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!

Yeah I've done it and I'd do it again. Not really bothered if people think it's skanky, I think major theme parks are shitty for completing ripping people off so there you go 🤷

People have done this since the beginning of time 🤷‍♀️

This thread reminds me of the only fools and horses episode where Del Boy signs Rodney up to an under 14s drawing competition to get a free holiday 😂 now that would be taking it a bit far 😂

I can cope with a bit of low level theft from companies making millions of pounds, those companies still do very well out of me.

If you think you are being "ripped off" why go there?

Agreed!

When theme parks stop over selling tickets so you have to queue up for hours, effectively wasting time in a day we've paid extortionately for, then I'll start playing 100% fair with them.

It's swings and roundabouts!

Because the kids love it 🤷‍♀️.

So? If you think the company is unprincipled, why not have the integrity to avoid it and find other ways to amuse the kids?

It's wrong though and probably the worst aspect is your child overhearing you lying/stealing.

@BettyBardMacDonald because the kids love it?

That's why we go, do you have comprehension issues?

You've asked a question, I've answered but you don't seem to understand?

Oh yeah, my now 32 year old is totally destroyed and unable to know right from wrong, because during his year of being 3, when we went to a theme park (probably once) he heard me say he was 2.

Not sure why I did it, such terrible consequences came from it.

Oh, hang on....

Because you're unlikely to find hair raising rollercoasters anywhere other than a theme park....

The point that people of good character would comprehend is that if one finds something morally objectionable, one avoids it. Whether or not the "kids love it."

So you do agree that they are providing a valuable experience.

But unlike most people you think that you, not the company operating the roller coasters, should get to set the price of that experience by stealing from them?

What if your boss unilaterally decided to steal part of your wages until he got them down to a level he felt equated to your value?

I'm loving your use of "if one" in every orher sentence, it's like talking to Hyacinth Bucket.

So if one thinks that saying a three year old is two is going to have such a negative impact, then one is correct to be cautious. But if one thinks that it's going to make sod all difference to the three year old, then one should not fret too much.

@BettyBardMacDonald

@BettyBardMacDonald and I am of "good character", so stop your PA comments!

I tend to let the cashier make up their own mind 😂

Or is not really relevant because I take her in with a disabled/carers ticket (fully justified obviously).

She's 5 but is tiny, more like a 3yo, and dwarfed by tall 2yos. On a recent flight I was asked her age in case she needed the baby flotation device (for under 2's 😳).

I'm truthful if asked, but she's often in a pushchair or carried, and if they want to presume she's 3 without checking, not my problem 😜

I’m gutted but I’ve not seen what @herecomesthesunyes has said to me. But it’s obviously so offensive that it was deleted.

(did she call me a skank?! So funny!)

People do it. It’s theft. People steal.

I remember being nervous taking my DD to LEGOLand on her 3rd birthday and saying she was 2 🙄😂

I'd go for it!

Children under the age of 5 go free on buses where I live, don’t think I started paying for them until they were 7/8

You do know your children are now likely to be the next Brink's mat robbers??

All because you didn't pay for them on a bus...

Yes do it will do fine . If she's small for age and the size of a 2 year old there will be lots she can't go on which is why they are free .

Yes of course it’s fine. Some people on MN will tell you it’s akin to stealing the Crown Jewels though 🙄

Go for it, just don't complain if there's not enough staff, or at the initial price - first things places do when revenue isn't what it should be is cut staff and increase prices.

🤷🏼‍♀️

Many businesses encourage this behaviour by having sharp price increases the second a child turns a certain age, despite the child not being able to use a huge proportion of the facilities. If the choice is between a free U3 ticket or a £50+ for everyone else then I can see why many parents will say their 3 year old is younger. They can only access a small portion of the rides available. I’m sure many would be honest if there was an in between cost to bridge that gap.

In my experience, theme parks specifically designed for children make them pay once they reach a certain height and this reflects the attractions they are able to access - much fairer and no room for argument