Adult at age 10?

[flynnibus]

I said "probably"! Doesn't really matter, they can charge what ever they want and we can pay it or not go. Right?

Big difference between JUSTIFYING the practice vs just saying 'take it or leave it'

 

[Tom]

My two cents....

Don't lie about ages.

Don't get the DDP.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Big difference between JUSTIFYING the practice vs just saying 'take it or leave it'

I suppose but what company doesn't do that. Certainly not one that lasts a long time as popular in the public eye. That's where the expression "spin" comes from. Find the most logical path to use as an excuse and go with it. It sounds less like you are shafting someone and more like you have no real choice. They should teach a college course on it and call it "Life 101". Since we don't have any proof otherwise, we kinda have to accept what they say the reason is and move on or whatever one floats our boat and do the same.

 

[disney4life2008]

Can't you say she is 9? Unless they ask for documentation you should be fine

 

[AndyS2992]

Ten year olds are considered adults as they are now tall and emotionally stable enough to ride every attraction like an adult. Food wise, ten year olds are starting to transition from small kiddy food to more adult food and want bigger portions. I also believe the policy is also accurate for these purposes. Although I do disagree with OP that adult portions are too big, most of the time it is the opposite especially for what you are paying.

 

[flynnibus]

I suppose but what company doesn't do that

I was referring to your post - not Disney's actions.

 

[Britt]

My 9 year old can eat more than I do, so I wont mind paying adult prices next time we go. The kid is a bean pole, so Im not sure where he puts it. lol

I do understand the strain on the wallet though :/

We will have to pay for my now 3 1/2 year old the next time we go.....he is TINY though, about the size of a 1-2 year old, so it's not like he's going to be able to ride anything he couldn't before without being in my lap. He takes up no more room now at 3, than he did at 1 and 2...and he eats tiny amounts so him not being able to munch off my plate is going to suck!

 

[C.M.O]

You can complain, but WDW makes way too much money from designating kids-as-adults to back down from this policy. I agree with you that it is ridiculous and unfair, but it's also something WDW is very up-front about.

You're stuck as far as the ticket pricing, but you can still save money on dining. If you can't afford the adult upcharge for your daughter, then I'd NOT get the dining plan and I'd skip the buffets and character meals (the ones with pay-one-price pricing arrangements, like Crystal Palace, Hollywood & Vine, Akershus) altogether. You won't miss the lower-quality food you tend to get at buffets, and you can still take your daughter to character meet-and-greets to meet the characters. If you want to have some table service meals, do them only at table service restaurants that offer a la carte pricing with a separate childrens' menu (e.g., Be Our Guest, Coral Reef, Via Napoli, Raglan Road, Mama Melrose, to name a few). It's an open secret that anyone -- adult or child -- can order off of the children's menu at such places if they wish. Ditto for counter-service meals. (More tips here: http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/0...-walt-disney-world-dining-with-a-10-year-old/)

Yah. we are not doing to the meal plan. It makes no sense. We will eat all counter service and probably both get kids meal. I didn't know you could order kids meals at Mama Melrose even if you are an adult, that's great. Thanks for the information.

 

[C.M.O]

I am sucking it up and paying the $97 for one character meal on her birthday. I also love eating at Crystal Palace for breakfast and getting into the park early, but I think I will have to skip that this year. The worst was finding out that she was considered an adult for the pirates and pals. I really wanted to do that.

 

[bethymouse]

My boys will be 9 at the time of travel, but will turn 10 at WDW during our vacation. I am putting them down as 9. We're not getting the dining plan, but the boys will probably order from the regular menu now at least for quick service. For ticket prices, I guess they are still 9. I will book them that way because they don't turn 10 until 4 days into our vacation. Hmmmmm.... such a dilemma.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I was referring to your post - not Disney's actions.

Well, flynn choose whatever one you like best. That's why both were mentioned. I think my first response was as close to reasoning as I am capable of assuming. The second, however, may be possible as well. I don't want to always assume that there is no thought or calculation put into some of those decisions. They had age separation even back when the company wasn't considered the evil money grubbers that they are today. There is always a reason why decisions are made, and I refuse to be so jaded as to assume the worst every time I see that something has changed. Or as an old friend of mine used to say to his wife whenever he did something she didn't agree with..."Honey, you go to your church, I'll go to mine."

