Think I'll take my DD's Birth Certificate

[graceesmom]

You know your child is tall/large for her age when the nurse at her pediatrician's office asks you if she missed her 3 year old check-up. This is what I was asked today when I took my 2 year old DD in for an ear infection. She doesn't turn 3 until the end of June. The nurse said, oh-- she looks much older.

I'm afraid CM's will think I'm trying to sneak my 3 year old in as a 2 year old. Even if they don't ask me, I know I'm going to feel like they think I'm doing something wrong even though we're not. We'll be there the 1st week of April

 

[Makdyn]

I have huge children as i would like to put it. My 8 year looks to be 10 and my 5 year could pass for 7. They are both very tall thanks to their father being 6'3 and im 5'6. The first time we went to disney my kids were 5 turning 6 there and 2 would be three at the end of June and we went the first week in may. No one asked how old she was. I dont even remember anyone looking at her like she was older than 2. I wont worry about it but if it makes you feel better than bring a copy and enjoy your trip.

 

[DISNEYNV]

We went to DW right before DDs third birthday too and she is tall for her age as well. We took a copy of her birth certificate along just in case but didn't need it! No one asked or said anything. I think that if they look young even though they may be talker for their age no one is going to inquire.

 

[pixiewings71]

Can you make a small copy and maybe laminate it? That way you can just put it in your wallet or lanyard for quick/easy access. One time we were headed into DCA and the CM at the gate didn't want to let the people in front of us in, she kept telling the parents that he was too big and she did not believe he was 3, she actually told them "next time that one needs a ticket, he's too big!"

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

My daughter is big for her age and was stopped at the gates and at restaurants. Several CMs asked her how old she was. They are doing it more often now. They get right down in front of your child and ask how old they are. I've heard them ask other kiddos when their bday is. We had to send back several bills at character meals when we were charged for her meal when she was under 3. The ADRs note their ages and they still try to charge you.

Make a photocopy and bring that. Disney's policy is that if you can't prove your child's age and they make a big deal of it...you do have to pay and will be refunded once you show proof. Way to much of a hassle. Just bring a photocopy...waaaayyy easier.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Yikes! It's really too bad you can't get a Photo ID (aside from a passport) from the DMV. I know a lot of people try to get one over on Disney, but come on... to go as far as a refund once you show proof?!

 

[Ariel on Land]

ugh, what a pain! I hadn't even thought about this! My guys turn two two weeks before we go, so I hadn't even considered it an issue. Their daddy is 6'5", so they're tall, but their speech is behind and there's no way they would even tell anyone their name, let alone their age, or really anything else except maybe that a dog says "ruff!"

I suppose I should make copies to be safe, but still... then I have to go through the pain of hunting down a copy machine! arg.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yikes! It's really too bad you can't get a Photo ID (aside from a passport) from the DMV. I know a lot of people try to get one over on Disney, but come on... to go as far as a refund once you show proof?!

ugh, what a pain! I hadn't even thought about this! My guys turn two two weeks before we go, so I hadn't even considered it an issue. Their daddy is 6'5", so they're tall, but their speech is behind and there's no way they would even tell anyone their name, let alone their age, or really anything else except maybe that a dog says "ruff!"

I suppose I should make copies to be safe, but still... then I have to go through the pain of hunting down a copy machine! arg.

We always have a birth cert on us when we travel. I'm actually quite shocked that airlines don't require it.

It is a huge pain and really unfortunate that so many people try to pull one over on Disney that they have resorted to this. There is another thread of the budget board about a woman trying to convince her friend not to try to sneak in a 5 year old Someone smartly pointed out that the person probably wouldn't steal a couple of hundred dollars of merchandise from a store but they are outright stealing from Disney.

 

[disny_luvr]

I agree - I think you should take along the birth certificate just to be on the safe side. We are traveling in May and my twins will be three in June. They are tall for their age and they speak well too. I never thought twice about not taking a copy of their birth certificates. I don't know if anyone would question their age, but I just want to be on the safe side.

**I know many people probably think it isn't necessary, and it probably isn't, but knowing my luck I'll be questioned about it!**

 

[Dannielle_1]

Yikes! It's really too bad you can't get a Photo ID (aside from a passport) from the DMV. I know a lot of people try to get one over on Disney, but come on... to go as far as a refund once you show proof?!

In Virginia, you can get a photo ID of a child from the DMV. I got one for my DS last year when he was 2. Not sure of other states policies though. I decided to get son an ID so I wouldn't have to carry his birth certificate, but had official documentation, just in case. I actually carry it all the time behind my drivers licence. Plus DS loves that he has a picture card just like mom and dad. I have never needed to have it, but for piece of mind it was so worth it (especially when we went just before his third birthday). Again, this is as easily accomplished if you carried a copy of a birth certificate.

I believe Disney would only require a Birth Cert for "proof" and not so far as a photo Id as I believe that it is very uncommon.

 

[disneybridetobe]

In Virginia, you can get a photo ID of a child from the DMV. I got one for my DS last year when he was 2. Not sure of other states policies though. I decided to get son an ID so I wouldn't have to carry his birth certificate, but had official documentation, just in case. I actually carry it all the time behind my drivers licence. Plus DS loves that he has a picture card just like mom and dad. I have never needed to have it, but for piece of mind it was so worth it (especially when we went just before his third birthday). Again, this is as easily accomplished if you carried a copy of a birth certificate.

I believe Disney would only require a Birth Cert for "proof" and not so far as a photo Id as I believe that it is very uncommon.

I wish we could get one here, but we're in PA, and a child has to be 16. It's funny because I'd be willing to pay for it just the same as if she were 16. That's pretty cool that VA has that option!

I'll just continue to carry her birth certificate until she's 16, or until she has a passport. She'll probably get a passport much sooner since DH's brother and sister-in-law live in Germany.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I keep a copies of the kids' passports on me just in case. We were never questioend when they were under 3 (and DD has always been big for her age). Last year DD was told not to play in the tween area at Blizzard Beach as it if for the 12 and under set. She was 11. I do NOT blame the CM for telling her that at all as she was 5'4" and cruvy as all get out and looked about 15 (now at 12 she is 5'6" and easily passes for 16+ in a bathing suit hard to see as a mommy). We fetched the passport copy from my bag, found said CM with DD and nicely let him know she is big for her age but really the proper age to be there and thanked him for enforcing the rules. He got word round to the other CMs that she was within her rights to be there and the afternoon passed very enjoyably. I was glad I had the copy to make it clear she truly looked older than her age and that we were not lying. I am also glad Disney is cracking dow nadn enforcing the rules. When people do take advantage it runs the rates up for all the rest of us. I would much rather carry some copies around than let people cheat the system.

 

[eventamy]

I keep copies on me too. I think I'll actually need it next year. DD will be 2 and she's already quite tall. She won't be turning 3 for another few months after our trip, but just in case...

 

[graceesmom]

In SC we do have wallet size Birth Certificates so that's not a problem and I ordered 5 copies of it when she was born, just in case we ever lost one.

My husband is notorious for throwing things away as he hates clutter. He threw out my amended passport when I sent it in to have my name changed after we were married. The envelope had my passport, birth certificate and our marriage license in it. He thought it was junk mail.

I had never considered getting a DMV i.d. for her. I don't know if that is an option in SC or not, but I'll be looking into it. We need to get her a passport soon anyway though. She's stayed with grandparents each time we've travelled internationally, but we thought we'd start taking her with us now that she's getting old enough to enjoy and remember more experiences.