Does Disney "card" children?

[captainkidd]

I wanted to take my oldest son (8 years old) horseback riding next summer at Fort Wilderness. Disney says guests must be 9 years old and at least 48 inches tall. He's over 48 inches, but will be 3 months from his 9th birthday.

Will they ask for his birth certificate?

I know it's against the rules, but he really wants to go and I don't think a couple of months will do any harm. It's horseback riding, not drinking.

 

[Master Yoda]

I have not personally done the horseback riding at FW but if it is like every other age rule for kids it is doubtful that they will require any proof.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

While you may think "cheating" Disney is great so that you can allow your child to go horse riding - there may be a genuine reason for the age limit. For example, if your son were to have an accident (God forbid) then you will be unable to sue Disney as you've made a false declaration regarding his age.

Think twice before cheating :lookaroun

 

[captainkidd]

While you may think "cheating" Disney is great so that you can allow your child to go horse riding - there may be a genuine reason for the age limit. For example, if your son were to have an accident (God forbid) then you will be unable to sue Disney as you've made a false declaration regarding his age.

Think twice before cheating :lookaroun

I didn't say I thought cheating Disney was great. I'm just asking a question. As his father, I'll take the responsibility. Kids start much more serious horseback riding younger than 8 years old.

 

[durangojim]

I say go for it. Disney doesn't require proof of age requirements, and if your child is tall enough there should be no problem. Also don't think this is "cheating" as others have said, look at it as you wanting to let your child have a great time at no one else's expense. The cubbyhole-ing of people is very common and there are probably lots of 7 and 8 y/o's who could handle riding and many 10 and 11 y/o's who can't.
Also, if the only reason for not "cheating" the system is so that you can sue Disney, that's lame.

 

[tigsmom]

The age limit may have something to do with the insurance coverage. :shrug:
I have never seen WDW ask for proof of age for kids, but that doesn't mean they don't ask for it at certain times- like this, tours and water rentals though, we've never done those.

 

[durangojim]

The age limit may have something to do with the insurance coverage. :shrug:
I have never seen WDW ask for proof of age for kids, but that doesn't mean they don't ask for it at certain times- like this, tours and water rentals though, we've never done those.

My guess is that they would probably tell the guest that they need ID when making the reservation, otherwise how would the parent's know to bring ID with them. I don't think many carry a birth certificate with them on vacation.

 

[captainkidd]

Worse case scenario, I'll just slip the attendant a 20-spot.:drevil:

 

[gardenia]

You're teaching your child to lie. Good luck with that.

 

[Mystic]

This is from allearsnet in regards to the waiver/age/weight restrictions for the Trail Rides at Fort Wilderness.

At check-in, we each had to sign a waiver agreeing that we would not hold Disney responsible if anything happened during the trail ride -- we were also instructed to indicate our age, weight, and riding experience at the bottom of the waiver. Riders must be at least 9 years old and weigh no more than 250 pounds (113 kg). Double riding is not permitted. Riding experience is irrelevant, however -- anyone who meets the age and weight restrictions may participate.

Yes it's horse back riding, not drinking but don't forget that horses are living breathing creatures that have a mind of their own. I have spent the past 20 years of my life around horses and I know how easily even the most laid back of horses can hurt you. As to the argument that children younger than 9 are riding in your area, I'm sure that's true. The lesson barns in my area will start children at age 7 but they are in private lessons in an enclosed arena on a pony or they've grown up with horses since they were born.

I've done the trail rides at Fort Wilderness and while you do not go any faster than a walk, everyone is in control of their own horse, there will not be someone to lead your child's horse. You are also riding a trail through the forest and back to the corral. The trip takes 45 minutes approximately in total. Why not wait one more year until he is of age and maybe try some trail rides in your local area to make sure that he is comfortable on his own on a horse.

 

[captainkidd]

You're teaching your child to lie. Good luck with that.

 

[captainkidd]

This is from allearsnet in regards to the waiver/age/weight restrictions for the Trail Rides at Fort Wilderness.

