Hi, Kathleen, and welcome to planDisney! I'm thrilled that you've stopped by with this great question about your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation! It sounds like your group is getting excited about some amazing dining opportunities!
Kathleen, you're so wise for choosing the
Disney Dining Plan for your vacation! It's a great value-add! It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the Disney Dining Plan, especially when you're traveling with little ones. You're correct - a two-year-old will not be charged for a dining plan. When you dine at restaurants that feature a
buffet or all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style meals, your two-year-old will be able to eat off your plate without an extra charge. When you dine at a restaurant with a traditional menu, you will pay for any items that he needs. When my kiddos were under three, we found that we were able to share a bit of our food with them and supplement with snacks that we brought.
When you make your
Advance Dining Reservations, be sure to include him in the Guest count to ensure you have a table that's large enough. If your party hopes to dine together, be sure to book those reservations as soon as you're able - 60 days before you check in. Sometimes, my large extended family needs to split into smaller groups so that we can all eat at the same restaurant. When we do this, we politely ask the Cast Member at check-in if it would be possible to be seated near each other. Sometimes, this works well, and other times, it's not possible. However, we appreciate staying on the same schedule as we move throughout the day.
Kathleen, since you're traveling with little ones, be sure to familiarize yourself with
stroller rentals,
rider switch service,
baby care centers (they're not just for babies!),
height requirements, and
character opportunities. If you need any advice about any of these topics, you have a friend in me! Please stop back by planDisney with any other questions you have.
See you real soon!
Jennifer