Question about "faking" age

[RobInBigKC]

I never Lie about their ages they ask I tell them. But the kids often get rang up under whatever age and I dont correct them....Is that just as bad??????

Aaahh! Now we're getting into a real discussion on ethics. I don't know that is "just" as bad but it is the wrong thing to do. If a cashier or waiter or waitress was to charge you too much, you certainly would point out the error so why not when they charge you too little?

Just so everyone doesn't think I'm trying to pass myself off as perfect, here is where I personally struggle: When an error is made in favor of a company (sometimes errors go AGAINST us consumers/guests as well) and I don't catch it in time to correct it and then on a subsequent transaction an error is made in my favor, it is awfully tempting not to justify letting the second error pass as a way to offset the first one.

To me, in the end, it's about what I'm teaching my children (and maybe others) by how I behave and about how I feel about myself. A good ethics-check question to ask is "How would I feel if what I'm doing (or considering doing) would end up on the front page of my city's newspaper for all my family and friends to read"?

-- Rob

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

Originally, we were going to WDW together. I am glad that plans got switched (she is going a few weeks earlier than me) and I will not have to be a part of deceiving people. I also don't want any fierce looks from loyal disney onlookers who will think that I codone her actions. But anyways, thanks for all of your input. It appears that she may run into problems one way or another.

 

[Allison]

Well....I am going to jump right in here and be totally judgmental....no matter how politically uncorrect it is. It is just wrong to tell a child to lie about her age. Just wrong, and you sister is a thief if she does it. She is stealing money from Disney. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Flame away.

No flaming from me.

 

[DVCconvert]

I pity your sister. I worry about her children.
You sound in your OP that you realize right from wrong.
I hope things work out for them.

 

[FirstTimeCruiser]

Our family is taking our first trip to WDW in May. My son is 2 years and beyond the 100th percentile for his height and head circumference. However, he has a speech delay and doesn't talk clearly. If anyone were to ask him his name or age, I am sure that they wouldn't understand his answer. I never really thought about bringing proof of his age. To make matters a little more complicated we are staying from May 1 until May 5 at BCV and then May 5 to May 6 in Pop. He turns 3 on May 5. What kind of proof would you suggest bringing with us? Will we have to pay for a ticket for him for the last day of our vacation?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Melissa

Our son is a big 2 year old as well. We have brought along a copy of his birth certificate just in case, but have never been asked for it.

Suzy

 

[zachnlucy]

I had the same dilemma for our upcoming trip. Our twins turn 10 on 4/23 and that was going to be the first day of our trip, since it was the end of the high season. So I just moved one day back to 4/22 for a room only, and 4/23-29 for MYW w/dining. Ta da! No lies!

 

[cancilla]

Also when you eat on the dining plan there is no differentation between adult and child credits. The 11 could order from the adult menu if he wanted and noone would even know they only paid for a child.

I haven't used the dining plan (my first trip is later this year), but doesn't a TS cast member know how many adults and children are in the party, even if the credits will work for either?

Aside from this, I personally doubt that the family telling the untruth would be caught, and doubt Disney would make too much trouble if they were (unless, perhaps, it was while checking into the hotel -- I'd love to hear stories of people getting caught, if you have 'em).

However, IMO whether there is a significant chance of getting caught is irrelevant. I remember making my mom go back and return some money once when she sat down at the table at a CS restaurant and announced gleefully that they hadn't charged her enough. I get really huffy about stuff like this

--Dominick

 

[Sammie]

My 2 cents, sure you might get away with it. Sure it's been tried many times, therefore Disney is looking for this type of scam. They are getting tougher and tougher about being scammed, as they are tired of being taken advantage of because they are Disney.

Me personally if this was the only way I could go, is to put my child in this situation I would prefer to not go at all, or stay one day less for the money saved.

 

[bytheblood]

Well, I have bit my lip for a while - but here I go. (wow, is that blood dripping?)

A lie is a lie. I think I would rather be honest and pay a few more bucks than to have that lie on my conscience while I am on my trip.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

. Also when you eat on the dining plan there is no differentation between adult and child credits.

I think that the number of adults and children on the plan is written on your KTTW card. So the CM is likely to find out when you hand over the card when either ordering at CS or paying at TS restaurants.

 

[Cmbar]

Well....I am going to jump right in here and be totally judgmental....no matter how politically uncorrect it is. It is just wrong to tell a child to lie about her age. Just wrong, and you sister is a thief if she does it. She is stealing money from Disney. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Flame away.

Ok Maybe I won't flame you because I don't think passing an almost 11 year old off as nine is the right thing to do. BUT STEALING from Disney, Come on. I suppose you think its not stealing from us when they charge $3.00 for a bottle of water or $5.00 for PBJ sandwich.

By the way, why do they charge less for children anyways??? We are all able to get on 98% of all the rides. Why charge less for little bodies as opposed to big ones?? There are plenty of pregnant ladies walking through those gates who can't get on the rides, should they charge less for her? Or Could it be that they think the children will use less of the amenities just like they think if you put a third adult in a room that holds four, that you should pay $15 bucks extra a night because they use one of the four towels they left you. Did they give you a bigger towel for that extra adult? Did they give you an extra pillow or maybe an extra phone or TV to use. Yeah we all need to worry that DISNEY is being CHEATED!

 

[Angel1]

Think of all they could save if the whole family hopped the fence to get into the parks!

