Question about Chef Mickey's and kids

[iflooru]

We ate at Chef Mickey's last night and what a wonderful experience. Food was great and so were the characters. I wanted to ask about the kids prices. It was my daughter's 3rd birthday (as well as my wife's). I thought maybe my 3 year old's dinner would have been free but it wasn't, got a bill for 137.87 for 2 adults and 3 kids and 2 beers. Do they charge children under 3? What kinda ruffled me a little was that my 3 year old did not eat a thing off her plate and she slept through most of the character dining from the 7:30-9:00 that we were there. I inquired with the waiter about it and I do understand that the cost is for the experience but a birthday girl turning 3 should not be charged $16.99 esp when she didn't eat and slept most of the time. Any other experiences? Other than this our Disney experience has been wonderful, as always!

 

[bangzoom6877]

As per dining regulations at Disney, any child between ages 3 and 9 will be charged the child's price for all-you-can-eat meals. This is the way they do it, regardless of how much your child eats. It is a cover charge. Others argue that their 10-year-old who eats like a bird should not be charged the adult price, but this is just the rule. Personally, I do not eat as much as most people at buffets but I still have to pay full price. This is just the way it is. And I personally do not have a problem with it because Disney clearly states this. Same concept as eating at any restaurant...if it is a buffet you pay the full price no matter how much or how little you eat.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

That is annoying but Disney considers kids as paying for meals when they're 3 and older. Was she already 3 before you arrived at Disney? If she just literally turned 3 at Chef Mickey's then I don't think you should've been charged for her meal. However, if she was already 3 and you've been paying for her meals while at Disney, I'm not sure why you'd think you don't have pay at Chef Mickey's if she fell asleep? My 5 year old daughter was soooo excited at most of the character meals that barely ate a thing yet we still payed for her meal.

 

[iflooru]

Thanks for the reply. I do understand the cover price thing. Was just asking more specifically about the birthday. My other daughter was not charged on her 3rd birthday at Crystal Palace and this is why I had posted. Chef Mickey's was great even though we didn't get any Happy Birthday singing or special (magical) moments for the two birthday girls at the table, oh well; those mashed potatoes are magical by themselves.

 

[iflooru]

That is annoying but Disney considers kids as paying for meals when they're 3 and older. Was she already 3 before you arrived at Disney? If she just literally turned 3 at Chef Mickey's then I don't think you should've been charged for her meal.

She was 2 when we arrived at Disney. It was her birthday yesterday, the night of the dining, as well as my wife's birthday, they had their b-day buttons on. She turned 3 yesterday (4/11) and we have been here for 5 days. Well she wouldn't have been officially 3 until 11:07 pm when my wife delivered her

 

[3prettyprincesses]

She was 2 when we arrived at Disney. It was her birthday yesterday, the night of the dining, as well as my wife's birthday, they had their b-day buttons on. She turned 3 yesterday (4/11) and we have been here for 5 days. Well she wouldn't have been officially 3 until 11:07 pm when my wife delivered her

If she just turned 3 yesterday than I would have been seriously annoyed to have payed for her meal. From my understanding, you go by the age of your daughter at the BEGINNING of your trip. It shouldn't matter if she has her b-day during your vacation. Were you on the dining plan??

 

[iflooru]

No, no dining plan. We have a character breakfast reservation tomorrow at Akerhaus and dinner reservations at Biergarten and expected to pay for her then as she is officially 3 but I may inquire about her since you mentioned this. Thanks!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

No, no dining plan. We have a character breakfast reservation tomorrow at Akerhaus and dinner reservations at Biergarten and expected to pay for her then as she is officially 3 but I may inquire about her since you mentioned this. Thanks!

I would definitely check into this! You're probably spending money when you don't need to. I am certain my travel agent told me the same thing. I was worried about my daughter turning a year older during our vacation and she said it didn't matter because Disney goes by how old she was when you started your vacation. Good luck! Akershus is a really fun place and we were just there in February! Have fun!

 

[crashbb]

My understanding is that things that you pre-pay for or pay for all at once (hotel room, DDP, park tickets) are based on the age of your child when your trip (and the thing you are paying for) start. However, any thing that is paid for as you go (such as dining OOP) is based on the age of your child at the time (so paying OOP your daughter would be free before her birthday, and pay the child rate after her birthday).

