Kids club's age req.

[kcatherine]

We're planning a trip to Disney World and our two oldest will be 5 and 3 at the time. I know some of the resorts have the kids clubs, which we would love to use. Our 3-year-old will be a couple months shy of 4, but is so used to hanging out with his older brother, I know the two of them wouldn't want to be apart.

Has anyone used the Kids club with a child younger than 4?

Thanks!

 

[brergnat]

You can't. Florida state law dictates the age requirement, not Disney, as the kid's clubs fall under the category of a "daycare/childcare center". Because of staffing ratios, they have to follow FL state laws.

Disney will know your child is 3 because it will be in your reservation (your child's birth date). When you go to register your kids in the clubs, they will pull up your resort reservation, and will be able to see your kid's birth dates. That is how they verify their ages/identities. Only WDW resort guests may use the kids clubs onsite, and that is why.

Here in California, at the Disneyland Resort hotels, the requirement for the kid's club is 5 years old, due to California state laws.

That is a big reason why we have postponed our next trip to WDW. We were thinking of going towards the end of this year, but decided to go next spring instead, since our youngest will turn 4 in March. That way, we can put BOTH kids in the club and have a night or two out for a nice dinner.

Sorry, no way around this rule.

 

[CLR4321]

Your 3 year old is too young to go. I would suggest using Kids Night Out. here is some info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/childcare.htm The kids clubs are for kids age 4-12 only.

 

[justhat]

Not that I am suggesting anyone should lie, but if they just go by the resort reservation, couldn't you just say your child is 4yo and then they'd be able to go to the club? My daughter is 5.5yo and WDW still seems to think she's 4yo. I don't really care as it doesn't affect anything so I never changed it and neither did they. Interestingly, I said she was 5yo for our trip this past April, yet when I called tonight to confirm our reservation for this Sunday, they told me she was 4yo. So it's not like there's any sort of cross check either. They also think my son is still 2yo but he turned 3yo earlier this month. Again, doesn't affect anything (as we have APs and we're not doing the dining plan, so his age on the room only reservation doesn't mean anything) so I didn't care enough to change it.

But anyway, my point is, since WDW thinks my kids are a year younger than they are, (and they thought my husband was 18yo tonight!!), couldn't you just say they are a year older? Of course, they could ask the kid at check-in, but how would they verify it if the room reservation says something other than what the kid says? My son still says he's 2, but holds up anywhere from 2-5 fingers depending on his mood. So how would they really know what is the truth?

 

[livndisney]

Not that I am suggesting anyone should lie, but if they just go by the resort reservation, couldn't you just say your child is 4yo and then they'd be able to go to the club? My daughter is 5.5yo and WDW still seems to think she's 4yo. I don't really care as it doesn't affect anything so I never changed it and neither did they. Interestingly, I said she was 5yo for our trip this past April, yet when I called tonight to confirm our reservation for this Sunday, they told me she was 4yo. So it's not like there's any sort of cross check either. They also think my son is still 2yo but he turned 3yo earlier this month. Again, doesn't affect anything (as we have APs and we're not doing the dining plan, so his age on the room only reservation doesn't mean anything) so I didn't care enough to change it.

But anyway, my point is, since WDW thinks my kids are a year younger than they are, (and they thought my husband was 18yo tonight!!), couldn't you just say they are a year older? Of course, they could ask the kid at check-in, but how would they verify it if the room reservation says something other than what the kid says? My son still says he's 2, but holds up anywhere from 2-5 fingers depending on his mood. So how would they really know what is the truth?

But the issue is not with WDW. The child care centers are LICENSED by the state. If the state were to walk in and find a child in care that a center is not licensed for-the state can pull the license and close the center. Also age of child can affect the number of children in care and the ratio of children to staff.

 

[NotUrsula]

Disney will know your child is 3 because it will be in your reservation (your child's birth date). When you go to register your kids in the clubs, they will pull up your resort reservation, and will be able to see your kid's birth dates. That is how they verify their ages/identities. Only WDW resort guests may use the kids clubs onsite, and that is why.

Actually, this statement is not accurate for WDW. Offsite guests CAN use the kids clubs at WDW resorts (DL in California does restrict to onsite guests only, the last I heard.)

IME, they only check your reservation to see if there is contact info on it. We stay at the S/D all the time and use the clubs, and Disney does NOT have access to the details of that hotel stay info, including the children's names. (S/D keys only have the name of the person paying for the room, not the individual members of the party.)

In any case, WDW reservations keeps a record of the child's age, but NOT the date of birth; they can be off by over 11 months depending on the timing of your visit. The software tends to assume that you will visit at the same time every year, so it rolls the age forward on the anniversary of the child's first entry into the system, unless a CM manually enters new info.

