Hoop-De-Doo: Anyone Else Pay the Child Price for a 10 Year Old?

[kidd_freeper]

I would like to treat my family to Hoop-de-Doo on our trip in July.

However, the prices are very high. I especially have a problem paying for an adult meal for my ten year old son, who is small for his age, doesn't eat much and (of course) doesn't drink alcoholic beverages. I will already be paying an adult price for a 17 yo daughter that won't be drinking alcohol either.

On one hand, I have a conscience problem with buying a child ticket for the ten year old.

On the other hand, I have a problem with Disney charging an extra $25 at age ten for the same meal.

1. Anyone else pay a child price for a child ten and over?
2. Do the Hoop De Doo CMs even check or care about a kid who is close to ten?

 

[imthatgirl]

You know like anything else at Disney....a kid on the cusp of a ticket change will usually(almost always) get away with it.

What it comes down to is your integrity. Is $25 worth that, only you can decide that.

 

[ancestry]

Well at Hoop De Doo much of the price is for the entertainment not the food. At the dinner shows you are paying more for the entertainment than you are the food.

Not to be the morality policy but I personally would pay the correct price for my child's age. Either that or book the dining plan and then use 2 dining points for the meal (which is what we did last year).

 

[rgf207]

as they say in the Budweiser Commercial...

"Here we go!"

and

IBTL

 

[ElizabethB]

My only advice -- if you're paying the 9-year-old price, make sure your child knows he is "9". Disney apparently trains their hostesses to ask kids who appear to be on the cusp, "And, how old are you?"

It may seem conversational and interactive, but to me clearly seems calculated to embarrass the parents and discourage them from doing it again.

Interestingly, if as a PP indicates, the price is mostly for the entertainment, I'd have no problem paying the 9-year-old price! Why? Because the child is going to get exactly the same enjoyment from it whether he is 9, 10 or 50.

I believe the price differential is based on food consumption. Disney seems to think that kids jump up to adult consumption at age 10. I think that's specious. Our boys didn't really start eating like adults until they were 12 or perhaps 13. Even then, one insisted on ordering from the kids' menu since it had the only things he liked. When we realized we were buying two kids meals in order to fill him up a 14-year-old, we finally persuaded him to simply order the adult steak. But it took some effort.

 

[PinkRhombus]

 

[frkymcky]

I understand it is hard to swallow the prices that are charged for children older than 9. What I would recommend you think about is what is the lesson you want to teach your child? I thought about this when it came time to by my DS3 his park ticket for our upcoming trip, I am sure I could have "gotten away" with saying he was 2, but honestly that isn't the lesson I want to teach him or my DD7. Rules are rules and some we don't agree with, but again IMO I believe we need to follow them - If for no other reason than to teach our kids.

I hope this helps some. Good luck!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Disney's policy for all you can eat meals is to charge by age, not consumption. Many 10 year old boys eat less than their 9-year old counterparts, while many eat more than a 30-year old woman. Many adults don't drink alcohol, many drink a lot. Disney doesn't base the price on the pounds of food consumed per person. Some people will find HDDR hilarious, others not so much. No discount if you don't think it is funny.

If you want to be able to pay the child's price, you should go to a restaurant that would allow you to order a child's meal (i.e. a restaurant where you order off the menu). Many a la carte table service restaurants will allow 10-year olds to order off the child's menu. An all-you-can-eat meal might not be the best option for your family at this time if you don't feel that the price charged is a good value. Fortunately, Disney offers lots of options for people of all appetites and preferences.

HDDR is a big investment. If you are not sure it is worth the adult price, perhaps wait a few years until your 10-year old eats like a teenager. Disney doesn't charge extra for teenage boys compared to other adults.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I had the same issues w/ the buffets when DS turned 10 but I just can't lie or ask him to lie so we paid the piper! Of course at 9 we carried his birth certificate because he looked like a 13 year old. Now at 13, he's 6' tall but some of his short friends could certainly pass for 9. Think of it as a one time experience.

 

[Brook1099]

I am paying 71.99 @ day for Deluxe for my 10yr. old who is going to be ordering off the kids menu for an average of 7$, twice a day. She may order some adult meals but mostly still orders off childs. Hoop de du included. I am going deluxe for the experiences and not the food or money.

So my theory is:we have to deal with the cost and age guidelines and have a good time w/ family or skip it.

 

[angelmav]

So you know your breaking the rules but are asking anyway for what? A pat on the back that it is ok?

Do what you gotta do, but dont expect to get a pass from the morality police.

And the advice before, make sure your kid knows they are in on the act or your likely to be embarrased at some point.

I get why people do this, I dont get why they feel the need for encouragement to do it.

 

[jturling]

Remember tip is included.So this may offset the cost.

 

[TDC Nala]

This thread is closed. Disney's rules are that a ten year old should pay the adult price.