not buying child ticket for 3 year old

[Ali]

Just yesterday My DH said, "wow, when we go to Disney in October we'll have to buy DS a ticket - and he doesn't even do anything excpet ride in his stroller. What a racket." Then he said, "I heard there are Play Four days then, so at least it won't be as bad!" My husband is the original Eagle Scout, and has tried from day one to influence me to act more morally responsible.

We made our last free trip with DS the weekend before he turned three - and he's a very tall kid, so whever I was asked by CM's how old he was as I pushed him through the stroller gate - which was all weekend - I said it's his last time free - he's Three on wednesday!

Prior to that trip NO ONE asked us how old he was - and we had been there 15 times since he turned 2 - as seasonal passholders.
I had a copy of his birth certificate with me, because I felt like I needed to be prepared, even though we were telling the truth. I didn't want any problems when we were going through the gates.

To answer your original questions - yes people have done it. Is it worth it to you to be worried all the time that someone will challenge you? Peace of mind is worth more than money in my opinion.

Can you do it? Obviously you can - you have admitted you know it's wrong, and still want to do it.

So do it, or don't do it, but determine what this FREEBIE is really worth to you and your children.

Good luck.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

As other posters have replied it obviously can be done.
According to your countdown you now have 14months to figure this into the budget. Get an envelope and put $3.00 per week into it and by the time the trip comes voila you have enough for a childs parkhopper pass! No gulity concious, no cheating and it will save alot of embarassment should your child tell the truth.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

If you cant afford a childs ticket then you sure cant afford to pay 10-20% down for DVC.I think if you cant afford to go then dont go.It looks like it will be Disney and Universal and a cruise ssems to me if you have money to do all that then you should be able to spare enough to get a ticket.

 

[maraakl]

cokegal19
Gee, do you have any cheats for me? I have a bad back and cannot go on much either? Should I get a discount or get in for free?

Your knowing it is wrong but not caring is the most disturbing part of your posts.

What would God say? Or, do you care?

 

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Lisa, I just noticed your due date is tomorrow and you're naming her Isabella. From one happy family with an Isabella to another

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES on your new Disney Princess!

Thank You crazyforgoofy

This Belle is being stubborn. She doesnt want to come out and look like they will have to do a c-section and go in a get her.

 

[PlutoPony]

Ok, the chances of you getting CAUGHT by Disney is probably pretty low, but is that really the bottom line here?? Given that you have other children who are older than the 3 year old, won't they know or realize that you've essentially "cheated" by getting the younger sibling in free?? And how do you respond to them later if/when they lie to you about something in the future - when unfortunately an example has been set? How do you draw lines with kids about when it's "ok" to essentially not tell the truth? I really hate to "moralize" on this, but as we all know it can be very difficult these days to bring up children to recognize the difference between right and wrong, and seeing a parent "blur" the line only makes that worse..... sorry! (off soapbox - but these kinds of discussions really make me sad and concerned for the future)

 

[etwinchester]

In my opinion, your child is 3 and they require a ticket.

We went to Florida last year. My DD turned 3 on January 25 and we went to WDW from March 1-15 (only a little over a month from her b-day). I purchased her a park hopper ticket as well as a Sea World ticket. My daughter knew how old she was and I would NEVER ask her to lie. CM's are very friendly with the children and one did ask how old she was. It wasn't at the gate but while waiting in line. DD was talking up a storm and the CM commented on how "cute and outgoing she was".

The decision is yours to make, but again if your child is 3 (3 is 3 no matter how long ago their b-day was), then they are required to have a ticket...

 

[MsLeFever]

Hey girlfriend!

Let's start a 2008 club!

Barbara

 

[disneyma2]

First off, buy the ticket, 3 is 3 just like others have said.

On our first trip to wdw dd was 2, the trip was in sept, she was turning 3 on Oct, we planned it accordingly, so she was free. Now, my dd is tall for her age, and at Boma, we stayed at AKL, they did ask how old was she...of course she was 2 so that was fine......I can't imagine lying about my child's age to save a buck or two. My dd is now 3 almost 4 and when she turned 3, anyone that was listening, new that she was 3, she was so so proud.

Kids like to tell people how old they are, especially if they've just had a birthday, it's big steeping stone for them.

We all have tight budgets, you are not alone. That's why we plan ahead for our trips and budget accordingly. I suggest postponing your trip till you can afford the necessary expenses.

 

[ceecee]

He will actually be 3 1/3 years old, I think buying a ticket would be the right thing or go 4 months earlier!
Besides, are you going to tell your child (and siblings!!!) to lie.....as the above poster said 3 year olds are very proud to turn 3 and DD would have told anyone who was listening how old she was.
You essentially are telling all of your children that it is okay to cheat the system if you can get by with it. Not a good lesson and that's part of the reason why we have so many problems in the world today.

