Free dining and two year old?

[n2mm]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this. The OP said they are a party of 4 plus an infant under 3. Unless they are staying in a room that accommodates 5, they will not be able to up the 2 yo to 3 without changing resorts. OP, we have been traveling with our granddaughters (4yo and 2yo) for years and yes you will have to pay out of pocket for all of your meals for the 2 yo unless you eat at a buffet. We do it ALL of the time and it's just not a big deal. You would feed your child if you were at home, so paying extra now is the cheapest way to go. Keep in mind that you don't have to buy a full meal. Often we just go a la carte. We generally buy the 2 yo a meal minus the desert and appetizer. Since she is latose intolerant we get her a bowl of pasta and sauce. There is never anything else on the child's menu she can eat. Both of my granddaughters have been big eaters and we've been buying them their own meals OOP since they were 18 months. They go with us 2-3 times a year (we go alot). BTW--as mentioned they can eat from your plates, but we find the food choices we make are not what the girls would eat other than fries. We personally don't find the portions very large at WDW (except 50s PT-fried chicken).

 

[rhw]

We are staying in the family suites so we have room. Money is not the problem. We could easily do this vacation cheaper with just a regular room, but this two year old is not treated as an infant. He will sleep in the bed and will share a bathroom with the 4 year old. We need the bedroom so they can sleep, while us adults will relax and visit in the living room of the suite. I swear this kid knows if he is treated any differently than his brother. The 2 year old will eat anything and everything on his plate. It's the 4 year old that is picky and won't even eat pizza.(How can you not like pizza?). It would truly be a cheaper vacation by getting a room only discount, and not have to buy tickets for everyone (won't use most of them), but, I thought it would be fun to do dining this way. I even have a tables in wonderland card that gets 20 percent off at the ASMu food court as well as table service restaurants elsewhere. I cancelled my room only bounceback rates because this is the deal I thought I wanted. Oh well, I'll try it this time and see if I like it for the next trip in Feb 2010. No kids going that trip...not even mine.