Hey There, Jessica!
I'm so glad you've found your way to planDisney. Thanks for dropping by with a question about your upcoming visit. Can you believe you're less than two weeks away from arriving at Walt Disney World Resort? The wait is almost over! And not only will you get to experience all the magic of the holiday season during your stay, but it sounds like you have something extra special to celebrate –– how exciting that you'll be celebrating your little one's 3rd birthday at The Most Magical Place on Earth!
As it sounds like you already know, if your son is two when you travel to Walt Disney World Resort, you won't need to purchase a ticket for the days after he turns three. He'll be a Guest of Mickey Mouse for the remainder of your visit! Along with this ticketing benefit, you also won't need to purchase a separate meal for him when you dine at buffet-style and all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style restaurants –– at these locations, he's welcome to eat off your plate (and don't worry, he can even have a plate of his own). This means that while you won't need to pay for a separate meal for your son to dine at
Hollywood & Vine, he can still enjoy food off the buffet.
Unlike a buffet-style restaurant,
Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera works a little differently because it isn't a family-style meal –– each member of your party will select an entrée, just like a traditional restaurant. In the case of children under three (or a child who has turned three during your visit), this means that while they're still welcome to share bites of your entrée, they won't have their own meal (although they're also welcome to enjoy the pastries that come to the table and you may be able to order a side item at an additional cost). If your son is a big eater and wants a more substantial breakfast, you'll need to purchase a meal from the kid's menu.
During your birthday visit, you'll also want to be sure to drop by a
Guest Relations location or the Front Desk of your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel for a complimentary birthday button. Not only does this make a great souvenir, but it will also be a great way for Cast Members and other Guests to send birthday wishes his way. When we visited Walt Disney World for my daughter's sixth birthday, one of the characters in the parade even noticed her button and shouted "Happy Birthday!" from the float –– to this day, it's still one of her favorite Disney memories!
Thanks so much for visiting planDisney, Jessica. I hope this helped to answer your question and I'm wishing you and your son a very special birthday visit to Walt Disney World Resort!
See Ya Real Soon,
Amy