Would you claim your 3 year old was 2?

[mmeads4]

I don't quite understand why Disney charges for a 3 year old anyways. At 3 years old, especially the smaller 3 year olds, arn't even the minimum 40 inches tall for most rides. They don't eat very much. Although, the DDP is only $11/day, the park tickets alone for 4 days is almost $200. That's alot of money to some of us. I planned our trip to end 1 day before my 2 year old turns 3. I plan on celebrating his 3 year bday the last night we are there. And he is only 37 inches tall, my 4 year old and I are bummed about Splash Mountain.
Now next year, I hope, when we go and he is 3 going on 4 I won't be so bummed about the $200 because he'll be tall enough to ride on most of the rides and eat much more.
Just my .02c worth.

 

[DisNae]

I am totally sympathetic to the OP's problem, but you are missing what people are trying to say. Nobody is worried that Disney is being cheated out of money- it's just that the rules apply to everyone. Even if you think it's unfair.

I think we all are aware that not everything is black and white, though. Yes, there are "rules", but in this case, even if she's technically breaking the rules, she's still paying for everything, so it is one of those cases where you kind of make a judgement call. So I guess, yes, she's "breaking the holier-than-thou Disney rules", but she's not doing anything WRONG. And, I guess everyone on this thread who has brought their wrath down upon her has NEVER done something to even SLIGHTLY fudge the "rules", EVER, in their entire lives, even if they weren't really cheating anyone or stealing anyone or anything along those lines, right.....

I think some people on this board are so Disney fanatic that they are just blindly loyal to everything Disney, period. There is no room for personal judgement or shades of grey for some of these people. And hey, more power to you if you would choose to claim your 3 year old and pay the extra money unnecessarily, even if you wouldn't have been cheating Disney not to have done so. Go for it. No skin off my nose. But the OP asked for opinions, and I'm giving mine.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think we all are aware that not everything is black and white, though. Yes, there are "rules", but in this case, even if she's technically breaking the rules, she's still paying for everything, so it is one of those cases where you kind of make a judgement call. So I guess, yes, she's "breaking the holier-than-thou Disney rules", but she's not doing anything WRONG. And, I guess everyone on this thread who has brought their wrath down upon her has NEVER done something to even SLIGHTLY fudge the "rules", EVER, in their entire lives, even if they weren't really cheating anyone or stealing anyone or anything along those lines, right.....

I think some people on this board are so Disney fanatic that they are just blindly loyal to everything Disney, period. There is no room for personal judgement or shades of grey for some of these people. And hey, more power to you if you would choose to claim your 3 year old and pay the extra money unnecessarily, even if you wouldn't have been cheating Disney not to have done so. Go for it. No skin off my nose. But the OP asked for opinions, and I'm giving mine.

Talk about holier than thou...Just for the record I am not blindly loyal to Disney nor did I bring my "wrath down upon her". She asked what people thought and we told her. Yes, of course nothing is black and white- BUT- the rules state the requirements. I did not make them up. So it is not unnecessary- it is the rule. So if I deem that because my 4 year old won't be riding any thrill rides I should pay less for his park ticket? Or since I don't drink that I shouldn't have to pay to get into pleasure island to take in the sights? I had to buy a park ticket for myself because we wanted the dining plan and I already have an AP. Why should I have to waste the money? I don't care if you can apply it to another AP. It is a waste for us. We do it because we want the DP. Do I think Disney needs to change some things? Of course! Do I write letters? You betcha! There are many times when I think a rule is stupid but what can you do? When we go back next year my dd will have just turned 3. She does not eat anywhere near $11 worth of food a day. Trust me on that. I will still have to pay for her if I want the DDP. She also doesn't like a few of the children's rides and is too small for the thrill rides. Should I pro-rate her ticket? I would love to! It is just not an option. Personally I don't care what anyone choses to do but the OP asked for opinions. I'm glad it worked out for her- truly I am. But- you are condeming all of us for following the rules.

 

[Gymbomom]

That is the whole point it isn't JUST cheating Disney, it cheats the people who DO follow the rules.


1. Ages of children on the DDP 3 years to 9 years
2. ALL members of party in the SAME room must be on the dining plan.

Those are the rules. There are no grey, it doesn't say what if or but.

So for those who have paid for their 3 year old, the might think it IS cheating and it IS unfair.

 

[minnie61650]

I think we all are aware that not everything is black and white, though. Yes, there are "rules", but in this case, even if she's technically breaking the rules, she's still paying for everything, so it is one of those cases where you kind of make a judgement call. So I guess, yes, she's "breaking the holier-than-thou Disney rules", but she's not doing anything WRONG. And, I guess everyone on this thread who has brought their wrath down upon her has NEVER done something to even SLIGHTLY fudge the "rules", EVER, in their entire lives, even if they weren't really cheating anyone or stealing anyone or anything along those lines, right.....

I think some people on this board are so Disney fanatic that they are just blindly loyal to everything Disney, period. There is no room for personal judgement or shades of grey for some of these people. And hey, more power to you if you would choose to claim your 3 year old and pay the extra money unnecessarily, even if you wouldn't have been cheating Disney not to have done so. Go for it. No skin off my nose. But the OP asked for opinions, and I'm giving mine.

Think about it the dining plan is an option.
No one is required to buy the DP.
The dining plan can save guests lots of money.
The OP wants to be able to the enjoy that option.
She wants to be able to eat "$800 worth of food for $400."
In order to get the dining plan Disney has a requirement that everyone in the room must be on the dining plan and everyone in the room needs to buy a ticket.

If a furniture store offers a $200 rebate with the purchase of a seven piece bedroom set the customer can't say I have a bed and night stand so I will just buy the other 5 pieces and I want my $200 rebate.
It is a package deal.
If the OP does not want to accept and pay for the whole package then she and her mom should not try to reap the benefits of the plan.

Everyone should be on the plan or no one should be on the plan.
It is that simple.

 

[minnie61650]

I don't quite understand why Disney charges for a 3 year old anyways. At 3 years old, especially the smaller 3 year olds, arn't even the minimum 40 inches tall for most rides. They don't eat very much. Although, the DDP is only $11/day, the park tickets alone for 4 days is almost $200. That's alot of money to some of us. I planned our trip to end 1 day before my 2 year old turns 3. I plan on celebrating his 3 year bday the last night we are there. And he is only 37 inches tall, my 4 year old and I are bummed about Splash Mountain.
Now next year, I hope, when we go and he is 3 going on 4 I won't be so bummed about the $200 because he'll be tall enough to ride on most of the rides and eat much more.
Just my .02c worth.

There are only a few rides with height requirements . Disney sells a childs ticket.

I am disabled and cannot ride a lot of the rides.

Even if I choose not to (or could not) ride any of the rides I would still have to buy an adult ticket.

Is it fair ? Maybe not but that is the way it is.

So I buy my adult ticket and enjoy the rides I can ride. I also enjoy watching others ride the rides I can't.