How is child's age determined?

[HLAuburn]

I just read on another post that a child's age is determined AT THE TIME OF BOOKING...is that true? My DD will turn 3 right around our Disney trip, so I need to know if I need to buy her passes. If she is about to turn 3, will they question me about her age?

Thanks!

 

[NemoMOm]

I don't for sure but I have seen someone show a birth cert. at the gates. You may want to call and ask just to be sure.

 

[beattyfamily]

Actually, its the opposite. Its based on how old they'll be during the trip, not when you book the trip.

Maybe you are thinking of the Disney policy that if they are 2 at the beginning of the trip, then that is the age Disney goes by for the whole trip in regards to tickets even if they'll be 3 at some point during the trip. Same with age 9 at the beginning of the trip. Then you can buy the child ticket and not the adult ticket even if they will be 10 half way through the trip.

I was going to Disney last year (August) for free dining and the man asked me what age they will be on the trip and it was 6 and 10 (even though she was 9 when I called) so I had to pay the adult price for her ticket but at least it was free dining.

Some people book their trip 2 years in advance. If they book and their child is 2 at the time but during the trip they'll be 4; a 4 year old needs a ticket to enter and it would be quite obvious that they do need a ticket. Booking early does not lock in the age they are at the time of booking.

Same thing with making ADRs; you should be telling them their age at the time of the trip, not their age at the time of booking.

I'd just book the day before she turns 3 and then there is no issue and no worries. I wouldn't try and trick or cheat Disney though to save a few bucks.

 

[HLAuburn]

Actually, its the opposite. Its based on how old they'll be during the trip, not when you book the trip.

Maybe you are thinking of the Disney policy that if they are 2 at the beginning of the trip, then that is the age Disney goes by for the whole trip in regards to tickets even if they'll be 3 at some point during the trip. Same with age 9 at the beginning of the trip. Then you can buy the child ticket and not the adult ticket even if they will be 10 half way through the trip.

I was going to Disney last year (August) for free dining and the man asked me what age they will be on the trip and it was 6 and 10 (even though she was 9 when I called) so I had to pay the adult price for her ticket but at least it was free dining.

Some people book their trip 2 years in advance. If they book and their child is 2 at the time but during the trip they'll be 4; a 4 year old needs a ticket to enter and it would be quite obvious that they do need a ticket. Booking early does not lock in the age they are at the time of booking.

Same thing with making ADRs; you should be telling them their age at the time of the trip, not their age at the time of booking.

I'd just book the day before she turns 3 and then there is no issue and no worries. I wouldn't try and trick or cheat Disney though to save a few bucks.

Thanks, that makes sense now. I read this post on the board:

Child Tickets:

Disney determines child tickets prices according to the age
of your child when you book your package. That means that if
you book your package when your child is 2 - children under
3 are free - you will not have to buy your child a ticket
even if she turns 3 during your vacation. That tip can save
you almost $200.00 per child on a 4-day park hopper!

I was sent this email from money saving disney secrets,I don't know if the same applies to US/IOA or the child/adult transition. However I would go for the 'get one free deal" and if questioned explain that child was a 'child' when tickets purchased and offer to pay. I have done the same with Dixie stampede that is offering free kids under 12. Son is 11 now but turns 12 the week befofe we go.

It didn't sound right, but since this will be our first time bookning with a child, I thought maybe it was right. Oh well, I guess I'll just buy her a ticket. At least maybe she'll get to eat free!

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks, that makes sense now. I read this post on the board:

Child Tickets:

Disney determines child tickets prices according to the age
of your child when you book your package. That means that if
you book your package when your child is 2 - children under
3 are free - you will not have to buy your child a ticket
even if she turns 3 during your vacation. That tip can save
you almost $200.00 per child on a 4-day park hopper!


It didn't sound right, but since this will be our first time bookning with a child, I thought maybe it was right. Oh well, I guess I'll just buy her a ticket. At least maybe she'll get to eat free!

No, that person is wrong. Not true. You are suppose to tell them the age they'll be the first day of the trip. If they are 2 on day one, then that is what they go by, even if they turn 3 the very next day.

 

[Princess Roo]

Yup, beattyfamily is correct. We're planning a trip next March just before DS turns 3 (or so he turns 3 during the trip if we can work it out for his birthday!) to take advantage of that

 

[bumbershoot]

When I was booking our DL trip, and while looking into a future WDW trip, online, there's a drop-down menu for the ages of kids. And it states quite clearly "the age of the child at the time of the trip", or something like that. So even though DS is 2 now, I mark him as 3 at the time of the trip, and am charged accordingly.

And since he's tall, the last trip to DL I took his birth certificate, just in case they thought he was already 3! We were flying anyway, so I had it with me, but now I think it was a little bit of overkill to take it to DL.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yup, beattyfamily is correct. We're planning a trip next March just before DS turns 3 (or so he turns 3 during the trip if we can work it out for his birthday!) to take advantage of that.

When I was booking our DL trip, and while looking into a future WDW trip, online, there's a drop-down menu for the ages of kids. And it states quite clearly "the age of the child at the time of the trip", or something like that. So even though DS is 2 now, I mark him as 3 at the time of the trip, and am charged accordingly.

And since he's tall, the last trip to DL I took his birth certificate, just in case they thought he was already 3! We were flying anyway, so I had it with me, but now I think it was a little bit of overkill to take it to DL.

Thanks! Great to have my post confirmed about Disney age policy!

 

[tjmw2727]

When I was booking our DL trip, and while looking into a future WDW trip, online, there's a drop-down menu for the ages of kids. And it states quite clearly "the age of the child at the time of the trip", or something like that. So even though DS is 2 now, I mark him as 3 at the time of the trip, and am charged accordingly.

And since he's tall, the last trip to DL I took his birth certificate, just in case they thought he was already 3! We were flying anyway, so I had it with me, but now I think it was a little bit of overkill to take it to DL.

I was just going to post this, on the WDW website they ask "Please specify child ages at the time of travel". There is a also a link for "why do we need this info" that explains its is due to ticket pricing. Sorry I don't have the exact wording.

If the child us under 3 on day one of the vacation they pay the 2yo price for the duration of the trip. Free into the park and for buffets and pre plated meals etc. If a child is under 10 on day one they pay the 3-9 price for tickets and meals for the entire trip. Unfortunately if a child turns 3 a day prior to the trip then they are 3 for the entire trip, same thing for a 10yo.

HTH
TJ