How Long Before Disney Starts Charging Infants?

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

They will agree to anything to sell a few more points

I didn't mean the sales people though. I was just talking about the agents you talk to when you call to book something.

 

[21stamps]

One thing I've always thought was lame is that you have to pay full price for an annual pass and don't get a "3 to 9" rate on those. The reason I don't like that is because if the kids are clearly not big enough to ride everything then I don't see why we should have to pay full price for them. The only tickets we get discounts on as DVC members are AP's and we always get them but I just hate having to pay full price knowing there are still quite a few things our little girl can't do yet. Doe anyone else know the rationale behind this? I've talked to DVC agents about it and they agree there should be a "3 to 9" rate or something on AP's. Or at least a rate for kids who are for sure not gonna be big enough to do everything. At this point though it wouldn't surprise me for expectant mothers to have to buy a ticket for their fetus though. LOL!

There’s not many rides that those ages are excluded from. That’s the beauty of Disney World.

 

[NelleBelle]

There’s not many rides that those ages are excluded from. That’s the beauty of Disney World.

Height-wise, my oldest was able to ride everything by the time he was around 6 (not that he would)! Even at 3, he was able to ride a lot. However, wish that the DDP wouldn't charge adult pricing until kids were 12 or so--that is too much for the amount a lot of kids 12 & under eat. I'm frankly filled eating the amount they serve with a kids meal!

 

[21stamps]

Height-wise, my oldest was able to ride everything by the time he was around 6 (not that he would)! Even at 3, he was able to ride a lot. However, wish that the DDP wouldn't charge adult pricing until kids were 12 or so--that is too much for the amount a lot of kids 12 & under eat. I'm frankly filled eating the amount they serve with a kids meal!

Same. My son did every single ride at age 6 at Disney. I don’t know of any other park where he could have done that. He’s 7 now- 53.5”, half an inch till he can ride anything at all amusement parks!

I don’t know about the DDP though.. I have an 11 year old nephew who eats me out of house and home every time he visits. Lol

 

[NelleBelle]

Same. My son did every single ride at age 6 at Disney. I don’t know of any other park where he could have done that. He’s 7 now- 53.5”, half an inch till he can ride anything at all amusement parks!

I don’t know about the DDP though.. I have an 11 year old nephew who eats me out of house and home every time he visits. Lol

Yes! My my 11 yo son definitely is in that category as well! He's not as bad as his 14 yo brother...yet (he and my DH fight over who's going to eat the other 1/2 of my burger, etc when I can't finish)!

 

[jimbo mack]

I’d rather they charged for infants than a high increase in parking and ticket prices. They should treble the prices for strollers too; might encourage lazy parents to allow those children who are able to walk, walk.

 

[LAKid53]

I read the thread title too fast. I thought it said "changing infants"....

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

There’s not many rides that those ages are excluded from. That’s the beauty of Disney World.

But why the two tier pricing then? I agree that most kids that are 6 or 7 can definitely ride most things but not most kids that are 3,4,or 5 though. I've just never understood how they came to those magic numbers is all.

 

[21stamps]

But why the two tier pricing then? I agree that most kids that are 6 or 7 can definitely ride most things but not most kids that are 3,4,or 5 though. I've just never understood how they came to those magic numbers is all.

My 3 year old niece and 4 year old nephew are going next week. There are a ton of rides that they can do, and they’re both in the lower percentiles for height.
By 6 or 7 most kids can do all of the rides.

I think Disney is giving the break to make it easier for families.. a lot of parks charge adult prices much earlier, without all of the character meets that come with Disney.. WDW maxes out at 48” with restrictions.. and only 2 rides have that requirement. I’m not saying Disney should make one price for all, but a 2, 3, 4, 5 year old has a great selection of rides.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

But why the two tier pricing then? I agree that most kids that are 6 or 7 can definitely ride most things but not most kids that are 3,4,or 5 though. I've just never understood how they came to those magic numbers is all.

