Will Disneyworld verify my son's age ?

[uvasag]

My son is almost 3. We are travelling on Aug. 13th - 15th and he turns 3 on 16th. I don't have to buy his ticket because at that time he will be under 3. My question is will Disneyworld ask for verification of age because he looks so close to 3. I don't want to carry his birth certificate if I don't want to. It's just one additional important document to worry about. Will disneyworld take my word for it or should I bring his proof of age with me ?

TIA

 

[MSSANDRA]

They might ask your son how old he is but they will take your word for it. WE took a reduced size copy of DS birth certificate one trip when DS was child/adult boarderline. Never needed it but felt better having it.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

They might ask you or him, but you are not required to show documentation. We always brought a copy of the birth certificate (not certified or anything, just a copy from the printer) when our kids were two since they are both tall.

Have a great trip!

 

[MPLsDad]

They won't ask. Don't worry about it. One time Snow White asked my DD how old she was and she said 3 when she was really 2. I corrected her and told her she was 2 and Snow White asked me if I was trying to "pull one over on the mouse." They didn't give a hoot at the gate and my DD is pretty big for her age.

 

[C.Ann]

DD's DH just whipped off a quick copy on their printer.. DGD was turning 3 two days after we left WDW.. He just folded it up and stuck it in his wallet.. A CM actually did ask her age - because her vocabulary was so advanced - so my son-in-law just showed him the copy he made and everything was fine.. They wouldn't expect you to be carrying around the "real" thing - copies are fine..

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Our last trip we were never asked DD's age. Everytime we entered she was sitting in the stroller and they just opened the gate and waved her through.

 

[uvasag]

Thank you everybody for the replies. I will take a photocopy of the birth certificate just in case.

 

[Traveliz]

DD's DH just whipped off a quick copy on their printer.. DGD was turning 3 two days after we left WDW.. He just folded it up and stuck it in his wallet.. A CM actually did ask her age - because her vocabulary was so advanced - so my son-in-law just showed him the copy he made and everything was fine.. They wouldn't expect you to be carrying around the "real" thing - copies are fine..

But you don't have to take any documentation - they will take your word regardless of what your child says. In the unlikely event they sent you to Guest Services you simply tell them the age. I would regale them with birth stories as I will not carry around birth certificates (copies or not).

Liz

 

[SandrA9810]

Although you should stay till the 16th.. since he gets in free for his birthday. I love the special birthday passes, it has mickey on it with a party hat on. That will require proof of the birthday. Especially if this is his first trip, you can scrap book it as his first disney ticket. There's no cost to you... so go for it, even if you're planning on leaving on the 16th.

I knew I couldn't spend the day in the parks, cause we were moving into our apt, but I stopped by in the morning just to get it. I was hoping to upgrade it to a seasonal pass, but that never happened. But it's a definatly cute suviener.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Although you should stay till the 16th.. since he gets in free for his birthday. I love the special birthday passes, it has mickey on it with a party hat on. That will require proof of the birthday. Especially if this is his first trip, you can scrap book it as his first disney ticket. There's no cost to you... so go for it, even if you're planning on leaving on the 16th.

I knew I couldn't spend the day in the parks, cause we were moving into our apt, but I stopped by in the morning just to get it. I was hoping to upgrade it to a seasonal pass, but that never happened. But it's a definatly cute suviener.

That's a great idea! But OP,if you decide to do that, I think they require a certified copy of the BC for the free birthday ticket. There is more info in the tickets sticky on the Theme Parks Board.

 

[pparm]

Doesn't the age of the child at the start of the reservation count? I'm sure I've read that whatever age the child is at the start of the reservation, is what counts for the trip. (But I could be wrong!) Like PP's have said, could you stay for the birthday and get the gift card, if not the free park ticket for the day? That's free $$ to spend!!

Paula

 

[debbiemomto4]

I know its the age when you start your stay with them. So he doesn't have to have a ticket but like someone stated you do need a certified BC for your free ticket or gift card or ezpass ticket for rides. I just had to pull out my ds since he turns 16 there and does not have a license yet.
He can get a gift card for the price of a ticket! Can go fast for a 3 yr old at a disney store!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Doesn't the age of the child at the start of the reservation count? I'm sure I've read that whatever age the child is at the start of the reservation, is what counts for the trip. (But I could be wrong!) Like PP's have said, could you stay for the birthday and get the gift card, if not the free park ticket for the day? That's free $$ to spend!!

Paula

If I am not mistaken they would not be eliigible.. since you started before the birthday.. they would be free the whole time and than not eligble for the gft card/fast passes. They only way I think you could get aaway with it is for the park admission which you dont need since they would already be free.

