We got the ticket, now this is all about the rules...

[morrismhs]

I too am in the same predicament. My DD turns 3 two months before our trip. SHe is small for her age as well, but I just didn't feel like taking a chance. She will definitely not talk to the CM - very shy. I was going to buy her a ticket with no expiration. This way if they ask I have a ticket, if not I can use it on another trip. I know I am trying to get by, but I feel better purchasing a ticket.

 

[hollyb]

At 3 years old my kids could not tell anyone how old they were. They have speech delay issues. So that wouldn't have worked with us.

Good luck on your trip. But personaly I would feel so guilty that I wouldnt enjoy my self. JMHO.

 

[Hannathy]

Them why not use it she is over three by a lot actually, Just 3 is a day or two not months.

 

[bicker]

Excuse me I am not angry at Disney I am upset at some power hungry entry level person who would be overruled by a manager.

While this isn't always the case, don't mistake someone doing their job, and being overruled by someone actually authorized to make an exception in the interest of guest recovery, for being "power hungry". Their job is to enforce the rules. People who make them question compliance and give them flack when they do question compliance are forcing an issue that shouldn't be forced. Compliance should be the default. Proof, when asked for, should be readily, efficiently and even happily given. The manager shouldn't have to intercede to give a patron more than they're entitled because the patron got upset with the cast member for doing their job propertly.

 

[Lewisc]

I know it's not the original question but if you're flying with an age related fare such as lap baby, infant, youth or child fare you may be asked to show a copy of the child's birth certificate.

Universal says they require proof of age for children who are 50" tall. Seems like a reasonable and objective standard to reduce cheating. If you have a tall child bring ID or pay the adult price.

I always though ANY business offering a discount has a right to verify guest eligibility. Is asking to see proof of age any different than asking to see a AAA card if you're asking for a AAA discount or a store/restaurant asking to see a drivers license for a guest requesting a senior citizen discount.

Those posters who don't think the CM have a right to ever ask for proof of age should just purchase a child ticket for themselves and save money.

I'll disagree with most of the posters, if your children look tall or old for their age bring a copy of their birth certificate. It's a lot easier to joke about it while you take out your copy than have to get a supervisor.

 

[mjmcca]

While this isn't always the case, don't mistake someone doing their job, and being overruled by someone actually authorized to make an exception in the interest of guest recovery, for being "power hungry". Their job is to enforce the rules. People who make them question compliance and give them flack when they do question compliance are forcing an issue that shouldn't be forced. Compliance should be the default. Proof, when asked for, should be readily, efficiently and even happily given. The manager shouldn't have to intercede to give a patron more than they're entitled because the patron got upset with the cast member for doing their job propertly.

They are not doing their job if they insist on a birth certificate. They are going outside of their scope and will be overruled by someone higher up on the foodchain. IF Disney made it a policy that you must show proof of age then they would be enforcing a policy. Since this is not Disney policy it is a low level person MAKING policy.

 

[Samar]

The ID thing is DH's argument. He said no one carries a BC or a passport domestically unless the place specified it.

Either way, I hope he comes to his senses because as the one PP stated, I won't enjoy the trip otherwise

 

[Hannathy]

I don't understand how it is not a policy. they state a certain age gets in free and then they are not allowed to police it ? That doesn't make any sense.

 

[mjmcca]

I don't understand how it is not a policy. they state a certain age gets in free and then they are not allowed to police it ? That doesn't make any sense.

If you were told that you needed to have your child's birth certificate when you got to the front gate by a CM or buy a ticket and then you want to guest services to complain about it they would not let you in. IT IS NOT DISNEY POLICY. I see people saying how they are bringing a copy of their child;s birth certificate with them and i think why are they jumping through hoops for a themepark. I don't routinely carry that information on me. IF they aren't going to tell me that i need the BC before i leave and then spring it on me when I am there they will be hearing from me and not in a pleasant way.


I have always paid for my kids when they reached the age that they would have to pay.

