Hi Karen!
We brought our two boys to celebrate their first birthdays at Disney. They might not remember the trips, but we have albums filled with fabulous photos to "prove" they had a blast.
I agree that for a one year old, it doesn't make sense to order "kids" meals. What we did (and still do many times) is just let our kids eat off of our plates. The portions at both the counter service and sit-down restaurants are huge, and there will be ample left over to satisfy your little one.
As for places to find food, the possibilities are endless. If your little guy or gal is a fan of "kid standards" such as chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, and/or pizza, you can find these at nearly all of the counter service restaurants. In addition, there are many, many healthy and more varied options throughout all of the parks and resorts. You can also absolutely bring food and snacks into the parks in a soft, portable cooler. You can stock up on staples at your resort sundries store. All of the parks carry milk (in a variety of flavors and varieties). Another good option when travelling with little folks is to eat at the many buffet restaurants. There is no charge for kids under three, and the variety is huge. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that makes everyone in your family happy!
If you are thinking of bringing more than some basics into the parks, you can use a grocery delivery service, including
www.gardengrocer.com to have items of your choice delivered directly to your room.
Have a great visit!
Tanya