Little white Lie???

[mjkacmom]

It's not a white lie - a white lie is telling someone that the outfit they are wearing doesn't make them look fat - it's harmless. Withholding money for services rendered is stealing. Why should someone get something for free, that they're not entitled to, when others in the same situation are paying money for the same thing?

 

[cheshireqt]

Disney keeps a record of your ages for future trips. There may be something in the future he will want to do, and he will be always be trying to remember to age him up one year. Please don't feel attacked, but you had to expect these kind of responses when you asked hundreds of thousands of people their opinions on whether you should cheat Disney or not.

I was thinking about this too. One lie leading to 15 years worth! For packages, the age is tied to the child's name and databased. You would have to figure out what the new "birth month" is for your child and keep it in mind for future bookings. I am sure it will work out well for you and DSis if this is your normal travel date, as your child will "turn 9" later and will "turn 13" later so you will be able to milk a child rate for an extra year and a junior rate for an extra year. Me, that is too much trouble and I would get caught. It is rare but Disney does ban people from time to time and my hyper senstive conscience would just scream at me that this would be my fate.
For the pp whose child turns 3 in the middle of the trip....I would identify them as 2 since they are when the trip begins and you are still giving correct birthdate. If you called and asked a CM they would most likely agree that you do not have to pay an increased rate for the last 2 or 3 days of your trip, but if so then so be it. Who wants a fun trip marred by the stress of a lie?

 

[Manda]

For packages, the age is tied to the child's name and databased. You would have to figure out what the new "birth month" is for your child and keep it in mind for future bookings.

Disney's database isn't quite as sophisticated as all that. They note the age of the child (not the birthdate) when you book. Every time I call to book our next trip, they still think my son is the same age as his last trip and then manually update it. They are just saving age as a snapshot in time from the last trip and it isn't calculating the current age or anything. Not saying that justifies lying, but just saying that Disney isn't using that demographic data as fraud detection. That and even if they did say, "Oh, and your son turned 3 this year?", it's not like they are going to argue with you if you tell them it's wrong. Typos are just as common as lying about ages.

Honestly, it would probably cost them more to try to track and fight with people over their kid's ages than it would to just let cheapskates come in and not pay for the one kid's ticket.

 

[minniem]

Here is my experience...I had a trip planned this month and my 9 year old would have been turning 10 during the trip. I had to reschedule for about a month after his 10th birthday. I told the CM that I need to change my son's ticket because he would be turning 10 before the trip. He said, don't worry about it, no one will ask his age. so honestly, if it's such a big deal to tell the white lie, why would the CM say this?

Two wrongs don't make a right. Everyone is going to have their opinions on the matter, you have to do what sits right with you. You are the one who has to live with your decision. Good Luck!

 

[cheshireqt]

Manda you may be right. Although maybe there is a difference in how you book, ie if you register on-line like I did the first time I booked a package? When I booked my next two packages by phone the CMs noted my children's ages and asked me to verify what they had in their database. What they had was correct.
Regardless, the main point remains: if you are willing to lie now about child being 3 then it is clear to me that lying later in life about being 9 and then about being 12 are certainly no "bigger lie."

 

[5 for WDW]

Op, I know Disney tickets can be quite expensive. I understand your situation. Is there any way you can go before your child turns 3? The ticket is based on the child's age when you arrive? Go a day before he turns 3 if you can. This has probably already been mentioned, I didn't read the entire thread.

Two years ago we had both my daughter turn 3 and my oldest turn 10 within a few weeks of our trip. It was a big blow to our pocket to get a ticket for her and get him an adult's ticket. But, we did it because it is what Disney requires.

I am lucky Disney does not charge for the dining plan based on how much you eat. My 9 year old (still considered a child) can eat more then my 12 year old any day!

Have a great trip!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We are planning a trip in October with extended family. My SIL booked saying my neice is 2 when she is really 3, and suggested I do the same. My son will be three just before we go.. I HATE lying, but he will only eat very few things like chicken fingers or fries or fresh fruit, and doesn't care for rides too much yet either, so i kinda feel like paying all that money for him is a waste... do the resorts require proof of age???

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!

 

[kevschickee]

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!

That was uncalled for

 

[tjbaggott]

This Thread needs to be shut down!!!! I feel just horrible to see and read what many have said and it comes across as an attack. A few posts like the one from 5 WDW above, are very supportive and kind in saying the same thing so many have said in a nasty way. The OP wouldn't have asked if she weren't struggling with the idea herself, and just wanted others opinions yes, but not a personal attack on her as a person, a mother, a Diser.

Moderator, PLEASE close this Thread.