Disney used to have 3 tiers of admission for MK (child, junior, adult), but even in 1971 it started at 3 for children:

http://allears.net/tix/tixpix70.htm

The difference then was that there were fewer rides with height restrictions. No Splash Mountain, SDMT or Barnstormer in the 70s or 80s.

 

[John park hopper]

Disney used to have 3 tiers of admission for MK (child, junior, adult), but even in 1971 it started at 3 for children:

http://allears.net/tix/tixpix70.htm

The difference then was that there were fewer rides with height restrictions. No Splash Mountain, SDMT or Barnstormer in the 70s or 80s.

3 tier age grouping 3 to 10 --10 to 18, 18 and above adult

 

[erasure fan1]

This move would cause many many parents who would be booking trips to say they wont go then until their children are older and can get the benefits of a Disney park day. As it is there are very few things a younger child can do due to height restrictions

Well I can see Disney doing it just for the simple fact that they haven't had push back on any of the money grabs yet. I know people complain about things like parking fees but until it hits Disney in the wallet, they will continue to test the limits. You can bet they are having meetings everyday looking at extra things to charge for. And why not. As long as people are flocking through the gates, they don't care.

 

[Willmark]

Well I can see Disney doing it just for the simple fact that they haven't had push back on any of the money grabs yet. I know people complain about things like parking fees but until it hits Disney in the wallet, they will continue to test the limits. You can bet they are having meetings everyday looking at extra things to charge for. And why not. As long as people are flocking through the gates, they don't care.

Everything has a breaking point. Disney hasnt reached theirs... yet.

No business is immune to change, ask the manufacturers of buggy whips.

Disney provides a non-essential service, as such if becomes to high of a cost it eventually hurt them.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I'm still annoyed that a 3 y/o is effectively an adult (okay, $6 less than a 10+ y/o for a day ticket). They can't even go on half the rides. I guess Disney has to make up for their lack of individual purchasing power (see also: parents).

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Ive heard rumors of an upcharge if you conceive a child on property.

Does that apply to Hilton Head...?

 

[Chef Mickey]

This implies that that they charge for things because they have to offset the cost of something which often isn't the case, they just charge for things because they can. If they thought they could charge for infants and it would help them financially more then it would hurt them in dollars or bad PR, they would do it.

I think you’re partially right, but your post implies Disney is always on that edge, exhausting their ability to charge more and implement newer fees.

They could always charge more or at least charge more until people stop coming. This doesn’t appear close to happening despite the complaints here. They are FAR from maxing out on the “because they can” charges.

One example...Hotels finally charge for parking (What took so long?) but they still don’t charge resort fees. Resort fees are pretty common in the hotel industry, so just be ready.

Food, drinks, and tickets could go up 10% tomorrow with likely little effect. Until we see massive increases in the 50% range on tickets or a completely new pricing model like pay per ride or something insane, people will continue to pay.

I wish prices were higher so people would stop coming. In February, the parks were insanely crowded.

 

[John park hopper]

I wonder how many people who really can't afford Disney but go any way using credit cards to finance their trips regardless of how much it costs. Worry about paying for it down the road. Kind of like the government. If this is the case for many people (I don't know) raising prices won't stop them from coming simply charge it now pay for it when ever. Instant gratification.

 

[Tick Tock]

Resort fees are pretty common in the hotel industry, so just be ready.

Ridiculous, but sadly true. In theory, those should all be included in the nightly room rate.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

A modest proposal....

If it breathes, and occupies space? ONE CHARGE. That would apply to...
1) Adults.
2) Children.
3) Dogs, Cats, llamas, Dragons, Turtles ... whatever.

I suspect incoming hate mail . Just a suggestion, All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Ridiculous, but sadly true. In theory, those should all be included in the nightly room rate.

My point was that it’s an industry thing and Disney is actually slow to adopt it. Disney could EASILY add a $10/night resort fee with all the hotel activities they have.