Kids club Age Limit Fib?

[DutchsMommy]

Just wondering if my DS was within 3 mos of his 4th b'day we could stretch the truth a little bit for a night out and tell the kid's club he is four. do they get proof of age at check-in? Is this just too sneaky? We are planning on doing WDW and then DCL and 3 is OK for the kid's club on DCL, so we don't want to wait another year just so he is 4 to take in the kid's club at the resort, but think he would enjoy it and it would be nice to have the option of putting him in for a few hours if we wanted to have an "adult's only" dinner or something. Thoughts please?

 

[TinkKel]

Probably one of the reasons they have the age limit, is to ensure they are pottie trained. If your son is fully pottie trained, I don't think (personally) that it would hurt. Besides, what do they expect you to do, carry around their birth certificate? There's no way for them to tell that he has 3 months to go. *shrug* But that's just my opinion!

 

[n2mm]

I agree with TinkKel. I'm sure the age has been established because of the potty aspect. I know when they mean potty trained, that means, going by yourself, pulling down, pulling up and wiping all by yourself. As long as these skill are there, I would go for it.

 

[nigel-bigel]

I would be up front about his age with the person in charge of the program.

When you make your ressies they asked everyones age, and this info stays with you for all of your Disney visits. Disney really is like Big Brother. And with using your room "key" to charge every expense on your trip, they track all of your purchases and spending habits. While this is excellent marketing data for them, it also means you have no privacy when dealing with the Disney Corporation. But I digress...

I suspect Tinkkel is correct, they want to make sure all the kids are potty-trained. When I was at Vero Beach the CM in charge let my potty-trained DD participate in kids-only activities she was too young for, but she did have her older sister with her.

If both you and the CM are confident that DS will stay dry and not have any seperation/crying problems, (and it's a slow night) they may be agreeable.

Good Luck! Nicole

 

[jel0511]

Actually the clubs at WDW are VERY strict about allowing children under the age of 4. If they allowed a child under the age of 4, they could lose their childcare license. They are only licensed to care for children 4 and up, and that also has to do with childto caregiver ratios, those under 4 need a smaller adult to child ratio. If you've already made ressies at WDW, or have in the past, there will be no way for you to "lie" about your sons age. The information is already attached to your room ressie, and they would easily be able to find out he's still three. The CM's are also trained to ask children their ages, if they think they're too young, and I don't think you'd want to tell your son to "lie" just so you could get some adult time. Wait until he's 4, since it's really a state regulation as to why they have the age limit at 4, and not because they want to make sure everyone is potty trained. DCL is actually registered in the Bahamas, so it's child programs actually can have different standards than required in FL or any other state.

 

[Gupsmom]

I personally don't have a problem with it. I just wanted to say that I believe (and I coiuld be wrong) that Disney set the age at 4 to comply with Florida state law. I think if they could get away with 3 and potty trained they would (they do on their cruise line). Disney isn't in the practice of turning away money if they don't have to.

Jess

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I've got the same problem. We are planning a trip in May and DD will be about 6 weeks shy of her 4th birthday. This has been asked before and I also think it'd be hard to sneak past the regulation. There are laws regarding childcare and Disney is just enforcing what it needs to given the kind of care it provides. But the biggest reason I won't try it is because I will not teach my children it is ok to lie. They both (also have DS age 7) know how old DD is and they would spill the beans anyway. I wouldn't teach them it's ok to lie when it's convenient for me and I wouldn't get away with it if I tried!

We've always gotten references and hired specific in room sitters. I look forward to the trips after this May when I can take them to a kid's club - I think they'd really enjoy it then.

 

[Gupsmom]

LadyTrampScamp

I really applaud that. While I wouldn't necessarily hold it against someone for trying to bend the rules by 6 wks, I also would wait. It killed me to buy my barely 3 yr old an AP. We had been to Disney 3 months earlier and she was FREE> Then flash forward 3 months and I had to pay for her park ticket and food. She was just as small (couldn't ride any rides that she wasn't tall enough for 3 months earlier) and ate just as little....but I did choose to pay for her. I will say that our waitress at Holywood and Vine chose not to charge us for my DD even though I pointed out her mistake when the bill came with only 2 kids meals instead of 3. I was appreciative of that.

Jess

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi Gupsmom,
I think it's great that you got your 3 year old an ap and paid her way too. This will be the first trip we'll have to pay for DD also and yes, it's tough to get used to! I guess after the first time it won't be so bad . . .

I'm not holding it against anyone either - I just know MY kids would understand that we weren't telling the truth and I can't teach them to do that. I don't want them thinking it's OK to lie to ME sometime. At their age my kids can't distinguish between what we might call stretching the truth a bit and a blatant lie that could get someone hurt or in trouble. So best to stick with "we don't tell lies" philosophy for us.

 

[3for Me]

Since no one is REALLY sure why there is a 4 year age limit - I would do what a previous poster suggested and ask the caregiver at the club.

We did this at the Dolphin (which I know, I know is not technically Disney - but never the less...) we were actually asked by the caregiver when looking in the window of the kids club - "didn't mom and dad want a night out?"

We said, sorry, he is only 3 (this was October and his birthday is not until late January). They asked about potty training and would he be O. K. with his older sisters and he was in.

We did not have to beg and plead or lie or anything else. They were happy to have him and all three kids said that was one of their favorite parts of the trip!!!

Good luck in your decision - making!!

 

[Val]

We went two years ago and my youngest DD was within a week of her 4th bday. The staff let her stay NO problem. Don't know what their "fudge" limit is, however, and we DID ask if she could stay.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I would just tell the truth about the childs age and ask the club staff if it's OK. If it's not OK then check into the in-room babysitting. I've heard great things about the Fairy Godmothers and Kids Night Out.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Thanks for all of your replies. I definately would not want DS to "lie"....I actually had not thought about this part of things - he is just turning 2 now and doesn't speak a great deal yet so the thought of having him being asked/answering questions didn't occur to me!! I will definately just ask the club and see what happens - if I did try and "fool" anyone I would probably be so worried about being "found out" I wouldn't have a good time!!

 

[ducklite]

It is definitely due to state licensing and insurance regulations.

For one thing, the ratio of staff to children changes--with kids under four it's minimum 1:15 ratio (and gets lower by age) age four and up it's 1:20.

They follow the state laws right up to providing a beeper (which is part of the law!).

Laws are in place for a reason, this is not "WDW policy", this is state law. Please don't do soemthing which could risk the loss of teh license, messing it up for everyone who does choose to follow the rules.

You have several options for in room care, please look into those. There is a big difference between a child within a week of a birthday and within several months of a birthday.

Anne

 

[vicb]

I agree with what Ducklite had said about the rules and why it is not appropriate to "bend" them. Even though the ratio might be 20:1 there were 2 CM's for around 12 kids the night we used Sandcastle.

To the OP, I understand why you would ask that question and don't fault you for that. After all that is what this board is for... to ask questions and get info.

Kudos to those who were honest when so close to the age but did the right thing. My DS was 3 1/2 on our first trip and we would have loved to have him and DD then age 6 go to kids club but we didn't try. Last trip he was 6 and went and had a great time and we didn't have to feel guilty about it.