Hi Susan!
Thank you for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Character Dining Experiences are one of my families favorite things to do on our Walt Disney World trips!
Taking a two year old to Character Dining Experiences is wondEARful for so many reasons. The little ones are usually in complete awe of seeing Mickey Mouse or their favorite character in person and the excitement on their faces is contagious. Another reason it's awesome is that you are correct, that they do eat for free. We have a toddler with quite an appetite, so for us this is always a huge bonus!
Mom Tip: When you are making your Advanced Dining Reservation, even though your little one will not be included in your bill, make sure to include them in your head count. I made this mistake on a trip when my son was several months old, so the first table they brought us to couldn't accommodate the high chair. The Cast Member quickly recognized my error and corrected the situation, but it's a tip I like to share because most people think since they won't be charged for them, they don't need to be included in the reservation.
Please let us know if you have any other questions and I hope y'all have a magical time!
-Lindsey ºOº