Hi, Hayley! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel from one 'Cheesehead' to another.
I love the Disney Dining Plan. I am a pretty frugal person and the idea of paying for each meal, even with a budget set, gives me a bit of anxiety. Even if we have money saved, I am constantly subtracting meal totals from how much we have left and I make meal decisions based on the price - not on my appetite. That doesn't sound very magical to me, and certainly adds unneeded stress to my vacation. Even though your little one would not get his/her own mean and snack credits, your child is able to share meals with others in your dining party - and there is normally plenty of food to go around!
When my family visits the Walt Disney World resort, we occasionally do so without the Disney Dining Plan. If you choose to budget for your meals instead of purchasing the Disney Dining Plan, it is a fantastic idea to set a budget. To get an idea of a food budget for your family, you may view the online menus available. Select the Quick-Service locations you would like to try and the Table-Service restaurants you may already have Advanced Dining Reservations for or places you would like to try. You can anticipate the meals your family would order and calculate an average of what you would typically spend at each meal. Prices are subject to change, but this is a great way to get an idea of the pricing.
Wishing you and your family a delicious vacation, Hayley!
~Rachel