Would you claim your 3 year old was 2?

[tjmw2727]

I would just take a few mintues and try price all your options and then compare cost.

#1 is the package, rack rate for the room, add the dining package and the 1 day (non hopping) park tickets for everyone including your dd, (2 a /1 c) then the cost to upgrade the 1 days for those who need them.

#2 is #1 without the dining program for your dd and adding tickets for the full length of the stay for you and your mom.

I think if you look at the $$ savings from 1 and 2 you will save enough in OOP costs to make buying the ddp for your dd the best option. If you do more than 2-3 buffets in a few days time that more than pays for the $11.00 per day. I can also see an issue with paying for your dd's buffets OOP esp since the reservation will have her as 2.

I do understand that your issue is with buying unnecessary park tickets but I still think your in better shape buying her the ddp even with the two extra 1 day tickets. You can't really put a price on the convenience of the DDP esp in your situation with your mom.

Unfortunately I do think you will have to save the 2 adult tickets for another trip or upgrade them for this trip. I am sure you would be questioned trying to use an adult ticket for a 3yo, not only that but why waste the $$.

Then you have lots of non-package options,

#3 is room only, again rack rate, tickets for only those who need them with the advance purchase discount and estimated cost of food without the ddp.

Then consider the potential discounts:

Resort - a code or other discount can become available, depending on your travel dates, if anyone has or has use for an AP that often qualifies in a 20% - 40% discount dpending on the resort and time of year.

Online ticket dsicounts - I have gotten great deals on tickets through Undercover tourist. Consider subscribing to mousesavers, they often have great deals on all things Disney.

Personally I don't ever use the DDP as the convenience to me dosen't outweight the cost. However, I can see why on this trip it may be the way to go in order to treat your mom to a guilt free no worries trip.

Yikes - having said all that I personally think your best option is #1.

Nice problem to have though isn't it - I love planning!

TJ

 

[Deb & Bill]

Okay- I get what you are saying, but here's my dillema. I have an AP. My dh and kids don't. Why do I have to buy park tickets for me in order to get the dining plan? I would still be paying the same price for DDP so what's the problem? I know the rules stink sometimes, but they are what they are. If you did that then why can't I just purchase the DDP without the tickets since I already have one?

Your dilemma is easily solved. You need to buy a park ticket just like you purchase for the rest of the family in order to get the dining plan. Disney's rules are:
1 - You must purchase a package either from them or AAA. If you purchase from them, you will pay rack rate for the room.
2 - All members of the party must have tickets purchased with the package unless they are under the age of three. All members of the party must purchase the same ticket package.
3 - All members of your party must purchase the dining plan for the entire length of your stay with that reservation.

So, if the dining plan works for you (and you abide by ALL the rules), purchase the dining plan. If you cannot follow all the rules, skip the dining plan and get a room only reservation. Purchase your tickets anywhere you like.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Thanks... this makes sense. I just had to come to terms with the fact that I will STILL be sitting on so much park admission that I've paid for already. I've got two park hoppers with three days left on each (but one is tied to my husband who will not be attending this trip, so they will be set aside for a future trip) and then we have two unused park hoppers, too. That's about $220 worth of tickets right there. We're just going to have to plan a "diet" trip for later next year where we all go without the DDP and book room only!

If these are used tickets with days still on them your DD cannot use them since they are non-transferrable. I would just add her and keep those tickets to use on a future romm only trip, so the person who already used them can finish using them.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Hmmmmm, call me unethical but I would have no problem calling her 2 as long as she has just recently turned 2 and doesn't look like she is 4. I guess I don't get into what is "right" and "wrong" when it comes to something like this. I don't feel like I have made an immoral decision if I go somewhere and say my child is 2 rather than 3. In addition, I don't ever worry about "cheating" Disney out of money. I think it's safe to say you will be giving Disney plenty of cash during the length of your vacation.

I guess I'm ready to get flamed!

I can understand why you don't worry about shortchanging Disney, but why are the rules different for you than for me? That's my issue. If I have to follow them you should have to also. JMHO.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Your dilemma is easily solved. You need to buy a park ticket just like you purchase for the rest of the family in order to get the dining plan. Disney's rules are:
1 - You must purchase a package either from them or AAA. If you purchase from them, you will pay rack rate for the room.
2 - All members of the party must have tickets purchased with the package unless they are under the age of three. All members of the party must purchase the same ticket package.
3 - All members of your party must purchase the dining plan for the entire length of your stay with that reservation.

So, if the dining plan works for you (and you abide by ALL the rules), purchase the dining plan. If you cannot follow all the rules, skip the dining plan and get a room only reservation. Purchase your tickets anywhere you like.

