We are currently planning a trip which includes a child who is almost 3 years old... How does the dining plan and ticket system work for a child under 3? Do they have their own meal allowance, and would they need to scan a magic band at the gate to enter?

Question

Answer 1

Hi Cammie,

Children under 3 have free park admission with a paying adult. They would not have a ticket to enter.

In regards to the Disney Dining Plan, children under 3 are free and they share off your plate. They do not have their own meal allowance and you share your portion with them. This works well for buffet meals as it is "all-you-care-to-eat". However, if your little one is a big eater and you are at a regular table service restaurant, you may find that he or she eats a lot of your meal and you end up hungry. In many cases, I ended up paying out of pocket for a child meal when my kids were toddlers and I was on the Disney Dining Plan. This way I was able to get them food that they liked and I could enjoy my meal as well. Kid meals are quite inexpensive.

I hope this helps and that you have a wonderful vacation. Please let me know if I can assist you further,

Kaylene

We are currently planning a trip which includes a child who is almost 3 years old... How does the dining plan and ticket system work for a child under 3? Do they have their own meal allowance, and would they need to scan a magic band at the gate to enter?

Meet the Panelist: Kaylene, Massachusetts

Related Links

Thank a Panelist

Share a message of thanks with the knowledgeable panelist who provided a personalized answer to your Disney vacation question.

Thanks for submitting your comment!

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so.

Ask planDisney

Discover the magic of a Disney Parks family vacation from one of our knowledgeable online panelists.

Thanks for submitting your question!

You'll receive an email if your question is answered.

Please Note

Update Browser

We are currently planning a trip which includes a child who is almost 3 years old... How does the dining plan and ticket system work for a child under 3? Do they have their own meal allowance, and would they need to scan a magic band at the gate to enter?”

Meet the Panelist: Kaylene, Massachusetts

Related Links

Thank a Panelist

Share a message of thanks with the knowledgeable panelist who provided a personalized answer to your Disney vacation question.

Thanks for submitting your comment!

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so.

Ask planDisney

Discover the magic of a Disney Parks family vacation from one of our knowledgeable online panelists.

Thanks for submitting your question!

You'll receive an email if your question is answered.

Update Browser

We are currently planning a trip which includes a child who is almost 3 years old... How does the dining plan and ticket system work for a child under 3? Do they have their own meal allowance, and would they need to scan a magic band at the gate to enter?