 

[Lewisc]

They are not doing their job if they insist on a birth certificate. They are going outside of their scope and will be overruled by someone higher up on the foodchain. IF Disney made it a policy that you must show proof of age then they would be enforcing a policy. Since this is not Disney policy it is a low level person MAKING policy.

I haven't the slightest idea what the CM is suppose to do if a child looks older than 10 or if a toddler looks older than 3. I don't know if their job tells them to let them through no matter how old they look, ask for ID or call a supervisor. Disney has a policy regarding the age in which guests are eligible to enter the parks for free and at what age the child is eligible for a discounted price. If I had a large child I'd probably bring a copy of the birth certificate to prove that we're eligible for the discount.


I don't know about Disney but being asked to prove eligibility for a discount is normal procedure for many companies. Parents were shown having to prove the age of their "lap baby" on the Airline show.

 

[mjmcca]

I haven't the slightest idea what the CM is suppose to do if a child looks older than 10 or if a toddler looks older than 3. I don't know if their job tells them to let them through no matter how old they look, ask for ID or call a supervisor. Disney has a policy regarding the age in which guests are eligible to enter the parks for free and at what age the child is eligible for a discounted price. If I had a large child I'd probably bring a copy of the birth certificate to prove that we're eligible for the discount.


I don't know about Disney but being asked to prove eligibility for a discount is normal procedure for many companies. Parents were shown having to prove the age of their "lap baby" on the Airline show.

You are told before you leave that you will be requirted to show proof of age for a lap seated child. That is the policy. It is the same with universal that is the policy that you have top show proof of age it is a company policy. This is not the case with Disney.

 

[Hannathy]

mjmcca and you know this for sure? I have not been in management at Disney so I don't know positively I am just using common sense as to what is usual and reasonable.

 

[lil mermaid]

I don't know about Disney but being asked to prove eligibility for a discount is normal procedure for many companies. Parents were shown having to prove the age of their "lap baby" on the Airline show.

That is a totally different scenario. It isn't about eligibility for a discount. FAA regulations require all children who have reached their second birthday to occupy their own seat on takeoff and landing.

Anyway, back to the original question - I don't know if they will "card" your toddler or not. Just buy the ticket, especially, if as you say, you won't enjoy your trip if you don't

 

[NotUrsula]

Now when she is 10 she will be too small for most of the adult rides so that is wrong to charge 10 yr. olds adult admission IMO.

Your child must be unusually tiny, so perhaps that is true of your child, but it is not true of most children at all. Disney's pricing is not only fair, it is actually rather generous to charge by age rather than height, given the height requirements on WDW rides.

Disney's height restrictions are quite low (max. 48" except for 2 things at DQ that are 51"), and most kids have at least a year's window where they are tall enough to ride everything at the child price. According to charts from the CDC, 50% of US children reach 48" by the time they are 7.5 yrs. old, and even the girls on the lower band are predicted to reach it before they turn 9.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set1clinical/cj41l022.pdf

My DS was tall enough to ride every single ride in all 4 parks and both waterparks four months after he turned 7. He's not giant by any means, just a bit on the tall side of average for a boy. He'll be 9 at the end of May, and at present, there are only 3 rides at Orlando's major parks that he can't ride for height reasons: Kraken at SeaWorld, and also the Hulk and Dueling Dragons coasters at USIOA. (He is just shy of 53" tall.) I'm sure he will be tall enough for even those by the time he turns 10.

 

[kaysmommie]

Your child must be unusually tiny, so perhaps that is true of your child, but it is not true of most children at all. Disney's pricing is not only fair, it is actually rather generous to charge by age rather than height, given the height requirements on WDW rides.

