Little white Lie???

[Ava]

Seriously? People were escorted over to pay for their child's entry? I would think that Disney employees would have had to PROVE that the kids were over the age of 2 to force this to happen. If so, then I'd think that Disney would REQUIRE proof of age for all kids of all ages.

If I say my kid is 2, or 9, or 17, and an employee challenges me, I'd ask him or her to prove that she isn't that age. I don't have to prove that my child is any age, unless it's for the birthday promotion they're running now.

I haven't read the whole thread yet so sorry if this has been addressed already, but I always thought Disney was within their rights to ask for proof of a child's age if they are trying to enter with a child's ticket or for free. I forget where I heard that, probably on these boards, but it sounds reasonable to me. They offer free/discounted admission for children, they have a right to enforce their policies.

We're planning DD's first trip for just before she turns 3 (possibly for her 3rd birthday) and I will be carrying a copy of her birth certificate with me just in case. She's already "tall" at 12 weeks (90% percentile!) so there's a good possibility she will be a tall almost-3-year-old as well. I'd rather carry around a piece of paper than be caught without proof of her age if questioned.

I fully admit I used to lie about my own age as a young teen so I only had to pay child's price at the movies (12 & under back then) and then I'd have more money for the arcade. But I won't be lying about my child's ages at Disney. I'll plan carefully to save all I can, but the guilt & bad lessons I'd teach them by lying aren't worth saving a couple hundred bucks. Not to mention I'm a terrible liar - *I'd* probably slip up and give her real age!

To the OP: If you aren't on the DDP the only meals your child will have to pay for are buffets, so don't do buffets and he can just share your meals. If you are on DDP, a child's plan is only $10/day - in this case do lots of character meals - you'll definitely get your money's worth out of his plan!

 

[Anonomom]

FWIW, when I was a kid, my parents lied for YEARS about my age, just to get a discount or something for free. I can still remember cringing with shame when they'd tell us to stand far away from the ticket window at the movies, so the teller couldn't see that we were 12, not 10.

As a result, I would NEVER, EVER lie just to save some money. It's stealing, and it's wrong. If someone can't afford to pay for their 3-year-old (or adult prices for a 10-year-old), then that person has no business going to Disney. Harsh? Yes, but that's the way it is.

I know someone who took their 3.5 yo to Disney. Not only did she lie and say the child was 2, she made sure to put the kid in platform shoes so she would be tall enough to ride the roller coasters. Nothing like lying on both ends of the spectrum.

 

[whitneyNC]

I haven't read the whole thread yet so sorry if this has been addressed already, but I always thought Disney was within their rights to ask for proof of a child's age if they are trying to enter with a child's ticket or for free. I forget where I heard that, probably on these boards, but it sounds reasonable to me. They offer free/discounted admission for children, they have a right to enforce their policies.

No, WDW does not have policy that kids must travel with proof of age. Can you imagine the outrage if a two year old was turned away at the gate for free admission? They simply have nothing to enforce. Yes, they could certainly begin to require proof of age, but it would have to be WIDELY publicized. Still, people would travel with younger relatives birth certs for their kids and put the park ticket in the matching name. Disney certainly doesn't care if last names match in the room or on the reservation. It is all based on the honor system, and I think many people still have some. I don't think Disney is worried at all.

 

[clanmcculloch]

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?

If you child's birthday falls during the trip then he'll receive a pin showing that he's a birthday boy. It'll be VERY clear that his age changed DURING the trip. My understanding is that CMs encourage people to wear their birthday pins every day during their trip and not just on the actual birthday.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think you are stretching my post just a little don't you think?

Obviously a 40 yo couldn't pass for a 2 yo.....Hello!

I'm just saying unless a person is an adult usually there is nothing that is carried routinely that legally proves someone age. As I said in my last post, I don't routinely carry my kids passports or BC's unless we are out of the country.

Kids come in all shapes and sizes. When my DS was 3 he was as tall as my almost 6 yo DD is now. How could WDW call me a liar?

