Ticket Advise For Just Turned 3 Year Old

[pkwoo84]

I know I may get attacked for this questions but I just cannott make a decision. My middle child is turning 3 years old 3 weeks before we leave for our first Disney trip. She is tall but not tall enough to make the height req. for the moderate rides. I hate, hate, hate that if we traveled a few weeks earlier we would not have to purchase her a ticket. Our travel agent suggested that we not buy her one, she didn't seem to think that anyone at the gate would question her age but I am very nervous about this. What do you think? Will they ask us about her age at the gate? Will they require some kind of proof? My biggest fear is they will ask her and I am certainly not going to encourage her to lie. I have no idea but we have a tight budget going into this and I would love to save they money by not having to buy her a ticket. Any advice?

 

[tinkandpan]

She's over three- you have to get her a ticket. IF everyone else thought the same way it would cause lots of problems. You are not just paying for the rides- you are paying for the entertainment etc that goes along with park admission. We are planning our trip this year three weeks earlier than we would like just for that reason. That being said- neither of my kids have ever been asked how old they were without a ticket.

 

[rt2dz]

First, expect a lot of people to jump on you about this. It is a hot button issue.

Second, this is my philosophy: I figure that I'm just being given a discount at certain ages and not being charged more later. I also think that maybe if a lot of people keep fudging the numbers/dates, that the age might be made earlier (i.e., charged at age 1 v. age 3). I want my break as long as possible. Additionally, I feel strongly about "beginning with the end in mind". If I want my kids to be honest people, especially with me, then I need to set the example from the get-go and be honest myself. Kids are black and white, and whether we want to admit it or not, they take all examples they see (it is "monkey see, monkey do", not "do as I say, not as I do") and it incorporate into all other aspects. If it was me and I truly could not afford/want to spend the extra money, I would see about moving the trip up. Besides, better safe than sorry if someone does ask your child what their age is. This is just me ; what I would do and why.

 

[taitai]

My advice is to do the right thing and pay for her ticket. She is three and they start charging at three. If your budget is tight then figure out where you can cut without being dishonest...stay somewhere cheaper, stay fewer days, eat less expensive food, etc. There is no gray area here...it really is black and white. If the kid is over three (by three days, three weeks, three months, three years, etc.) you must pay the kid rate.

Anything else is just wrong.

taitai

 

[pkwoo84]

Thank you for your honesty...and for everyone else who may reply....please, please, don't jump all over me. I have waited a long time to even ask the question because I knew it would be a big issue. I have only entertained the thought of not buying a ticket because it was suggested by the travel agent. I did look into moving the trip up a few weeks and it would actually cause the price of the room to go higher so it is really a wash money wise. Thanks again.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I know I may get attacked for this questions but I just cannott make a decision. My middle child is turning 3 years old 3 weeks before we leave for our first Disney trip. She is tall but not tall enough to make the height req. for the moderate rides. I hate, hate, hate that if we traveled a few weeks earlier we would not have to purchase her a ticket. Our travel agent suggested that we not buy her one, she didn't seem to think that anyone at the gate would question her age but I am very nervous about this. What do you think? Will they ask us about her age at the gate? Will they require some kind of proof? My biggest fear is they will ask her and I am certainly not going to encourage her to lie. I have no idea but we have a tight budget going into this and I would love to save they money by not having to buy her a ticket. Any advice?

Welcome to the Dis! Since you're still new here, you should know that the Dis boards policy is to -not encourage or help anyone get around the rules.

That said, I think you answered your own question, you said "I am very nervous about this" & "My biggest fear" Change your travel dates if possible or accept the fact that your daughter will be 3 and needs a ticket.

 

[mom2alix]

I agree with the PPs and to make you feel a little better, there are actually very few rides that she will miss. I can only think of the 3 mountains (Space, Splash, and Big Thunder) at MK and the Stitch experience (you aren't missing ANYTHING there!). Everything else will be great! We've taken ours at much younger ages and they've ridden pretty much everything. WDW is actually much better than most places for rides that accomodate the whole family.

I do understand the pain. This is the first trip where we have to pay for 2 kids (DS is now 3) and boy does it hit the budget hard!

 

[ChristusG]

I wouldnt jump all over you. It is a tempting thing to do since your daughter will have only been 3 for 3 weeks. In the end, my conscience (aka the Holy Spirit, since I'm a believer) would get the best of me and I would just pay the money for her ticket. I believe honesty is the best policy.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

The amount you will pay for her admission will be worth EVERY penny.

 

[bumbershoot]

I did look into moving the trip up a few weeks and it would actually cause the price of the room to go higher so it is really a wash money wise. Thanks again.

If it's a wash, sounds like a good idea! Plus you get to go there earlier! And with nothing in your mind bothering you. Win-win-win situation.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Thank you for your honesty...and for everyone else who may reply....please, please, don't jump all over me. I have waited a long time to even ask the question because I knew it would be a big issue. I have only entertained the thought of not buying a ticket because it was suggested by the travel agent. I did look into moving the trip up a few weeks and it would actually cause the price of the room to go higher so it is really a wash money wise. Thanks again.

It may not be a wash, children under 3 can eat free at the buffets and share off your plate at TS, so if you have any character meals planned, it would be cheaper to eat if you go earlier.

 

[MSSANDRA]

There is a very good chance that at some point in the trip, someone at the gate or a resturant will ask your child how old she is. They will not ask for proof or anything.. BUT... what will your child say, and how will you respond?

 

[guelde96]

I have never had anyone question my childs age. We actually bumped our 9 year old up to 10 and paid the difference for the adult dining plan. It turned out to be a mistake, he ordered off the childs menu most of the time.

 

[DVCisME]

Disney clearly states that if the child turns 3 while on vacation they are still free, but if they turn three the day before a ticket must be bought. I have two children under the age of four, my oldest has been more times than I could count becuase it is free under three. But at three the ride is over, and when people take advantage of that, they risk the chance of their being no more free...for anyone

 

[Bob P]

OK, everyone, the OP has an answer. Maybe we should just let this thread die a natural death before it gets nasty?

 

[uknewbie]

My first option would be to change the dates, and then second to say nothing and take my chance. Disney can afford it. If it will ruin your holiday though through worrying, i'd pay for the peace of mind.

 

[taitai]

My first option would be to change the dates, and then second to say nothing and take my chance. Disney can afford it.

I know we all want this thread to die a natural death and I am sorry but this comment just infuriates me. Wrong is wrong. I don't care if they can afford it. Wal-Mart is one of the wealthiest companies on the planet...would you steal a DVD player from it because "they can afford it?" What about Exxon..with the price of gas so high, they are raking in record profits. Would you fill up your tank and not pay "because they can afford it?" It is stealing and stealing is wrong irrespective of the victim's economic status.

Now, let's let this die.

Thanks for letting me add my $.02

taitai

 

[magic mouse]

PKwoo84 sent you a PM!

 

[DisneyMOM09]

I totally understand what you are going through. We are planning our 09 trip and my daughter will turn 3 on the day that we are leaving(to come home). we had planned on going later in the summer,but decided to move our days up to accomadate our daughter's birthday. It was tempting to try and get around the policy, but, we decided that it would be lying. My Christian faith just kept telling me it would be wrong to lie and I try not to do anything I would consider a sin!

 

[averysmom]

Buy the ticket and then buy her a b-day badge and have a big belated b-day party at the parks