But that was just my point- If I want to use the DDP I have to follow the rules. I wanted to use it so I did purchase the package even though I could have gotten a cheap room only reservation with my AP. I was just pointing out that if you want to use whatever package/code.discount etc., then you have to abide by whatever rules they make up. It is the way it is. I have no problem with that. I may not agree with it but I don't make the rules. Hopefully we will be DVC members one day and it won't matter!

 

[Deb & Bill]

But that was just my point- If I want to use the DDP I have to follow the rules. I wanted to use it so I did purchase the package even though I could have gotten a cheap room only reservation with my AP. I was just pointing out that if you want to use whatever package/code.discount etc., then you have to abide by whatever rules they make up. It is the way it is. I have no problem with that. I may not agree with it but I don't make the rules. Hopefully we will be DVC members one day and it won't matter!

I guess I misunderstood what you wrote. Sorry. Hope you can be welcomed home soon.

If people don't like the rules, it's not their right to break or bend them. What they need to do is get the rule changed. Of course if so many people complain about the Dining Plan, Disney might just drop it all together.

 

[MyZoeJane]

If these are used tickets with days still on them your DD cannot use them since they are non-transferrable. I would just add her and keep those tickets to use on a future romm only trip, so the person who already used them can finish using them.

Thanks, but as I have repeatedly said, they are unused tickets. Enough for the length of stay and happen to have been paid for my my in-laws... It feels like "free money" to me.


But I wanted thank all of you who made things clearer for me and who offered constructive feedback. I called this evening to make me ressie (yay! ) and when the CM asked why I only wanted one day tickets, I explained to him that I already had tickets for my DD from a previous trip. Then I told him that she really didn't need the DDP at all and he was happy to leave her out of the DDP AND the tickets.

I think that calling with an honest alternative to my situation (one other than lying) was just enough to make that CM want to make a magical moment happen for me...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Thanks, but as I have repeatedly said, they are unused tickets. Enough for the length of stay and happen to have been paid for my my in-laws... It feels like "free money" to me.


But I wanted thank all of you who made things clearer for me and who offered constructive feedback. I called this evening to make me ressie (yay! ) and when the CM asked why I only wanted one day tickets, I explained to him that I already had tickets for my DD from a previous trip. Then I told him that she really didn't need the DDP at all and he was happy to leave her out of the DDP AND the tickets.

I think that calling with an honest alternative to my situation (one other than lying) was just enough to make that CM want to make a magical moment happen for me...

I'm glad you were able to solve your problem. Just make sure that when you make your ADR's they don't tell you she has to be on the DDP. As we all know sometimes one CM does something different than another. I hope it works out for you and you have a wonderful trip!

 

[MyZoeJane]

I'm glad you were able to solve your problem. Just make sure that when you make your ADR's they don't tell you she has to be on the DDP. As we all know sometimes one CM does something different than another. I hope it works out for you and you have a wonderful trip!

Good point! I do have the name of the CM who made my ressie... I have a feeling that he simply marked her down as two... I mean, she's two now... I don't see why they would want her on the dining plan since they didn't care the last two times we went and used it and I have every intention of paying OOP for the buffet character meals!

Perhaps it also made a difference that this time the ressie was made under my name instead of my DH's? We have different last names... so I don't think she was even in the computer from the previous trips?

Either way... I am glad this CM saw the REASON behind this situation and saw fit to bend the rules for me!

 

[stenickar]

I still fail to see the ethical wrongdoing here, you know?

If you had no qualms about doing it than why would you post here? It seems to me like you really don't feel like you should, but are hoping that others will say it is o.k. Just my 2cents.

 

[Merriwind]

Sounds like a good and workable solution--enjoy your trip!!

I'm going to go with being honest about DD age and buying one day hoppers for all of us, upgrading only my own and my mom's, using the other tickets I have for my daughter to use... that way all my one day tickets will be used and then next time I'll be able to buy length of stay park hoppers along with the DDP for everyone without having to consider admission I already have!

With this... I do not feel like I am being forced to pay for things I don't need. I can live with this and feel good about it.

Thanks guys.

 

[minnie61650]

FWIW

The Disney Dining program is sold as package.

The MAGIC YOUR WAY Package Plus Dining includes your Disney Resort accommodations, MAGIC YOUR WAY Base Ticket and Disney Dining Plan that offers one table-service meal, one counter-service meal, and one snack per person per night of your package stay at selected restaurants. Bon appetit!

The OP stated in another thread that they ate over $800 and only paid about $400 for all that food because they had the DDP.

The reason Disney is able to give us such a deep discount on the food is because Disney sells the DDP as a package with tickets included.