They warn people about other things. When I made a ressie for my kids for the Pirate Cruise the CM told me kids are required to wear tennis shoes. If I choose to ignore and not put my kids in tennis shoes then they can be turned away.

Same thing. If a parent is warned proof of age is required. And they can't produce it. Guess the kids and parents are SOL.

According to what you have posted it really doesn't matter if the 40 year old can pass for a 2 year old. If they insist they are 2 what is the CM going to do about it? They don't say that you need ID to enter the parks, just to check in. So say I go to WDW with my family and only one adult does the check in and I insist everyone else is 2. There is nothing that says I have to prove that so I guess all my kids and my DH can get in for free because we will not admit that any of them are over 2.
I know that sounds crazy but it really is the same thing. If you are a certain age it is a certain price. If WDW starts to feel that people are taking advantage then they will do away with the whole age thing eventually and everyone will be charged admission even infants. That is how business works. It is all about the bottom line.

 

[longstangetrip]

If you child's birthday falls during the trip then he'll receive a pin showing that he's a birthday boy. It'll be VERY clear that his age changed DURING the trip. My understanding is that CMs encourage people to wear their birthday pins every day during their trip and not just on the actual birthday.

If a child turns 3 after the check in date, he remains 2 for the entire trip. I'm not sure what your post means?

The people arguing about a 40 year old claiming they are two years old are what make the dis so frustrating at times. Obviously, adults drive and carry I.D. much more often than two year olds, and not one adult on this green earth is going to argue they are two years old in order to get into WDW for free. It is not the same thing at all.
Please be rational.

op-Obviously the right thing to do is to be truthful and follow the proper protocol for a 3 year old visiting WDW, but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler. Hope your trip is great!

 

[maxiesmom]

Very wise words. Thank you.
And adding the question: How would all these little white lie-tellers feel if it was there park,hotel,or pool?

How would they feel if there own business that was supposed to make profits were scammed by all kinds of people ?
I think they would cry he......

I always wonder if the people who think it ok to lie over the price of admission would feel comfortable going to a store, loading up $200 or so worth of merchandise into their carts, and walking out. Cause what they are doing is pretty much the same thing. Is that ok because there is not a sign telling you you have to pay for the merchandis, or is it ok when you can get away with it?

I think most people know that sneaking an older child in for free is wrong. Some people simply don't care that it is wrong, and will use any excuse to still do it. Even blame the company they are stealing from. Sad.

 

[clanmcculloch]

If a child turns 3 after the check in date, he remains 2 for the entire trip. I'm not sure what your post means?

My post was referring to somebody concerned about needing proof that their child was only 2 at the beginning of their trip but turned 3 during the trip. It'll be clear that the child had a birthday during the trip because of the pin so the fact that he/she is now 3 is obviously because of a birthday. That's all I was getting at.

 

[Hannathy]

If a child turns 3 after the check in date, he remains 2 for the entire trip. I'm not sure what your post means?

The people arguing about a 40 year old claiming they are two years old are what make the dis so frustrating at times. Obviously, adults drive and carry I.D. much more often than two year olds, and not one adult on this green earth is going to argue they are two years old in order to get into WDW for free. It is not the same thing at all.
Please be rational.

op-Obviously the right thing to do is to be truthful and follow the proper protocol for a 3 year old visiting WDW, but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler. Hope your trip is great!

"but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler."


Actually they probably won't BUT they CAN ask for ID if they decide to. Their park their right. Southwest asks for ID every time you fly with an under 2 and they mean it or else you pay. Even if the child in question is 6 weeks old. I really wish Disney would, I'm sick of paying for all the folks who don't think twice about stealing from me.

 

[2binak]

Friends of ours taught - yes taught - their 3.5 yr old son to tell anyone who asked at Disney that he was almost 3 because, in their words, "He's not big enough to ride all the rides so why should we pay for a ticket." They didn't understand that admission also pays for people to clean the parks, characters & street performers to act, parades, fireworks, etc. I could never lie in front of my child like that or ask my child to lie, but that's me.

OP - it's simple. If you're not comfortable lying, don't do it.

