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

[MooonDreamerz]

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!

@Girliefriendlikespuppies that's what a lot of people will think about you. But you laugh away. I prefer to be honest and not steal.

I would do it... the fact that some prices hike up extortionately as this age would convince me!

We've never lied about this sort of thing. I don't like lying anyway but especially not in front of them, it's not a great thing for them to see. Anyway knowing my luck they'd pipe up in a loud voice 'I'm not 2, I'm 3' 😅

My family as big a criminals as yours then and yet I still got a job as a financial prevention manger and my sister is social worker. And we would both do it in a heartbeat

There’s a whole list of criminal offences listed that we could lose our job for - pretending a 3 year old is 2 to get free entry to Legoland shut that list funnily enough

I reckon these places know this happens so they say under 2 when in reality they don't expect three year olds to be paid for .

Yes of course people do this, it’s fine.

They did ask my DD her age once at a farm, she was 2 so entry was free but they thought she looked older, she’s quite tall. She didn’t even know her age. They didn’t question it any further than that.

If they were that bothered they’d ask for ID surely

I remember queuing for a ride at Lego land & once the family got to the front the family asked to produce the ticket for the child that wanted to drive the car - it was down to two issues one being lots of parents trying to say their child was older and could drive the little cars and the others that hadn’t paid for entry trying to get a cheaper ticket.
They had a very upset 2/3 year old as they couldn’t produce a ticket!

Doesn't everyone do this?

Only the dishonest ones.

I'm not justifying lying about age to get free entry, but I wonder how theme parks set the prices? Do they lose money on all the 1 and 2 year olds going? In some instances it's difficult to see the extra cost to the park that a small just-turned 3 year old would cause that a 2 year old wouldn't?

I understand the height limit price changes as more rides are available (whether they are used or not - in the same way an adult is charged the same whether holding everyone's bag or coat, or going on 10 rides) and the rides, machinery etc needs to be checked, maintained and staffed safely

We visited one of the big theme parks when oldest dc was a toddler. I was asked on the gate how old they were and was honest in saying three, but the cashier gave dc a long look then shook their head and said no, they were definitely two. 😂 I wasn’t going to argue at that point!

We've had this happen as well, the companies don't care 🤷‍♀️

I think calling people you don't know names is skanky not telling a small white lie to save yourself a few quid....

Of course they care. Don’t be stupid. The people at the door might not but that doesn’t mean no one does. You’re trying to justify yourself now. Just stop. If you’re proud of your behaviour you have no need to justify yourself to me.

I don't think saying a three year old is two when they'll have exactly the same impact on the event regardless is that same as stealing items from a supermarket.

Yes I still do this, my sons over 2 but I always say he's under 2, as he's small for his age!

What I’m learning from this and the hotels thread is that a LOT of parents are dishonest and see no issue with theft.

The next gen of kids becoming adults will be fun!

I often ask if my four year old can go in to soft play as an under 2, there is absolutely nothing he can access in most days out type places as, although he's four, developmentally he's unable to sit unaided and has only just started to roll. I am sure people will say I could just not take him places but we still have friends who's kids can do what other young children can do and we like to go along to socialise. He usually just sits in his wheelchair. Most theme parks don't cater for kids like him so we don't go.

You absolutely despair?

Really?

Bit OTT!

You absolutely should not need to pay at all, I'm hoping at least some soft okay say this? I hope none actually refuse you an under 2 fee?

I hate when people lie to me so I don’t do it myself. However, I’m not beyond trying to get in with a cheaper ticket! I for example would say ‘2 adults, 2 kids and a toddler’, but if they asked the toddlers age I would be honest and say 3 rather than 2. If they don’t ask then great!

I do absolutely despair, yes! There is such a casual attitude to theft. Sure, it's low level, but it's STILL cheating the system and people thinking it's okay to do. Where does it end? It would seem only when people don't think they will get away with it anymore, so not a moral choice not to cheat any more.

I am allowed my opinion and allowed to have enough moral fibre to pay what's asked or simply choose not to go if I don't agree, even if that makes me a fool in some people's eyes. However, I don't think I'm special and that the rules don't apply to ME unlike quite a lot of people on here it would seem! I'd be too ashamed, and frightened to be caught out, but hey, you do you and I'll just be an old OTT, boring, rule abiding square. I'm happy in my box. 🙂

Agree, @CoffeeGood

There seems to be a trend of people who aren't willing to live within their means finding ways to justify stealing from "the man" in order to get what they want.

The number of children one chooses to produce, relative to one's income, is a choice that does have consequences. Maybe that means fewer visits to theme parks or fewer holidays because hotel rooms are costly. Those are the breaks.

Lying, cheating and stealing is not a moral or admirable way to stretch one's budget. Training one's children to do so is despicable.

Large corporations aren't evil for setting prices at a level that generates profits. Shareholders, including most average people whose pensions are invested in the stock market, rely on profits to boost the value of their investments.

Anyone who thinks profits are evil should a) not patronize for-profit businesses and b) start a non-profit in your industry of choice, and let us know how that goes.

I don't think anyone would begrudge this, and one key difference is that YOU ask, you aren't trying to scam the establishment. I hope your son enjoys those outings to the fullest!

No I didn’t think you would

Yep, you nailed it.

It's really sad that people don't aspire to integrity and good character, but just how to rake in as much for themselves as possible, honesty be damned.