What happens when your child becomes a "junior" or "adult"?

[VickiVM]

I just got my reservation confirmation today and it reflects 2 adults, 1 junior and 2 children. We check in on Dec. 20th and my son who is nine turns 10 on the 21st. Now, we plan on purchasing my AP and their 5 day PH from Disney Store prior to leaving on our trip so I'm not concerned so much about his becoming an "adult" for park ticket purposes. But, if we have concierge make any dinner package reservations such as CP or Fantasmic they will likely charge him "junior" prices. I am not opposed to paying more for his meals if he ate more, but the kid still cannot finish a regular kid's meal at our local family restaurants. Is Disney sticklers for these kind of things?? Anyone else experience a child becoming an "adult" during their trip??

 

[diathoney]

My daughter is a Jr. now. She is 10 yo, 64 pounds and eats as much as a three yo would. We pay for an adult ticket for her. I do not want to ask her to lie about her age (she could definitely pass for a seven yo, unless she talks to you). For food, we always order kids meals. I think the age limit for the buffets is higher than for the Disney tickets.

 

[eeyore0062]

OK, here is the deal....

at age 10, the child is seen as an adult for the purpose of park admissions, only. Basically, because by that age he/she is tall enough, in most cases, to ride everything that is offered by Disney.

for buffets, all you can eat, and kids meals, 12 is the golden age. Although, anyone can order an ala carte child's meal with no questions asked, it is not the same with the other 2 options.

at age 18, the child is considered an adult and can no longer stay as a non paying 3rd person in the resort. Depending on the resort, an extra $10- $20 per adults over the amount of 2, is added to the cost of the room.

As for the Junior, my understanding is that it refers to those children who have to pay adult park entry prices but still can get kids prices for meals.

Don't worry, you will be fine!

 

[CRCrazy]

I have dealt with this situation.

For park entry purposes, once a child is 9, until they become 18, they are considered a Junior. They still need an adult park pass, as they are usually tall enough to enjoy all the attractions offered by Disney.

For the resorts - Jrs are allowed to stay free in a room with their parents as long as they are within the limit for number of people in a room. Once they are 18, there is a charge for more than 2 adults per room.

For Dining - the age cut off is different. Kids under 12, i.e., 11 and under, are considered children. They will pay the reduced price for meals at buffets, packages etc., so your soon to be 10 year old will have no problem.

My daughter, now 13, went when she was 11. As she is a very big girl - currently 5'9", size 11 shoes, I got a lot of funny looks from the people at the podium when I checked in with 2 children, 1 junior, and 2 adults. They assumed my older, but shorter, daughter was the child. I never was asked for any ID for her - but I did carry her birth certificate just in case! Even though she looks much older than her age - she is an extremely fussy eater. She will not eat much of anything on an adult menu - chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, or hot dogs are her idea of gourmet food.

We went to the Candlelight Processional last year when she was 12. When I called to purchase the tickets, I asked if she could order off of the child's menu, since there was nothing she would eat off the adults menu. (We were eating at Le Cellier). We did eat at several buffets during the trip, and at these, I happily paid the adult price, since she was according to the rules. The Dining CM did allow me to purchase 3 adult and 2 child packages, as we were dining at a restaurant with a separate menu for each. Why should Disney care if they are getting paid for the menu item ordered? Again, there was no problem at the podium, they just asked who would be receiving the child's menus.

One interesting aside, even when she was legitimately under 12, and getting kids meals. At Epcot, when you eat at the sit down restaurants, where a drink is included in the kid's meal, you get a neat souvenir cup - just the right size (10-12 oz), with a cover and a reusuable straw that seals the cup. We have quite a collection from our trips from my youngest - but Jennie, although ordering the same meals - never got one!!! They always brought her a drink in a glass. Just because she's big, she's supposed to be coordinated??

 

[eeyore0062]

For park entry purposes, once a child is 9, until they become 18, they are considered a Junior. They still need an adult park pass, as they are usually tall enough to enjoy all the attractions offered by Disney.

Children of the age of 9 are still considered children in the eyes of Disney where admission media is concerned. My DD is 9 and when we purchased her AP this year, the castmember at Guest Relations reminded us that next year when we renew, we will have to renew at the adult rate, since she will be 10.

I hate to belabor this point, but I don't want everyone on the boards to get upset thinking that Disney has suddenly decided that children that are age 9 will have to have adult admission media. Nothing has changed. You still have until the child is 10.

 

[VickiVM]

I hate to belabor this point, but I don't want everyone on the boards to get upset thinking that Disney has suddenly decided that children that are age 9 will have to have adult admission media. Nothing has changed. You still have until the child is 10.

OK - So since he turns 10 the day after we check in, must I purchase an adult park hopper pass?? What would be the rule if we checked in while he was 9 and got UPH (length of stay) passes??

 

[Mattsmom]

I believe, age of the child at check-in is the age used by WDW for the trip.

 

[dpic]

I was told this--it's the age of the child on the first day the pass is used. "Disney understands that children grow older."

 

[A Mickeyfan]

here is an example of how it works.... (last year) 10/13 was my renewal date for our seasonal pass. My daughter was 9 on that date but turing 10 in 2 weeks. Disney knew this (since they had her birthday in the system already). I asked if I had to purchase an adult pass & CM said NO, as long as she wasn't 10 on the day I purchased the pass, she was still entitled to a "child" pass & to enjoy the year. This year we will be renewing on 10/13 again, but she will be getting the adult pass. If you pruchase the ticket/pass prior to the 10th birthday but turn 10 while using it, they are a child. As far as the room is concerned, it they are 17 at check in & turn 18 while there, they are still booked as a junior. Concerning the meals, if they are 12 on the day they are eating, they are an adult price.

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
at age 18, the child is considered an adult and can no longer stay as a non paying 3rd person in the resort. Depending on the resort, an extra $10- $20 per adults over the amount of 2, is added to the cost of the room.

I know the Poly went from $15 p/extra adult to $25 several years ago.

steve

 

[newtodisney]

I read somewhere that if you have a partially used child park hopper and the child turns 10 before their next visit, they will upgrade the remaining days to an adult PH for free. Has anyone done this?