 

[maxiesmom]

The people arguing about a 40 year old claiming they are two years old are what make the dis so frustrating at times. Obviously, adults drive and carry I.D. much more often than two year olds, and not one adult on this green earth is going to argue they are two years old in order to get into WDW for free. It is not the same thing at all.
Please be rational.

But my comment is rational. If Disney can't demand proof of age of anyone, that means anyone! Or where would you draw the line? Is it ok to ask a child who looks 5 to prove their age? Seven? Ten? Just where do you draw the line?

I know, at a child who looks older than 2! That is what makes the most sense!

 

[Tink_fanatic]

Pass it please LOL

 

[Ava]

"but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler."


Actually they probably won't BUT they CAN ask for ID if they decide to. Their park their right. Southwest asks for ID every time you fly with an under 2 and they mean it or else you pay. Even if the child in question is 6 weeks old. I really wish Disney would, I'm sick of paying for all the folks who don't think twice about stealing from me.

I'm the one who posted about Disney having the right to ask for proof of a child's age - I could've sworn I read that somewhere! Probably on these boards, in a thread such as this one, where people were trying to discourage someone from lying to save money.

Add me to the list of folks who wish Disney would start requiring proof of age for free/child's admission. I'm sure Disney loses many thousands of dollars a year in planned revenue from people not paying for their 3-year-olds. We all pay for those losses in higher prices for admission & food, and reduced services.

 

[longstangetrip]

"but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler."


Actually they probably won't BUT they CAN ask for ID if they decide to. Their park their right. Southwest asks for ID every time you fly with an under 2 and they mean it or else you pay. Even if the child in question is 6 weeks old. I really wish Disney would, I'm sick of paying for all the folks who don't think twice about stealing from me.

All airlines have this as a clear policy, Disney does not. Therefore they can't make you prove your child is two. They would have to let you know the i.d. is required. In your scenario a family could arrive from Wisconsin with their two year old and no birth certificate, then be told they have to buy a ticket because they don't believe he is two. If they hadn't budgeted for this, would they be told to go home? Certainly Disney could make this a policy since it's their company, but they haven't. From the outside looking in, it would seem to be a good policy. I maintain a CM can't demand a child to provide proof of age. I am not arguing that being untruthful about your child's age is okay or right. Obviously, it's neither.

clanmcculloch-A child who TURNS 3 during a trip is considered 2 the entire time. They only have to be 2 the first day to get in to the parks and eat free the entire vacation.

maxiesmom: It doesn't matter when it is "okay" to ask for proof of age. It's not part of their policy and that is because no one is crazy enough to say they are two when they are ten, or an adult. I have faith.

A wdw travel cm told me when they switched the "child" age from 11 to 9 it is because they "give" people two years. They are still counting on people buying kids' tickets for 11 and unders and it is more efficient and effective to just move the age down. Before, kids were coming in until high school with the 11 and under tickets. This was their answer to the age issue. I maintain it is right and less stressful to be honest about kids' ages.

I am curious how people feel about the 10-13 year olds (or even adults) ordering from the kids' menu? We all know Disney makes no effort to enforce the 9 and under policy on kids' meals.

 

[tinkermom23]

Pass it please LOL

Room for one more??

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The people arguing about a 40 year old claiming they are two years old are what make the dis so frustrating at times. Obviously, adults drive and carry I.D. much more often than two year olds, and not one adult on this green earth is going to argue they are two years old in order to get into WDW for free. It is not the same thing at all.
Please be rational.

I believe there were two points being made with this argument. The first is that since Disney doesn't require proof of age, they must not really mean to enforce their own rules, so it is OK to lie. That's ridiculous.

The counter argument is that Disney doesn't require proof of age from anyone and expects people to do the right thing (obviously Disney has an inflated opinion of some people based on some of these posts). It is just as wrong to try to sneak in a 3 year old as it is to sneak in a 40 year old. The PP who advised lying apparently bases her support of lying on whether or not she is likely to get caught. Still ridiculous - it is stealing whether anyone catches you or not, no matter how old you are. If you are three or older, you need a ticket, whether you have just turned three or you turned three 37 years ago. The only difference is that you are not as likely to be questioned if you are three as you are if you are 40.

