used the extra days on a future trip. I've since been told by several people on the DIS board (you all know so much ) that Disney would have upgraded him for free. Oh, well. That mistake only cost me $39. Live and learn.

 

[KimberlyC]

Perhaps you didn't get a chance to see denanbob's latest post, but she does intend to upgrade the ticket at the park. She didn't know all the in's and out's of Disney (but I'd get a new TA if I were her cuz the TA should know). She's expressed appreciation for all the advice on how to upgrade the ticket. And she's asked for a truce. Do you think we could all agree to that? Please?

We took DS to WDW 3 weeks after his 3rd birthday. I insisted on buying him a ticket even though I got a little eye-rolling from DH.

Ok, but I wasn't aware that a "truce" was necessary. She never directed any comments toward me and my last post wasn't directed to her. It was simply an explanation to the poster who did direct a post to me. I'm glad that she received some helpful advice that provided her with an alternative to her original stated course of action.

I'm also glad that this topic has been addressed. It brings awarness to the fact that having a birth certificate (which I never would have thought of before finding the DISboards) may avert problems for some people whose children don't look their ages. I have recently ordered my DS a passport since we'll need it for our cruise next year, but I know we won't receive it before leaving for WDW so I'll take a copy of his BC, just in case. My father always says, "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.."

 

[kaytieeldr]

Rough crowd out here!!!!!! Anyway, I think Disney charges way too much for their tickets to begin with. And they get away with the price hikes because THEY CAN.

Disney charges an admission rate that allows them to keep up the parks, improve and add attractions, pay the CMs and (ideally) generate a profit for their owners/shareholders. Nobody - least of all someone who feels they charge 'too much' has to visit Walt Disney World

Ok, AGAIN............I didn't KNOW his age change meant anything at all. I didn't KNOW that 10 year olds are considered adults.

For clarification, ten-year-olds are not considered adults, they're considered regular. UNDER ten is considered a child and qualifies for reduced park admission rates.

 

[DISUNC]

DISUNC: I don't think this is a nasty thread. I just think some people (myself included) get frustrated by the fact that we need to carry around birth certificates (even though its a little piece of paper and not a major inconvenience) because others choose to break the rules and Disney really can't take anybody at their word because of it. I've said before that I don't really care what others do so long as it doesn't affect me. But if someone tells me that they intend to break the rules, I hope they don't expect me to openly agree with it and they shouldn't take issue with anyone who openly disagrees with it.

Really I dont mean to offend anybody, but lately it is just WAY too easy to do that on these boards.

You know the old saying..."Rules are meant to be broken".
To me, it really doesn't make a difference if a 10 year olds parent pay only for a 9 year old. That 10 year old will probably not go on as many attractions, due to size, as a 14 year old would. If the Op can save a few bucks doing this, then why not? (oh I feel the flames now).

I can't understand why WDW charges 10 year old the same as 21 year olds. WDW has one method of collecting fees, which is based on age. Then they have another method of who goes on what attraction, based on size.

Maybe they should charge everybody admission by their height? Or allow everybody to go on attractions based on their age? Make up their minds!

Now as far as the "nasty" statement. I am sticking by my word. There has been some real nasty flamers on these boards lately. Whether they are real or just trying to 'stir' things up...I dont know. But there has been a definte increase of it.

I often think that people flame others on this board because they didn't think of whatever the reason is that they are flaming about, first. More so than they are just upstanding humans who must point out the ills of others ways. And most flamers are quite willing to tell everybody just how honest & trustworthy they are! (WOW its really getting hot in here). From my own life experience, if you tell me how 'honest' you are.....You are probably not at all!

 

[*Disney*Magic*]

nope if anything they expect people to do this. i went with my aunt and my sister who was 6 at the time wasnt even ask for her ticket once in any of the disney parks.

 

[beattyfamily]

nope if anything they expect people to do this. i went with my aunt and my sister who was 6 at the time wasnt even ask for her ticket once in any of the disney parks.

Wow, now 6 is really pushing it. They shouldn't have to 'ask' for your pass, you should put it through the turnstyle.