Disney knows a lot of guests buy tickets from other vendors, but if Disney "gives" us a great deal on the food and makes up some of their loses by
having the guests buy tickets through Disney then it is a win win situation.

Disney wins because the guest buys tickets from Disney and the guest wins because they are able to enjoy saving money by using the DDP.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[camdensmom]

Good point! I do have the name of the CM who made my ressie... I have a feeling that he simply marked her down as two... I mean, she's two now...

If you have already been to WDW with her twice before and you were honest about her age at that time then they probably know how old she is. We went last March with our then 8 month old. When I made ressies for this March the CM went over everything and said, "we have you, (DH) as having MYW with Park Hopper and Dining and Camden who will not need dining or park admission since he will only be 1.5." It had such a big brother feeling about it.

They certainly do keep track of those things.

Anyhow, that doesn't really answer your question and it seems like it's resolved anyhow, but I figured I would share my story

 

[DisneyPhD]

If you have already been to WDW with her twice before and you were honest about her age at that time then they probably know how old she is. We went last March with our then 8 month old. When I made ressies for this March the CM went over everything and said, "we have you, (DH) as having MYW with Park Hopper and Dining and Camden who will not need dining or park admission since he will only be 1.5." It had such a big brother feeling about it.

They certainly do keep track of those things.

Anyhow, that doesn't really answer your question and it seems like it's resolved anyhow, but I figured I would share my story

They keep track, but they make mistakes, lots and lots of mistakes and nothing is permanent. Oh sorry we have your child as this age they must be that age.


For example when I called a few years ago they had me down 5 different times in the system. They also had me down as going to WDW over 100 times (this is what the cast member told me.) Hello, we have made a lot of trips (check my sig) but not that many. Maybe over 100 nights total, but even then I doubt it (especially back then.) They also had my niece down as daughter. Just because they have a date does not make it right, or proof. They are not going to question you when you say, that date isn't right. (Because a lot of times it isn't.)

Edited to add, I am glad you were able to talk with a cast member and work it out. I thought you would be able too.

 

[HappyLawyer]

I posted this in the resorts forum, but then I realized I might have better responses from people who actually have small children, so I'm posting it here, too:

Okay, hear me out... I'm not asking for a butt whoopin' here... just some positive feedback (well, even negative feedback is welcome, just no cut downs!)

My daughter turns 3 in December so she will no longer get free admission to the parks. Fair enough. I would never try to cheat Disney out of park admission by sneaking her in as still 2. I'll gladly pay her park admission...

However, I do NOT want her forced onto the dining plan. I will either share with her, or pay OOP for her meals. But I DO want the DDP for my mom and I when we go in May '07. The three of us will be sharing a room. If I am truthful and claim my daughter as 3, I will be forced to buy her tickets and the DDP, neither of which I want to do. I have unused tickets already that I want to upgrade to use for her admission. And my daughter eats like a BIRD.... The DDP would be such a collosal waste it would be insane for me to put her on it.

If I claim my daughter as 2 on the reservation, so she wont be forced into tickets and the DDP, but I still pay for her admission to the parks...

Am I doing something evil that is worth condemning? Does it really matter? Is Disney out any money? It's my understanding that room rates are based on double occupancy, so they wouldn't be out money for hotel if I claim her as 2 as opposed to 3, would they?

I refuse to be forced into putting her on the DDP. And I do not want to forego being on the DDP myself simply because my daughter wont eat the food...

Thoughts?

I will keep it real and say yes i would, plain as that.

 

[LindaOwl1]

So just to clear up my suggestion about character meals from this thread in the other board : I did not mean to use the child's credits for adults. I was only suggesting EVERYONE use their OWN credits for character meals, because that way even if the child does not eat much it is still "worth it" for the great character experience.
Sorry you misunderstood me, I guess I was not clear.
When our large group goes next year, we will each use our own credits for character meals, and thanks to the person who informed me that not all character meals need 2 credits!! That really DID make my day!

 

[dana1003]

I posted this in the resorts forum, but then I realized I might have better responses from people who actually have small children, so I'm posting it here, too:

Okay, hear me out... I'm not asking for a butt whoopin' here... just some positive feedback (well, even negative feedback is welcome, just no cut downs!)

My daughter turns 3 in December so she will no longer get free admission to the parks. Fair enough. I would never try to cheat Disney out of park admission by sneaking her in as still 2. I'll gladly pay her park admission...

However, I do NOT want her forced onto the dining plan. I will either share with her, or pay OOP for her meals. But I DO want the DDP for my mom and I when we go in May '07. The three of us will be sharing a room. If I am truthful and claim my daughter as 3, I will be forced to buy her tickets and the DDP, neither of which I want to do. I have unused tickets already that I want to upgrade to use for her admission. And my daughter eats like a BIRD.... The DDP would be such a collosal waste it would be insane for me to put her on it.

