How closely do they check kids' ages?

[Tnkrbelle565]

honestly. I would have to disagree here. I think it's great that they allow under 3 in free, but honestly, they should. Any age under 3 is not going to remember their days at Disney later on. Think back to your first memories, mine are age 4. I would be lying if I said I could remember doing something at age 2. If I had to dish out a couple of hundred $ for something my baby is not going to remember, I probably wouldn't go. JMO.


......I would say, it's really her call on what she wants to do. I personally wouldn't. but thats just me.

Two Comments:

1) This really depends on the child. My DD was 2 on her first trip and can give you a total replay (without pics to prompt her) now at the age of 6 1/2. Only you know how well your child will remember these things.

2) You are being charged for the time you spent there...not the memories of it you'll have afterward! If that was true- they shouldn't charge me because I have to refer to my notes when writing a TR for a trip I JUST took!!!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Personally, I would buy the ticket. My oldest DD is VERY small. She is the exact same size as a 7 year old friend even though she is 10 1/2. She could probably pass for a child ticket, but by her age she needs an adult ticket.

Now I am worried about my 2yr old, though, after this thread. She is very small for her age, but if questioned, she'll tell you she's 3. She's 2, won't be 3 until June, but will argue with you that she is 3. She's been doing it since she turned 2. She likes to argue. Little stinker..... Maybe I'll bring a copy of her birth certificate just in case. Wait a second, she's aging again. She just told me she's 4.

If she is three I would buy a ticket.

This is what I'm worried about - DD#1 won't be 3 until June. We are going to be celebrating her sister's 1st birthday on the trip. I'm bringing a copy of DD#1's birth certificate with us though b.c DD#1 is the youngest in her preschool (2 year program) class - all the kids are turning 3 between Dec and April - so they are several months older. There are always birthday celebrations in her class - so now when you ask her how old she is she will say 3!!!

So I guess if they ask her and she says three I will then have to pull out her birth certificate the whole trip? - I assume if she says she is three then I will have to prove she isn't right?

I guess my post was confusing. She's only 2, but she will say she is 3. We are going in April, she won't actually be 3 until June. My problem is that if questioned, she will say the wrong age. That is one of the problems with asking the child if they are young. They don't always give the correct age. I plan on bringing a copy of her birth certificate to prove her actual age in case they question her. Of course, she's very moody, so she might just scowl and growl if a CM talks to her.

Hopefully, neither of us will be questioned and it won't matter. On our last trip, my Dnephew was with us. He was a very big 2 year old, he was never questioned once.

 

[DonnaBelle2005]

I am so glad I read this threat....it really helped me with a decision I've been battling.

My son will be 10 when we go but he is tiny for his age - he only weighs 60 lbs. and his 8 yr old sister weighs 100 lbs. (Quite opposites!)

I thought about saying he was 9 but now I think thanks to this threat I'm just going to chalk it up and do with him as an adult and if he doesn't want the "big kid" meal - then we'll switch it with his sister's. We love Disney and don't want to do anything to hurt Disney....(although I still don't thinki 10 yr olds should be adults but that's for another thread).

Thanks for this thread!
Donna

 

[maxiesmom]

I am so glad I read this threat....it really helped me with a decision I've been battling.

My son will be 10 when we go but he is tiny for his age - he only weighs 60 lbs. and his 8 yr old sister weighs 100 lbs. (Quite opposites!)

I thought about saying he was 9 but now I think thanks to this threat I'm just going to chalk it up and do with him as an adult and if he doesn't want the "big kid" meal - then we'll switch it with his sister's. We love Disney and don't want to do anything to hurt Disney....(although I still don't thinki 10 yr olds should be adults but that's for another thread).

Thanks for this thread!
Donna

If you have stayed on site before, they will already know how old your son is. They have that on record. It is kind of odd that they know so much about you, but when you think how quick people are to fudge ages to save a few buck, I guess it makes sense. This is not meant as a knock on you, but I can see some people saying "Timmy is 9" for 5 years in a row!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I, too, think it is generous of WDW to allow a child who is 2 years and 364 days old into the parks (and eat a buffets) for FREE. Especially since they can see/do/enjoy as much as many adults (at least the ones who don't do thrill rides).

They make up for it by charging a ten year old adult prices.

OP, tell your sis to buy the ticket and avoid paranoia at each turnstyle and buffet line.

