2 year old at a buffet?

[Mrs.K]

Doeas anyone know how this works? Will our 2 year old be able to eat at Crystal Palce, Chef Mickey's and Play and Dine at no charge since the rest of us are on the DDP? Will we have to pay for beverages for him?

 

[kgle]

He is allowed to eat off of your plate at no charge, but if you were to get him his own meal you would pay OOP for him. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Tricia1972]

The PP is wrong about buffets, right if it was a regular TS restaurant.

At buffets the 2 year old gets their own plate, and generally speaking are not charged anything extra for a beverage. We've traveled to Disney three times with a child who was under 2 and this was always the case for us (Sept 2004, Oct 2007 and March 2008)

 

[Suellen]

The PP is wrong about buffets, right if it was a regular TS restaurant.

At buffets the 2 year old gets their own plate, and generally speaking are not charged anything extra for a beverage. We've traveled to Disney three times with a child who was under 2 and this was always the case for us (Sept 2004, Oct 2007 and March 2008)

I am sorry but you are wrong. I was there with my 2 1/2 year old and I was told if she had a plate at the buffet you HAD to pay. They eat free if they eat off your plate. It was a HUGE deal for us because we paid for her at all buffets without realizing it and I had to call CS after ~ they said that if the child has a plate that they pay. I asked them if they expected me to have my child eat off the table like a dog. She said that if we didn't want to have to pay she should eat directly off my plate or I could take it off my plate and place it on the table for her. She also said to make it perfectly clear she SHOULD sit on my lap.

We paid for her everywhere and when we went back a few weeks later we bought her a dining plan to avoid the problem even though it was April and she didn't turn 3 until July.

Be prepared ~ you may have to pay if you aren't careful and follow the rules exactly.

 

[Tricia1972]

I am sorry but you are wrong. I was there with my 2 1/2 year old and I was told if she had a plate at the buffet you HAD to pay. They eat free if they eat off your plate. It was a HUGE deal for us because we paid for her at all buffets without realizing it and I had to call CS after ~ they said that if the child has a plate that they pay. I asked them if they expected me to have my child eat off the table like a dog. She said that if we didn't want to have to pay she should eat directly off my plate or I could take it off my plate and place it on the table for her. She also said to make it perfectly clear she SHOULD sit on my lap.

We paid for her everywhere and when we went back a few weeks later we bought her a dining plan to avoid the problem even though it was April and she didn't turn 3 until July.

Be prepared ~ you may have to pay if you aren't careful and follow the rules exactly.

That's terrible!

We have had no problems at Chef Mickey's (4 times) or Crystal Palace (5 times) We never ever ran into this once, even in 2008.

When and where did you run into this? I've never heard of anyone else having this issue either. Not doubting you, but it's good to know where this is an issue, and when you ran into it.

 

[Suellen]

We were there on a long weeked for a "preview" of our vacation and we ate at Crystal Palance and 1900 Park Fare and were charged at both places.

We were also glared at by a CM when he asked for her ticket and I told him that she was under 3. Granted she is tall ~ but come on ~ it was rude.

Anyway they did refund the money as a courtesy ~ BUT we still paid the extra tip money..... so as soon as I had that conversation with the CM I had our TA change Mena's age to 3 for our big trip. We were charged for her meal almost every meal on the big trip and I was happy to have added it. She was a mature 2.5 year old and would have been totally offended to eat off the table OR sit in my lap.

 

[astine75]

Our agent advised us that if they had their own plate, we'd have to pay as well.

 

[Suellen]

Oops... that was our April 2008 trip and our May trip 2008. In May we ate at Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Norway Princesses, Crystal Palace, Hollywood and Vine (twice) ~ and we were charged for her everywhere even though when we made ressies we clearly stated she was under 3 and told our server.

 

[Suellen]

Granted she is tall and skinny and looks older than her age.... this is her at the time ~ but I really thought they weren't supposed to question you if you say they are under three? I mean I would buy her a ticket if she turned three while we were there even though it isn't necessary.

 

[jerlove]

I am heading to the world on Thursday and have booked mostly buffets because I am traveling with a 2 year old.

I am not someone who would normaly complain but if someone tries to tell me they are charging me for my 2 year old sons meal because I put it on his own plate instead of having him eat of the table I will not stop complaining until I have the CEO of Disney on the phone. That is just terrible service. I was told on the phone when I purchased our DDP that I did not need to worry about it but based on this thread I am.

