At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, a 1-year-old child is completely free. Disney's official policy for 2026 remains that any child under the age of 3 does not require a theme park ticket or a park reservation. This represents a significant saving, as children aged 3–9 typically pay nearly the full adult price. Beyond free entry, a 1-year-old also eats for free at Disney's all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and family-style restaurants (such as 'Ohana or Chef Mickey's), as they are permitted to share from an adult's plate at no extra cost. When booking a Disney Resort hotel, a 1-year-old does not count toward the room's maximum occupancy limit, allowing families to save on larger suite costs. Disney also provides complimentary "Pack 'n Play" cribs and high chairs upon request. This "under 3" rule makes it one of the most cost-effective times to take a child to the parks, as the only major expenses will be for their individual souvenirs or specific snacks outside of shared meals.