:( Upset over reservations and upcoming trip *UPDATE POST 74 PAGE 5*

[Tnkrbelle565]

I read with interest all of the posts and it is clear there are two factions weighing in here. One is the "what's it going to hurt, they made a mistake, they owe you" way of thinking. The other one is, "in your heart, you know what is the right thing to do and here are some suggestions to make it possible" camp. It sounds to me from your comments that you feel strongly that doing the "right" thing is what you need to do to feel alright about this. I applaud you for this all to rare way of thinking and encourage you to be true to yourself. Just because a lot of people say something, doesn't make it right. You seem like a wonderful mother who wants to teach her children by example. Good for you! How many times have we all been given too much change at the cash register or been undercharged for something? A mistake by an employee, right? So we should keep quiet about? Wrong. Doing what is right when someone is looking is what most everyone does. Doing what is right when no one would know the difference...that's a thing of beauty. I pray you have a magical vacation with your 3 and 6 year old!

Actually I think there is a few more camps that that. Since this question was asked on the budget board, some of us are looking at it purely from a budget-minded perspective. If she leaves the reservation alone, she loses out on the free dining credits for the 3 year old. We all know that she *may* (since it's happened to a lot of us DISers) be questioned about the child's age. If questioned, she will need to pay for the ticket AND the dining. Again, since budget is a concern, it makes a lot more sense financially speaking to pay for the ticket now and get the free dining credits.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'm actually afraid to not get a park hopper. This is our second time going. Last year, we would go to a park in the morning..go back for naps.. and then go to a different park in the evening. The MVMCP is going on while we are there and it is I think 5 nights....so it messes up a few of our plans.

Thanks for the suggestion. It is one that I will consider.

You should drop the hopper and go to the same park in the pm as you do in the a.m.
This is what we do everytime. It works out fine.
You should be able to apply a room only discount to you first room-only night also.
If you were using the FD gen public code then you could drop back down to the QSDP and just pay OOP for a TS meal or two.
We tried the QSDP for the 1st time last month and loved it. We then paid OOP for our 3 TS meals.

 

[robinb]

Actually I think there is a few more camps that that. Since this question was asked on the budget board, some of us are looking at it purely from a budget-minded perspective. If she leaves the reservation alone, she loses out on the free dining credits for the 3 year old. We all know that she *may* (since it's happened to a lot of us DISers) be questioned about the child's age. If questioned, she will need to pay for the ticket AND the dining. Again, since budget is a concern, it makes a lot more sense financially speaking to pay for the ticket now and get the free dining credits.

That's similar to my take on it. I'm not a black-and-white "you know what's right in your heart" kind of person. In this situation, I looked at what is best for the OP monetarily. Even if she doesn't get questioned (and I think it's unlikely she would), having the free dining credits for the 3-year just makes more sense to me. He'll be able to order his own meals and If he shares some of his sister's meals, it's all good. Just save those CS credits and order Mickey waffles for the kids one morning .

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

That's similar to my take on it. I'm not a black-and-white "you know what's right in your heart" kind of person. In this situation, I looked at what is best for the OP monetarily. Even if she doesn't get questioned (and I think it's unlikely she would), having the free dining credits for the 3-year just makes more sense to me. He'll be able to order his own meals and If he shares some of his sister's meals, it's all good. Just save those CS credits and order Mickey waffles for the kids one morning .

This. Despite the eye-rolling and whistling of some of the PPs, our kids have been questioned about their ages in a purely conversational way. Both of my DDs are tall, and one was very verbal at 2 and I was frequently asked why she wasn't reading yet since she looked so much older. Even now at 11, she looks 14. I totally understood why a CM would ask her age or would try to charge for her meals, so I came prepared since she was still 2. I also brought a copy of her birth certificate when we went to Disney three weeks before her tenth birthday since she had a child's ticket and was ordering off the kid's menu (and paying the child price at buffets). She was asked her age once that trip at a restaurant. I probably didn't need the BC as proof, but it was worth the stress reduction to have it and know that I was justified in asking for the child's price.

In the OP's case, through no fault of her own, she has a three year old who needs a ticket and who can most likely benefit from the additional credits that the dining plan offers. For me it is a no-brainer - drop hopping, buy the ticket, and enjoy a less stressful trip. Although it would be wonderful if Disney would eat the cost difference since it appears to be their mistake, I'd fix it anyway at my cost.

 

[sdzman]

I havent read every reponse but your daughter turns 3 by one week......just go and say she is 2. It's not a big deal and they wont ID your child. You will have to pay out of pocket but kids meals are reasonably priced. I know I am going to get crap for suggesting this but I dont care and neither should you. Have fun and good luck.

 

[MissBritt]

I just have to add that when my family went in the late 90s, my youngest siblings were questioned directly at the gate about their ages. My sister was 4 and my brother was 2, but because of their sizes they looked like twins. A CM came out from behind the counter and leaned down in front of my brother and asked him how old he was. He said "2" and she said "are you sure you're not 3 or 4?" and again he said "2" (this time holding up 5 fingers...lol!).

 

[taximomfor4]

In every trip for the last 6 years I have NEVER had a CM ask how old my kids are. And for every trip I had one kid 2 and under. One of my kids was a very tall 2 and had glasses which made her look even older. No question. It's up to you - but I wouldn't worry about it. Here come the flames........

...and my dd was a very small 2 in a stroller. They didn't ask her, or us, they asked her siblings (the brother and sister who were 5 and 6 at the time). They didn't do it like they were grilling them, they did it in "conversation." Just kind of slipped it in there.

