Little white Lie???

[bumbershoot]

He turns 3yo in August, the 2nd day of our trip, so I hadn't planned to get him a ticket or pay for his buffets.

And you don't need to. It is disney policy that kiddo is the same age from the start of the trip on.

My response to this question is always the same - I see no problem with it AS LONG AS when your 3 year old is 16, and tells you 'but it was only a little white lie' that you are okay with him doing it as well.

I actually didn't used to be worried about little things, until I married a man who was "the liar" of his family from an early age. Even though he's figured out where it came from (his father punishing him harshly b/c father thought he was lying...hubby wasn't, but at 6 made a conscious decision that he WOULD lie since he'd be punished anyway, and he might as well do the crime), even though he's had counseling, it's a slippery slope for him. He has to tell NO lies, white or otherwise. If I say "do I look fat in this", I have to be prepared, because he will NOT color the truth. At one rough spot in our relationship, he was keeping things from me...not bad things, just piddly things...and it nearly destroyed us. It is NOT fun to be lied to. Even about silly things. So because HE can't even do white lies, I can't either, and it's really changed my perspective.

Are you surprised? You should have known by now that 90% of the people on the Dis don't lie.

Seriously, I don't understand where anyone has said that they never lie (I don't anymore, but I used to, as I just talked about above). But when it comes to tickets...you know the cost, plan for the cost. If the costs bug you, make different decisions. For our family, we're vegetarian, have two people who can't have things related to corn syrup, and one who has to watch carbs b/c of blood sugar. We also know that we can't eat all that much when we're hot. We're NEVER going to make the decision to do the dining plan, because we'd be throwing away so much food it wouldn't even be funny. It would not be a value. And most of the foods on the kid's menu is useless to DS (if anything we'd need to age him UP, lol).

If the OP can't do the trip while paying, make different choices.

And people saying that, no matter how harsh or gentle they say it, doesn't mean they are pure as the driven snow, nor does it mean they are on a high horse as another poster accused.

I finally have had an opportunity to ask a former cm what they are told about this age verification issue. She said if your kid is in a stroller and hasn't lost teeth, you aren't going to be questioned. Even if you are questioned, they can not and will not force you to prove the child's age, it's not their policy. Nine year olds are even harder, as they truly come in lots of size and levels of physical maturity. Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

As many people have said in many threads, what one CM says isn't what another CM would say. There are plenty of people who have experienced or seen CMs asking kids, CMs worrying about ages, CMs calling people on it.

In third grade I was very ill and missed two weeks of school. I came back and there was a sub and a test on something they went over while I was gone. I shouldn't have taken that test, and had the regular teacher been there, I wouldn't. I had no idea what was going on and I copied one out a hundred questions (it was math) off someone sitting next to me. It was the only question I got right. Now, the regular teacher just tossed the test. I certainly did not get caught or in trouble. But I *still*, in my late 30s, feel so horribly guilty over that. It's actually kind of funny, but it has kept me very honest my whole life. I hate guilt. I did something I knew I shouldn't have and it bothers me. Maybe it is because I did get away with it...?

 

[okeydokey]

I wouldn't teach my child to lie for money, but that's me.

 

[Steve's Girl]

This is my personal opinion. I am not directing my opinion towards anyone else, just stating my personal views. I personally think it is wrong to lie about age. We try to teach our kids to always be truthful. I do my best to set an example for my kids. Of course, I am not perfect and often have to apologize to them for not setting the example I should. But I do try. To me, saving a few dollars isn't worth setting an example for my kids that it is OK to lie. If it is OK sometimes, when is it not OK?

My son will be 10 right before our next trip. We have just known that this trip would cost more due to his age. We have to save a little longer.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Welcome to the DIS. You'll find that the moral police are always on duty here and they have no problem yelling at you from atop their high horses.

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

Going to Disney is not a right. If you can't pay the required cost of admission, save a bit longer or go somewhere else. Many DISers have cancelled or postponed trips this year due to the economy. It's not rocket science that sneaking someone in who is supposed to pay, regardless of age, is stealing. It's not a little white lie. It is stealing whether you get caught or not, and it is no different than taking $200 worth of merchandise from a store. It makes no difference if the item being stolen is tangible or not. It's no different than a teenager jumping a fence to sneak into Magic Kingdom. I'm sure some on here would support that as well since Disney surely has more money than their precious teenagers who need to go to Disney.

 

[Kallista]

Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

I wouldn't tell Disney that my 3 year old is a 2 year old.