 

[taximomfor4]

Now I am worried about my 2yr old, though, after this thread. She is very small for her age, but if questioned, she'll tell you she's 3. She's 2, won't be 3 until June, but will argue with you that she is 3. She's been doing it since she turned 2. She likes to argue. Little stinker..... Maybe I'll bring a copy of her birth certificate just in case. Wait a second, she's aging again. She just told me she's 4.

My 2nd dd was like that....and still is. Now at 11 1/2 is smaller than most of the 8yr olds in her dance school. But if people ask her how old she is, she says "24...a shorter-than-average 24."

 

[mamaLori05]

My DD turns 3 on our trip. We are taking her to CRT on her birthday. I am just so worried that they may try to charge us there since she is 3. We leave 2 days later after having been there 5 days already.

What do I do if they do charge us? We ordered her a chocolate slipper that says "happy 3rd birthday" so it is obvious she is 3.

My dd turned 3 while we were there last trip, and we also had her birthday breakfast at CRT. We did get charged for her. They told us that since we weren't on the dining plan, once the child turns 3, you pay for their meals. I was not complaining, but just so you know, they will charge you unless you are on the dining plan.

 

[taximomfor4]

honestly. I would have to disagree here. I think it's great that they allow under 3 in free, but honestly, they should. Any age under 3 is not going to remember their days at Disney later on. Think back to your first memories, mine are age 4. I would be lying if I said I could remember doing something at age 2. If I had to dish out a couple of hundred $ for something my baby is not going to remember, I probably wouldn't go. JMO.


......I would say, it's really her call on what she wants to do. I personally wouldn't. but thats just me.

My earliest memory is age 2. Actually, I have a couple of them from age 2. And my 7yo dd was 2 1/2 her first trip, and begs to go back and see the giant yellow maracas and the giant cowboy boots at ASMu.

One more thing, all of my kids have memories from when they were 3. Definitely.

 

[Scurvy]

My sister will be heading to WDW this fall. Her DD will have JUST turned 3. How closely does WDW monitor this age? Technically, she should be paying a 3-9 year old ticket. But her DD will still eat, ride, and enjoy WDW like a 2 year old.
Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this?

Not that we want to buck the Disney system.. but, then again, we kinda do!

The bolded struck me as hilarious, for some reason.

And, OP - actually the just turned 3 year old will be enjoying the park as a 3 year old, NOT a 2 year old. The fact that the child turned 3 indicates that.

I agree. I'm pretty sure she'll be doing everything like a 3 year old - enjoying the park, eating, riding rides, existing - exactly like a 3 year old. . . that's what 3 year olds do. I think the main thing that differentiates them from 2 year olds is the fact that they have turned 3 - just like the girl in the OP will have done!

I always find threads like this funny. I can't imagine anyone would ever post that they intend to shoplift something, or that they are going to sneak into a movie without paying, but somehow since they are stealing from Disney they think it somehow makes it okay. I don't get it.

 

[pixiewings71]

Some CMs do ask. It happened with a family entering DCA in front of us, we went to the shortest line but it took forever to get in because the CM was arguing with the parents on the ages of their kids. Granted they had 2 in stroller and they both certainly looked over 3 but who knows? The CM told them they had to buy tickets for the kids next time. So yes, they might ask.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

My dd turned 3 while we were there last trip, and we also had her birthday breakfast at CRT. We did get charged for her. They told us that since we weren't on the dining plan, once the child turns 3, you pay for their meals. I was not complaining, but just so you know, they will charge you unless you are on the dining plan.

Oh good, we have the dining plan so we should be good there.

When we changed our plans to stay on site with DVC we had to go a week later, her b-day week, so now I am nervous. This is our first trip.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

My dd turned 3 while we were there last trip, and we also had her birthday breakfast at CRT. We did get charged for her. They told us that since we weren't on the dining plan, once the child turns 3, you pay for their meals. I was not complaining, but just so you know, they will charge you unless you are on the dining plan.

I think you only got charged because you ordered a meal for her. Children under 3 are free only if they are eating off your plate or you are at a buffet.

If you order a kids meal regardless of their age..you pay for it. Thats my understanding

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I think you only got charged because you ordered a meal for her. Children under 3 are free only if they are eating off your plate or you are at a buffet.

If you order a kids meal regardless of their age..you pay for it. Thats my understanding

We were at WDW when DD turned 3.

