Hi, there!
Welcome back to planDisney, Sandra. I'm so very excited to hear you're planning another
Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Wahoo!
You ask an excellent question. The wording on the online menus can certainly be difficult to understand. I'm happy to help you sort it out! Children under the age of 3 may eat for free at dining locations that feature an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu like
Chef Mickey's and
Garden Grill Restaurant. These restaurants will serve family-style, meaning that platters intended to be shared will be brought to your table. Your little one is most welcome to share from that delicious bounty at no charge! At restaurants featuring traditional menus with multiple entrée options, your toddler may share from your plate at no charge, or you can order something for your little one from the children's menu and be charged the price of that children's entrée. My daughter was 2-years old when we last visited the Walt Disney World Resort, and she enjoyed lots of yummy food during our stay. Portion sizes are typically
very generous, so she usually shared from our plates and in those cases, we didn't need to pay for her to eat. There were a few instances, though, in which we ordered her an entrée from a children's menu. What she didn't finish at the table, we were always able to take with us to snack on later!
When I'm booking my family's
dining reservations, I prioritize restaurants that offer some type of entertainment. My kids don't wait exceptionally well, so when there's something to entertain them at the table, we're much more likely to enjoy our meal! We're always sure to book at least one Character Dining Experience. I love these meals because my children can fill their bellies with kid-friendly food
and wave to their favorite Disney Characters, all in one place! We also love restaurants that offer some "natural" entertainment like
Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village. This unique dining location features breathtaking views of African animals on the Sunset Savanna!
Traveling with a
little one in tow always makes for lots of priceless memories. It also makes for a little extra planning, though! You'll want to have a well-stocked backpack for all your adventures in the theme parks. I usually pack snacks, bottled beverages, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and toddler-essentials like a change of clothes, wipes, and diapers. You'll definitely need a stroller on hand too.
Strollers are available to rent from all four theme parks and Disney Springs, but I prefer to take our personal stroller from home. If you bring your own stroller, just be sure that it meets the
stroller guidelines.
I hope this was helpful, Sandra. Please visit us again soon with any new questions you may have about your Walt Disney World Resort vacation! We'd love to help you plan a magical visit.
Ashley