Hello Breanna,
I am so excited for you and your family as your trip is just around the corner. It will be here before you can say, "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" I just love watching the excitement and wonder through my young children's eyes and I'm sure you will, too. Get ready to make many magical memories.
You are correct in that you will not need to purchase a dining plan for your 2 1/2 year old daughter. How this will work is, that at
buffets or family style restaurants, you can fix a small complimentary plate for her. However, at other table service dining locations or dinner shows, she can share off of the plate of any adult at no extra charge. They will bring you a small plate for you to share food from your adult entree. However, if you choose to order a separate kids' menu item for her, you will pay for it, regardless of her age. The
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is considered a family style restaurant and many of the character meals are buffet style.
I hope this clarifies the dining with a toddler under three for you. For more tips, visit the
Walt Disney World traveling with little ones planning page. Thank you for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel to ask me your important planning question.
~Allison L