I would hope if I posted on a thread that I was going to hop the fence to get into MK for free since the economy is tough and I wasn't really going to ride many rides anyway (and I need to throw in how much I DESERVE this trip and Disney makes so much money anyway that they won't miss the cost of my ticket), I wouldn't get a lot of support for that idea. It's no more ridiculous than lying about a child's age.

The bottom line is that Disney bases its ticket requirements on age. Senior citizens do not get discounts, people with a fear of thrill rides do not get discounts, people who are unable to transfer from wheelchairs do not get discounts. All adults pay the same price at buffets whether they eat three grapes or five plates of food. Don't like the rules of admission, go somewhere else. But don't justify stealing by saying Disney doesn't care or else they would require anyone entering the parks to have a birth certificate. The rules are printed on Disney's website and on the tickets themselves. The people who choose not to follow them are looking for a free ride because they hope they won't get caught - nothing more, nothing less. No one has made a convincing argument that it is the right thing to do. The only argument is that they are cheap and dishonest and hope to get away with it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Isn't it against DIS board policy to discuss trying to circumvent Disney's policies??

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Isn't it against DIS board policy to discuss trying to circumvent Disney's policies??

Yes.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I believe there were two points being made with this argument. The first is that since Disney doesn't require proof of age, they must not really mean to enforce their own rules, so it is OK to lie. That's ridiculous.

The counter argument is that Disney doesn't require proof of age from anyone and expects people to do the right thing (obviously Disney has an inflated opinion of some people based on some of these posts). It is just as wrong to try to sneak in a 3 year old as it is to sneak in a 40 year old. The PP who advised lying apparently bases her support of lying on whether or not she is likely to get caught. Still ridiculous - it is stealing whether anyone catches you or not, no matter how old you are. If you are three or older, you need a ticket, whether you have just turned three or you turned three 37 years ago. The only difference is that you are not as likely to be questioned if you are three as you are if you are 40.

I would hope if I posted on a thread that I was going to hop the fence to get into MK for free since the economy is tough and I wasn't really going to ride many rides anyway (and I need to throw in how much I DESERVE this trip and Disney makes so much money anyway that they won't miss the cost of my ticket), I wouldn't get a lot of support for that idea. It's no more ridiculous than lying about a child's age.

The bottom line is that Disney bases its ticket requirements on age. Senior citizens do not get discounts, people with a fear of thrill rides do not get discounts, people who are unable to transfer from wheelchairs do not get discounts. All adults pay the same price at buffets whether they eat three grapes or five plates of food. Don't like the rules of admission, go somewhere else. But don't justify stealing by saying Disney doesn't care or else they would require anyone entering the parks to have a birth certificate. The rules are printed on Disney's website and on the tickets themselves. The people who choose not to follow them are looking for a free ride because they hope they won't get caught - nothing more, nothing less. No one has made a convincing argument that it is the right thing to do. The only argument is that they are cheap and dishonest and hope to get away with it.

 

[lil mermaid]

"but no they will not and can not demand identification for your toddler."


Actually they probably won't BUT they CAN ask for ID if they decide to. Their park their right. Southwest asks for ID every time you fly with an under 2 and they mean it or else you pay. Even if the child in question is 6 weeks old. I really wish Disney would, I'm sick of paying for all the folks who don't think twice about stealing from me.

That is a completely different situation. Southwest asks for ID for children under 2 who are lap babies because FAA Regulations state that kids over must occupy their own seat. They don't want to violate FAA regulations because someone cheaped out and tried to pass their kid off as a lap baby.

Southwest also verifies the ages of babies who are traveling under their infant fares. But this is stated on their website, and they inform you of this as well when you call to book infant fares (which cannot be booked online.) Anyway, the point is that airlines have a clearly stated policy and there is more driving it than just making money.

Disney has no such stated policy.

OP - Disney isn't going to ask you for proof of age. But for heaven's sake, if your kid is 3, just pay it. It isn't a "little white lie."