Welcome to planDisney, Maddy. It's so nice that you reached out to us as we love to help Guests make magic!
Guests under the age of 3 do not need a
theme park ticket and are usually not charged for
buffet-style restaurants as they can often eat off of your plate. Guests ages 3 and up need a theme park ticket to enter the parks and are charged for these types of meals.
Since you're celebrating a very special birthday, you should make sure to stop by a
Guest Relations location and pick up a Celebration Button for your son to wear proudly during your trip. I did this while celebrating a milestone birthday a few years ago and it was really heartwarming to hear all the well wishes from both Guests and Cast Members. And if they did that for someone turning *cough, cough*, some warm wishes are sure to come
his way on his 3rd birthday! And while it can't be promised or guaranteed, maybe a little magic will come his way as well.
Traveling with little ones to the resort can be such a special experience. At planDisney, we have a bunch of resources to help you plan. Be sure to check out
our guide to attractions with little ones,
dining with little ones, and, my favorite,
top tips for vacationing with your little one. And of course, you'll want to check out the
planDisney Podcast episode all about vacationing with little ones at the Walt Disney World Resort starring my good friend
Nimmy T., who is a wealth of Disney vacation information!
Maddy, I wish your son the happiest and most magical of birthdays. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to reach out again!
A very merry (actual) birthday to you(r son),
Matt