Universal Studios and Childrens Ages

[FloridaSam]

Hi all

My eldest son will be 10 just as we go to Florida. I notice that he will be charged adult price for entry to Universal/IOA.

Do they ever check the kids DOB's or could I get away with buying him the childrens tickets?

Many thanks,

Sam

 

[Flo_and_co]

Not sure if things have changed since I was last there - 2000 - but my middle son was 10 then, but young looking, and I got him in everywhere on child rate, no probs (he'd also got in free until he was 4, due to being TINY!)

This year when we go my youngest will only just have turned 3 - but as he's huge (in 4 yr old clothes already at 2 and a half) I won't stand a chance of getting him in at the under 3 rates.

So - I guess it's down to how old your 10 yr old looks

(and also whether or not they have tightened up their age checks)

have fun anyway!

 

[gilld]

On our first visit in 1992, our 2nd DD was 11 but smaller than DS who was 9 - in fact she was the size of a 7-8 year old. We bought her a child pass but spent the WHOLE time feeling incredibly guilty and worrying about being challenged over her age. In my opinion, it's not worth it to save a few dollars, quite apart from being dishonest. But this is MY opinion, you, and many others, might feel differently.

Have a great time anyway.

 

[vernon]

While you could very well "get away with it" I think you do need to ask what sort of message you want to send your kids. Do you want to face the situation of the ticket kiosk operator asking his age and you're asking him to lie?. If he gets it wrong and says his correct age, how would you deal with it?

IMHO it's not worth the savings, but it's a personal choice. Bringing up kids is about not only telling them what's right, but showing them as well.

 

[Flo_and_co]

you're making me feel awful now - lol - in my defence my son didn't have to lie (I wouldn't have asked that of him) - I just asked for 3 adult (as oldest kid was 12) and 1 child ticket.

Sorry to say but the prices are so high at Disney that personally I had no qualms whatsoever about putting him through at the cheaper rate (shoot me now!)

 

[Flo_and_co]

but with hindsight - not very "Disney" of me!

Over the years though, the Disney Corp has made more than enough cash out of me to make up the shortfall, I think (this'll be our 10th trip - plus I virtually live in our local Disney Store!).

but point taken from all you very good people - and I promise never to short change the mouse ever again!

 

[FloridaSam]

Me again!

I am now feeling bad and about to duck before a sharp object is thrown at me! I should have thought about my holiday and booked a week earlier when he would have been 9.

Love to know though what makes my son an adult at the grand old age of 10! Thats another debate which I do not want to start.

Anyway, don't panic peeps. I'll make sure that Universal get there extra dollars out of me.

Serves me right for asking!

Sam

 

[DisCharmed]

I must admit I'm Mrs-law-abiding-to-the-letter. However my son also turns 10 whilst we are in WDW. We arrive on 10.8.05, we are going to buy annual passes the next day and on 13.8.05 he turns 10. We will be buying a childs pass obviously as he will be 9 when we buy them, but for the other 363 days of the pass he will officially be an adult on a childs pass. Is this wrong or lucky?
And then if we go to universal after his birthday... is he an adult or child?*feels imminent explosion of head*

A very puzzled Charmed....

 

[tim june and sam]

We're thinking a bit too deep here aren't we???

There has to be cut off somewhere (like drinking alcohol and all that), but a bit rich claiming a twelve year old as ten me thinks?

Its a British trait though, to try and get something free or cheaper though? Ooh, that's controversial............

 

[AndRu]

My daughter will be 10 on the 1st February and we fly out on the 8th. We did think about buying a kids ticket for her and "hoping for the best" but decided against it for three reasons.

A) It's breaking the rules.
B) Knowing our luck, we'd be the ones to be questioned and embarrassed.
C) The cost difference between adult & child tickets isn't that big, only £30 for a Disney 5DPH and less than that for a 4 park Flex ticket.

I just know it would be us that got questioned at the gate - couldn't face that...

 

[MazdaUK]

My kids will be 11 and 5, so its adult park entry for the eldest BUT he just gets away with kid meal in the park (how weird is that?)