How closely do they check kids' ages?

[pooh4evr]

JEWESLVERN- when we went to CRT for dinner in Dec they gave DD (who was a week away from 3) a free meal- buttered noodles, I think veg and dip 9not sure they all run together a little) and ice cream. For the most part we had buffets, and family style meals for TS- for CS we just paid for her meals - it was maybe $5 per meal.

 

[design_mom]

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

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.

It's my understanding is that this is correct -- if you want to buy the DDP for your 2yo, "the system" will treat him like a child rather than an infant.

Unless you're DVC or AP holders, a ticket purchase is required to buy the DDP. Therefore, "the system" will require you to purchase a child's park ticket for your 2yo child, because "the system" is treating them like a 3 year old.

To my knowledge, this is one of those "you can't have it both ways" things. There is no "infant's dining plan." You either have to buy your 2yo's meals OOP, or you can buy him the child's dining plan *and* the child's park ticket.

 

[DCbride]

We are going in Aug- DD will be 3 yo (turning 3 in June) not quite as close as your sister, but close. I plan to pay for her for dining and for her ticket. But we are also going in May for a long weekend and I do not expect to pay for her for either food or tickets (we are on the dining plan and booked at buffets) and I will bring proof of age.

DD visited Disney 5x last year while she was 2yo and I am thrilled that under Disney's policy she played and ate free. We were lucky enough to take full advantage of their policy several times. When she turns 3, I will have to now budget her meals and ticket into the price of our vacation. We most likely will not be able to return to Disney as much over the next few years, but I refuse to feel guilty about having her steal food from Disney, which is basically what happens when over 3 lies and eats at the buffet.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

It's my understanding is that this is correct -- if you want to buy the DDP for your 2yo, "the system" will treat him like a child rather than an infant.

Unless you're DVC or AP holders, a ticket purchase is required to buy the DDP. Therefore, "the system" will require you to purchase a child's park ticket for your 2yo child, because "the system" is treating them like a 3 year old.

To my knowledge, this is one of those "you can't have it both ways" things. There is no "infant's dining plan." You either have to buy your 2yo's meals OOP, or you can buy him the child's dining plan *and* the child's park ticket.

Interesting..I didn't realize it has to be attached to the park ticket... In that case it really makes more sense to buy them a meal out of pocket if you can't share or aren't at a buffet.

 

[gandycat]

I was wondering about this issue...except in regards to a nine year old. We are going to be in WDW March 17th-24th. My son turns ten on March 23rd, so we of course only had to pay for a child's admission ticket. We also purchased the dining plan, and I'm worried that we are going to be constantly questioned about how old he is. He is very tall for his age. I am truly hoping this isn't going to be an issue during our whole trip. I understand that the CM's are trying to protect Disney's interests, but I am really hoping that we don't feel constantly like everyone thinks we are lying about his age. I also know he will be HUGELY embarrassed if CM's are constantly quizzing him about his age and giving him the impression that they think he is lying. How should we handle that??

We just got back yesterday. My very tall 9 year old son (he is almost 5'4") did not get asked once how old he was (he'll be 10 on March 16th!). Not at the gate or at any meal. I know I always feel compelled to say 'he's only 9, he's tall!' all the time though. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[VirataMama4]

Interesting..I didn't realize it has to be attached to the park ticket... In that case it really makes more sense to buy them a meal out of pocket if you can't share or aren't at a buffet.

The only time DDP is NOT connected to tickets is if you have an AP or staying DVC and not doing a MYW package.

This is one of the great things about owning DVC and having an AP!

 

[Mommy2Abby]

We took my oldest DD at 2 1/2 and she was asked on two separate occaisions at the gate how old she was. She is tall for her age, so I guess that may have played a part in it. She was too shy to answer either time, and they just waved me through with the stroller when I said she was 2.

We are going back this year and she will be 3 1/2. She is much more vocal now and VERY proud to be 3. She told me the other day that when she turns 3 (next month) she will be a "grown up" Then she told me when she turns 4, she will be able to drive

Needless to say, we'll be buying her a ticket so her "grown up" self won't have a problem at the gate

 

[JUJU814]

It's my understanding is that this is correct -- if you want to buy the DDP for your 2yo, "the system" will treat him like a child rather than an infant.

Unless you're DVC or AP holders, a ticket purchase is required to buy the DDP. Therefore, "the system" will require you to purchase a child's park ticket for your 2yo child, because "the system" is treating them like a 3 year old.

To my knowledge, this is one of those "you can't have it both ways" things. There is no "infant's dining plan." You either have to buy your 2yo's meals OOP, or you can buy him the child's dining plan *and* the child's park ticket.

I'm not so sure about that, only because I know for a fact that you don't have to have you DDP attached to any park ticket or package.

I always purchase this way:
I have an annual pass. (just me) Therefore, I book the room and I get an annual pass room discount. (only one person in the room has to have an annual pass to get the discount) I also buy the DDP for my family, which is allowed with the annual pass discount.
I buy the parkhoppers from AAA, and they are not linked in any way to our DDP. They are completely separate passes.

