Question about meals for toddlers

[connorsmom]

When I called Disney dining, they told me that my son who will only be two (well, turning two) during our trip, that his meals at all Disney restaurants are free. Okay, so my incredibly tacky question is (no flames please, I'm just completely oblivious)what about the counter service meals, say at the hotel? He's under three, so how does Disney feed their guests who are under three in these circumstances??? Will they give him a hotdog, do I tell him he's under three, or what? I maybe on a tight budget, but I have no problems paying for his hotdogs !!! I'd rather just know before I go.

Thanks so much for your info on this one.

 

[KNBNESMOM]

As far as I know kids under 3 eat free at buffet meals only (this includes preplated and family style such as Cindy's, LTT, Garden Grill, etc.) At counter service restaurants and restaurants where you order off of a menu you will have to pay if you want him to have his own meal. I could be wrong but we have always gone with a child under three and this is how it has always worked for us in the past. We have two older kids so this year our 22 month old will probably just share with them when we are not eating at a buffet. I guess it will depend on how hungry they are
I don't have a problem buying an extra meal for her if it comes down to it as long as they are all fed and happy

 

[BevS97]

that's how it has worked for us too - free at buffets, but you pay for anything at a counter service, or ala-carte type of place.

We tend not to buy our dd a kids-meal though, as she doesn't eat that much, so we often ask for a plate, and she shares ours. Disney have never had a problem with that.

Bev

 

[alloyd1170]

Ditto-you will be charged for counter items (anyone can grab something and say its for my 2 yo). I also think we had to pay in the sit down restaurant (Steakhouse at CR), but buffets were free. What I did was bring some snacks from home (crackers, cereal bars, fruit chews, instant oatmeal, juice). That cut down on a lot of things, plus my son didnt have to wait for us to get ready to eat in the mornings. By the time we got down to eat, all he wanted was a banana. You can get the hot water for the oatmeal where the tea stuff is.

alison

 

[beattyfamily]

Yep, under 2 is only free at the buffet/pre-plated restaurants.

If you are ordering from a menu or doing counter service or food courts you pay for whatever you order.

If you don't want to buy your 2 year old food in those places then you won't have to pay him, but if you want to get him something off the menu then you'll have to pay for whatever you order for him.

 

[connorsmom]

Thank you for your responses. That all makes perfect sense. My son eats like a horse but I can't imagine him eating Disney portion sizes, even the child's sizes. He'll definitely be sharing mommy or daddy's food!

Thanks again!!!

 

[alloyd1170]

Come to think of it, isnt it under 3, like the park entrance fees?

alison

 

[Doodlebug939]

When we went in November my daughter was under 3. She was able to eat at all the character meals that we went to for free. Like CRT, Chef Mickeys and even Ohanas.

She was able to eat free at the Hoop Dee Doo as well. Hope it helps.

 

[connorsmom]

Yep, we have a couple of character meals booked, plus the International/Illuminations dinner. All these are free for him. Woo hoo! The only one I was told that I had to pay for him at was the Ice Cream Social. Kind of weird, but hey, it's only 7 bucks. Thanks again!