Proof that child is under three?

[alecam]

My son will be 2 months shy of three when we return in September. Will they believe me that he isn't three already? I'm sure other people have tried to sneak in 3 year olds before and I am wondering if I will need proof, birth cert.,etc.

 

[CEDmom]

They're not going to ask for proof because that's just not the imagine Disney wants to project. If your child does look much older than 3 for your own piece of mind you may want to bring his birth certificate. What's I've heard/seen CMs do when in doubt is to engage the child. So if your DS knows when his birthday is then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[C.Ann]

My granddaughter was 2 weeks shy of turning 3 when we were in WDW.. We went in and out of the parks on 7 different days and only one CM questioned her age because she was so advanced with her speech and such.. Luckily my DD & her DH had brought a photocopy of her birth certificate..

Don't bring the ACTUAL birth certificate - get a photo copy..

Oh - and have fun! That's SUCH a perfect age to bring a little one to WDW!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My son was just shy of his third birthday last summer at Disney. No one questioned us (he is on the small side). Good thing because it never occurred to me to bring his birth certificate. If asked he might have said three because he knew he was going to be three but I think his two older sisters would have straightened it out because they know everybody's birthday!

 

[moinab]

Luckily my DD & her DH had brought a photocopy of her birth certificate..

Did they actually request to see the birth certificate, or did your DD and SIL just provide it without being asked for it? I'm asking because I have seen posts by CMs on this subject, stating that they don't require proof, but would only ask the child's age.

 

[alecam]

Thanks alot!! I will be sure to bring a copy of his birth cert. but he is a little on the small side so I hope I won't need it!!
You are all the best!

 

[Miniefan]

My son has always been rather tall for his age and when we went in 2001 a week before he turned 3, not one of cm questioned us I believe you will be ok on this.
Have fun!!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by moinab
Did they actually request to see the birth certificate, or did your DD and SIL just provide it without being asked for it? I'm asking because I have seen posts by CMs on this subject, stating that they don't require proof, but would only ask the child's age.

-------------------------------

No - they didn't ask to see it - they took my son-in-law's word for it - but they brought it just in case for the parks (we did US/IOA/and SeaWorld as well) and the airline too.. They just figured it was better to be safe than sorry.. Never know when you're going to run into someone in a cranky mood - LOL..

 

[moinab]

C.Ann,

Thank you for responding. It's a great idea to bring a copy, but I never would have thought of it myself (we live in FL and drive to WDW). And you're right - even if it isn't WDW policy to ask for proof, you never know when you're going to get a cranky CM on a power trip!

 

[mommyseven]

My daughter was a week shy of her third birthday, and I was concerned as well. She's a big talker and advance in her vocabulary. She would chat with all the CMs, but no one asked for proof.

If you are concerned and want to cover your bases, take her birth certificate to a print shop (or do on your own computer if you know how) and have it copied and reduced. Laminate it and keep it with your room key cards, passes, or other ids.

But try not to worry too much about it.

 

[laughinplace199]

We are leaving in 16 days and I am bringing a copy of my son's birth certificate, just in case. He will be turning 3 at the end of June and is small for his age, but he talks...a lot!

 

[bethbuchall]

Last time we were there, my ds turned 3 on the second to last day of our trip which means we went to the parks for 5 days just before he turned 3 and ate at several buffet restaurants where he was free. We were never once questioned or even looked at more closely. He was about average size and very verbal.

If it would make you feel safer, bring a copy. I don't think that you will be questioned, though.

Beth

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are flying and you are not purchasing a seat for your son, bring a copy of your birth certificate for the airlines. Just saw a program last week where they required proof from a family on the trip home and they didn't have it. Nearly had to pay for another ticket at the going rate.

 

[kaylajr]

what about the kids that are nine but look older
we are bringing our nephew who will still be 9 but looks about 11 should we bring proof or will they take his word for it?

 

[aikodude]

>Oh - and have fun! That's SUCH a perfect age to bring a little one to WDW!!!

And here I am thinking 38 is the perfect age to go to WDW!

 

[snookhams]

If I think that I am going to have to prove how old either of my sons are I take there passports with me, have found people disputed the birth certificate in the past as it has no photo so could belog to anyone. I must explain that both my children are very tall for there ages, my eldest who is now 12 (not even 12 1/2 yet) takes the equivlelent of a US size 10 1/2 or 11 in a shoe, he is a competative swimming and much to his embarisment had a Gala stopped recently because 3 other swimming clubs would not believe that he was under 13 (he was about to swim under 13 50m backstroke and was at least a foot taller than the other competetors), luckily I carried his passport with me and that solved the issue. It is unfortunate that I must do this but I am 6' and DH is 6'5" so we were not going to have small children but it can be a disadvantage.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

We were stopped at both Epcot and MK and asked about our DD's age. This happened last March. The week we were there, the CM's were asking the age of all the little ones - people were being interrogated left and right. I know I have never seen that in our past trips - but it did happen this time. Just be prepared.

 

[momx2]

We were there this February. It was 4 weeks shy of my youngest DD's 3rd b-day. She is very tall for her age. She was about 38 1/2 inches then (39 3/4 now). I thought someone might ask, but no one ever did. They just opened the stroller gate for her everytime without any comments.

Don't worry, have a great trip!

 

[Barb D]

Check your insurance cards. They probably have birthdates on them, and you're already carrying them with you. That would save you from having to bring the birth certificate.

I got IDs from the Motor Vehicle Administration for my big kids. They look like driver's licenses. I got them when we were traveling 2 weeks after 9/11, because I didn't know how tight airline security would be. Plus, I figured if I was challenged at a buffet line or something I would have proof of their ages. (I had to have their birth certificates to get the IDs.) We've never had to use them, although the kids like to show them when they're going through airport security any way. I haven't had them updated even though they've grown a LOT since 2001. Their faces look basically the same, so you can tell it's still them.

 

[alecam]

Originally posted by Barb D
Check your insurance cards. They probably have birthdates on them, and you're already carrying them with you. That would save you from having to bring the birth certificate.

I think that is a great idea. I would have never noticed that! Thanks for the tip!