proof of age for big kids

[wowteacher]

I have 2 boys...11 and 8. They are almost exactly the same size. My 8 yo is tall for his age and the 11yo is not. Will Disney ask for proof of age for my big 8yo when I come with a kids ticket? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I want to make sure I have what I need.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I have 2 boys...11 and 8. They are almost exactly the same size. My 8 yo is tall for his age and the 11yo is not. Will Disney ask for proof of age for my big 8yo when I come with a kids ticket? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I want to make sure I have what I need.

Are you flying? if yes, since you need proof of identity for the children anyway, I'd just keep it in your purse just in the very odd case that they give you any grief (I HIGHLY doubt they'd question it). better safe than sorry though, I always say.

 

[Robo]

I have 2 boys...11 and 8. They are almost exactly the same size. My 8 yo is tall for his age and the 11yo is not. Will Disney ask for proof of age for my big 8yo when I come with a kids ticket? Sorry if this is a silly question, but I want to make sure I have what I need.

They'll take your word for it.

 

[FayeW]

Take the I.D. A birth certificate diesn't take up much room, why take the chance?

 

[Robo]

Take the I.D. A birth certificate diesn't take up much room, why take the chance?

Because there is NO NEED to take a BIRTH CERTIFICATE to a theme park.

And there's THIS... how would you PROVE that the birth certificate you had was for the child you BROUGHT? (Children have no "legal" picture ID.)

Untold millions of parents have been buying tickets for under-age children at Disney parks since 1955 without "proof" of age.

Its simply not a big deal.

 

[BlindTyldak]

Because there is NO NEED to take a BIRTH CERTIFICATE to a theme park.

And there's THIS... how would you PROVE that the birth certificate you had was for the child you BROUGHT? (Children have no "legal" picture ID.)

Parents have been buying tickets for "under age" children at Disney parks since 1955 without "proof" of age.

Its simply not a big deal.

Because having something to wave in the face of a CM who is overzealous can be a real timesaver. Although we did not NEED it, we got a lot of hassle because my husband did not have anything with him showing that he would benefit from one of the disability cards since he could not stand in lines. It took a manager to over step the CM to give us one, because they would not since his MS was not an "obvious disability". This time we're bringing some paperwork, not because we need it, but because we don't want to waste half an hour again in case we end up having to deal with another uninformed employee and have another bad start to our day.

And before anyone jumps on it, yes, CM's screw up and are not aware of the park regulations often enough. or as in the case above, I think sometimes they make up their own rules.

 

[Robo]

Although we did not NEED it, we got a lot of hassle because my husband did not have anything with him showing that he would benefit from one of the disability cards since he could not stand in lines. It took a manager to over step the CM to give us one, because they would not since his MS was not an "obvious disability".

I didn't notice where having a child's birth certificate figured into this, but maybe one of us is answering a different question than the one posted.

 

[Evil Queen]

Because there is NO NEED to take a BIRTH CERTIFICATE to a theme park.

And there's THIS... how would you PROVE that the birth certificate you had was for the child you BROUGHT? (Children have no "legal" picture ID.)

Untold millions of parents have been buying tickets for under-age children at Disney parks since 1955 without "proof" of age.

Its simply not a big deal.

I agree. I'm not saying don't bring it, if you feel better about it. I just refuse to. But, this year it won't be a problem, but last year it might had been.

Last Sept., when youngest DS was 9 (but he is mistaken for 12-13 almost everywhere we go-rest., movies, etc), I wasn't about to bring it. They never asked about it either. Of course, being 10 now, it's not a problem.

I did correspond with WDW on this once, they said no it wasn't needed, but if it made me feel better to bring it. I left it in the file cabinet at home.

I get asked his age most other places (rest. and kid's menus, movies). I hate that, almost enough not to give those places my business & money. I can't seeing carrying proof of his age everywhere I go at 9 or 10 years old.

 

[Barak's Disney]

If you are concerned, I would just bring along a copy of birth certificate to put your mind at ease.

 

[Tam1067]

We just flew to and from WDW with our kids. My oldest is 9 and quite tall for his age. No one asked for any verification of his age. I've seen a CM ask a little girl looked 3 and was being brought in as 2, but at least in our case, no one asked my 9 year old son to prove his age.