Disney's height restrictions are quite low (max. 48" except for 2 things at DQ that are 51"), and most kids have at least a year's window where they are tall enough to ride everything at the child price. According to charts from the CDC, 50% of US children reach 48" by the time they are 7.5 yrs. old, and even the girls on the lower band are predicted to reach it before they turn 9.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set1clinical/cj41l022.pdf

My DS was tall enough to ride every single ride in all 4 parks and both waterparks four months after he turned 7. He's not giant by any means, just a bit on the tall side of average for a boy. He'll be 9 at the end of May, and at present, there are only 3 rides at Orlando's major parks that he can't ride for height reasons: Kraken at SeaWorld, and also the Hulk and Dueling Dragons coasters at USIOA. (He is just shy of 53" tall.) I'm sure he will be tall enough for even those by the time he turns 10.

My DD is almost 6 and she is 40 inches and 35lbs. to be exact! She is still not tall enough to really enjoy alot of the attractions. Also she is very light too, so I don't want her to get thrown from TMRR or SM (not tall enough for that yet). Even Soarin and MS are 42 & 44 inches, she will probably be 8 by then. Even when she reaches 48 inches, she still weighs nothing.Everest is said to be 44 inches, which unless they weigh alot is pretty small for that ride. My DD is a tiny girl, 53 inches for your DS is quite tall! Easier to say when your getting your money's worth. At 3 she was not tall enough for the Barnstormer, but I paid for a pass because I was being honest, and they never asked me for it and just rushed us through. I think it was swiped maybe twice in a week. I can't use it again because it was lenght of stay pass back in 03. By the way DD in in the 4th percentile, which her ped says is fine because she has a petite mama! She eats like a pig and is just little.

 

[mjmcca]

mjmcca and you know this for sure? I have not been in management at Disney so I don't know positively I am just using common sense as to what is usual and reasonable.

I am pretty sure I have a close friend who works guest services at the MK. He has mentioned about people asking about the age policy but he never said about bringing proof of age. He knows my kids I take his kids with me to the parks when i am there. He knows my dd is big he would have told me to bring ID if it were the policy. Also it is not in the literature anywhere

 

[stahshee]

my dd2 will be tuning 3 on the day we leave disney. she speaks great and tells everyone she is 5 ( her sisters age) my dd 2 is 36.5 inch now. I do not know if i should by a ticket???? I am not bringing a birth cert that is crazy. i do NOT need to loose that! so I do not know what to do


my friend watches a girl who is so tall she towers over my 5 year old that child is just 4 also anothor of my friends ,daughter at age5 wore womans size shoes and was a BIG GIRL she looked crazy pushing her in a stoller. That girl was tall and chubby.

 

[Lewisc]

SW, and other airlines, also ask to see proof of age if parents are booking an infant fare as an alternative to being a lap baby, if they're booking a child are or if a passenger books a senior citizen fare.

I expect that a business might ask me to prove eligibility for any discount that I request.

There has to be some point in which it's appropriate to ask for proof of age even if Disney doesn't specifically indicate it. Suppose a 20 year old tries to use a child ticket?

Evidently it's not normal Disney policy to ask for proof of age but if I had a child that was significantly taller/larger than normal I'd bring it.

That is a totally different scenario. It isn't about eligibility for a discount. FAA regulations require all children who have reached their second birthday to occupy their own seat on takeoff and landing.

Anyway, back to the original question - I don't know if they will "card" your toddler or not. Just buy the ticket, especially, if as you say, you won't enjoy your trip if you don't

 

[Hannathy]

You do not need to bring the original just copy it and bring a copy.

 

[Bird-Mom]

The rules are under 3=free, 3-9=child's rate, 10 and up=adult. The line must be drawn somewhere. If you don't want to play by the rules, don't go. It is quite simple.

I have a very tall 4 year old dd-she is about as big as a 6 year old. I always took her birth certificate when she was under 3. She also has speech problems and wouldn't tell her age (although I think she knew it anyways). I was asked several times how old she was.

I have an average sized almost 2 year old, and I carried her birth certificate when we flew in case I was asked to prove her age as a lap child.

What is the big deal about carrying a birth certificate? You can easily get copies of it if you don't want to carry the original. In WA, they are $7. I wouldn't dream of traveling without ID for everyone, even if it isn't a photo ID. In fact, you could even make a photocopy of the original since you really don't need the seal on it just to show proof of age.