 

[LUVTGR]

I don't have children and I'm not going to judge your morals I just have a question. Does any one know why children under 3 are free? Is it b/c they are too little to ride the rides? If that is the case maybe it would be smarter if the prices were base on the childs size rather than age. It takes the chance to "cheat the system" out of the equation. Just my thought. I was also surprised when I was told there was no seniors discount my grandparents who are in their 70's (grandpa is in a wheelchair)are coming to my wedding and we have to buy them full price adult tickets just so they can eat lunches and dinners w/ us in the parks.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

Our DD turned 3 2 months before we went last Sept. We did the moral thing and bought her a ticket. Although I don't agree with the age limits, I thought it was the right thing to do. I feel under 3 should be free, 3-7 should be the next level, 7-12 the next than the adult tickets. At age 5, they still can't do a lot of things and I don't know about you, but I don't think too many 5 year olds can be at the parks from 9:00 am to midnight with out a few meltdowns!!

I have a suggestion, buy a ticket for the 3 yo for 1/2 the trip. Then you won't feel so guilty!

 

[Doodlebug939]

I have a daughter who is three this year and I plan to buy her a ticket. Last year when she was two we went to Disney and didnt need a ticket but she was often asked how old she was. Not in a way that was negative but the CM made conversation with her and her brother. I find it morally wrong to lie about your childs age.

If I was to lie about her age this year and find ways to justify that she shouldnt have to pay for a ticket then I would just be lying to myself. At age two my daughter rode many rides at Epcot and MK. So I couldnt use the excuse that oh she couldnt ride much. It is a lie.

Also do you plan to do priority settings at Buffets like Chef Mickeys and such. Do you plan to lie then too?

Ultimately we all like to have freebies and save where we can. I am one of them. But you are sending the signal to your children that it is ok to Lie to adults as long as it doesnt hurt anyone and benfits themselves. You may thing that it is not a big deal but I do.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Do you think this is to big of a gap between his birthday and when we are going to "cheat" the system?

If the cutoff for no ticket is 3, then even one day past 3 is too big of a gap, unless the child turned 3 during the trip, in which case he was 2 at the beginning and that's how they count that from what I've heard. Rules are rules, whether you like it or not. I don't understand why people can't understand this, or think it doesn't apply to them. Wrong is wrong, lying is lying.

That said, I don't think 3-yo get enough out of the parks (they can't ride alot, etc) to justify requiring them to have a ticket, but as I said, that's the way it is. If you can't afford a ticket for him, go before the 3rd birthday and don't cheat.

 

[tink2]

I'm not going to judge you by whether or not you buy the ticket. I will however tell you that my 2 1/2 year old was asked many times last year how old he was. This was not at the gate, but by friendly cast members trying to talk to him. One morning we were waiting on the gates to open and a cm asked to start the conversation. He had no idea if we had a ticket or not, just making conversation.
DS will be three this year and we have already bought him a ticket. I don't agree with the age thing either, but they must start somewhere.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[jkovick]

I feel very sorry for anyone who feels they must lie and cheat and encourage their children to do the same just to save a little money. It seems so sad. How can you enjoy the happiest place on earth knowing you did that and your child or children know it too?

 

[imsayin]

Ultimately, you are setting an example for your children. If you want to teach your older children that it is okay to cheat the system and lie for your benefit, go ahead. Children always seem to know what is going on and follow the lead set by their parents. I believe in being the #1 role model for my children.

 

[cokegal19]

You know, I really do understand both sides of this. And both sides have good points. I've thought about it and although we really can't afford it, I do think it might be best to just buy a ticket for my son. We have a budget that we set aside every month for our next trip. I think what I'll do is just set aside a little extra every month for my sons ticket, or just buy it earlier, so the money won't come out of our initial trip budget. That way we won't notice the money difference. I DO NOT want to encourage my son to think that it is ok to lie, because it's not.

And in responce to a previous poster about my interest in DVC, I had no idea how much it would cost to own in DVC. After I looked at the points and the price per points and figured everyhing out, I would not benifit from it at all. I am perfectly fine with 3 or 4 star hotels on priceline for 50/night!!!

Thanks to all for your opinions.

 

[tiggercrazy]

She is very small for her age. Honestly, it never crossed my mind not to buy her a ticket for our trip in Jan...until now. I'm thinking, wow, we could really save a big chunk of change! But in the next second I think, wow, how stressful would that be.

I just think that on vacation I would not want to be worried about someone asking me my daughters age and having to go through the hassle of buying a ticket at the gate. Not to mention the embarrasment of having to admit to a cm that you were trying to buck the system.

 

[GOODFELLA]

I'm sorry all of a sudden everybody is honest Abe, Disney will not card a 3 or a 4 year old. What are they going to do ask for his birth certif.Now that said if you feel like this is going to be eating away at your insides then don't do it.But if not go a head and have fun I would even tell them that it's his birthday this week and we are here to celebrate it.Now I know its another lie but why stop on the 1st fib........