So here is a question. When you child turns 3, say it is just a month after her/his birthday, do you buy them a ticket? Or do you say, nope she/he is still 2? I know that for some families having that extra person to pay for can be an expense they don't want, but is it fair to Disney to not pay for the child? Or, do you think, what more can she/he do than she/he did a month or so ago? When we go in November my son will have turned 3 a month and a half before our trip. He may or may not be tall enough to go on anything more than he could on our last trip. But the DLR rules say he needs a ticket. Being that we are Deluxe APers, we would have to either buy him an AP, which is not discounted for children, or buy him a parkhopper. We can afford to buy him the ticket so money is not an issue, I guess it is just the thought. What would you do, honestly. I don't think anyone will be going back to DLR running and saying, so and so will be here at such and such a time and their child will be 3 but they are not going to buy a ticket. Because if you do that :p to you! LOL

Sorry if I seem preachy on this but: Do what you can live with. To me its no worse than shoplifting. Live by the example you wish to set. ;)

My son turned 3 right before we went and I bought him his own ticket b/c he was 3. Plain and simple.

For me, it involves my integrity. It may seem like a small thing to lie about my child's age (I would be inconvenienced at the extra cost too), but what example do I choose to set for my children? I have bought them tickets when they reached 3, for me it is the right choice.

I think the key question here is whether or not you want to teach your child that it is ok to lie in order to save a little bit of money on what is basically a luxury activity.

My guess is that if you are asking the question, you already know the right answer.

-Jeff

If they don't ask, don't tell (in regards to the gate CM). As far as your kids knowing, I don't think they know. They are more excited about going into Disneyland than wondering if you purchased a ticket. Heck, they probably don't even know you need a ticket to get in.

I'm going to echo what most of the other posters said. My eldest son had his first AP about 9 days after his 3rd birthday. At the time, they still had DL only APs and Two-Park APs. We were buying him a DL-only AP. The day before his birthday, two of his closest friends took him to DCA for the day for the last day he could get in free. That was the only time that anyone ever questioned his age and our friend told the CM: He turns three TOMORROW that's why we're here TODAY.

My middle son turned three in May and I bought his AP in March on one of the last days before the AP price went up. We activated it last Sunday.

I don't want to teach my sons that it's ok to lie because I don't want them lying to me. I know they will, but I know that they're watching my every move. Now, some people will tell me that it won't matter, they're too young. Yeah, those folk haven't met my Matthew. That kid has a mind like a steel trap. He DOES bring up things that he remembers from three years ago. He's done this for three years, which just reinforces those memories. And I have no reason to think that his brothers will be any different. Also, even if the younger boys don't remember that I snuck them in, the older boy(s) will. They're watching my every move and I know it.

Now maybe not all kids are like that. Mine are. And if you have any doubts, I'll send you a few references ;)

Adrienne

I wrote this in the learn from kids thread:
"The worst thing you say or do will be the one thing they remember to say or do at the most inappropriate time."

The reason I brought this up is because there was a lady in our group that was trying to cut costs so that she could come with us, in November, and the babies turn 3 in September. One of the ways to cut costs would be of course to save money on the ticket for her child. My DH and I talked tonight, about getting Brooks an AP as an actual birthday present, my son has everything else that he needs and as much of a freak as he is about DL he would think that was SO cool, he could put it in his wallet with his Autopia drivers license and would think it is neat that he has a card that can get him in to DL anytime he wants! But I was thinking how often I bet this really happens. People fudge on the age, 3 so they need a ticket, and then the 9 thing when the go from a child to an adult ticket.
I TOTALLY understand the whole white lie issue, even if it is to save a few bucks. They learn, my son has a memory like you would not believe and he would be one to remember something like that, from example. I have a stepson that is 16 and he tells lies all the time, little white ones most of the time, but I know that he has picked this up from his mom, and it is reflecting in his day to day life.
As I said, we plan to get him his first AP as a birthday gift. But I would bet this happens fairly often.

As I said, we plan to get him his first AP as a birthday gift. But I would bet this happens fairly often.

I'm sure it happens often. But as you probably know, there's lots of stuff that other parents do often that others of us aren't going to do ;)

FYI- when M turned three, he didn't need ANYTHING. (Still doesn't! Kid's spoiled.) When people asked what they could get him, I suggested Disney Dollars to pay for his AP. :) And if you're going to DL, you can't have too many Disney Dollars!

