It's really nothing like eating in the parks. You and your little one can order any number of courses you each want, multiple entrees, 3 desserts per person, really anything... it's all included in the MDRs. Kids don't have to order from kids' menus, or adults from adult menus; you can mix it up and order her an app or soup off the adult menu and an entree off the kids' menu, etc. I can see how that seems odd, considering how it's done in the parks, but cruises are a whole different creature. And for the buffet at breakfast and lunch, there is no admission fee or anything - you just walk in. Most food is included in the cruise cost, so no one cares how much you order or how often you eat! Just for perspective, the only extras we paid for recently (with 2 older kids) were adult drinks and one Palo brunch (has an upcharge) for DH and me, a couple of espressos, and 1 smoothie in a bar for DD. DS talked my mom into buying him popcorn for a movie, too, which oddly (IMO) costs money even though you could go up on deck and get pizza, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fruit, and soft serve without paying anything extra. I feel like they could just give out the popcorn, but maybe it gets too messy if everyone gets free popcorn all the time.