 

[Allison]

Ok Maybe I won't flame you because I don't think passing an almost 11 year old off as nine is the right thing to do. BUT STEALING from Disney, Come on. I suppose you think its not stealing from us when they charge $3.00 for a bottle of water or $5.00 for PBJ sandwich.

By the way, why do they charge less for children anyways??? We are all able to get on 98% of all the rides. Why charge less for little bodies as opposed to big ones?? There are plenty of pregnant ladies walking through those gates who can't get on the rides, should they charge less for her? Or Could it be that they think the children will use less of the amenities just like they think if you put a third adult in a room that holds four, that you should pay $15 bucks extra a night because they use one of the four towels they left you. Did they give you a bigger towel for that extra adult? Did they give you an extra pillow or maybe an extra phone or TV to use. Yeah we all need to worry that DISNEY is being CHEATED!

Come on, that is such an easy out and a feeble attempt to justify being dishonest. Disney is obviously not stealing by pricing their product at what they want to price it at. It's called business and it's completely fair.

 

[umaangel00]

OK This person did not ask you if this was a moral thing to do. They asked if you would get caught. So stop all the moral stuff and focus on the true question. You may get caught!

 

[RobInBigKC]

I suppose you think its not stealing from us when they charge $3.00 for a bottle of water or $5.00 for PBJ sandwich.

No, I don't think it is stealing. Are the prices very high? Yes. Are they forcefully taking the money from me? No. Are they lying to me, saying the price is lower than it really is? No. Unless an honest mistake happens, I get charged what they tell me I'm going to get charged before I purchase the product. I enter into the transaction willingly (even if somewhat begrudgingly).

By the way, why do they charge less for children anyways??? We are all able to get on 98% of all the rides. Why charge less for little bodies as opposed to big ones??

They charge less for children so that us parents will be more likely to bring them. This, in turn, will (hopefully) give those children positive memories about Disney parks so that they will someday bring their children to the parks. And so on, and so on.

The lower price is not because the children take up any less space (well, some less space but a seat is a seat) nor because they make less of a mess (my DS's make much more of a mess than my DW or I do). It is all marketing, pure and simple. I'm sure the age breaks, the prices for the various ages, etc., have all been run through many pricing models to determine the optimum profit for Disney.

-- Rob

 

[jojomg]

I don't think anyone will ask her age..when you put the ticket in they dont' look too closely at anyone..and I don't think she will have to order off the childrens menu..they dont ask ages at any rest. I have ever eaten at.. you have the dining card not the child and it is a certain amount..not a childs amount and adults amount ..

 

[Otimon]

Please follow the rules, not only because it's the right thing to do but also because your youngster will be watching (and learning).

Best wishes for a wonderful vacation.

 

[ujpest_doza]

I don't think anyone will ask her age..when you put the ticket in they dont' look too closely at anyone..and I don't think she will have to order off the childrens menu..they dont ask ages at any rest. I have ever eaten at.. you have the dining card not the child and it is a certain amount..not a childs amount and adults amount ..

You'd be surprised.

Last year a very grumpy, old CM at AK didn't ask my daughters age (23 months at the time) but quite aggresively pointed and asked "What about her?" at my daughter who was sitting in her stroller being pushed through the ticket barrier by me.

When i, equally as aggressively, replied "she doesn't need one she isn't old enough!" he got all defensive and said "gee okay buddy but i gotta ask!"

My wife had been tempted to try and pass her off as being under 3 when we go in December but i think she will be too big anyway as she will be less than 4 months from her 4th birthday. Would save a lot of $ if we could, but i think it wouldn't be possible as they would be able to tell by then without even asking that she was over 3.

No moral issues from me, i'd do it if i thought we'd get away with it but not if i thought (as i do) we wouldn't.

 

[Soprano]

Well....I am going to jump right in here and be totally judgmental....no matter how politically uncorrect it is. It is just wrong to tell a child to lie about her age. Just wrong, and you sister is a thief if she does it. She is stealing money from Disney. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Flame away.

Hey, I got you're back!

Totally agree. Teaching your own chidren to lie to save a few $ is pretty poor parenting. An awful example to set for children.

 

[BYC]

Ok Maybe I won't flame you because I don't think passing an almost 11 year old off as nine is the right thing to do. BUT STEALING from Disney, Come on. I suppose you think its not stealing from us when they charge $3.00 for a bottle of water or $5.00 for PBJ sandwich.

By the way, why do they charge less for children anyways??? We are all able to get on 98% of all the rides. Why charge less for little bodies as opposed to big ones?? There are plenty of pregnant ladies walking through those gates who can't get on the rides, should they charge less for her? Or Could it be that they think the children will use less of the amenities just like they think if you put a third adult in a room that holds four, that you should pay $15 bucks extra a night because they use one of the four towels they left you. Did they give you a bigger towel for that extra adult? Did they give you an extra pillow or maybe an extra phone or TV to use. Yeah we all need to worry that DISNEY is being CHEATED!

No...It is not the same at all. We all know what the charges are for Disney. They are not stealing from us, they are charging us high prices. We make the choice to go or not to go. No one forces you to buy that bottle of water...use the fountain. Whatever their reasons are for charging less for kids, more for adults has nothing at all to do with making a child lie. Nothing. And, if you lie about your childs age to get a cheaper rate...sorry, but it IS stealing. You can try to justify it, because you paid 5 bucks for a PB and J, but no matter how you twist it, it is lying AND stealing.