Whether you start paying on the day OF or the day AFTER the birthday, is an interesting question.

 

[maxiesmom]

My understanding is that things that you pre-pay for or pay for all at once (hotel room, DDP, park tickets) are based on the age of your child when your trip (and the thing you are paying for) start. However, any thing that is paid for as you go (such as dining OOP) is based on the age of your child at the time (so paying OOP your daughter would be free before her birthday, and pay the child rate after her birthday).

That is the way I understand it as well. You had a meal where your wanted to celebrate your child's 3rd birthday. Being that your daughter is now 3, you have to pay for her at buffets. It doesn't matter if she slept, or didn't eat what you put on her plate. She still had a plate, so you still have to pay for it. I'm thinking they were spreading some pixie dust when they didn't charge you for your other daughter's birthday at the Crystal Palace. I'd be happy I got one meal free, not mad because I had to pay for the other one.

 

[DjdBrit]

If you were celebrating the 3rd birthday at Chef Mickey then you should be charged. I was always under the impression that if your child haas a birthday during any trip you had to pay what the price is for that age group. Whether your child ate or not it not the issue, especially at a buffet. Your child was there for a birthday which makes her the age to pay.

I am sorry that you are unhappy and hopefully you still have a great trip!

 

[Bopsmom]

That is the way I understand it as well. You had a meal where your wanted to celebrate your child's 3rd birthday. Being that your daughter is now 3, you have to pay for her at buffets. It doesn't matter if she slept, or didn't eat what you put on her plate. She still had a plate, so you still have to pay for it. I'm thinking they were spreading some pixie dust when they didn't charge you for your other daughter's birthday at the Crystal Palace. I'd be happy I got one meal free, not mad because I had to pay for the other one.

ITA-When Disney expects a 9 year old to be adult than you just have to suck it up.
At least you got 2 beers in the price. We've paid more for much less since DD turned 9.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

So as long as you're not on the dining plan, then you should expect to pay if your child turns older during the trip? I guess I'm confused then. My TA said it didn't matter but we were on the dining plan so I guess that's why. Oh well, have a great rest of your trip and Happy Birthday to your 3 year old daughter!

 

[RMulieri]

If you are 2 at the start of your trip your are 2 the whole trip.BUT if your order that 2 yr old a meal you pay for it. CHildren under 3 eat free from buffets , and free if they eat off your plate .So really you should not have been charged for it. But if you said she was 3 on your trip ressie or at the restaurant that is why you were charged.

 

[iflooru]

Thanks for the replies...
I wanted to clarify that I was/am not unhappy what-so-ever about the situation. I used the term "ruffled my feathers" in my first post and I guess that was a little more than what I actually meant. My experience was great and I was just posting the question on the board for a little clarification. I guess I was expecting her not to be charged from past experience/s and when I saw the charge on the bill I was a little surprised that's all. Thanks again for the info.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are 2 at the start of your trip your are 2 the whole trip.BUT if your order that 2 yr old a meal you pay for it. CHildren under 3 eat free from buffets , and free if they eat off your plate .So really you should not have been charged for it. But if you said she was 3 on your trip ressie or at the restaurant that is why you were charged.

Are you sure? I'm just wondering if Disney looks at park pass age different than they do restaurant age. I know a child is the same age whole the whole vacation for a park pass, but I wonder if it is different as far as dining goes, if you are not on the plan.

Not trying to argue, I'm just curious as to what the process really is.

 

[squirrel]

Check with the conceirge desk at your resort, maybe they can help.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks for the replies...
I wanted to clarify that I was/am not unhappy what-so-ever about the situation. I used the term "ruffled my feathers" in my first post and I guess that was a little more than what I actually meant. My experience was great and I was just posting the question on the board for a little clarification. I guess I was expecting her not to be charged from past experience/s and when I saw the charge on the bill I was a little surprised that's all. Thanks again for the info.

I didn't think you seemed unhappy! Actually this was a really great question especially since Disney is promoting birthdays with their theme this year! I hope you had a great time at Akershus and Biergarten and I'm sure your daughter is having a blast!

 

[tswoodruff7]

We went through the same situation last year. I spoke with Disney several times just to clarify. If your child was under 3 when you arrived, she is treated as such the entire vacation. Our son turned 3, 4 days into our vacation. We were not charged for him at any dining.
Sabrina