IME as a S/D guest, the way that they check the child's age at the clubs is to simply ask -- the child. If the child says that they are under age, then the check-in CM will ask you to confirm his age if you claim that the child is mistaken. (Well, unless it's obvious. If you have a clowning 6 yo who says he's 2, they will get that, but as a general rule, young kids are very proud of being older, and will not lie in the other direction.)

I've never seen a potty-trained child turned away if the parent insists that he is of age, but I suspect that one is up to the judgement of the CM's. If the child LOOKS four they will probably take your word for it, but if the child looks two they will dig a bit to try to determine if you are fibbing. You do have to sign a statement saying that the child is at least 4 years old, and fill in their DOB on the ID form; that is to protect themselves from liability in the event of an inspection -- if they have a signed statement from the parent that says that the child is of age, they are reasonably safe from liability unless it is obvious from the child's size and cognitive ability that he/she must be younger.

 

[justhat]

But the issue is not with WDW. The child care centers are LICENSED by the state. If the state were to walk in and find a child in care that a center is not licensed for-the state can pull the license and close the center. Also age of child can affect the number of children in care and the ratio of children to staff.

No, I understand all the reasoning behind it, but that doesn't address what I asked, how they confirm the child's age if they're just going by the WDW room reservation.

But NotUrsula clarified that by saying they ask the child. Do you actually need proof though, or do they just take your word for it? I have no desire nor intention to ever sneak my kids into the clubs (particularly because we have another one coming soon who won't be eligible for years, so what's the point of dumping off 2 of them if we still have the 3rd?), but I'm just curious. Like I said, my son typically says he's 2yo, but if he chooses not to speak, will hold up anywhere from 2-5 fingers. His sister is 5 so he often says he's 5yo too. He just turned 3 and just today held up 3 fingers and said "Daddy say I this much now", but then he added a 4th and said "Actually, maybe I this much." So based on his ramblings, how would one ever determine his age? And I never carry around proof.

 

[brergnat]

They also think my son is still 2yo but he turned 3yo earlier this month. Again, doesn't affect anything (as we have APs and we're not doing the dining plan, so his age on the room only reservation doesn't mean anything) so I didn't care enough to change it.

Well, I certainly hope you plan to puchase him a park ticket, but that's a post for another topic...

To get back on track, the rule is that a child must be 4, period. Not three and 11 months, not 3 and 9 months, FOUR.

If you want to lie about it, for your own personal selfish reasons, no one can really stop you. Of course, THAT is also a post for another topic...

The OP asked if it was allowed, or if anyone had done it.

The answer is: it's NOT allowed. By Florida state law, it's NOT allowed. "You" (not you personally, but anyone who chooses to "sneak" their underage kid into the kid's club) want to break the law, go ahead. Be a GREAT example for your toddler...

 

[livndisney]

No, I understand all the reasoning behind it, but that doesn't address what I asked, how they confirm the child's age if they're just going by the WDW room reservation.

But NotUrsula clarified that by saying they ask the child. Do you actually need proof though, or do they just take your word for it? I have no desire nor intention to ever sneak my kids into the clubs (particularly because we have another one coming soon who won't be eligible for years, so what's the point of dumping off 2 of them if we still have the 3rd?), but I'm just curious. Like I said, my son typically says he's 2yo, but if he chooses not to speak, will hold up anywhere from 2-5 fingers. His sister is 5 so he often says he's 5yo too. He just turned 3 and just today held up 3 fingers and said "Daddy say I this much now", but then he added a 4th and said "Actually, maybe I this much." So based on his ramblings, how would one ever determine his age? And I never carry around proof.

As explained, the room ressie really doesn't factor into it. The waiver you sign stating your child is 4 or over is how they verify age. It usually asks for your childs birthdate.

 

[justhat]

Well, I certainly hope you plan to puchase him a park ticket, but that's a post for another topic...

Well really, I'm not sure what it is to you, but like I said, we have APs. So clearly he is taken care of. My point was that WDW doesn't need his correct age for our room for any reason as we are not sneaking in extra people (thereby needing him to be 2), we don't book packages (thereby not needing a ticket through it), and don't do the dining plan (so he's not missing out on the 'free' food during the time we'll be there). So just like they think he's 2yo now, I could just as well have said he is now 4yo and that would be that. They wouldn't have questioned it at all.


To get back on track, the rule is that a child must be 4, period. Not three and 11 months, not 3 and 9 months, FOUR.

If you want to lie about it, for your own personal selfish reasons, no one can really stop you. Of course, THAT is also a post for another topic...