It's a lie told to obtain free services from a company that you would otherwise have to pay for. In the criminal court system in my state, it's a crime called "theft by deception."

It's probably a felony theft, if you add the cost of all the unpaid meals together.

(I'd never get away with this anyway. We're a Disney family and we're in the system. I'm pretty sure that Disney knows more about my family than our school does -- ages, birthdays, address, credit card information, trip history, meal preferences, anniversaries, etc.)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

Going to Disney is not a right. If you can't pay the required cost of admission, save a bit longer or go somewhere else. Many DISers have cancelled or postponed trips this year due to the economy. It's not rocket science that sneaking someone in who is supposed to pay, regardless of age, is stealing. It's not a little white lie. It is stealing whether you get caught or not, and it is no different than taking $200 worth of merchandise from a store. It makes no difference if the item being stolen is tangible or not. It's no different than a teenager jumping a fence to sneak into Magic Kingdom. I'm sure some on here would support that as well since Disney surely has more money than their precious teenagers who need to go to Disney.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

 

[bgirl29]

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

Going to Disney is not a right. If you can't pay the required cost of admission, save a bit longer or go somewhere else. Many DISers have cancelled or postponed trips this year due to the economy. It's not rocket science that sneaking someone in who is supposed to pay, regardless of age, is stealing. It's not a little white lie. It is stealing whether you get caught or not, and it is no different than taking $200 worth of merchandise from a store. It makes no difference if the item being stolen is tangible or not. It's no different than a teenager jumping a fence to sneak into Magic Kingdom. I'm sure some on here would support that as well since Disney surely has more money than their precious teenagers who need to go to Disney.

I totally agree with this. I do not understand why on the Dis if you say follow the rules, you are the morality police.

 

[SLK1]

Let me start by saying that if I had a three-year-old, I would pay for that child. Having said that, everyone saying, "Look what you're teaching your child", well, that's a little silly because I doubt any two or three-year-old is paying any attention at all to what mommy and daddy are paying for their ticket! I did have a CM ask my DD9 (at the time) how old she was - and she is extremely tall for her age - and she said 9, and that was that. They didn't give us funny looks or call the age police or anything on us. I think it's kind of making a really big mountain out of mole hill. We can all get a little self-righteous on the Disboards, but face to face, I'm sure we might tell the person otherwise. To each his own.

 

[rgf207]

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

Going to Disney is not a right. If you can't pay the required cost of admission, save a bit longer or go somewhere else. Many DISers have cancelled or postponed trips this year due to the economy. It's not rocket science that sneaking someone in who is supposed to pay, regardless of age, is stealing. It's not a little white lie. It is stealing whether you get caught or not, and it is no different than taking $200 worth of merchandise from a store. It makes no difference if the item being stolen is tangible or not. It's no different than a teenager jumping a fence to sneak into Magic Kingdom. I'm sure some on here would support that as well since Disney surely has more money than their precious teenagers who need to go to Disney.

You're right and I apologize for anything inconsiderate I said on this thread. Today has been a bad day and I took it out on the wrong people. I'm sorry for my statements and hope I haven't offended anyone. Sometimes things just get the best of you.

I apologize again

 

[maxiesmom]

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

No flippin kiddding!!!!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You're right and I apologize for anything inconsiderate I said on this thread. Today has been a bad day and I took it out on the wrong people. I'm sorry for my statements and hope I haven't offended anyone. Sometimes things just get the best of you.

I apologize again

That was very classy of you. No offense taken!

 

[boltfans]

And you don't need to. It is disney policy that kiddo is the same age from the start of the trip on.

Right, that I know, but how do they have any idea? I mean, it's not like it says your age on your room key. And actually, a 2yo doesn't get a room key. So if I say "Yes, my son is 3, he turned 3 yesterday, but look, we checked in 2 days ago," how do they know I didn't just make up that birthday? My son does know his birthday is August, but he has no idea of the date, and if I told him it were today he'd believe it.

So I guess my question is, if they were to ask my son, which I highly doubt they will, and he say 3yo, which I also doubt will happen, and I say when his birthday is, they just take my word for that?

 

[SLK1]

You're right and I apologize for anything inconsiderate I said on this thread. Today has been a bad day and I took it out on the wrong people. I'm sorry for my statements and hope I haven't offended anyone. Sometimes things just get the best of you.

I apologize again

Don't apologize...you were right!

