Buffet for a 2yo

[Quillo]

Hello everyone, We are going to the World next year and my little one is going to be 2 years old.

Does she have to pay for eating at buffets?

Who does it work? She can get what she wants herself or we have to get it and take it to the table?

Thanks for your help and knowledge.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Welcome to the DIS!

Your 2-yr-old will not be charged for eating at the buffets. It's a great value for families with children under 3!

Of course, you'll have to be the one getting the food at the buffets, as small children are not permitted to do so. I personally preferred to leave my kids at the table with my husband while I selected a few items I thought they'd like. The buffet lines are typically crowded and it's a lot easier to have both hands free and not have to hold a small child's hand. I would frequently balance 2 plates at once, getting a plate both for myself and another for my child.

Happy planning!

 

[Ariel on Land]

No, two year olds are not charged at buffets. The technical rules are she has to "eat off your plate." While I have heard of a very few crazy stories of waitstaff being somewhat ridiculous in enforcing that literally, I think most everyone on here, myself included just gets food for their little ones and feeds it to them on their own plates like normal!

 

[Quillo]

Thanks for your quick answers, since most buffets will be character meals, I think it is a very good idea that she stays at the table while me or my wife choose the meal.

Thanks again.

 

[Ioansgirl]

We went this summer with a 2yr and a 4 yr. Every time we went to a buffet they asked us the ages of the kids and we were never charged for the 2 yr. I did get him his own plate without any problems, although I too have read mixed stories on that.

The issue for us was always that my 4yr would get milk with her meal and we would pay OOP for a milk for my son. Some times they gave us a little pixie dust and didn't charge for him.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The no-charge for 2-yo at buffets is a strange ruling.
2) Young kids officially "eat of adult's plate".
3) But, Disney found out they cannot see how much you pile on for kiddies.
4) So, they just said they can have their own plates.
5) But, as mentioned, you have to get it for them.
6) They don't want little hands pawing all the food items.
7) Kids "walking" on their hands on the dirty floor/ground, then touching food. EW!

PS - The buffet ruling came into play in 1997. Up until that time they tried to police kids eating from adult plates. At some buffets, they didn't care and let them have their own plates. It caught on.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is no such thing as a "kids buffet" or even an "adult buffet" at Disney. They have buffets with one section lower to the floor which has on it items that kids tend to enjoy (such as pizza, hot dogs, chicken strips, mac & cheese, etc.). Any person at the buffet (including children less than age three who are free) can get anything from any part of the buffet.

However, any child should be closely supervised while at a buffet (preferably handcuffed with their hands behind them) so they are not reaching in and touching food and then letting the food remain on the buffet.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

when we travel to Disney while my son was under 3 yrs old, he was free at all buffets (I got him a plate of food while he sat with his dad and he got his own drink....never been charged for any meals or drinks for him). Even for CRT he got his own plate and chocolate milk for free. Narcoossee's and Chef de france he was not charged but I think that was pixie dust so we gave the waiter a very good tip.

 

[DisneyWisher]

We were at CP Friday morning, it was myself (g'ma), DD27, DGS4 and DGD1. We were asked by the server to keep the kids at the table while someone goes up for their food. Besides kids touching everything another good point is having little ones stopping right in front of an adult with their hand filled. My suggestion don't do early
mornings breakfasts. DD got food for the kids and the lines were huge. Then while I cut up DGD's food, DD went back for her plate. During this time DGD realized she doesn't like blackberries. Butno paper napkins so she had to finish it, which she did. Then she handed me the other blackerry still on her plate. I'd say we were there a good 20 mins before I could get my breakfast. Whenever we've eaten at CM or 1900 we've always done a late breakfast. I'll definitely book later in the future.
They didn't charge is for DGD's milk. She was terrified of the characters but DGS4 loved them.

 

[Quillo]

Thanks again to all for your answers, they are very helpfull