I think hubby told them wrong age.

[TigrLvsPooh]

If you want to make this work you'll need to make sure you consider your child 2 years old for every part of the trip. That means no park ticket, no meal plan, no room key for EMH, etc. I will warn you, we did this one time when my youngest DS was just turning 3 and had several issues. Especially in the restaurants. Disney really frowns on people lying just so their kids can get free food and not have to buy a park ticket. So be prepared for evil looks. LOL At Ohana the waiter actually asked my son how old he was!

 

[redc]

Out of 15 or so posts, only one Morality Policeman has chimed in.
Sounds like this is not a heinous crime to most.

 

[asmit4]

Under normal circumstances- I would be upset at this "crime"...I've seen all the tricks in the book on these boards and elsewhere to try and 'cheat' DW out of $$$ and I am against it.

However, this is not the case here, IMO. A husband in good faith booked the GF for the 6 of them using a 'coupon' or 'code' months ago when their child was barely 2. He didn't tell her they were going til 2 months before departure and their daughter will be 3 by about 2 months or so.

Changing the ressie now would require a TON of work, more $$$ and put stress on a dad that felt he was doing the right thing. My thought is- don't do it again! But just this once? I'd just let it be. This is a very rare circumstance indeed.

 

[disneyandme]

When the original reservation was made, the husband made a "mistake" with the age, but once the family discovered the mistake and would be taking pains to cover it up, that would be lying. My DD4 looks 2 and could pass for it in a heartbeat. She weights less than her 1 1/2 yr old cousin, but what would that be teaching her. That it's OK to lie as long as it's not a big lie and you get something out of it. The 3 yr old is going to hear you saying she/he is only 2, the other children are going to hear you saying the child is 2 and not 3, have you thpught about how you are going to explain that to them?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Under normal circumstances- I would be upset at this "crime"...I've seen all the tricks in the book on these boards and elsewhere to try and 'cheat' DW out of $$$ and I am against it.

However, this is not the case here, IMO. A husband in good faith booked the GF for the 6 of them using a 'coupon' or 'code' months ago when their child was barely 2. He didn't tell her they were going til 2 months before departure and their daughter will be 3 by about 2 months or so.

Changing the ressie now would require a TON of work, more $$$ and put stress on a dad that felt he was doing the right thing. My thought is- don't do it again! But just this once? I'd just let it be. This is a very rare circumstance indeed.

I agree completely. This is such a rare thing. I also think that WDW would probably (if she brought this to their attention) just say, no problem. As for the issue of lying and explaining to the kids, I don't think it will really come up. If it does, just be honest. Explain to them that their dad in a moment of extreme thoughfulness towards the family, didn't take into account their little sister would be 3 by the time the trip came up. I don't know how soon the trip is, but I don't even know if they can change to a cabin or Family Suite. The Family Suites book up way in advance. I mostly feel bad because I don't want the OP to be stressing and worrying and not just excited to go to WDW.

I am generally one of the ones that says "rules are rules". But in this sense, it was an honest mistake. Nobody was trying to sneak someone in and put one over on Disney. I don't see this as a family conspiracy to now lie to cover up what again, was just an honest oversight on Dad's part.

I just feel bad for the OP, this is a shame in the end. I wish Disney had more options for larger families. I will add one of those annyoing "somebody I know" stories. We had friends and no lie, this same thing happened to them. Kid #4 turned 3 before the trip was taken. And it was to the GF no less! They had to reschedule the trip due to the dad's father passing away. So by the time they did go, the littlest was in fact a solid 3. They bought that kid a park ticket, separate from the package. They also paid cash for his meals saying that they didn't want to share anymore with him. I don't know how they handled EMH. But I do know that sometimes these things happen. These friends of ours tried to switch around and there was nothing available for them outside two rooms which they simply couldn't do. They now stay offsite in a rental home due to Disney's lack of options for larger families. I had to laugh when I first saw this post because here we had friends who literally had the same thing happen to them. If they read this, sorry I ratted you guys out! But honest mistakes and unforseen things do happen.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We don't know how the CM asked her DH about the ages of the children. Some ask age at time of travel and some aks about current age, so you can't blame her or her DH and WDW isn't going to throw her off property just because of such a small mistake. Meals shouldn't be a problem either, you get so much food a small 3 year old isn't going to go hungry, neither is anyone else. We were just there and me and my mom or my 9 yr old cousin and my mom shared most CS meals anyway, since there is so much food. Go and have a good time and don't worry about what the negative nellies are saying.

Suzanne

 

[Clotho]

I agree with the poster who said it is setting a bad example for your other children. At 12 and 14 (?I think I got that right), they are certainly old enough to see very clearly what you are doing. They will see you lying and manipulating the situation, and will be guided by your actions. If the act wasn't so transparent to your children, I might consider it a white lie situation, and not be too concerned--we don't live in a completely black and white world and I believe in shades of grey now and again. But with your *impressionable* children, being sponges that they are, witnessing your repeated lies to break the rules (that sounds so dramatic, but you know what I mean)...I would be honest and deal with it appropriately.

 

[Halbleib1]

Don't worry about it. Your DH made an honest mistake. Go and have a good time. As far as your other children go they will not think anything of it if you dont make a big deal out of it. Just explain before you go that daddy made a mistake and told the lady on the phone the wrong age so for this trip disney considers there sister as being 2. Explain that you might be asked how old she is and that you have to say that she is 2 because of the mistake.

