“I Am Not Willing To Sell My Immortal Soul”…Wife Won’t Scam Disney

This article addresses one of the most controversial issues when visiting a Disney Park. Whether visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, one of the most significant expenses a family will encounter is theme park tickets.

Related: VIDEO: Family Jumps Off Disney Ride

Free Kids Disney Scam

Although theme park admission varies by day and add-ons, one thing remains true…kids under three are free.

As such, many parents and families debate lying about their kid’s ages to save them a few hundred dollars. But is it morally wrong to pull a fast one with this Disney scam?

Related: Walt Disney World To Repurpose Abandoned Resort Experience

It’s a question many parents visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort may wrestle with…especially if their children are right at the cut-off. Some may argue that it’s okay to fib about the age since their 3-year-old won’t be riding Space Mountain or Expedition Everest anyway.

However, some may argue that the child still enjoys many other aspects of the park, including dark rides, parades, character meet-and-greets, and nighttime shows. So why should that child experience all that for free while the 4-year-old next to them is being charged $100 a day (give or take)?

Related: Social Media Calls Kids Spoiled For “Expecting” Disneyland Trip

Interestingly, many theme parks used to separate pricing for kids and adults not based on age…but on height. After all, an individual’s height grants them the ability to enjoy the more prominent attractions.

But nowadays, many theme parks (including Disney Parks) don’t do that. Why? Because the majority of their attractions are designed for children and don’t require any height restrictions at all. Granted, there are always a few E-ticket attractions that a baby or toddler can’t ride.

Related: Sanity-Saving Tips For Walt Disney World with a Baby or Toddler

Advice Column Question

But this debate has led to an old advice column resurfacing, initially posted in Slate in 2011.

The original question was written as follows:

“Dear Prudence,

My family is going to Disneyland. The problem is that in order to get free admission for kids under 3 years old, my husband and his brother insist on lying about the kids’ ages. (“Why, yes, our 2-year-old is exceptionally tall!”) I am not willing to sell my immortal soul for $74 and want to pay for our child. I want to do what’s right without causing a trip-ruining fight or being portrayed as a stick in the mud. Do I die on this hill or pray for absolution from Mickey Mouse?

—Pinocchio’s Wife”

Advice Column Answer

The advice columnist was such:

“You don’t say how old these kids are, but I hope the boys aren’t shaving and the girls aren’t wearing bras. I contacted Disneyland on your behalf. The company has no policy to hold parents hostage at Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse if they lie about the ages of their kids. Instead I got this cryptic email: “For their comfort, we suggest guests bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate if they feel their child may be questioned.”

When I asked what happens to guests who prefer the comfort of not bringing a birth certificate, and how Disney’s corporate elves would sniff out an over-age guest, I was told it’s the company’s belief that “honesty is the best policy.” It sounds as if your husband and his brother have a shot at their scheme to save $74 a head getting their kids in the park. You have made clear your dismay at involving your child in this holiday deceit. Now you should back off. You should back so far off that when it comes time to enter the park, you say that for your comfort, you will go through a separate admission line. Plan to meet at Peter Pan’s Flight, where children never grow up.”

In previous trips to Disney Parks (be it Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom), this writer has often seen guests entering with kids whose parents claim are under 3…despite the appearance they may be older.

Related: Guests Fume as Parents Abandon Child in Stroller at Disney

It’s also worth noting that Disney tickets have just about doubled since the original advice column post in 2011.

Should Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort start requiring guests to bring their child’s birth certificates? One may be able to argue both sides…