 

[duffy]

Then perhaps Disney isn't the trip for you. If your kid is not interested I don't know why you would take them. Of course to each their own. Ticket prices are not based on how interested you are in the parks. They are admission prices. Meaning- you pay the price to be let in. I am sorry but this has nothing to do with a little white lie or living in a glass house. You want to lie so you don't have to pay for your child. People will keep this up and then wonder why the costs keep going up and up and up. If you want to lie then go ahead, but don't be shocked and throw a tantrum if you get caught and asked to leave. Good luck!

How would she get caught? Seriously? Are parents required-note I say REQUIRED-to bring proof that their kids are under 3? If not, then isn't the burden of proof on Disney?

But if I have to PROVE that my child is 3 or older, why isn't that very clear on their sites?

Disney can actually ask someone to leave, based on just, oh, for example, a toddler holding up 3 fingers and saying, "I'm fwee!!"? I can't believe that. And if they tried throwing me out just for that reason, I'd throw a tantrum too!!

 

[RMulieri]

Actually, only on the DIS does someone have to defend themself for following the rules and doing the right thing. In the real world, it is expected. On the DIS, it's grounds to be called "the moral police", "holier-than-thou", "must have never told a lie", and other lovely names. Go figure that on the message board where people profess to love Disney, many are all too willing to defraud Disney of money if they can get away with it. Anything to save a buck.

Going to Disney is not a right. If you can't pay the required cost of admission, save a bit longer or go somewhere else. Many DISers have cancelled or postponed trips this year due to the economy. It's not rocket science that sneaking someone in who is supposed to pay, regardless of age, is stealing. It's not a little white lie. It is stealing whether you get caught or not, and it is no different than taking $200 worth of merchandise from a store. It makes no difference if the item being stolen is tangible or not. It's no different than a teenager jumping a fence to sneak into Magic Kingdom. I'm sure some on here would support that as well since Disney surely has more money than their precious teenagers who need to go to Disney.

 

[Steph9072]

First to OP if you ask a question here you do so knowing that not everyone has the same views on issues as you. You are not always going to like the answers that you get.
That being said if you are comfortable saying your child is 2 then do so. I would be prepared to pay for him though. Because I too have heard of parents doing just what you are talking about and being in a pickle when they were told they had to pay for the child because they don’t have the money to do so.

Kids are sponges and we have to remember they absorb what we do. Be it the good, the bad or the ugly. I remember that with everything I do. My husband and I are the people who are forming our kids to be the adults they will be. So I myself if I were in your situation I would say my child was 3. Just because that is the example I want my children to have. And heaven forbid a CM ask my how old they were and they had to lie to cover my butt.

I totally understand how the economy is effecting your decision and you’re trying to save money. Maybe there are ways to save money that would be little more honest. We too are have to watch our budget too. So to save money I am bringing souvenirs with us for our kids. Stitch & Tinkerbell will leave these in the room for them. By doing this we will save money. I plan to take breakfast items that we can eat in the room so we don’t have spend money our use our DDP for breakfast.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[maxiesmom]

How would she get caught? Seriously? Are parents required-note I say REQUIRED-to bring proof that their kids are under 3? If not, then isn't the burden of proof on Disney?

No it is not. That would be the same as saying a liquor store has to prove you are not 21, otherwise they have to sell you alcohol.

 

[mjkacmom]

How would she get caught? Seriously? Are parents required-note I say REQUIRED-to bring proof that their kids are under 3? If not, then isn't the burden of proof on Disney?

But if I have to PROVE that my child is 3 or older, why isn't that very clear on their sites?

Disney can actually ask someone to leave, based on just, oh, for example, a toddler holding up 3 fingers and saying, "I'm fwee!!"? I can't believe that. And if they tried throwing me out just for that reason, I'd throw a tantrum too!!

I don't think the main issue is getting caught, but the fact that it is wrong to get something for free that you are supposed to pay for. It is stealing, and stealing on it's own is wrong, involving children is even worse.

 

[kevschickee]

No it is not. That would be the same as saying a liquor store has to prove you are not 21, otherwise they have to sell you alcohol.

They do have o prove they are 21 with an ID. So you can't compare the two

 

[Hannathy]

Disney is not a right! They are a business in business for the sole purpose of making a profit for the shareholders. It is their RIGHT to decide at any point that you need to prove your child is under 2 -just as Southwest does every time-or make you pay. They could decide tomorrow that everyone pays no exceptions and hearing of all the cheating that goes on at Disney from this board I wish they would, it may slow down the next ticket increase or dining plan increase, because someone pays for the free food your under 3 eats and the CM used to run the ride your free under 3 rides on and believe me it ISN'T Disney............