 

[TikiHut33309]

LOL!!!!! I knew I was going to get a response somewhere along the line!!! I work in aviation so I know what aircraft is owned by who. If you would like to see for yourself the planes owned by Disney (and these are ones listed under the Disney name, there may be more under different corporate names), just go on FAA.com under Registration Search and type in the name Disney under owner name. See for yourself where your rate hikes are going!!! I know that CM's need to be paid and the parks need maintenance, etc. However, this is a quote from an economics article: "For a longer picture of what Fortune dubbed "The Great CEO Pay Heist," look at the treasure paid to Disney CEO Michael Eisner in the ten years ending in 2002. Eisner collected $954 million, by Business Week count, an average of 95.4 million a year--more than $1.8 million a week. " We the people, need to understand that as long as CEO's are paid OUTRAGEOUS salaries and have huge Boeing jets to hop around in, WE need to pay to maintain their lifestyle as well. All I was saying before basically is that if Disney lowered their price on the tickets a bit, people may not be desperate enough to have to try to sneak their kids in at a lower rate. Remember that ALL families would like to experience the magic and give their kids the same experiences that the rich kids get to do, but that may not be possible in the near future. As long as CEO's get paid $95.4 MILLION per YEAR, this country is in for some trouble as the gap between the rich and the rest of us widens. And I know I don't HAVE to go to Disney, but I do have to get gas, pay taxes, buy food, etc., so no matter what any of us do, we are still supporting corporate greed in one way or another.

 

[hsmamato2]

I really don't like the idea of having to carry a birth certificate around on vacation. This is a vital piece of paper with all my childs info on it, I would NEVER wave it in some cm's face just b/c they asked,any more than i would give out my ss # to any store employee that says they need it for (whatever) purpose. I agree with some other posters, WDW is a private company,and legally, I don't think they have the right to demand government issued paperwork documenting age,or identity.Especially to an underaged citizen, who's obviously with me,a clearly(by my license) documented adult,and one who's paying admission with proper "id"
I've been to Disney for almost every year for at least 20 years, and no one has ever been rude or questioned us that way. if anyone did, i would ask to see a high ranking supervisor NOW to sort out the problem. I wouldn't feel compelled to bring along govt. issued id. and info that is none of that cm's personal business. I know,WDW, their rules on their property, but this is about what's legal,in the United States ,I don't see it as an honest or not issue,b/c clearly some aren't(not referring to the OP) I see it as an "I don't lightly take this sort of info ANYWHERE at all, much less an unsecure theme park with unsecured,who-knows-what type of people asking to see private papers. my .02.....

 

[traviesojmt]

All I was saying before basically is that if Disney lowered their price on the tickets a bit, people may not be desperate enough to have to try to sneak their kids in at a lower rate. Remember that ALL families would like to experience the magic and give their kids the same experiences that the rich kids get to do, but that may not be possible in the near future.

Disney is a vacation. It is not a necessity. Desperation is when you need to figure out how to feed your kids, not to take a vacation. My husband is military and we aren't rich by any stretch of the imagination. But, we can afford to take our kids to Disney every year. Why? Because we don't buy what we can't afford. We have no debt. No credit card bills, no car payments. Can I afford to do everything I would like to do? No. Does it bother me that other people can? No. I just can't justify breaking the rules because I don't like what they are charging me. If I can't afford to go, I don't go.

 

[beattyfamily]

Disney is a vacation. It is not a necessity. Desperation is when you need to figure out how to feed your kids, not to take a vacation. My husband is military and we aren't rich by any stretch of the imagination. But, we can afford to take our kids to Disney every year. Why? Because we don't buy what we can't afford. We have no debt. No credit card bills, no car payments. Can I afford to do everything I would like to do? No. Does it bother me that other people can? No. I just can't justify breaking the rules because I don't like what they are charging me. If I can't afford to go, I don't go.

Well said, neighbor!

 

[seashoreCM]

Maybe they should charge everybody admission by their height?

Museum tour guide: "See that mark on the pole? If a person was taller than that then he had to pay adult fare to ride the streetcar*. No questions asked." Timeframe: 1940's.

I suppose Disney could have one universal height indicator stick or pole used to determine whether a guest pays child or adult admission and also to determine eligibility for going on certain rides. I doubt if this idea would gain much favor. The approximate age cutoff would be seven.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

In case you are wondering what would happen if a child took off his shoes before boarding the streetcar, I recall reading (back in grade school) a story (fiction) about a family too poor to afford shoes for the children (fortunately it was set in a warn climate). Shoes (nothing was said about shirts) were required to ride. So this family had shoes for half of the children. At the trolley stop each child took one shoe and that was a loophole permitted by the streetcar company.

 

[TikiHut33309]

I was not justifying the behaviour, but I can understand it. Just like I can understand why a senior citizen would try to give the supermarket cashier an expired coupon for tuna fish. I do not agree with these acts but I can understand why they happen. But those of you that are absolutely perfect can put on your Disney goggles and pretend that the world is a wonderful, magical place. I always try to look at the big picture and see it from all angles. And there is a very old expression out there that goes something like this: "And let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

 

[traviesojmt]

I was not justifying the behaviour, but I can understand it. Just like I can understand why a senior citizen would try to give the supermarket cashier an expired coupon for tuna fish. I do not agree with these acts but I can understand why they happen. But those of you that are absolutely perfect can put on your Disney goggles and pretend that the world is a wonderful, magical place. I always try to look at the big picture and see it from all angles. And there is a very old expression out there that goes something like this: "And let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

Just because someone disagrees, it doesn't mean that they think that they are perfect. The quote is biblical. As is: " Thou shalt not steal" and "thou shalt not lie". Do I make mistakes? Of course. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. My point wasn't about not having compassion when someone is struggling to support their family. My point was that Disney is a vacation. I don't think that not being able to afford Disney compares with other hardships. And again, I was respectfully disagreeing. I was not trying of offend.