Adrienne

Interestingly, at Legoland, they ask the kid how old they are, not the parent.

That reminds me, I bought Disney dollars for both of the boys as souveniers on our last trip and I bet they are still in the camera bag. Thanks! LOL

Hi all,

Funny, my wife and I just went through this a few weeks back with our 3 year old son. We purchased our tickets upon arrival (at the Boardwalk) and this was our 3 years old's 4th time but the first where he's needed an actual pass.

The responses to the original post are all pretty much right on. The thought didn't cross our minds to roll the dice and see if he would be able to get in w/o a pass. Even though at 3 he may not realize the value of honesty and integrity, we do and it would've bothered us to cheat the system that way so to speak.

Also, each time we entered a specific place that required your pass to be scanned, he thought it was the coolest thing!

I think the old saying goes like this:

"Honesty is the best policy." (at least in our case it was)

Bob

Bobcat! How was your trip?!

It was the same way with my daughter. We took her to Disneyland the week before she turned 3, and we didn't plan to go back for another 3 months or so. At that point, we knew we'd buy a ticket for her. She was really proud that she was old enough to have a ticket of her own (I used to give her my ticket and told her it was good enough for the both of us).

Hi dlandmom,

The trip was great! May of '05 is already in the works along with a potential Marathon Weekend trip in January. I'm registered for the 1/2.

That was very true for our son as well. I'd give him his own pass and he'd slide it through with a huge grin on his face. It's funny how simple little things are pretty big deals to the kids huh?

We'll chat soon.

Bob

ps..Are you ready for a Patriots repeat?

Disney Dollars are a great idea. I need to remember that the next time I do gift giving for kids! Can you get Disney Dollars at The Disney Store?

I know 3 is a little young, but it can't hurt to teach them how to "trade" their Disney Dollars for a ticket to Disneyland/Disney World. I'm doing it now with my 4 year old. I've actually taken her to the park and left without her buying a thing because she didn't have enough money and understands she has to wait until she's saved/earned enough!

Disney Dollars are a great idea. I need to remember that the next time I do gift giving for kids! Can you get Disney Dollars at The Disney Store?

yes.

Adrienne

Derailing to ask, what are Disney Dollars?

Disney Dollars are essentially Disney currency. They look like money, same size as US bills, are printed on front and back, very similar "model" to US currency, but they're printed in color. They act like currency at Disneyland, WDW, or Disney Stores. Another way to think of them is Disney Gift Certificates in $1, $5, and $10 amounts, but I think it's easier to think of it as currency because it looks like currency. You don't write on it "to" "from." You treat it like you would regular $1, $5, or $10 bills.

When you use it, you can get your change in Disney Dollars or US dollars.

Adrienne

... but I think it's easier to think of it as currency because it looks like currency. You don't write on it "to" "from." You treat it like you would regular $1, $5, or $10 bills.

Currency that looks like a cross between US$ and Monopoly money.

I think it is the parents decision to decide to tell a "white lie" or whatever. I know many people who can not afford the extra amount who work extra hours to save for the trip and so on, just to give their children a week of dreams coming true. I think the 3 year old rule is sort of goofy anyways. Where I use to work, we had an age limit with 3 and up being our call for charging people and I normally did not charge parents with 3 year olds because when it comes to swimming, playing games, etc, most 3 year olds never participate. They do so little that I felt like I was cheating that parent out of money that they could have used to buy their kids treats and so on. The owners were aware of what I did and my thought process and they did not ever say one single thing. (LOL...I did not get fired....I moved on to greener pastures ;) ) So, after having worked in an environment where I had to make such CALLS, I say it is up to the parent. I know my daughter would be able to ride more rides than other 3 and even 2 year olds since she is going to be tall enough upon our return to Disney but I have a friend who has a 4 year old daughter who is the same height as my 2 year old! Her daughter who is 4 could not ride many of the rides so that is where I would find it difficult to charge a parent with a smaller, more petite child. Children can be fearful as well. I am sure thare are many parents who have had to pay a large amount of money to buy tickets for their children who spend most of their days in a stroller. I disagree with that. :confused: So, to each their own. There are far too many things for me to worry about as to wheter or not someone is paying for their 3 year old or not. Plus, if they are anything like us, they will buy so many souvenirs, toys, etc, you definitely pay for that child in the end ;) All my money went to Disney last time- will this time again too :) Stayed onsite, many character meals, lots of gadgets and Gizmos, etc. :D