Do Kids Under 3 Really Eat Free?

[jnshakun]

Is it me or does the "kids under free 3" seem a bit misleading? Online and in "The Unofficial Guide" it says children under three eat free. From what I understand, though, that really means that toddlers need to eat from a parent or sibling's plate, unless at a buffet. So, if I'm at a restaurant that is not a buffet that means my 2 year old will have to pick from the plates of others? Chances are that my husband and I may order something that doesn't appeal to my son, so he'd end up sharing my daughter's meal. My son is a big eater and my daughter isn't a fan of sharing her food.

Am I interrpreting this correctly? How have other families handled this? Do you end up ordering your under-3 a meal and drink and paying OOP?

Thanks for your input.

 

[patsal]

They eat free off the buffets, but if you go to a restaurant with a menu or a CS you will have to purchase the under three a meal if they are going to be eating. Bring a few $$, kids meals are under $10 for the most part and many are in the $5 range. When my DD was 18 months old, she ate fromt eh buffets with no problem and I ordered her food at the other TS when I knew she would not like what I was eating. My kids shared for the most part at CS back then, but occasionally I'd *** just the child's entree(even if it is printed on the menu it can be purchased ala carte). The other thing I did was buy an uncrustable at the resort and pack it in the cooler with the juice boxes, she'd have that and some french fries and everyone was happy.
Before we left home , I experimented a little. We did McD's and ordered for the three of us to see how far the food would go without paying for DD--it went fine I just needed an extra apple juice. Did the same thing at Applebees--it was fine but I neede to buy an extra dessert and drink.

 

[beattyfamily]

Under 3 are only free at all you can eat buffets, pre-plated, family style restaurants like the character buffets or the dinner shows.

If you go to a restaurant with a menu and order something for your under 3 year old then you will pay for whatever you ordered. If you do not want to buy anything then they can share from your plate.

 

[amarberry]

Is it me or does the "kids under free 3" seem a bit misleading? Online and in "The Unofficial Guide" it says children under three eat free.

I think that it is very misleading. Kids under 3 eat free at buffets and pre-plated or family style meals, but they do not eat free at any other eating establishment. They can share...which is not eating for free and isn't as easy as it sounds for families with dietary restrictions/food allergies.

If I go into a restaurant that advertises "kids eat free" I expect a kids meal and beverage for my child. A lot of restaurants around me even give the kids a free dessert. It's not that kids meals are so expensive or anything, but when a company advertises something like "kids under 3 eat free" (especially in the Magical Beginnings advertisements) most people have a certain expectation of what that means and might be in for a surprise when they get there. Honestly, I have no idea why Disney legal would allow them to state something like this on their advertisements.

 

[mdhkitten]

Just to let you know, I recently made an ADR for Crystal Palace and the CM asked my dd's age, which will be 2 at the time. He said that if I wanted her to have her own plate to use then I would be charged the children's portion. Thankfully I bring the stick on placemats with me, so I can just put her food on there, but that seems silly to me. Actually, come to think of it, this past May at CP I didn't know this "rule" about the plates for children under 2 and they did try to charge me for the buffet for her. They wound up taking it off of my bill though.

 

[DaisyD]

Just to let you know, I recently made an ADR for Crystal Palace and the CM asked my dd's age, which will be 2 at the time. He said that if I wanted her to have her own plate to use then I would be charged the children's portion. Thankfully I bring the stick on placemats with me, so I can just put her food on there, but that seems silly to me. Actually, come to think of it, this past May at CP I didn't know this "rule" about the plates for children under 2 and they did try to charge me for the buffet for her. They wound up taking it off of my bill though.

That CM is wrong, wrong, wrong! You can get as many plates as you want for your under 3 child! We did it all the time and there is no rule against it. Just another example of CMs not knowing what they are talking about!

 

[mdhkitten]

That CM is wrong, wrong, wrong! You can get as many plates as you want for your under 3 child! We did it all the time and there is no rule against it. Just another example of CMs not knowing what they are talking about!

Yeah, I never really understood that either. She eats like 3 bites anyway and she's done. When we go to the Coral Reef I'm just going to order something off of the kid's menu anyway, because I don't think she'll be too big on the blackened catfish!

 

[mefordis]

I agree that the "children under 3 eat for free" line is misleading. I am going in a couple of weeks during free dining. I'm going to just order her whatever I think she would eat and I will eat off HER plate. Ha Ha! My mother and i will probably share, too. I just want her to eat healthy and I don't want to be restricted to a children's menu since she doesn't eat chicken nuggets and fries. She won't even touch them.

 

[pjupton]

He said that if I wanted her to have her own plate to use then I would be charged the children's portion. Thankfully I bring the stick on placemats with me, so I can just put her food on there, but that seems silly to me.

URG! Are they back to telling folks that again?

It is NOT true. You CAN use a PLATE for your child at no charge if they are under 3.

 

[PortieOwner]

We had no problem at all feeding a 2 year old with us two adults on the meal plan. Between buffets and eating off our plate he was fine. At some restaurants they offered to bring our son some other food (fries, nuggets) if he didn't like the adult food but he ate well off our plates.

Portie

 

[kcashner]

The above are right. Kids under 3 eat free at buffets and family style restaurants. This includes beverages and desserts, and they do get their own plate.

At restaurants where you order off a menu, the child can eat off of your food for no additional charge. They will bring a separate plate for the child. Technically, they are supposed to charge you for the child's beverage, but these sometimes appear gratis. You can always bring a juice box or sippy cup!

I do agree that a written policy of "kids eat free" may be misleading...did you read the fine print? Many times it says in big print "KIDS EAT FREE" and in smaller print may say "with adult meal" or "at buffets" or whatever. I realize that at WDW, it isn't free with adult meal, but that is typically a policy at some places.

 

[DaisyD]

Now that I think about it, does anyone remember a poster a long time ago saying that after she returned from her trip she wrote and complained about being charged kids meals for her 2 y/o at regular restaurants? She had the same complaint about the kid not being really free to eat at all places. She actually got reimbursed for it and was told that it was wrong and that her 2 y/o should have been allowed to order a kids meal without charge. Does anyone remember that? It was probably 4 years ago.