To date every CM I have dealt with on the phone has been excellent I hope I do not face this situation.

 

[TexasBee]

Our experience was different. At Crystal Palace for breakfast, the CM told us that because our son was 2, he'd get a set meal of XYZ (don't remember exactly what but it was certainly an adequate meal.) We were not charged for that (and he was free to help himself to the muffins, fruit, etc. that was served family style.) At other buffets, we brought him back stuff and put it on an empty plate (clearly 'sharing' from ours, rather than making him a plate at the buffet line) and we were not charged. At non-buffet restaurants we asked for an empty plate and then shared with him, and were not charged. We were there Nov 15 - 22. We were occasionally charged for drinks we ordered for him - which was fine - but sometimes we weren't.

Our biggest issue was that he realized he wasn't getting his 'own' meal at these places and objected!!

 

[Suellen]

All I am saying is be mindful of it and pay close attention to your bill and question it right away. I let my husband pay while I dealt with the kids... 2.5 and 9 months old is a hard couple of kids to wrangle... and he just paid it and then I didn't see it until we got home. Then it was a paid to deal with.

 

[livndisney]

I am heading to the world on Thursday and have booked mostly buffets because I am traveling with a 2 year old.

I am not someone who would normaly complain but if someone tries to tell me they are charging me for my 2 year old sons meal because I put it on his own plate instead of having him eat of the table I will not stop complaining until I have the CEO of Disney on the phone. That is just terrible service. I was told on the phone when I purchased our DDP that I did not need to worry about it but based on this thread I am.

To date every CM I have dealt with on the phone has been excellent I hope I do not face this situation.

I have traveled with under 3 quite a few times and the policy has always been, if they eat of your plate they are free. If they have a plate, you pay.

From Allearsnet:
CAN MY KIDS EAT FOR FREE?
Walt Disney World Resort Restaurants consider a child to be ages 3-9. Most restaurants have a separate children's menu with selections geared to children's tastes. Most entrees on children's menus are priced under $6, although some restaurants may have higher priced offerings.

At table service restaurants, there is no charge for children under 3 who share from an adult's plate. However, if you order from a menu for a children under 3, you will be charged the menu price.

At buffet and "all-you-care-to-eat" restaurants, there is also no charge for children under 3 who share from an adult's plate.

 

[Suellen]

This trip my youngest will be 21 months old and I will be bringing some of these with me:

http://www.totsafe.com/proddetail.asp?prod=5511

So she can safely eat off the table.

 

[Keegansmommy]

Suellen - we brought those when we just went to Disney and they were FABULOUS! We bought a package of 10 at Wal-mart for $4.

Our baby is 14 months old and we never had a problem at a buffet. We brought back a plate of food for him each place (Mickey's and H&V). He likes to throw the plate off the table though, so we used the sticky mats and put his food on the table.

What does it matter if the food is on the same plate as YOUR food or their own plate? Good grief.

 

[ofhs93]

Wow...this sounds like quite a rude policy.....if they want to be that strict then just lower the stinkin food policy age to 2 and be done with it. My 2.5 year old has been eating off his own plate for well over a year. There is NO way he is going to go for eating ioff of one of our plates or the table...that's just rediculous. I think I'll pack a few of our hard plastic "kid" plates with us to bring along. Let's see what they say about that. The mere thought of my 2.5 year old sitting on my lap for dinner is ALSO proposterous.

 

[KAYLI'S DAD]

We went to Chef Mickeys in december of 08 and our daughter was about 21 months and we did not have to pay for her plate but I think we did have to pay for her drink which was apple juice boxes. We were not on the dining plan either. Our next trip this year we are trying the ddp and we will see then.

 

[adventure_woman]

I guess I am bringing a plate for my DD. We ate at Chef Mickey's in August and I didn't have any trouble then (she did use a plate). BUT GEE whiz!! And sitting on my lap - I think not. I wasn't anticipating any problems, but at least I will be prepared now.

 

[Mrs.K]

Well the DDP does say that a plate can be provided for 2 and under- though not specifically talking about buffets, I don't think there should be a difference. I think we'll take our chances, but if they do try to charge I would for sure speak up.

 

[Mickey country]

We have been with a child under 3 twice, and never were we treated like this! I gave her a plate @ buffets and was even given a drink for free.