Hiya Lori,
Welcome back to planDisney! The
free dining plan offer for kids in 2026 is one of my favorite promotions. I'm a mom of two under four, and my three-year-old tends to survive mostly off of air, chicken nuggets, and adrenaline. We have often avoided getting the dining plan since she turned three, simply because we know she doesn't eat enough meals to justify the cost for us. The free dining plan, however, has changed our minds.
Now let's chat about the dining plan for your little Mouseketeer. According to the details, your child must be between the ages of 3 and 9 at the time of travel to be eligible for the free dining plan. Since you mentioned that your little one won't be three until after your trip, she will not qualify for the free dining plan. Your daughter will be able to share from your plate at no extra cost to you at table service and quick service locations. If you want to order them their own meal, you certainly can, but you will need to pay for it out of pocket.
I hope this was helpful, Lori. Please don't hesitate to come back and see us if you need anything else. Before I let you go, I wanted to share a tip with you from one toddler mom to another. If your daughter is into princesses and dressing up, take her over to
Sir Mickey's. You can ask one of the Cast Members for a little pixie dusting complimentary (subject to availability)! I always pack a spare princess dress in my park bag, too, so that she can feel like she got a complete transformation with her pixie dust (the nearest changing area is typically near
Pinocchio Village Haus).
Happy Planning,
Ashley F.