 

[lovndisney]

We just got back and they never once asked for verification of my child's age. She is tall for her age... i guess that comes from Daddy being 6.8

 

[lilmissie]

For the birthday thing you still qualify for the gift card on their third birthday.

 

[courage]

Remember that once you give your child's birthday to disney for a reservation or a ticket sale, Disney keeps it on file/ we took my son and stayed at a resort when he was 2 and the next time we came they knew he was 3 as soon as our last name appeared.

 

[fakereadhed]

I was worried when my son was 2 because he was the size of a 4yo. No one at WDW asked, and never had to show any proof.

The only one that hassled me was the TSA agent who asked him his name and age. He couldn't answer because he was a slow talker. Really ticked her off and she almost didn't let us on the plane!

 

[SandrA9810]

The only way to get the birthday gift card or fast pass card is to already have a park ticket. Trust me I would've loved to have a 75$ gift card because I knew I wouldn't be able to step foot in the parks on my birthday.
I'm fairly sure he would be eligable for the birthday ticket, even if he was 2 when the vacation started. But that all depends on if you are actually there on the 16th and not leaving on the 15th.
Just remember too, that after the 3rd day, the 4 day is only a few dollars more per ticket, and you wouldn't have to spend extra money for him to get his 3rd birthday ticket. If extending your trip by one day is possible.

If you're flying I would check with the airlines to make sure you don't need it for that. I never flew as a minor without my DL, so I don't know how check in goes for kids.

 

[sskem96]

I always carry a copy of the certified birth certificate when we travel. We haven't needed it yet, but you never know what will happen when going through security at the airport.

Last week there was a family in front of us that consisted of a teenage girl and her grandparents. The TSA agent checked the grandparents' IDs, and when she noticed that the last names on the boarding passes didn't match the girl's last name, she asked the girl who those people were and what she was doing with them. The poor girl was totally thrown off and didn't know what to say because this was at 4:30am and the agent was kind of gruff, so the grandpa finally says, she's our granddaughter and we're going to Disney World. The agent totally lit into him for answering the question when she was asking the girl to make sure she knew the people and was really supposed to be with them. She let them through, but I was hoping they had a letter from the girls' parents for authorization of medical care because that would pretty much clear up the question of whether the girl was supposed to be with them or not.

The same agent also asked a 15 year old travelling with her older sister for a picture ID, which she didn't have, and she gave her a really hard time about it even though it's not required. Maybe that particular agent just likes to be mean to people who had to get up at 3am or earlier to go to the airport!

 

[Dancemom03]

Last week there was a family in front of us that consisted of a teenage girl and her grandparents. The TSA agent checked the grandparents' IDs, and when she noticed that the last names on the boarding passes didn't match the girl's last name, she asked the girl who those people were and what she was doing with them. The poor girl was totally thrown off and didn't know what to say because this was at 4:30am and the agent was kind of gruff, so the grandpa finally says, she's our granddaughter and we're going to Disney World. The agent totally lit into him for answering the question when she was asking the girl to make sure she knew the people and was really supposed to be with them. She let them through, but I was hoping they had a letter from the girls' parents for authorization of medical care because that would pretty much clear up the question of whether the girl was supposed to be with them or not.

The same agent also asked a 15 year old travelling with her older sister for a picture ID, which she didn't have, and she gave her a really hard time about it even though it's not required. Maybe that particular agent just likes to be mean to people who had to get up at 3am or earlier to go to the airport!

I'm surprised that the teen didn't/couldn't reply to the question herself before her grandparents stepped in. Most are very capable despite being tired.

As the parent of a teen, this agent would have earned a letter of praise to her employer from me. Obviously she has had training and realizes that abducted teens are transported every day in this country. Sure, it's inconvienent to be questioned - so is taking off my shoes and searching my bags - but both are meant to protect the travelers. I appreciate any and all efforts, no matter how small, to protect my children and assure that they are where they are supposed to be - and with whom.

I know from experiences over the years with both DS31 and DD19 that once you tell security a misplaced child is 14 or older, they will rarely assist you with finding them. The reply is inevitably a statement like "well, you know how teens are, they wander off all the time, meet friends, play video games, spend time by themselves, I'm sure she'll eventually turn up."

While 99% of the time they're probably right, it doesn't mean a 16 yr old might not be any less threatened or endangered in a stranger situation - or that a parent will be less worried simply because the child they love is older. In reality, it's exactly the opposite - just knowing that nobody is seriously looking for your missing child is enough to bring all those worst nightmare scenerios to life, causing utter panic to set in...