We had her birthday dinner at 1900 Park Fare. We were on the dining plan but obviously DD was not because she was 2 and it wasn't available for her when our trip began.

Our waiter didn't charge us for her meal. We were told he could have but it is at the discretion of the waiter if they want to charge you or not. We fully expected him to. Don't know why he didn't, maybe looking for a bigger tip, or maybe because there was an issue with DD"s cake and they didn't make to make us more upset. Either way, our waiter got a bigger tip.

 

[LWatson]

A year ago today was our kids' first ever disney trip, and my oldest JUST turned 3 on the 31st (so 2 days b4 we left). We bought him a ticket w/o even thinking about it. It never crossed my mind to cheat the system and he was the size of a 2yr old (people ask me now if he and my 2yr old are twins). Just remember what goes around comes around.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If you order a kids meal regardless of their age..you pay for it. Thats my understanding

This is correct. If you order a meal for your child regardless of age you pay for it. At a buffet you should not be charged. If you are charged, speak to your waiter and the bill will be corrected.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

We were at WDW when DD turned 3.

We had her birthday dinner at 1900 Park Fare. We were on the dining plan but obviously DD was not because she was 2 and it wasn't available for her when our trip began.

Our waiter didn't charge us for her meal. We were told he could have but it is at the discretion of the waiter if they want to charge you or not. We fully expected him to. Don't know why he didn't, maybe looking for a bigger tip, or maybe because there was an issue with DD"s cake and they didn't make to make us more upset. Either way, our waiter got a bigger tip.

I would be upset about that because the cost of a child's meal at 1900 Park fare is about $18 while the days charge for a child on the dining plan is $12. That is why I am worried about CRT since it is around $32 for a child's meal but the 2 credits needed from the dining plan are $24.

If they can't be on the dining plan because they are too young then they shouldn't be charged for a meal. The policy needs to be the same across the board.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I would be upset about that because the cost of a child's meal at 1900 Park fare is about $18 while the days charge for a child on the dining plan is $12. That is why I am worried about CRT since it is around $32 for a child's meal but the 2 credits needed from the dining plan are $24.

If they can't be on the dining plan because they are too young then they shouldn't be charged for a meal. The policy needs to be the same across the board.

They don't charge for the dining plan because they think under 3 doesn't need their own meal not because they give meals for free to the under 3 crowd.

The only place it is free for under 3 is buffets. If you have a dining plan, and If you plan on ordering a separate kids meal at TS its going to cost you kids meal credits off your total allotment. They don't get a bunch of free meal points for your under 3 child...they just don't require you to purchase it (like they require everyone in the same room to)

We did the dining plan this past aug...I purchased it for my then 5 year old...but my 2 year wasn't charged. I paid for her meals outright when I thought she wouldn't like what we were eating or we split the plate with my 5 year old.

 

[JUJU814]

They don't charge for the dining plan because they think under 3 doesn't need their own meal not because they give meals for free to the under 3 crowd.

The only place it is free for under 3 is buffets. If you have a dining plan, and If you plan on ordering a separate kids meal at TS its going to cost you kids meal credits off your total allotment. They don't get a bunch of free meal points for your under 3 child...they just don't require you to purchase it (like they require everyone in the same room to)

We did the dining plan this past aug...I purchased it for my then 5 year old...but my 2 year wasn't charged. I paid for her meals outright when I thought she wouldn't like what we were eating or we split the plate with my 5 year old.

I don't get why they assume under 3 doesn't need their own meal

Can't you just buy the dining plan for a child, even if they are 2?? When my BIG son was 2 1/2, he ate children's meals of his own

 

[VirataMama4]

You can add your 2 yr old to the DDP, but it puts them at 3 yrs in Disney's system. And it will always have them a year older then they are.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I don't get why they assume under 3 doesn't need their own meal

Can't you just buy the dining plan for a child, even if they are 2?? When my BIG son was 2 1/2, he ate children's meals of his own

Probably because there would be a whole bunch of people screaming "why are you requiring me to purchase a meal plan for someone that doesn't eat that much"

Some days my 2 year old can eat more than my 5.. others she would probably be happy with some vegis from my plate..some fish from her fathers and some frenchfries/carrots sticks or grapes from her sisters. I personally like the fact that they wouldn't require me to purchase it for her until she's 3. You can absolutely buy it for your under 3 if you plan on ordering a full kids meal for them.