Turning 3 on trip

[FireflyTrance]

I just found out some friends are having a Wedding the weekend before my daughter turns 3. Since the Wedding is near WDW, I am thinking of extending the trip and going to WDW for her 3rd Birthday. Right now it is looking like the WDW portion of the trip would start a day or two before she turns 3. I did read that you don't need a ticket if your child is 2 when the trip starts, but I have some concerns about it. My daughter is in 99% for height, and is already 39 inches tall at 2 1/2. People think she is 3 or 4 years old.

We took a trip to WDW this year, and were questioned several times about her age. I just don't enjoy being questioned, or made to feel like I am lying, but I also don't want to pay for a ticket if I don't technically have to Anyone ever go with an extremely tall 2 year old, or have any suggestions?

 

[caracarn]

I understand you may feel strange being questioned, or accused of "lying", but if your daughter is tall it is something that happens. Bring something that proves her age to have in the event proof is demanded, but if she is legitimately 2 then you should be able to get whatever that allows you to get. I have a problem on the other side with people who have short children and keep trying to pass them off as younger than they are to get a discount they are not entitled to. In your case, I think you are find. Our daughter was tall and I do not recall if we were questioned when we took her at 18 months, but we may have been. It was not a big enough issue for me to remember however as she is now 17 and I do not recall any problems, but she was always in the 90% of height for the early years of her life. She's now 5' 6" so she slowed down, but we were certainly questioned at many places.

 

[FireflyTrance]

I do have a passport card for her that I could bring on the trip for the purpose of ID. Still she will turn 3 on the trip, so then how will they know my trip started before she turned 3? If she is 3 at a restaurant do I have to pay for her if she was 3 before the trip started?

 

[RooRach0906]

You are not supposed to have to pay if you start your trip before they turn 3. In Disney eyes you do not "age" in Disney.

We actually took our DD for her 3rd birthday. She turned 3, 3 days into our trip, it was one of our favorite trips!

 

[dprincessmom]

Are you staying on property? She would be listed as 2 in MDE.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Are you staying on property? She would be listed as 2 in MDE.

Yes! On the magic band it will have her listed as 2 so when she puts her wrist up to Mickey it will always turn green, no need for the CM to question you.

 

[mrsdaly]

Even with the magic band --- and MDE saying she is 2, it is quite possible for her to be 3 and therefore CMs to question you (as all MDE does is go off the information that you type in). I'd bring a copy of her birth certificate or passport ID as you said just in case. We took my son earlier this year when he was about 2 1/2 and we were questioned once (they just asked, "how old is he?") We said 2 and that was that.

 

[Mousemommy1]

If she is 2 when the trip starts, she doesn't need a ticket. No need to feel guilty about that, but I get it.

I would probably carry a copy of her birth certificate too, but that's just how I am.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thanks for all your replies ! It's just that she is very very tall for her age, I assume by then she will already be the average height of a 4 year old. I think we will probably stay at the Disney Swan or Dolphin since we have points there. I didn't think children under 3 used magic bands? When we went earlier this year we were told she didn't need a magic band. We did stay on property that time and were sent a magic band for her, but then when we arrived we were told we didn't need to use it for her so I am still a bit confused on that one.

 

[Figmentmommy]

I just found out some friends are having a Wedding the weekend before my daughter turns 3. Since the Wedding is near WDW, I am thinking of extending the trip and going to WDW for her 3rd Birthday. Right now it is looking like the WDW portion of the trip would start a day or two before she turns 3. I did read that you don't need a ticket if your child is 2 when the trip starts, but I have some concerns about it. My daughter is in 99% for height, and is already 39 inches tall at 2 1/2. People think she is 3 or 4 years old.

We took a trip to WDW this year, and were questioned several times about her age. I just don't enjoy being questioned, or made to feel like I am lying, but I also don't want to pay for a ticket if I don't technically have to Anyone ever go with an extremely tall 2 year old, or have any suggestions?

Many years ago we took our first trip when my youngest had just turned 2. He was a tall 2 year old and we never had any problems. I believe we were asked once but it was very casual - sort of remarking on what a big boy he was. We never had to prove his age and boy did he eat and ride like an older child! Don't worry....you won't be asked to prove your daughter's age. Go and enjoy this wonderful trip while she is still considered free in Disney's eyes!