Hello and welcome to
planDisney, Keith! I'm so glad you've stopped by to chit-chat about your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.
Your children are at a perfect age to enjoy all of the magic that
Walt Disney World has to offer. Keith, get ready because you are about to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Children under the age of 3 are special guests of my pal, Mickey Mouse, and as you've mentioned they do not require a theme park ticket. This is done on the honor system, so even though your almost 3-year-old is tall for their age, you won't be questioned at the ticket gate. When you arrive, you'll simply scan your
MagicBand or Keys To The World Card and enter the theme park bringing your small child right in with you.
Once you are in the
Walt Disney World Theme Parks, you basically have free reign over what you'd like to do. Entrance to every attraction is included with your theme park admission and as long as your under the age of 3 child is tall enough, they can enjoy it as well. There is nothing that they will be discluded from simply because they don't have their own theme park ticket.
Because your under the age of 3 child does not have a ticket, Keith, if you plan to use
Genie+ or any of the
Lightening Lane entrances during your trip you won't see your child listed in your friends and family list on your MyDisneyExperience account. Because they don't have a ticket, there wouldn't be anything to link to. This is totally okay and works the same way as theme park tickets. Your little one will be able to enter the Lightning Lane access to attractions as long as you have valid entrance.
Keith, you'll be able to make
advanced dining reservations 60 days prior to your check-in day, which is quickly approaching for you. I did want to mention that even though your child is under the age of 3, you'll need to be sure to include them on the number of people that will be dining. Due to Florida state regulations each restaurant can only hold a certain number of bodies - no matter the age. This will greatly help cast members prepare for your arrival if they know the right amount of people in your party. The good news is that even though they are included on the reservation, at certain places they will be able to dine for free. This is just another perk of bringing small children to Walt Disney World. At all-you-care-to-enjoy places like
Chef Mickey's your under the age of 3 child is welcome to make as many of their own plates free of charge. At restaurants where you order a single entree from a menu, they are able to plate share at no additional cost. If you wish to order your child their own meal at those types of restaurants, only then are you required to pay. It's great!
Keith, you guys are going to have a wonderful time together. I'm so excited for you. The first trip to Walt Disney World is like nothing else. If you have any other planning questions along the way, I'd love to help out. Please feel free to stop back by and
ask me.
Happy planning!
Jackie H.