The OP asked if it was allowed, or if anyone had done it.

The answer is: it's NOT allowed. By Florida state law, it's NOT allowed. "You" (not you personally, but anyone who chooses to "sneak" their underage kid into the kid's club) want to break the law, go ahead. Be a GREAT example for your toddler...

Like I said, I have no desire to use the WDW clubs at any time in the near future (and never have, and likely never will), so I personally won't be in the situation. BUT, if I were to lie my son's age, he would have NO idea whatsoever. He turned 3yo 2 weeks ago today and has no idea he's 3yo. If I were to say he's 2, 3, or 4, he wouldn't even look up at me. Now my 5yo would notice, if she's listening anyway, but the actually 'toddler', wouldn't be any example setting as he has no idea what's going on at any time regarding me telling people his age. In fact, since his birthday, random people have asked him how old he is (like people at the park, no one who matters) and I mistakenly said 2 a couple of times, then corrected myself, and he wasn't remotely paying attention. I don't really remember my daughter being any different when she was 3yo either. Now, at 4yo she had more of an idea, of course.

As explained, the room ressie really doesn't factor into it. The waiver you sign stating your child is 4 or over is how they verify age. It usually asks for your childs birthdate.

So then effectively, you (or the OP, not actually you) could simply lie on the form, say the child is 4yo, and fudge the birthdate. Other than what you write on the form, or the child ratting you out, there isn't much of a check in place then. I guess it's not that surprising, but I just assumed there would be more than a "Yeah, he's 4yo" kinda thing cause I can imagine some parents would be willing to lie about it. I mean, once the kid is in there the likelihood of his age coming up seems very slim, so if you make it past that door then you're pretty much set.

Guess I'm just used to the cruises where they have your child's official birthdate from their passport so there can't be any fudging. They can check their actual DOB instantly and you'd be caught. But in this case, that's not an option.

 

[brymolmom]

I guess I'm not suprised about all those less-than-5-year-olds that are passed off as over 5 in our YMCA 'big kids' adventure center. UGH! Makes those of us who follow the rules very angry as we explain to our obviously-older-than-some-of-those-in-there kids that you need to be 5 to go in there.

If it is a state-mandated thing, I am guessing there could/would be lots of trouble/liability for the lying parent if something were to happen (child to get hurt, etc.). Not to mention it isn't really fair to those 4 year old kids to have younger kids in there. 4 year olds can do more than 3 year olds (and 5 year olds can do more than 4) - not fair all around.

But I guess in the 'me first' society, not suprising.

 

[RMulieri]

It is not allowed.My niece was 3 weeks shy of 4 and was not allowed.It is not a Disney law, it is a Florida state Childcare law, and it is for the safety of your child.Sure you could lie, but if you got caught it would not be pleasant and probably downright humiliating..Disney expects honesty out of their guests ....and YES they can ask your child their age.They did ask my 4 yr old her age and right in front of me too( she is very small for her age).The rules are 4 yrs and POTTY TRAINED..If splitting the children is an issue, than in room childcare is what you are left with.

 

[livndisney]

So then effectively, you (or the OP, not actually you) could simply lie on the form, say the child is 4yo, and fudge the birthdate. Other than what you write on the form, or the child ratting you out, there isn't much of a check in place then. I guess it's not that surprising, but I just assumed there would be more than a "Yeah, he's 4yo" kinda thing cause I can imagine some parents would be willing to lie about it. I mean, once the kid is in there the likelihood of his age coming up seems very slim, so if you make it past that door then you're pretty much set.

Guess I'm just used to the cruises where they have your child's official birthdate from their passport so there can't be any fudging. They can check their actual DOB instantly and you'd be caught. But in this case, that's not an option.[/QUOTE]

Well I guess if you are willing to LIE and sign a waiver stating that LIE......

What I do find surprising is anyone arguing the point. It is not "fudging" it is a LIE. And there can be serious ramifications from that lie. If you lie and say your 3 year old is 4 and your child is placed in a group of older children (because they have no three year old group) where the staff ratio to children is lower and your child gets hurt, lost etc. What is your recourse going to be?

Do you really want your 3 year old in a strange place with much older children? Think of the toy aspect, the toys in the centers are for ages 4 and up-think of all the fun a 3 year old can have shoving little toy pieces up noses etc.

BTW it is against the law.

 

[kcatherine]

Wow, lots of responses.

I guess I was wondering if it was similar to daycare at my gym, where it's more of a potty training thing, not a formal age thing. So I guess my questions have been answered!

And Dorisk3, thanks for the nice pm, I couldn't respond because I have so few points.