Are babies and toddlers free at Walt Disney World?
Yes.
End post. Have a great day!!!!!
Okay, so you’re probably looking for a few more details regarding whether or not babies and toddlers are free at Walt Disney World. A simple ‘yes’ isn’t going to cut it in regards to the answer you’re looking for.
Let’s take a quick step back and look at the details of what exactly it means to be ‘free’ at Walt Disney World for babies and toddlers.
No Disney World Park Admission for Children Under Three Years of Age
First, babies and toddlers, under the age of three are free at Walt Disney World. Meaning, until your kiddo turns three years of age, they don’t have to pay for a park admission ticket.
Rather, YOU don’t have to pay for a park admission ticket for them.
Once they hit three years of age, you will have to pay the child admission ticket prices.
If you have a two-year-old who is tall or looks a little ‘older’ than their two years of age, be sure to bring along a copy of a birth certificate for proof of age. We were never once questioned about the age of our boys, but just as a precaution, it doesn’t hurt to bring one along. Besides, if you plan on flying with your little one, it doesn’t hurt to have a birth certificate for your toddler for the airplane right anyhow.
Words of Advice
Let’s say you have a little one who has reached the ripe old age of three. You know that they now require a park ticket, as they no longer fall in the three-and-under category. However, even though you are paying for your child to enter the Disney parks, does not mean that they will be able to ride all of the rides. Certain rides have different heights and Disney is strict about the heights.
You won’t be able to cheat the height requirements. Cast members will check when you and your child first get in line for a ride and right before you ride the ride. The required ride heights are determined by Disney to keep you and your kiddos safe when enjoying the most Magical Place on Earth.
If you head over to the Disney parks page you can look up the different rides and find the different height requirements for each ride. Knowing which rides your little one will be able to ride on before heading to Disney will help a ton.
Babies and Toddlers Under 3 Years of Age Eat Free at Buffets
A little lesser known detail about dining at Walt Disney World is the kids under the age of three don’t have to pay to eat at a buffet. As long as the kiddo is dining with paying adults and/or siblings (aka with someone else.) they are good to go!
While mixed reports on this detail have been reported in the past, for the past five years my family has attended Disney with at least one baby or kiddo under the age of three. There has not been a single time that our under three-year-old has had to pay for the buffet.
If you have a picky eater or a child who can consume more food than seems humanly possible, this is a sweet feature! Due to the variety at a buffet, you are usually apple to find lots of different dishes to satisfy everyone in your party.
Be sure to ALWAYS include your under-the-age-of-3 kiddo in your dining reservations. They are still counted as a person when it comes to seating options and the total occupancy of the restaurant.
Counter Service or Table Service Locations for Babies and Toddlers
If you are dining at a quick service location or a table service location (basically anywhere that you need to buy items a la carte), you will have to pay for your little one. You don’t necessarily need to buy a specific kids’ meal for your little one. Yet, if you want them to eat (and I’m guessing you do!), the odds are you need to buy them some food. (Sorry for pointing out the obvious!)
Sometimes we will purchase a meal and let our little ones eat off of our plates. The portions at Disney World are rather large (at a majority of spots) and we always have more than enough food. Our kiddos aren’t huge fans of most of the kid meal options anyhow, so this allows us to purchase something we know they will eat.
Alternatively, you can bring some food into the parks for your little one to dine on. Just be sure to not bring any glass containers. They aren’t allowed inside the Disney parks.
Extra Items for Your Kid Under the Age of Three at Disney
Just because you don’t have to buy your little one a park ticket or pay for a huge buffet meal doesn’t mean you’re getting out of the park without spending any money!
It is possible, yes, not to spend a dime for your little one at Disney. To just enjoy the parades, toddler-friendly rides, and character meet-and-greets and be on your way. Yet, those Mickey mouse plushes and bubble wands are going to draw your little one in like no other.
It’s going to be hard to say no when your baby gives Mickey a giant hug and looks up at you with big eyes, wanting nothing more than to take Mickey home. Or as your little one giggles with glee as a cast member shoots bubbles into the air from a bubble wand. So, so very hard to say no. Bring along a little extra pocket change just in case you find yourself in either of the above situations.
Snacks and Treats for Your Toddler at Disney World
If your little one is eating a regular solid food diet, it’s going to be hard to sneak around all the treats and snacks located throughout Walt Disney World. Once you pass by an ice cream cart and your little one realizes what it is full of, you might be handing over a few bills to the cast member selling the frozen treat.
Or if you happen to walk by a cart selling Mickey pretzels, you might be taking a quick detour. The smell from the Mickey pretzels will draw you in and it might be love at first bite for your little one. I know it was for both of our boys.
Conclusion For Are Toddlers and Babies Free at Walt Disney World
There ya go! Now you know that kids under the age of three, or young toddlers, are free at Walt Disney World! Be sure to do your research and look into the rides your little one can and learn about the different snack options your little one is sure to want to gobble down!
Now that you know the details about having your little one pay for a park ticket at Disney, you might be wondering about having your little one fly down to Florida or how to get sleep with a little one at Disney. Be sure to check out both posts above!
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