 

[Sneezie]

OP, I have not had to deal with this situation yet, but if the difference is between being able to afford a Disney trip by not paying for the 3-year old or not going at all, I would say he was 2!

I'm sure Disney would rather have 4 paying adults and a 3-year old passing for 2 than to have you cancel your trip because you couldn't afford the child ticket.

It is totally up to you and no one on this board will know what you do once you and your 2-year old get there.

 

[disfan07]

I dont have kids yet but i think that lying about your childs age to save money is ridiculous. If your kid is going to be 3 during the trip and the couple hundred dollars is such a big deal than save up and wait until the next yr...they will be 4...adn they'll be the same price they were the year before


I'm going with a family of 6 next july for 2 weeks. we are planning this trip around the youngests birthday on purpose. He turns 3 july21st and value season for the villas begins either july 19th or july 20th. we are spending 1 week offsite (july 12th-18th) and checking into the villa on the 19th. WEa re not lying, we are following the rules implemented bydisney and by there rules, he is 2 for the entire trip.

If for some reason we cannot start our trip until atfer he turns 3, even if it is the day after he turns 3, we will pay for his ticket.
But than again, when a 2 week trip is costing around $10,000, a few hundred for a park ticket doesnt matter so much

This whole thing is very black and white....im not sure how people see a grey area in this question

 

[Sneezie]

We are planning a trip in October with extended family. My SIL booked saying my neice is 2 when she is really 3, and suggested I do the same. My son will be three just before we go.. I HATE lying, but he will only eat very few things like chicken fingers or fries or fresh fruit, and doesn't care for rides too much yet either, so i kinda feel like paying all that money for him is a waste... do the resorts require proof of age???

I just went back and re-read your original post again. And I apologize, unlike what others have posted you actually did NOT ask for anyone's opinions. You asked a question. And the answer to your question is: No, the resorts do not require proof of age.

 

[rgf207]

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.

 

[kevschickee]

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.

 

[Deb & Bill]

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.

I'm sorry, but this is uncalled for as well.

 

[kevschickee]

I'm sorry, but this is uncalled for as well.

not really because these posters are attacking the OP

 

[rgf207]

I'm sorry, but this is uncalled for as well.

But it's completely acceptable to jump all over someone and flame them for asking a question. This has gone on for 5 pages over a simple question that only required a yes or no answer.

What really gets me is the responses that the OP gets as if there is anyone in this thread who has never told a lie no matter how large or small.

 

[luvsJack]

OP, I have not had to deal with this situation yet, but if the difference is between being able to afford a Disney trip by not paying for the 3-year old or not going at all, I would say he was 2!

I'm sure Disney would rather have 4 paying adults and a 3-year old passing for 2 than to have you cancel your trip because you couldn't afford the child ticket.


It is totally up to you and no one on this board will know what you do once you and your 2-year old get there.

That's kind of what I was thinking too. It must not be that big of an issue to Disney (I AM NOT saying I would do it), or they would required some type of proof of age.
Of course that could change at any time.

I must admit, I did think of saying dd was only 9 on our last trip. One of the reasons I didn't was because we got the dining plan and she doesn't like the food on the child's menu and I didn't have any kind of guarantee they would let her order from the adult menu if she was listed as a child.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

That was uncalled for

I was just stating fact. I was being honest. There are plenty of people are WDW that will have an all out fit if they don't get their way etc. You can read about it on tons of threads on this site alone. I am not saying the OP will do that but it is a possibility and many people have seen things just like that.

ETA- The OP wants to know if they require proof of age. Not that I know of but don't be surprised if at the gate they chat up your child. Most children are very exctied to tell their age and the CM's will ask them during the course of conversation. So even if they don't require proof it is entirely possible that you will have to provide it.

 

[rt2dz]

But it's completely acceptable to jump all over someone and flame them for asking a question. This has gone on for 5 pages over a simple question that only required a yes or no answer.

What really gets me is the responses that the OP gets as if there is anyone in this thread who has never told a lie no matter how large or small.

You will notice that not all the replies are directed at the OP. Mine wasn't. I replied specifically to someone else on knowing how they feel in general. Personally, I have issues with guilt.

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...?

BUT, regardless, the OP does know it is cheating. That is why the OP wanted to know the answer. If she did not want people’s opinions, she only had to ask the question. It's a legitimate question. People ask it all the time only to know how to be prepared--people who aren't lying. No, she didn't ask whether she should or shouldn't, but she did clearly state why she wanted to know--and posting how to cheat Disney is clearly against the DIS rules.

If the OP wants to do it, she'll do it. And most likely get away with it. No one here will ever know either way, unless she tells us. I just hope too many people don't so we all don't pay the price (making it harder for some people to get to Disney).