If your daughter is small for her age and does not look 3 disney is not even going to question you. Everyone thinks my son is younger than he is and he will be 4 in October. However he speaks at a 2 year old level. When we went to Disney last year he was 2.5 and the flight attendants actually questioned if I had bought him a ticket or not as they thought he was a lap child taking up a seat that we did not pay for.
Obviously if you are flying you have got to buy a plane ticket because they will ask for birth certificates to verify age and any child age 2 or over needs a ticket.

Disney CMs did not even pay attention as we pushed my son through the gate at the turnstiles they were too busy making sure everyone walking scanned their fingers and that the machine took it to pay attention to the kids in strollers.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[TJA]

OP~have a wonderful stay at GF and just go with the flow re DH's mistake. Many, many people book trips and state the ages of their kids at the time they book. Don't stress over it.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree completely. This is such a rare thing. I also think that WDW would probably (if she brought this to their attention) just say, no problem. an honest oversight on Dad's part.

Then the OP should do just that. Call and tell them about the mistake, and see what they say.

And I think the idea of telling kids to lie to cover up a mistake is not a good one. Is that what you want to be teaching your kids to do in the future? Do you really believe they won't learn by example?

Sorry, but I do think the OP should call and see what Disney says. If they say fine, then don't worry. But you have discovered this error ahead of time. And well intentioned or no, you are still over the room occupency. Just because the mistake was made with good intentions does not make it ok to make another mistake and pretend you didn't know.

Or do we only follow the rules when we have to? And if we know we probably won't get caught it is ok to not follow the rules?

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I woudn't want to chance and risk getting thrown off WDW property. I think you'd enjoy the family suites as much as the Gf room

The ASMu family suites are very nice; we stay there at least once a year for 1-2 nights. However, I would definitely not consider that a similar accommodation to the GF and all its amenities.

 

[tinklvr64]

I woudn't want to chance and risk getting thrown off WDW property. I think you'd enjoy the family suites as much as the Gf room

CinderShelly~I HIGHLY doubt you would get thrown off Dis prop....the age police have many more issues to worry about! If they say something, just say DH quoted the age at time of booking....Hey if i could get my 14 yr old to pass for 2 and not have to pay I would be all over that!

I have never heard of a CM approaching a guest to prove an age...Enjoy!

 

[TJA]

CinderShelly~I HIGHLY doubt you would get thrown off Dis prop....the age police have many more issues to worry about! If they say something, just say DH quoted the age at time of booking....Hey if i could get my 14 yr old to pass for 2 and not have to pay I would be all over that!

I have never heard of a CM approaching a guest to prove an age...Enjoy!

I totally agree.....honestly, don't stress over this. Just go to GF and have fun! I can't imagine getting thrown off disney property because your DH told your child's age at the time of booking.....I just can't see that happening.... I agree with the above poster in that I have never heard of a CM making a fuss over a tiny child who just turned 3.

 

[Lives4Disney]

CinderShelly~I HIGHLY doubt you would get thrown off Dis prop....the age police have many more issues to worry about! If they say something, just say DH quoted the age at time of booking....Hey if i could get my 14 yr old to pass for 2 and not have to pay I would be all over that!

I have never heard of a CM approaching a guest to prove an age...Enjoy!

I agree. Go, don't worry, have fun!

The GF is wonderful.

Lives4Disney

 

[pooch]

go, have a great time! My guess is your kids won't be scarred for life over this

Geesh folks, lighten up on the newbie already!!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Last year my son turned 3 in the middle of our trip and they counted him as a 2 year old for the entire trip. So I really dont think it will matter. He is huge for 3 and no one ever asked his age. He ate off our plates when we had the dining plan and did not have to pay for the Christmas party even though he turned 3 that day. So dont stress over it. It isnt like you are passing off a 5 year old for under 3. Have fun.

 

[sjaakie]

I’m not looking at a “moral” way on this issue.

Just practical.

On every “little cheat” Disney will lose money. Maybe just a few dollar but at the end of the financial year it will be a huge amount.
Now someone has to make even for this lost. Guess who this will be?

Disney will increase the prices for all of us so we all pay for the “the little mistakes and who cares, I saved money be cheating , Disney makes money enough “ people.

It’s the famous dog that bites his own tail story.

 

[Amy&Dan]

So for all of you that say this is in no way the right thing to do, that the older kids will see their parents lying, that Disney's overall profit will be hard hit, that rules are rules (and you all have points, even though in this case I don't agree), what is your advice if the OP cannot make other arrangments? Do you think she and her husband should just call off the trip? Maybe leave one of the kids home?

I mean again, come on people! This was an honest mistake. I am not one for breaking rules aimlessly without regard, but in this case, I just cannot see how this will affect the state of the world as we know it.

I feel bad because I fear somewhere, this poor woman is wringing her hands (and her husband's neck, poor guy was trying to be nice) and feeling like she is about to commit a felony or run the risk of raising a house full of liars.

At two months away, I just am not sure a change can be made. And I still say, OP go, have fun and don't worry. I really do believe it will be okay.

 

[fall08CP]

Yeah given the fact she is a small, newly turned three I can't imagine it being an issue. If by some miracle they ask and she tells them she's three, just say "oh honey your birthday isn't until next month" and just roll your eyes about how excited she is to turn 3! It was an honest mistake, its not like you are trying to smuggle in an extra teenager or something.

But they won't even ask.

It's in our speil to ask each and every time- I always do. If someone doesn't, they aren't doing their job.

I guess it's a moral dilemma but I personally would not lie. I would be honest at check in and it probably won't be a big deal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Last year my son turned 3 in the middle of our trip and they counted him as a 2 year old for the entire trip.

That is Disney's policy (i.e. choice). They do not penalize a person for aging during a visit.

Reminder: DISBoard guidelines prohibit posting information to get around Disney's policies, unintentional or not.