Children under 3 can eat free at buffets. At TS and CS restaurants, if you order a meal for them, you would pay for it. You cannot order a free meal for them.
You can also share meals at all TS restuarants with an under 3 child no problem. (I believe over 3 they will charge a plate-sharing fee of some sort, but maybe not...)
At buffets and table service meals, kids under three are expected to share with the parents. However, if you feel that your child is not going to be satisfied at a table service with only sharing, you can order them a meal but you will have to pay for that.
At counter service, it's whatever you want to bring back to your table. The cashiers have no idea if it's going to be for one person or twenty. You pay for what you order.
At buffets and family-style, our under 3s have always gotten their own plate - not shared - and, usually, a drink (seems to be at the server's discretion so I tip extra for that kindness). All other meals, if you want the child to have his own meal, you'll have to pay for it.
At buffets and family-style, our under 3s have always gotten their own plate - not shared - and, usually, a drink (seems to be at the server's discretion so I tip extra for that kindness). All other meals, if you want the child to have his own meal, you'll have to pay for it.
At buffets and family style we have also always had our under 3 given their own plate; my youngest would never have shared a plate (maybe food) anyhow. I have never been charged for the drink either. Also at places that require pre-payment, like Cinderella's Castle, our under 3 has also been given a free kids meal and dessert.
At CS and other a la carte places, we've always been charged for the meal, as we would anywhere else.
You can also share meals at all TS restuarants with an under 3 child no problem. (I believe over 3 they will charge a plate-sharing fee of some sort, but maybe not...)