 

[KimberlyC]

Really I dont mean to offend anybody, but lately it is just WAY too easy to do that on these boards.

You know the old saying..."Rules are meant to be broken".
To me, it really doesn't make a difference if a 10 year olds parent pay only for a 9 year old. That 10 year old will probably not go on as many attractions, due to size, as a 14 year old would. If the Op can save a few bucks doing this, then why not? (oh I feel the flames now).

I can't understand why WDW charges 10 year old the same as 21 year olds. WDW has one method of collecting fees, which is based on age. Then they have another method of who goes on what attraction, based on size.

Maybe they should charge everybody admission by their height? Or allow everybody to go on attractions based on their age? Make up their minds!

Now as far as the "nasty" statement. I am sticking by my word. There has been some real nasty flamers on these boards lately. Whether they are real or just trying to 'stir' things up...I dont know. But there has been a definte increase of it.

I often think that people flame others on this board because they didn't think of whatever the reason is that they are flaming about, first. More so than they are just upstanding humans who must point out the ills of others ways. And most flamers are quite willing to tell everybody just how honest & trustworthy they are! (WOW its really getting hot in here). From my own life experience, if you tell me how 'honest' you are.....You are probably not at all!

You've got a point on the size issue. Personally I prefer theme parks that use height to determine the cost of admission rather than age (with the exception of senior discount). 35" is the lowest height requirement at MK that I know of, its for Barnstormer. My almost 2 year old is still too short, but should be able to ride when he's 3. Say for example, under 35" is free. 35" - ? (either 48" or 52" whatever the majority of the rides require) are kid prices and over that is adult. I guess then, there would never be a question.

 

[TikiHut33309]

No offense taken, like I said, I look at things at all angles, even yours. But let me ask you this, do you think Michael Eisner's $1.8 million dollar WEEKLY salary was too high? And if you think that salary is reasonable, please explain why. I would love to hear your opinion about it.

 

[beattyfamily]

But let me ask you this, do you think Michael Eisner's $1.8 million dollar WEEKLY salary was too high? And if you think that salary is reasonable, please explain why. I would love to hear your opinion about it.

oh, I always wanted to use this smilie and I finally get to!!

 

[TikiHut33309]

Not really off topic.........the point a few posts ago was that if Disney lowered their ticket prices more people might not try to pass kids off as younger than they are. Which was the beginning topic before someone started blasting one woman who did not change her Disney package because her son turned 10. It was stated that the Disney ticket prices are so high because of CM salaries and park maint., and I pointed out that Disney pays ALOT to its CEO and owns very expensive aircraft. Lots of people have opinions about not "stealing" from Disney by not paying the 10 year old price but no one has opinions about the outrageous extravagance in the Disney corp. which is one of the reasons the ticket prices are SO high. I just wanted to see if I am the only person on this site that thinks this way.

 

[tmarquez]

My DD is 3 now, but we live close by and have been dozens of times when she was 2. We were never asked her age, I never saw anyone asked their childs age (although I didn't really look for it either). Sometimes she walks in, sometimes she sits in the stroller, almost everytime the CM will talk to her, but they never had a conversation about age. It's ususally something about princesses or Mickey. Depending on her favorite number that day, if asked her age, she would most likely reply "8" or "4" or "36".

Disney states you need a FL ID for resident tickets, or your AP for an AP rate, but I've never seen or heard of them saying to bring ID for your 3 year old! I don't travel with my childs birth certificate, there's no reason to.

As a customer, I personally would be offended if a CM questioned me in front of my family about the age of my 2 year old. They are calling me a liar?

As someone who has worked for various companies as a customer service manager, I would be shocked if Disney would knowingly allow or make it policy for a CM to question a child about their age. There are other ways to handle flagrant cases. If this had ever happened to me, I would have immediately spoken to a manager and that would have been the end of it.

Now...on the other hand...if you want to sneak your 3 year old in without paying...just make a fake birth certificate, easy enough. And I recommend practicing with your child ahead of time "I am 2 3/4...I am 2 3/4"...if they refuse (or slip up and say they are 6) just have them wait for you in the car.