Meal $$ for 2 turning 3 year old?

[GADISNEYGIRL]

DS turns 3 on the next to last day of our trip. I have corresponded with Disney re: ticket for him (not necessary; based on his age~2~at time of our arrival). We are having two character meals once he is 3. Crystal Palace the night of his birthday, and 1900 Park Fare the next morning. Will we be required to pay for his meals? I think I read on another thread that we should NOT be charged~again, back to the age at time of arrival. But when we've called about various things and asked, we've been told that we WOULD have to pay for his meals on his birthday and the day after. If we need to, that's fine, but we're on a very tight budget this trip, and I'm trying to plan accordingly. Every little bit we can save will help!

 

[K & D Mickey]

Our son turned 3 in December and did not have to pay for him to get in the park --- never questioned it or never paid for the buffet/character meals.
They do have to pay for child meals at counter places or ordering off the menus. We found that out when he was less then one... under 3 is only free at buffett meals. - you can not order free food from the counter resturants or menu sit down resturants.

I would say if you are making his 3 year old birthday a big deal the night of his birthday then yes you will pay - but after that I would tell them 2.
That is what we did ---- got one adult meal - I got appetizer/salad and we got one child's meal and that usually ran 20 dollars and it was plenty for all of us. I was there for 10 days and food budget was $525 with one character meal and 2-3 good meals at night or big breakfasts.

 

[mickeymousefan]

Just make sure you let them know at the restaurant that your child is only 2. Our 2 year old ate several plates while our 4 year old barely ate one. Even though the ressie specified our younger DD was 2, the waitress at the CP charged us for her. My husband paid the bill without even looking.... good thing I asked him how much it came to, caught the mistake and had it credited back to our account. I think sometimes they assume an age based on how much a child eats.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We celebrated our DS's 3rd birthday at CP too. We did pay for his meal. Up to that point in the trip we did not pay for him at buffets. He ate but his 4 year sister did not so I guess it all worked out.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm in the same boat. DS will turn 3 halfway through our stay. We're on the dining plan, and couldn't add him because he won't have a park ticket. WDW said since he doesn't need a ticket, we can't put him on the meal plan. He hardly eats anyway. I'll start paying once he turns three. We're celebrating at CP too!