Over the 7 days, it happened upon entering the park 3 times. We are a nurse and a teacher...and I don't THINK we look like dishonest people. So yes, it is possible that they will question the family at the gate (the kids, most likely, according to our personal experiences.)

We also received, several times, a bill that included my 2yo's meal at buffets. I had to ask the server to remove the 2yo's meal from the bill, since she was still only 2 yrs old. I would NOT have felt comfortable saying that in front of my other kids!!!

Now that I've said that, there is still the issue of the dining credits. Those are worth some $$$ too!

 

[cm8]

...and my dd was a very small 2 in a stroller. They didn't ask her, or us, they asked her siblings (the brother and sister who were 5 and 6 at the time). They didn't do it like they were grilling them, they did it in "conversation." Just kind of slipped it in there.

Over the 7 days, it happened upon entering the park 3 times. We are a nurse and a teacher...and I don't THINK we look like dishonest people. So yes, it is possible that they will question the family at the gate (the kids, most likely, according to our personal experiences.)

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My kids were never questioned about their ages. My son was over 40" at 2 yo and still the CM's never gave him a second glance.

When DD was younger she always wanted to be older like her big brother. So even when she was 2, she would say she was 5 or 6.

Either drop the hopper, lie about your sons age , or find the money somewere. But I do agree, I always go over my reservations more than once to make sure there are no mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. If I was mad at anybody, I would be mad at myself for not checking the reservation sooner.

 

[thelionqueen]

My kids were never questioned about their ages. My son was over 40" at 2 yo and still the CM's never gave him a second glance.

When DD was younger she always wanted to be older like her big brother. So even when she was 2, she would say she was 5 or 6.

Either drop the hopper, lie about your sons age , or find the money somewere. But I do agree, I always go over my reservations more than once to make sure there are no mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. If I was mad at anybody, I would be mad at myself for not checking the reservation sooner.

This is the most direct and helpful comment I read on this entire thread..it is really what you feel comfortable doing.

 

[SandrA9810]

I do know that the dining plan reservations have to be changed prior to arrival at WDW. Once you're there, you can't change your reservation at the check in desk.

If most of your TS reservations are at buffets, he's going to eat off your plate anyways. You'd just have to worry about the CS meals, but plenty of resort dining options offer large platter meals.

You could also call Guest Relations and see what they say. How do you eat the cost of a mistake from the computer? Especially this close to your trip.

 

[MSSANDRA]

while I agree that the reservation mistake was at least partly a CM mistake, that is not going to help if you have to deal with the stress of not having a ticket and dining credits for your 3 year old. Unless he is very small for his age, chances are he or you will be asked for his age. It will be up to you to decide if you try to explane the situation or to say he is two. To me the stress of the worry would not be worth it. I would call and have it changed to three and figure out the money somehow. Now I WOULD explain things to the CM on the phone and ask for him to be added free but would add him either way.

 

[DuckMom]

I haven't read all the replies, but my 2-year-old son is listed as a 3-year-old on our reservations in August. I'm just planning on paying for him because it was the only way we could be guaranteed a trundle bed room at POR.
he turns 3 two weeks after our trip ... so we could just mentally swap if it makes you feel better I understand your concern, but do what is best for your family.

 

[HDCooper]

OP here

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's comments and concerns. I spoke with Disney's guest relations this afternoon. I have my son listed as 3 on all of our dining reservations and our airfare. The rep. that I spoke with told me that they would have to review things, and then they would call me back. About two hours later, they called me. I am guessing that they were reviewing our origional phone conversation.

Long story short, I was very polite and stated what I wanted resolved. When they called back, they told me that the difference would be $342.54. They said that since the error was on their end, they would take it down to $142.54. I told them that sounded fair, and I will pay the difference.

Thanks again!

 

[Belle5]

OP here

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's comments and concerns. I spoke with Disney's guest relations this afternoon. I have my son listed as 3 on all of our dining reservations and our airfare. The rep. that I spoke with told me that they would have to review things, and then they would call me back. About two hours later, they called me. I am guessing that they were reviewing our origional phone conversation.

Long story short, I was very polite and stated what I wanted resolved. When they called back, they told me that the difference would be $342.54. They said that since the error was on their end, they would take it down to $142.54. I told them that sounded fair, and I will pay the difference.

Thanks again!

I think I would be satisfied with this resolution. I am sure they did listen to the recorded conversation and heard what you told the CM.

 

[budbeerlady]

OP here

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's comments and concerns. I spoke with Disney's guest relations this afternoon. I have my son listed as 3 on all of our dining reservations and our airfare. The rep. that I spoke with told me that they would have to review things, and then they would call me back. About two hours later, they called me. I am guessing that they were reviewing our origional phone conversation.

Long story short, I was very polite and stated what I wanted resolved. When they called back, they told me that the difference would be $342.54. They said that since the error was on their end, they would take it down to $142.54. I told them that sounded fair, and I will pay the difference.

Thanks again!

Glad to hear it was resolved OP! Have a great trip!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Glad it worked out for you, OP! Enjoy your trip with one less thing to worry about, and enjoy the extra dining credits.

 

[tink2dw]

That is such a Good out come!!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Wow! Sounds like a GREAT resolution. I'm so glad you still get to go!

 

[Fyrefly]

When they called back, they told me that the difference would be $342.54. They said that since the error was on their end, they would take it down to $142.54. I told them that sounded fair, and I will pay the difference.

Great to hear! I was hoping they would be willing to meet you halfway and make good on it. Now hopefully the $142 won't be as big a budget buster as the $342, and you can go on with your vacation as planned. Congrats!