Hi Lindsey,
Thanks for checking in with the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your great question. Because children younger than 3 get free admission and eat free as long as they share with a parent, lots of guests are confused about how to count the little one in
advance dining reservations. So, I'm happy to clarify for you.
You should include every guest, even infants, in your head count. That lets the restaurant know how many seats you need at your table and keep track of the total number of people in the restaurant for safety reasons. When you check in, the host will ask how many in your party are children, and you can let them know at that time that one member of your group is a 2-year-old.
Have you made your restaurant choices yet? If you are looking for character dining, my favorite is a meal with Winnie the Pooh and Friends at
Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom.
And since you have a 2-year-old, you may find the guide for
visiting Walt Disney World with preschoolers and little ones helpful. It has lots of tips, plus information on rides and attractions that are age-appropriate.
I hope that helps, Lindsey. If you are looking for more recommendations, please check back with us. We love share to our thoughts on planning a Walt Disney World vacation that's right for each family. Enjoy!
Wilma