Therefore, if I had a 2 year old that I want to buy the ddp for, yeah, I'll have to pay the child rate...but he's under 3 and therefore I still do not need to pay for a park ticket. I can't imagine a company like Disney is going to tell you "NO you can't spend any money on our meal plan because your kid isn't 3 yet" LOL

I suppose it you bought a "package" deal, they could slap it on, but I never buy my vacations that way and I always make out better than their supposed "packages"

 

[design_mom]

It's my understanding is that this is correct -- if you want to buy the DDP for your 2yo, "the system" will treat him like a child rather than an infant.

Unless you're DVC or AP holders, a ticket purchase is required to buy the DDP. Therefore, "the system" will require you to purchase a child's park ticket for your 2yo child, because "the system" is treating them like a 3 year old.

I'm not so sure about that, only because I know for a fact that you don't have to have you DDP attached to any park ticket or package.

I always purchase this way:
I have an annual pass. (just me) Therefore, I book the room and I get an annual pass room discount. (only one person in the room has to have an annual pass to get the discount) I also buy the DDP for my family, which is allowed with the annual pass discount.
I buy the parkhoppers from AAA, and they are not linked in any way to our DDP. They are completely separate passes.

Therefore, if I had a 2 year old that I want to buy the ddp for, yeah, I'll have to pay the child rate...but he's under 3 and therefore I still do not need to pay for a park ticket. I can't imagine a company like Disney is going to tell you "NO you can't spend any money on our meal plan because your kid isn't 3 yet" LOL

I suppose it you bought a "package" deal, they could slap it on, but I never buy my vacations that way and I always make out better than their supposed "packages"

I guess I should have been more clear in my previous post. If your room is booked by a DVC member or someone with an annual pass, the rules are different. (On our most recent trip, we rented points from a DVC member and were able to buy DDP without tickets, too, even though we're not DVC members ourselves. But for people just going on a regular vacation, you must buy a "package," including the ticket, in order to be able to get DDP. I don't think the ticket has to be for the same number of days as the DDP, but you have to buy at least a 1-day ticket. (This is one of the main reasons we had never bought the DDP before our most recent trip. We usually buy our tickets elsewhere, too.)

From the disney website at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/benefits/disney-dining-plan/

Disney Dining Plans are options available exclusively to Guests of Disney Resort hotels with Magic Your Way Vacation Packages.

To take advantage of a Disney Dining Plan, you must purchase one of the following Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that include a Disney Dining Plan.

 

[summerrluvv]

Neither of my kids have ever been asked their age by anyone at Disney.

 

[mickeymouse108]

When we go this summer my girls will be 16 and 10 and I bought both adult tickets of course but I did not buy the dinning plan we do not eat at the exspensive rest. enough and my 10 year old will not eat off the adult menue she still gets chicken fingers and fries that is all she eats she is very picky and is small and does not even finish kids meals at most rest. so will Disney let her order off the kids menue even though she is 10 again I did not buy the meal plan so that does not come into play.

I feel it is like steeling to sneak your child in free when they should pay my 10 year old is small and I still bought her the adult ticket.

 

[leebee]

I have been to Disney 22 times over the years with my DD and nieces (currently 16, 12, and 9) and they have never been asked their ages at either the gates or at meals- and they each were either big, small, or articulate for their age at some point. The only time any of them were challenged about their age was when my DD was 12 and tried to order a kid's meal at lunch time at San Angel Inn. We weren't trying to "gyp" Disney; there was simply nothing that DD would eat on the adult menu. When they didn't let her order from the kid's menu, we left and ate elsewhere.

I don't get the whole age/ticket/park use issue. Yes, it stinks to have to spend an additional $200+ to go to Disney when the baby turns 3, but that's the way it is. Trust me, it stinks even more to have to pay adult buffet prices for a kid who won't eat anything but mac-n-cheese and nuggets! I don't fully "use" WDW as I am extremely susceptible to motion sickness and cannot ride on many, many of the attractions, even if I've taken my medication. I'm not using the park as an adult would be expected to...so do I get a cheaper or free ticket? And heavens knows, at my age I really don't remember that last trip all that well...

 

[disneyfan97]

Like previous posters, I have never been asked about my son's age, but he has. It's really just a casual conversation with a child - but he knows he is 2 (or was on our last trip) and he also knows that he is 3 now. So, if a CM asked him his age, he would tell them. We are typically there over birthdays and special occasions - so it only natural to ask a child how old they are if they are wearing their 'happy birthday' button.

It's not only lying if she is questioned, it's lying to do it at all. So, if she's worried about what her stepchildren will "hear" - shouldn't she be worried about what they see. Actions speak louder than words.