At check-in, we each had to sign a waiver agreeing that we would not hold Disney responsible if anything happened during the trail ride -- we were also instructed to indicate our age, weight, and riding experience at the bottom of the waiver. Riders must be at least 9 years old and weigh no more than 250 pounds (113 kg). Double riding is not permitted. Riding experience is irrelevant, however -- anyone who meets the age and weight restrictions may participate.

Yes it's horse back riding, not drinking but don't forget that horses are living breathing creatures that have a mind of their own. I have spent the past 20 years of my life around horses and I know how easily even the most laid back of horses can hurt you. As to the argument that children younger than 9 are riding in your area, I'm sure that's true. The lesson barns in my area will start children at age 7 but they are in private lessons in an enclosed arena on a pony or they've grown up with horses since they were born.

I've done the trail rides at Fort Wilderness and while you do not go any faster than a walk, everyone is in control of their own horse, there will not be someone to lead your child's horse. You are also riding a trail through the forest and back to the corral. The trip takes 45 minutes approximately in total. Why not wait one more year until he is of age and maybe try some trail rides in your local area to make sure that he is comfortable on his own on a horse.

I did the trail ride by myself last year. He could handle it. He's done it before (not at WDW obviously.)

 

[Blonde Princess]

We did the trail ride last summer in June. Our younger son was 8.5 years old. His birthday was this last September. He's well over 48 inches and weighed approximately 65 pounds. They did not ask for a birth certificate. However, while loading him on the horse they did ask his age. We had not told him about the age requirement and did not tell him what to say. He just muttered that he's not supposed to talk to strangers and tell them that kind of information. I was kinda proud of that. and they let him through.

 

[Master Yoda]

You're teaching your child to lie. Good luck with that.

I know what you mean. I have been trying teach my kids to lie properly for years with no luck.

 

[Blonde Princess]

Dear Master Yoda,
If your comment was directed toward me it is misplaced. As I indicated we didn't tell our son to lie about his age. He answered what any child should. By the way he also told the woman he was eight after we nodded to him that it was ok to speak to her. It wasn't a question of teaching him to lie properly. We didn't want him to lie, period.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I didn't say I thought cheating Disney was great. I'm just asking a question. As his father, I'll take the responsibility. Kids start much more serious horseback riding younger than 8 years old.

You're asking the question because you want to deceive (cheat) Disney - if you weren't you wouldn't be asking.

Disney give an age and height restriction for a reason - and its usually for the safety of its guests.

 

[captainkidd]

You're asking the question because you want to deceive (cheat) Disney - if you weren't you wouldn't be asking.

Um, no.....I'm asking because I want to take my son horseback riding.

If my son was 6 or 7, I wouldn't think of "cheating" Disney. It just so happens that our trip will fall 3 months before his 9th birthday.

 

[fosse76]

This is from allearsnet in regards to the waiver/age/weight restrictions for the Trail Rides at Fort Wilderness.

At check-in, we each had to sign a waiver agreeing that we would not hold Disney responsible if anything happened during the trail ride --

Keep in mind that most "wiavers" of this nature are unenforceable because of the lack of negotiability. If a horse jumped up and you fell off and broke your arm, then Disney can be held liable. It will depend on the circumstances. I don't believe horse riding falls under strict liability, however, since children cannot be held to contracts any enforcement would be rather difficult. Lying about the age of child will not absolve Disney of liability. As for the age limit, Disney probably determined that to be the age at which children are able to ride responsibly.

That said, while I don't think 3 months is a big deal, I wasn't there when Disney established the policy...and it was more than likely established for safety purposes, so I wouldn't do it.

 

[Master Yoda]

Dear Master Yoda,
If your comment was directed toward me it is misplaced. As I indicated we didn't tell our son to lie about his age. He answered what any child should. By the way he also told the woman he was eight after we nodded to him that it was ok to speak to her. It wasn't a question of teaching him to lie properly. We didn't want him to lie, period.

It was a joke hence the and not directed to you in any way. If it was directed to you I would have quoted you.

 

[UberPlannerMom]

Hey- if you were from China then your child would already be considered 9 as they count the first year as being one year old. Just a thought.