kids under 2

[carly chloe]

We are going when there is free dining. It have a plan for kids 3-9 for the children's menu. What about 23 month olds? Can they order off the kids menu or are they not included in the dining plan?

 

[carly chloe]

sorry- it HAS a plan...

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We went during free dining when DD was two she was able to eat for free at any buffets we went to and at a la carte locations she could share from our meal or we could order her a kids' meal and pay out-of-pocket for it. The dining plan is not available for kids under three.

 

[MrsLS]

No under 3 can't order/use a plan, but you can order for her but you would pay out of pocket. At buffets or regular TS they can share off your plate. You can register them as 3 but then you would be paying for their theme park ticket, so that's probably not worth it.

 

[Googelibear]

I just read in the dining plan site that you can feed your under 3 year old off your plate. That's about all such a little person would be able to eat anyway, the "crumbs" off your plate

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The rules are the same whether or not on a dining plan.

An infant under three years old may have their own plate and beverages at any buffet or other all-you-can-eat at no charge.

Anything ordered specifically off a menu must be paid for. Often the server will not charge for beverages. It is generally accepted that an under-three will eat off the plate of parents or siblings.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can upgrade you child so they get the dining plan. You would have to list him or her as 3 years old for both park passes and the dining plan, but it may be cost effective for you to do so. As long as it doesn't mess up your room occupency, that is.

 

[Colleen27]

You can upgrade you child so they get the dining plan. You would have to list him or her as 3 years old for both park passes and the dining plan, but it may be cost effective for you to do so. As long as it doesn't mess up your room occupency, that is.

That generally is not cost effective even during free dining, because you go from completely free to $200+ for a child's ticket. Most 2yos aren't going to eat $200 worth of food over the course of a vacation!

 

[carly chloe]

Thanks! I'm sure with 4 adults and 2 17-year olds we will have something or enough for him!!

 

[jcarwash]

We used free dining for the first time when my son was 2 yrs. It worked out well to either have him eat from our table service entrees, or in the case of the buffets, that he just had his own plate too. Some places (Garden Grill and Akershus for example) went ahead and allowed us to order a kids plate anyway -- not sure what the discretion is on that, or if it will still happen. Anyway, feeding him at that age with or dining plan options for two adults was not a problem at all.

 

[Tara922c]

If you go to an a la carte restuarant, or counter service, they can share off your plate, or you can order, and pay for their own food. At a buffet, they can eat, and you will not be charged. They don't have to "eat off of your plate". We were there right before dd turned 3, and didn't have a problem making her a small plate from the buffet, and not being charged. In fact, not one server even asked how old she was, it was all in the ADR. When we went to pre-plated places, we were brought food and not charged. Cinderella's Royal table brought her french toast sticks, and at Princess Norway Restuarant, she was able to pick something off the kids menu, and we weren't charged.

 

[DuckMom]

We decided to upgrade my 23-month-old to a 3-year-old for our next trip to guarantee an AB room at POR and also for the free dining. He's a big kid and eats a lot. At buffets, we would be fine, but the kid will want his own meal at CS and any other plated meals and I just figured it would work better, plus the snacks will be used too. Last year, we did not have the meal plan for him and he was able to eat whatever at buffets/family service meals and they got him drinks without a charge. At CRT for lunch, they brought him a meal (buttered noodles) and a drink without a charge as well. We didn't get a choice as to the entree, but since it was free, I wasn't going to complain. You know your child and his/her appetite best, so you can probably figure out what will work for you guys (also, number of buffets/table service could figure in). Have fun!

 

[GAGirlInVA]

We shared with our 20 month old. We were on free dining and found that he had plenty to eat between the 2 adult meals and 2 kids meals that we got already.

He did however find that he LOVED Dibs. He ate a package by himself. Since we shared snacks among ourselves, we had plenty!

 

[TDC Nala]

Akershus, CRT and Garden Grill are fixed price restaurants and won't charge for a child under 3.