How do they know how old your child is?

[MamaDeeJazz]

My son is 10 but prefers to eat off the adult menu. He doesn't eat much more just prefers the options. I am bringing my 2 year old for the first time this year and she eats like shes 15 lol it will work out for us because they will most likely share

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Lol...a server is not going to ask your child or you how old they are. Before magicbands or if you don't have one, the hostess may ask how many adults/children, but no one is going to be quizzing your child on their age. If you're on the dining plan, they're going to go by whatever is says when you scan your band (whatever's on your reservation). They rely on the honor system.

In my experience, they most certainly will.

 

[maxiesmom]

Lol...a server is not going to ask your child or you how old they are. Before magicbands or if you don't have one, the hostess may ask how many adults/children, but no one is going to be quizzing your child on their age. If you're on the dining plan, they're going to go by whatever is says when you scan your band (whatever's on your reservation). They rely on the honor system.

Disney CMs are very skilled at asking questions to get your child's age without it seeming like an interrogation.

 

[Dakota731]

This question reminds me of a time when we visited an amusement park with another family and the mother tried to get her son in for a child's rate. When asked how old he was he yelled "10!" at the same time his mom yelled "9!" It was awkward for everyone and it made me realize that no amount of money is worth teaching your child to lie.

 

[TreeFalls]

Would it work to leave him off the room reservation, order dining plan for the adults, then add him to the room at check-in? I seem to recall hearing of someone doing this when they had an adult that would share their room but didn't want the dining plan. Of course you'd have to get his park tickets separately...

 

[maxiesmom]

Would it work to leave him off the room reservation, order dining plan for the adults, then add him to the room at check-in? I seem to recall hearing of someone doing this when they had an adult that would share their room but didn't want the dining plan. Of course you'd have to get his park tickets separately...

Then he couldn't ride magical express

 

[DisBuckMan]

Would it work to leave him off the room reservation, order dining plan for the adults, then add him to the room at check-in? I seem to recall hearing of someone doing this when they had an adult that would share their room but didn't want the dining plan. Of course you'd have to get his park tickets separately...

No magical express, no 60 day fast passes, and no magic band.

 

[wilkeliza]

No magical express, no 60 day fast passes, and no magic band.

Actually he could get 60 day FP since he would linked as a friend/family to the adults. He also would get a grey magicband at check in. Magical Express is the only thing it affects.

 

[bumbershoot]

Lol...a server is not going to ask your child or you how old they are. Before magicbands or if you don't have one, the hostess may ask how many adults/children, but no one is going to be quizzing your child on their age. If you're on the dining plan, they're going to go by whatever is says when you scan your band (whatever's on your reservation). They rely on the honor system.

And yet many people right here on this thread have experienced the servers asking how old the kids are.

 

[seigyoku]

Yeah, I've seen children being asked at almost every sit down place I've been to. And they make sure to ask the child, since while sure, you can coach the kid to lie, kids tend to be pretty proud of their ages and don't like being "younger."

And yes, one time at DLR, I saw a small child get asked his age to see if he was really under three and could get in w/o a ticket.

 

[squirrel]

You could still do the Dining Plan and pay out of pocket for some of the meals that he/she eats a child's meal. That would give you more CS meals for the adults.

I guess it depends on your eating habits and how much you eat. I find sharing works better for me when I have a small child, but I don't eat a lot in the heat either.

 

[Aletha]

You could still do the Dining Plan and pay out of pocket for some of the meals that he/she eats a child's meal. That would give you more CS meals for the adults.

I guess it depends on your eating habits and how much you eat. I find sharing works better for me when I have a small child, but I don't eat a lot in the heat either.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean get the dining plan for 3 adults? Then so you get more of your money's worth, use the CS credits when he wants an adult mean, but then pay OOP when he wants a kids meal? Then my dad and I would have plenty of CS credits for breakfast AND lunch. Or did you mean something else? I wish I could just get the dining plan for my dad and I and then let my son share or pay OOP for kids meals!

 

[squirrel]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean get the dining plan for 3 adults? Then so you get more of your money's worth, use the CS credits when he wants an adult mean, but then pay OOP when he wants a kids meal? Then my dad and I would have plenty of CS credits for breakfast AND lunch. Or did you mean something else? I wish I could just get the dining plan for my dad and I and then let my son share or pay OOP for kids meals!

I meant get the plan for everyone. Use his CS credits if he wants an adult meal, pay out of pocket for the times he wants a kids meal. It would probably leave you with a lot of extra CS meals. I don't know your son so I don't know if he could get away with using a snack credit for a side and then eat some of your meal.

I do a lot of sharing when I take my nieces to WDW (I only take one at a time). My plan this year is to use one CS meal for us to share and if we need another side use a snack credit (hopefully we get free dining). With it being so hot when we go, I think 3 (shared) CS meals a day would be better for us. We still would have snacks to use as well.

 

[GoonieBride]

When I work there, I only asked for there age when they were trying to play on the kiddie rides at the water parks.

 

[Srbright]

Lol...a server is not going to ask your child or you how old they are. Before magicbands or if you don't have one, the hostess may ask how many adults/children, but no one is going to be quizzing your child on their age. If you're on the dining plan, they're going to go by whatever is says when you scan your band (whatever's on your reservation). They rely on the honor system.

No, they ask. They ask a lot.

"2 adults and 2 Children tonight? How old are the children?"

Talking to our kids ""A mom and a dad and 2 kids? How old are you guys?"

"A reservation for 4? And how old are the children?....Oh, she's 11? Would she like a kids menu?".

We have had magic bands and were one of the first pilot families. The magic band doesn't carry an age on it. Ifor it shows them anything it's just a name. For the dining plan it shows 2A2C or 4A.

Also if he is already in MDE with an age you can't change it. You would have to go in and create him as a new person and lie about his birthday.

Stacy

 

[Anthony1971]

Do not know how people say your child will not be asked... 8/10 times at a Buffett my child was asked even when he was 5,6,7,8 etc....
at a regular TS it does not matter...
On the other hand I have spoke to servers at Buffets.. if your child is truly a light eater and 10-12 at most ask the server they will let it slide on the other hand if you lie they will want to charge you they are people too after all... most will tell you stories of parents trying to say there 12 or 13 YO is 9 some will say how do they know... I would love to say my 10 YO looks like he is 9... but just putting your arms around him you can tell how much he has grown chest wise, how he acts and height/weight.. yes there are exceptions... carry a copy of the Childs Birth certificate as we always did.. in the end a server will never argue with you.. if you say your child is 9 they will charge you as 9 but this is why they ask the child, if your child says he is 10 you will be charged the adult price.... unless you want to argue with your child about hos/her age.
My story went to a buffet my son was 5 or 6 I am pretty sure 6 he slept through most of the meal... woke up had a little bit to eat.. the server did not charge us and we told her he woke up... server did not feel it right to charge us... back then it was maybe 12.00 for some fruit... be honest the servers are people not the food police...