If I claim my daughter as 2 on the reservation, so she wont be forced into tickets and the DDP, but I still pay for her admission to the parks...

Am I doing something evil that is worth condemning? Does it really matter? Is Disney out any money? It's my understanding that room rates are based on double occupancy, so they wouldn't be out money for hotel if I claim her as 2 as opposed to 3, would they?

I refuse to be forced into putting her on the DDP. And I do not want to forego being on the DDP myself simply because my daughter wont eat the food...

Thoughts?

no its not wwrong..we have 3 year old twins who were preemis so are extremely small for their age and we are not paying in the parks. if you can get away w/it do it-you know as well as i do you will still drop allot of money for all the souvenirs and stuff. we are all on the ddp except them because they only pick and rarely eat a full meal in one sitting.bottom line-its your $ do what you want.

 

[Deb & Bill]

no its not wwrong..we have 3 year old twins who were preemis so are extremely small for their age and we are not paying in the parks. if you can get away w/it do it-you know as well as i do you will still drop allot of money for all the souvenirs and stuff. we are all on the ddp except them because they only pick and rarely eat a full meal in one sitting.bottom line-its your $ do what you want.

We all "drop a lot of money" at WDW. You can't go and not drop a lot of money. What about some of the people who are in wheelchairs and can't go on many of the rides? What about me who gets motion sick at the mere thought of riding the carousel?

You don't get to pick and choose what rules you will follow and which ones you won't. Disney makes the rules. You either follow them or you don't go to Disney. If you think a rule needs to be changed, you discuss this with Disney, you just don't ignore it.

 

[marciemi]

Before this thread gets closed, I'd like to add our similar experience. And I guess I'm ready to be flamed even though this was over 8 years ago!

We went to WDW a little over a week after youngest DS turned 3. Now I'm an honest person; DH & I both went to West Point (you know, the whole "a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do!" thing). Therefore, without a doubt, I would never consider not buying park tickets for him. However... on our previous 2 visits, the boys had LOVED staying at All Star Sports (and we loved the price and convenience of being onsite). I'm sorry, but I had a hard time understanding how my son (and whole family) would have been allowed to stay there 2 weeks earlier, but were now effectively banned from it (unless obviously we booked 2 rooms at double the price). I mean seriously, my son had grown what- a eighth of an inch max - in that time?

So, yes, I LIED, and said on the reservation that he was 2. He slept in the portacrib they gave us and took no more room than he would have 2 weeks earlier. However, even though the (then called) Length of Stay passes would have been more convenient and cheaper for us, we then (ethically in our minds) couldn't use them since they'd be tied to our reservation and we couldn't buy him a ticket. We bought individual passes for everyone and actually ended up spending more money that way (and didn't get the unlimited water parks like we would have like to have had).

In my mind it was a tradeoff, not a true deception. As someone said above, Disney had to draw the line somewhere and in this case it was 3. My son was small for his age; I'm sure no one would have questioned him if I'd said he was under 3 even at the parks. This was before the fastpass era so that wasn't an issue. We did go to Early Entry and no one ever questioned him having a ticket and not a room key - obviously these days with the evening EMH's at least that wouldn't be the case. But the boys got to stay at their favorite resort one last time. Next visit we moved up to POR with the trundle beds!

Anyways - I'm glad it sounds like it worked out for you! Have a great trip!

 

[minnie61650]

Before this thread gets closed, I'd like to add our similar experience. And I guess I'm ready to be flamed even though this was over 8 years ago!

We went to WDW a little over a week after youngest DS turned 3. Now I'm an honest person; DH & I both went to West Point (you know, the whole "a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do!" thing). Therefore, without a doubt, I would never consider not buying park tickets for him. However... on our previous 2 visits, the boys had LOVED staying at All Star Sports (and we loved the price and convenience of being onsite). I'm sorry, but I had a hard time understanding how my son (and whole family) would have been allowed to stay there 2 weeks earlier, but were now effectively banned from it (unless obviously we booked 2 rooms at double the price). I mean seriously, my son had grown what- a eighth of an inch max - in that time?

So, yes, I LIED, and said on the reservation that he was 2. He slept in the portacrib they gave us and took no more room than he would have 2 weeks earlier. ........Anyways - I'm glad it sounds like it worked out for you! Have a great trip!

FYI

It is not size of your child that determines the number of guests in a room but rather the fire code.

Fire codes determine the number in a room, sometimes they allow for an additional child under the of 3 if that child will be sleeping in the crib.