Hi Rick and fellow Floridian!
How fun that you'll be visiting Walt Disney World with your grandchildren! I have such fond memories of my parents playing in the parks when my kids were little. My parents have been lifelong Disney fans, so it is always special to share the Disney magic with them and my kids.
You are absolutely correct that children under 3 are free at all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurants, which includes most
character dining. Your little ones are more than welcome to share off of your plate. My favorite go-to character dining restaurant when my kids were little was
Chef Mickey's for breakfast or dinner. Mickey and the gang are the most recognizable characters, so it's a great experience to be able to meet them during your meal. There's such a great selection of food to choose from, including a kid-friendly section. Side note: You'll often find me scooping the macaroni & cheese and some chicken nuggets onto my plate. Yum!
Another great option if you have a
Disney's Hollywood Studios park day is
Hollywood & Vine. For breakfast, you can meet some fun Disney Junior pals and for dinner you'll see Minnie and friends.
Character dining requires
advanced reservations, which can be made up to 60 days in advance. I see that you'll be visiting in March, so your window to book is open now. If you don't see what you're looking for right away, keep checking back. I often find hard-to-get reservations with a little patience.
Check out the
Planning for Preschool Kids & Little Ones page on the Walt Disney World website. There is so much information here to help you make the most of your vacation with your grandchildren including attractions, shows and dining recommendations.
Please stop back by if you have any additional vacation planning questions.
Have a magical day!
Leslie