Mother with son and daughter in hotel bed reading a book; Mickey and Oswald Plush
  • On Sep 15, 2025
    Brooklynn from NC Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Our family is planning a trip to Disney for 2026! There will be 6 adults and 2 children under 3. Since children under 3 get free park entry, do we need to include them when booking the room? We would prefer a suite but if needed we’ll book separate rooms.

    Hiya Brooklynn,

    Welcome to planDisney! As someone who has taken her Mouseketeers (a toddler and an infant) to Disney parks frequently, I want to applaud you for this ratio of adults to tiny humans. My Prince Charming and I always feel like the sweet spot is 3-4 adults per child, so that you can all have the most magical vacation on earth.

    But enough about that, let’s get to your question. You are correct that Mouseketeers under three do not have to have theme park admission, but for fire safety codes and accountability, they do need to be included on resort hotel reservations. This applies whether you are booking a Vacation Package (which includes your theme park tickets). You will not be charged for tickets for the children, but they do need to be accounted for. Now this doesn’t mean you won’t still be able to stay in a suite or deluxe villa, however. I spoke to a Cast Member and she explained to me that when you make reservations online, the system will show you available rooms that can fit your whole party (including the littles). If there are none available, then you can try to split your party and see if any availability opens up.

    I hope this was helpful, Brooklynn. Before I let you go, I wanted to remind you that one other place you will want to add your little ones to is when making dining reservations. Be sure to include them in the final count. Again, you will not be charged for them for meals with prix fixe menus, but they do still need to be accounted for. On my first trip with my daughter, I forgot to add her to the dining reservations and had to go back and modify it after the fact. As you continue to plan your magical family vacation, please don’t forget that you have a friend in us here. We are happy to talk through what the best resort options may be based on your party size and must-dos, where to dine, and even tips and tricks for trips with Mouseketeers under three.

    Happy Planning,

    Ashley F.
thumbnail image for Ashley

Meet the Panelist: Ashley, Texas

Hey Y'all! I’m Ashley and I live in Texas. My family and I love trying out the yummy snacks (DOLE Whip anyone!) and taking full advantage of our resort days. When we are not piloting the Millennium Falcon, exploring Kilimanjaro Safaris, or watching fireworks, you can find me planning our next adventure to Walt Disney World! I am so excited that you are planning a trip, and I look forward to helping you dig a little deeper and find the magic in all of the wonders of Walt Disney World Resort. Learn More About Ashley

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