Is my daughter 2 or 3?

[Jon99]

We are planning a trip at Christmas time, arriving on 12/26.. Started working on a few things and I just realized that our daughter turns 3 on 12/26.. How do I handle her park ticket and dining plan?

 

[HunnyPots]

Well, you a buy her a ticket and enjoy your trip!

 

[bicker]

Yup, she'd be three.

Have a great vacation.

 

[cdrn1]

Arrive on 12/25!

 

[Jon99]

Arrive on 12/25!

This is what I was getting at, just didn't speak it very well...

We would actually save money by going the extra day, correct?

 

[Vickie46]

well.. if you arrive then.. she is 3! And you know you will want to celebrate her birthday!!!!!!!!!! and you will hear.. oh how old is she???

 

[MomPlanner22]

If you check in to a Disney resort hotel on 12/19, you pay value rates for your entire stay. If you check in on 12/20, you pay holiday rates for your entire stay.

With that being the Disney policy, it would be fair to apply the same to your daughters age. If Disney was like other hotels that applied "rate changes" during your visit, I would say it wasn't appropriate for your daughter to be subject to under 3 pricing. However, since that is their policy, I don't think it would be unfair if you checked in prior to her turning 3.

To be fair, this is somewhat of a rationalization but I think a sound argument.

 

[tjmw2727]

Tickets are required for guests 3 and over so yes your dd would need a "Guest 3-9" ticket if you enter the parks when she is 3. FWIW the CM's do engage children around that age to see if they need a ticket.

If your trip starts when your child is 2 then most CM's will tell you that you don't need a ticket for the entire trip.

TJ

 

[mommiepoppins]

come a day or 2 early. they will prob be asking her age

 

[micks]

Someone with the official word will be along, but I am almost certain that if your child has a birthday during your trip that changes your ticket needs, you go by the age they were when you arrived. Call WDW an ask.

 

[tjmw2727]

This is what I was getting at, just didn't speak it very well...

We would actually save money by going the extra day, correct?

LOL, I like your thinking, an extra day sure...but...that depends on where you are staying!

If you compare the cost of a pass for your dd with one nights lodging and three meals for everyone a park pass may be cheaper than arriving a day early so your dd is still 2.

Not to mention the hassle of explaining to every CM at the turnstyles that she was two when the trip started. In addition she won't have a FP if she dosen't have a ticket so you have to explain it to the CM taking the FP's as well. If she is anything like my dd's they loved to announce to everyone in earshot they were 3. It was never worth the potential hassle to me so we did buy a pass even during my youngest dd's birthday trip.

Just food for thought -

Enjoy the trip,
TJ

 

[eblack0409]

I would arrive on 12/25....that way she will still be 2 and get in free...you will probably save money arriving even 2 days early!

 

[tjmw2727]

I would arrive on 12/25....that way she will still be 2 and get in free...you will probably save money arriving even 2 days early!

Actually, no -

I just checked prices and the most expensive pass for a guest 3-9 is a 10 day non expiring park hopper at $225.00 vs the cheapest room at Wilderness lodge from 12/20 on is $335.00. So the OP would save 110.00 by arriving when originally planned and purchasing a ticket for dd. Even better, a 10 day base MYW ticket is only 185.00 - add park hopping for $40 and it still cheaper to buy a park pass for the 3yo!

So the op will definately save money by purchasing his/her three year old a ticket vs arriving early.

HTH
TJ

 

[Jon99]

But if we wait until the 26th, won't we also have to buy her a dining package??? BTW- We are staying at POR..

 

[SammieG]

I would phone disney Guest relations and ask what their policy is.
Actually I might email them.. and get it in writing so there is no problem.

FYI as soon as my son was 3 we bought him a ticket and no one ever asked for the ticket. For about 18 months at least we only sometimes put it through the gate even though we had the ticket, as it was hassle as we had the stroller and everything.. and he is giant for his age.. so it wasnt that he looked young.

I would not condone not getting a ticket, but dont worry about them asking.. as I suspect they wont.
(still think you should get a ticket though )

 

[mdhkitten]

I say that she's going to be 3 when you arrive, so just buy her a park ticket and either get her the dining plan, or pay OOP for her meals. The latter is probably what I would do for my little girl. She doesn't eat much, so she could share my CS lunch and quick breakfast with me and then pay OOP for her TS kid's meal.

 

[tjmw2727]

But if we wait until the 26th, won't we also have to buy her a dining package??? BTW- We are staying at POR..

Ok yes, but you should be paying for the dining package either way as the restaurants will charge you from the day she turns 3 regardless of your arrival date.

IMHO you will still save money by being honest and arriving on your originally planned day. Even though technically you can have park admission for your 3yo if she was 2 at the start of the trip you will still have to pay for meals the day she turns three, as the "clause" dosen't apply in restaurants. This means paying oop for her meals for the entire trip vs the dining program.

So - I still say that even at POR the price of the one night stay plus meals for three is equal or more than your dd's park pass. Then add the dining program, assuming you did it for the $ savings then it will also save you money on your dd vs paying from day 2 to the rest of your trip.

If your looking for someone to say its ok to pass your three year old off as two its not going to be me! Sorry -

TJ

 

[Jon99]

I will call and ask about the park tickets...

As for the dining, this will be our first time using it and I have not looked into it much... For her, will it be cheaper for us to use the dining plan or to buy her items seperately considering her age? What do most people do with kids her age? I like to save a buck if I can, but also also don't want to take advantage of the system..

 

[Goobergal99]

just don't teach her to say three until you get back

 

[apostolic4life]

I will call and ask about the park tickets...

As for the dining, this will be our first time using it and I have not looked into it much... For her, will it be cheaper for us to use the dining plan or to buy her items seperately considering her age? What do most people do with kids her age? I like to save a buck if I can, but also also don't want to take advantage of the system..

All persons staying at WDW via the same reservation are required to be on the same plan. This means if DW, DD13, DD4, DD1 and I go to WDW on the same reservation in the same room, we must all have the same options on our MYW tickets. If one person wants the DDP, all of us are required to have the DDP; if three of us want the park hopper option, we all must have the park hopper option.

You will not be able to opt out of the DDP for your 3 year old. You won't have that option if you purchase her the park admission (which IMHO is the ethical thing to do). If you start out on an unethical foot you will have to be sure the child who is excited to be three now goes along with the deception.

I hope you make the decision that will work out for the best..........remember, our children learn from the example we set for them.