Hotel help and child age question

[lei8809]

Hi, so we're all set for our trip on December 4-9. We have reservations at the Islander Inn. Does anyone know how the hotel is? Some reviews seem good and others not so good.

Also it's a block from the park but it's technically on the opposite side of the entrance. Some have said it's an ok walk, others say take the ART, and a couple said to take the bus from the toy story parking lot. Is that even possible?

Also, our son is 2 but is going to be three in Jan. He's about 37-38 in and he talks a lot. A friend of ours said that with all the changes in Disneyland that they will give us a hard time with him and that we may as well buy him a ticket because they'll make us do it anyway.

She is kind of bitter towards Disneyland for several unrelated things (we don't really agree with her on any of it) so is it just her or could this be a problem with us as well?

DH has said that he might just buy him one but I kind of feel like we've been saving for this trip and could use that money for other things like souvenirs. I've read that some people have had problems with kids who are 2 but look older and I don't really want to deal with that kind of hassle. I think those 4-5 day lines are going to be bad enough.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know nothing about the hotel.

I, personally, am not big on walking into a parking lot and using the buses, but others have done that sort of thing.

But if I'm looking at the right place (Anaheim Islander on Katella?) I'd just walk to Katella and Harbor, cross, cross again so I'm walking on the park side of Harbor, and go in the main entrance.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

You don't have to buy a ticket for a child until they turn 3. This means if you are actually there on the childs 3rd birthday, but start the trip before, they still go free.

Our son was also tall for his age and we NEVER had a problem. If you are concerned take the birth certificate. We did that just in case, and never once needed it.

Trust me, you are going to be forking out money for tickets soon enough, so wait until you have to pay.

 

[pixiewings71]

BTW the 4-5 day lines are no longer.

 

[bumbershoot]

Aha, so there's the age question.

They charge once a child has turned 3. Not *almost* 3.

Our son was also tall for his age and we NEVER had a problem. If you are concerned take the birth certificate. We did that just in case, and never once needed it.

Same here. My son was big and confused other kids who thought he was older, but he was on the later side for talking, and adults (who were paying attention) could always tell that he was younger than his height said. The CMs didn't have a problem.

 

[scrapshappen]

Yep, we had a tall, verbal 2 year old and no one ever said anything about it to us.

Now, seven years later, we have a 4'11 9 year old and I worry that no one is going to ever believe he's only 9. Guess we'll find out when we are there in 12 days!!!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Yep, we had a tall, verbal 2 year old and no one ever said anything about it to us.

Now, seven years later, we have a 4'11 9 year old and I worry that no one is going to ever believe he's only 9. Guess we'll find out when we are there in 12 days!!!

My same tall child just turned 10 in September. When we were there in March nobody questioned his age. You should be fine!

 

[scrapshappen]

I did just talk to the travel agent at Costco because our travel documents actually have our 9 year old listed as 8. He said that he has heard of some parents carrying around a photocopy of the birth certificate in case there was an issue.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

We always took a birth certificate when we were concerned about age issues. I recommend taking a copy.

 

[lei8809]

Thanks everyone for all your responses! They're a really big help.

I hadn't even thought about a birth certificate copy so that's a great idea.

I think as far as the hotel thing I'm looking way too into it. DH and I don't mind the walk but I'm not sure about my mom and aunt. They get really about California drivers but I'll just reassure them it'll be ok.