 

[erasure fan1]

I agree it does stink, my daughter never really finished the kids meals at 10. Its Disney being Disney just like charging a 3yr old almost full price when they can't do A LOT of what is offered. That has always bugged the heck out of me.

 

[MissingDisney]

I have a 9 year old that has been guesstimated at 14 and a 12 year old that can easily pull off looking like a 9 year old. When the oldest hit the adult bracket we stopped the dining plan. It just wasn't worth it anymore. He eats like a bird. Actually birds probably eat more. I wasn't going to lie about his age, even though he didn't look anywhere near 10.

We have been charged 4 adult meals at a few buffet locations and I have to let them know that one child is only 7, 8, 9, etc. as this has been a problem for a few years. (He was 5' by his 8th birthday and yes, he plays basketball ). They give us looks like "Yeah, right. These folks will lie about anything...." And look at my son like he's a Sasquatch or something. We have actually been questioned about my younger son's 'child' ticket as he looks so much older.

 

[Nubs70]

You think this was scientific?

I think it was more 'whats the tipping point people will tolerate' and we can pocket the increased revenue. When they started charging the same price for child and adult on certain APs... it's not because 'the 6yr old was found to use just as much resources as a 21yr old' - It was Disney saying 'we dont have to discount this anymore'

And also leads to the families with tweens seeking other vacation options. This helps lead to the increase in stroller age families and a focus on rides and entertainment geared at that demographic.

 

[C.M.O]

My boys will be 9 at the time of travel, but will turn 10 at WDW during our vacation. I am putting them down as 9. We're not getting the dining plan, but the boys will probably order from the regular menu now at least for quick service. For ticket prices, I guess they are still 9. I will book them that way because they don't turn 10 until 4 days into our vacation. Hmmmmm.... such a dilemma.

I think they charge you by age of travel anyway, they will ask how old they will be when you arrive and base the tickets off of that.

 

[Violiav]

I don't see why they'd have a big deal about your family sharing food. With my group sharing food is almost always a giving. They're always something that somebody doesn't want, but someone else will eat.

 

[Nubs70]

I think I need to get glasses or adjust my font. At first glance, I thought the thread title said, "Adult at 107".

 

[RandomPrincess]

My boys will be 9 at the time of travel, but will turn 10 at WDW during our vacation. I am putting them down as 9. We're not getting the dining plan, but the boys will probably order from the regular menu now at least for quick service. For ticket prices, I guess they are still 9. I will book them that way because they don't turn 10 until 4 days into our vacation. Hmmmmm.... such a dilemma.

No dilemma they are considered to be the age they are when the check in. So your boys are 9 from Disney's point of view the whole trip.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I don't see why they'd have a big deal about your family sharing food. With my group sharing food is almost always a giving. They're always something that somebody doesn't want, but someone else will eat.

Sharing food is not a problem outside of a buffet or other all you can eat location. My kids shared meals at almost every regular TS when we were there. No questions asked. Most places would pre slit the food on to two plates for us as well.

 

[Dwarful]

If dining funds are going to be tight take a good look at mousesavers.com for some good tips. Where are you staying? Are you driving or flying? Either way we always take one suitcase full of snacks and treats. I go to our bakery outlet store and buy the mini-muffins, granola bars, protein bars...things we can grab and go for breakfast. Then there are a lot of great counter service locations that offer 'better' dining options. Seasons is my favorite and I always get a kids meal when we eat at Seasons so I can split a treat with my husband.

If you do splurge for a character meal you could opt for breakfast or a late lunch for the cheaper prices. Another option you might consider at sitdown meals would be to order an appetizer for your meal instead of ordering off of the kids menu. When our girls were younger and couldn't eat a full meal they would sometimes order an appetizer as their meal because they didn't want hamburgers, chicken nuggest or pizza. My girls have never been 'kids meal' kids..but as a mom I made them eat whatever I fixed for the family...so nuggets and hotdogs were never an option at home.

I know it stinks that 10 is an adult...but try to stay positive and don't let it ruin your vacation. Plan accordingly and enjoy your time with your daughter. Good luck and have fun!