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AIBU?

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Original poster

To say 3 year old DC is 2 for free theme park entry?

242 replies

MooonDreamerz · 10/08/2024 08:43

Toddler has just turned 3 and very small for their age.
we are going to a theme park next week. It's free for age 0-2.

DH says we should say DC is 2 so we don't have to pay for them. We will be paying for ourselves and older children.

Do people do this?

I can see how people get away with it as toddlers tend not to carry ID!

OP posts:
MiseryIn · 10/08/2024 08:45

Yes people do this.

I say go for it

ThankYouFish · 10/08/2024 08:45

Yes I would. My daughter is about to turn 1 but is small and isn’t on the move yet, there are several places near me that do free entry for under 1s and I’ll be doing this. You’re paying full price for yourself and other children, I don’t see the harm.

modgepodge · 10/08/2024 08:47

You’d definitely get away with it. Lots of theme parks have now started basing their pricing for little ones on height presumably to stop this! Plus makes sense as at certain Heights there will be more rides they can go on.

NameChangeForParis · 10/08/2024 08:47

I wouldn’t, but only because my face really shows when I’m lying 😂

Are you paying at the gate, or in advance? I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been truthful about DS being a tad over the age for paying and having it waived. Or even booking everyone else in advance and explaining you need to add it at the gate as you hadn’t clicked she’d just turned 3!

Leafcutterantsarecool · 10/08/2024 08:48

Yes people do it. Personally I think it’s equivalent to theft and I wouldn’t - I don’t want my kids watching that behaviour and thinking it’s ok to lie for your own financial gain.

But as they say, “you do you”.

happyhemsby · 10/08/2024 08:49

I've done it loads of times. Go for it

Always28 · 10/08/2024 08:49

I would definitely do this. I feel like it’s almost a tradition that needs upholding 😉.

sanityisamyth · 10/08/2024 08:49

Leafcutterantsarecool · 10/08/2024 08:48

Yes people do it. Personally I think it’s equivalent to theft and I wouldn’t - I don’t want my kids watching that behaviour and thinking it’s ok to lie for your own financial gain.

But as they say, “you do you”.

This.

Kebarbra · 10/08/2024 08:50

If they're only just 3 chances are they won't be able to do a lot of it anyway, Paultons do it by height rather than age for this reason which I think is better! As you're going with plenty of others paying for entry couldn't get worked up by this.

TheaBrandt · 10/08/2024 08:51

Just makes you a flat out liar but you’d likely get away with it. Our issue is a 15 year old who could pass for 18 bus drivers etc just don’t believe her.

Original poster
MooonDreamerz · 10/08/2024 08:53

Are you paying at the gate, or in advance? I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been truthful about DS being a tad over the age for paying and having it waived. Or even booking everyone else in advance and explaining you need to add it at the gate as you hadn’t clicked she’d just turned 3!

We plan to book online in advance but never thought to do this!

The other advantage of buying online world be avoiding them saying "no mummy I'm 3!" if we were to say they're 2 😂

Yes people do it. Personally I think it’s equivalent to theft and I wouldn’t - I don’t want my kids watching that behaviour and thinking it’s ok to lie for your own financial gain.

This was my initial thought so it didn't occur to me not to pay for them
but it is also true there's a lot they won't be able to go on because of height.

The age 2/3 differential seems quite arbitrary.

OP posts:
Sethera · 10/08/2024 08:53

If his height means he can't go on as many rides as most 3 year olds could, I don't think it's unreasonable, but if his height makes no difference, I don't think it's fair to do this.

SleepingStandingUp · 10/08/2024 08:54

We took my twins out the day after their birthday, two days difference meant £28. I can confirm I'm an evil thief who deserves karma because i didn't buy them tickets, no one asked and I'd have absolutely said they were 3 not 4.
They weren't due for another month, I give myself that month as leeway 🤣

RowenaCoxwell · 10/08/2024 08:54

Make sure your other kids are out of earshot or in on the subterfuge if they’re likely to pipe up that their sibling is actually 3!

OlympicsFanGirl · 10/08/2024 08:55

Go for it

SamW98 · 10/08/2024 08:55

I’d do it and have no guilt about it so if that makes me an evil dishonest criminal who should be locked up in solitary then I’ll own it 🤣

Sux2buthen · 10/08/2024 09:03

I think the food and drink prices are theft at these places so it balances out 😂

To be fair I'm honest and lately every time I get on the bus with my three kids I'll ask for 4 tickets to wherever and the bus drivers keep saying 'no they don't look a day over 5' and only charge me for one ticket Grin
(My oldest is 9)

ThePassageOfTime · 10/08/2024 09:05

Theme parks are daylight robbery. Do it

Justcallmebebes · 10/08/2024 09:06

I would and have, plenty of times. If you're taking older kids and paying for them and the 2 year old can't go on as many rides, then I don't see the harm.

Most theme parks charge exorbitant prices anyway

LemonySnickets · 10/08/2024 09:07

I did it a couple of times. My DD was tiny for her age. No one checks or even cares.

Ozgirl75 · 10/08/2024 09:35

I always do this! We were in London once and I asked the assistant on the tube “where do I buy a ticket for my child?” And she said “oh, he’s 10 though right? RIGHT?” and so I went “ummm, sure thing!”, we exchanged a look and went about our day. He was 13 😁

ColinMyWifeBridgerton · 10/08/2024 09:49

I did this with DS for a month or so after his birthday.

Longma · 10/08/2024 09:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

tennesseewhiskey1 · 10/08/2024 09:54

I mean - i think you’ve already made your mind up? Just do it and hope you dont get caught. My friend tried this at some theme park and her daughter loudly said I’m not xx I’m xx at the till but - it was mega embarrassing for all of us - there was a huge line! She didn’t go in in the end.

Simonjt · 10/08/2024 09:55

We will be when ours turns three later in the year, she was very premature, so technically she will be two for 11 weeks after her third birthday.