 

[shelly3girls]

When we go this summer my girls will be 16 and 10 and I bought both adult tickets of course but I did not buy the dinning plan we do not eat at the exspensive rest. enough and my 10 year old will not eat off the adult menue she still gets chicken fingers and fries that is all she eats she is very picky and is small and does not even finish kids meals at most rest. so will Disney let her order off the kids menue even though she is 10 again I did not buy the meal plan so that does not come into play.

I feel it is like steeling to sneak your child in free when they should pay my 10 year old is small and I still bought her the adult ticket.

I am sure it depends on the cast member but we have alway been honest and never had a problem ordering off the kid menu. DD really prefers the adult menu at many locations but sometimes she isn't that hungry. At Character meals we always pay the adult price for her.

 

[lillykat]

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.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to confuse you - if she is three buy a ticket was to the OP - the rest was in agreement with YOU b.c we are in the same situation.

 

[mickeymouse108]

I am sure it depends on the cast member but we have alway been honest and never had a problem ordering off the kid menu. DD really prefers the adult menu at many locations but sometimes she isn't that hungry. At Character meals we always pay the adult price for her.

we are only doing one character meal and I plan on paying adult I meant at table service retaurant we have advr at le celler and I put in that she is 10 but I hope they will let her order off the kids menu because she looked at the menu online and only likes things on the kids menu. I am not trying to get out cheaper just want her to be happy with the food. thats why i did the meal plan this trip because I know she will not want to eat off the adult menus.

 

[starsweeper]

I have two children that turned 3 this past fall. My DS is very small for his age and has speech issues, so he could easily pass for 2 even after he turns 4 this coming fall. Would it be nice not to have to pay for two kids' tickets, sure, but that is dishonest. We are going in May and I will be paying for 2 kids' tickets. To do otherwise is theft.

 

[Scurvy]

we are only doing one character meal and I plan on paying adult I meant at table service retaurant we have advr at le celler and I put in that she is 10 but I hope they will let her order off the kids menu because she looked at the menu online and only likes things on the kids menu. I am not trying to get out cheaper just want her to be happy with the food. thats why i did the meal plan this trip because I know she will not want to eat off the adult menus.

I think it must depend quite a bit on the Cast Member you get. I can remember posts from people before who were upset because they tried to order a Kids Menu item and weren't allowed to, even when they offered to pay the price of an Adult Menu item instead. So at table service places an older child may not always be able to order from the Kids Menu - but maybe they could at least alter one of the items from the regular menu to make it more kid friendly.

 

[Clubhouse5]

This is my first post, so be easy on me!

If you are 3, you should pay for the ticket.

I am concerned, however, about what I have read about cast members asking for your DC's age over and over again during the vacation. How fun is that? DD is going to be 2 1/2 months shy of being 3 when we are there, but it is terrible to read mutliple people saying that cast members "roll their eyes" after hearing the response to the childs age. Why do they bother asking if all they are going to do is roll their eyes and huff and puff if they don't agree? I see that a PP that was an employee said she did basically to embarass them and to let them know that she was on to them. I get that. But if I tell someone that DD is 2 (which she is!) and they roll their eyes at me I am going to be very upset. It seems very "un disney-like". I thought the CM's were supposed to be very friendly? I guess I will carry her bc as well, but I am not really comfortable carrying around sensitive information like that unless I really have to.

Why doesn't Disney give wristband, a button or pin, or SOMETHING when you check in so that you can identify yourself as 3 or over? You can show the bc at check-in if there's any doubt, and then you don't have to be subject to the questions all day long.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is my first post, so be easy on me!

If you are 3, you should pay for the ticket.

I am concerned, however, about what I have read about cast members asking for your DC's age over and over again during the vacation. How fun is that? DD is going to be 2 1/2 months shy of being 3 when we are there, but it is terrible to read mutliple people saying that cast members "roll their eyes" after hearing the response to the childs age. Why do they bother asking if all they are going to do is roll their eyes and huff and puff if they don't agree? I see that a PP that was an employee said she did basically to embarass them and to let them know that she was on to them. I get that. But if I tell someone that DD is 2 (which she is!) and they roll their eyes at me I am going to be very upset. It seems very "un disney-like". I thought the CM's were supposed to be very friendly? I guess I will carry her bc as well, but I am not really comfortable carrying around sensitive information like that unless I really have to.

Why doesn't Disney give wristband, a button or pin, or SOMETHING when you check in so that you can identify yourself as 3 or over? You can show the bc at check-in if there's any doubt, and then you don't have to be subject to the questions all day long.

Anything like a wrist band or button would be an added expense on Disney's part. Heck, they have recently done away with wrist bands at the Extra Magic Hours to save money. I can't see them inventing something else to hand out that will cost them more money.

I just think it is sad that so many people DO cheat and lie about their kids ages. If it wasn't a big problem, I don't think the CMs would ask so much. When asked your child's age, just say with a big smile "She will be 3 in just a couple of months". Typically they will not press the issue.

Don't be mad at the CMs for asking. Be mad at the people who do lie, and therefore put the CMs on the defensive.