And in response to the previous poster who said you've got to show proof of identity if you're flying: children do NOT have to do that. This requirement is only for adults in the party.

 

[maxiesmom]

I didn't notice where having a child's birth certificate figured into this, but maybe one of us is answering a different question than the one posted.

She was showing how bringing something to the park can help things along, even if it is not required. Just because Disney does not require proof of age does not mean it would hurt to bring it along. If the OP would feel better bring a birth certificate, why not?

 

[Robo]

She was showing how bringing something to the park can help things along, even if it is not required. Just because Disney does not require proof of age does not mean it would hurt to bring it along. If the OP would feel better bring a birth certificate, why not?

Because of the OP's question.
I'm just trying to point out that a BIRTH CERTIFICATE with the name "Jack Smith" on it... means NOTHING to prove that the CHILD standing there is, in fact, "Jack Smith".
You could be bringing a neighbor, a cousin, whoever.
There is nothing short of an infant's footprint to "prove" the connection of a given document TO the child standing there.

Of COURSE people CAN carry around the "family bible" if they'd like.
I'm attemting to directly answer the question as to what you "NEED to DO" to prove to Disney the age of your child.

"They take your WORD for it", is the answer.

 

[BlindTyldak]

We just flew to and from WDW with our kids. My oldest is 9 and quite tall for his age. No one asked for any verification of his age. I've seen a CM ask a little girl looked 3 and was being brought in as 2, but at least in our case, no one asked my 9 year old son to prove his age.

And in response to the previous poster who said you've got to show proof of identity if you're flying: children do NOT have to do that. This requirement is only for adults in the party.

That must vary by airline/airport then, because at our airport (only one airline) we are required to have our daughter's birth certificate in order to allow her to board; if you forget it, they turn you away.

 

[cocowum]

We have never needed proof of DD's age at the airport or Disney. She is quite tall for her age, as well. You'll be fine.

 

[DebbieB]

That must vary by airline/airport then, because at our airport (only one airline) we are required to have our daughter's birth certificate in order to allow her to board; if you forget it, they turn you away.

Which airport did you fly from? Which airline?

At PIT and MCO, my 12 year old niece did not need anything. The only time I've heard under 18 needing proof was lap babies.

 

[Skroops]

We have flown a lot with our toddler (thanks to low ticket prices the past couple of years) and we have never ever had to show a birth certificate. You may be asked to show one if you are trying to have a big two year old sit on your lap and not buy a seat for them because a ticket is required for children over 2.

I am, however, bringing it along in my wallet for our upcoming WDW trip in a couple of months because he's just a few weeks shy of 3 during our trip, but looks like he could be 4! I hope they just take my word on it, but it is hundreds of dollars so I will be prepared by having it. It can't exactly be just anyones' birth certificate because it has our names on it as parents and the states' raised seal. I'll be so embarrassed if I have to prove his age and have everyone think I'm trying to scam...which I am not!!

 

[wowteacher]

Thanks all. I think I'll just have them take my word for it if there isn't a policy stating you have to show proof. I'm going to check with the airline and see if I need it for that.

Thanks again,

 

[Lorelai]

We've always had our kids passports on hand at EWR & MCO, but no one ever asks to see IDs for them - just which child belongs to which plane ticket.

I've also never been questioned by any park CMs as to the ages of my children. But all a CM has to do to get the straight poop, is ask the child in question - they are more than proud to tell their age.

I know I'm off topic but as long as I'm already going in this direction....I get sick of threads started by parents who want to cheat the system by lying about their children's ages. I know that is not the case with this thread.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We flew out of DFW with DS twice last year and American did not require any ID for him. He doesn't have a passport.

This time DS will be just shy of 10 but I am not going to bring his birth certificate. Our package is through AAA and everything is already done and paid for, so other than just refusing to allow him into the park altogether I don't see what a CM could have to say about it.

 

[Robo]

...other than just refusing to allow him into the park altogether I don't see what a CM could have to say about it.

There you go.

And since we have yet to hear of such a thing... I think we're all pretty "safe" !