Oh my goodness,
Tracy! I'm so excited for your daughter. I have been planning and chaperoning senior trips to Walt Disney World Resort since 2011 so I know what a magical time awaits her in April.
I share your enthusiasm for the
Disney Dining Plan. However, you are correct that guests must link their Disney Dining Plan to their Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation. Unless your daughter has a room to herself on her upcoming trip, everyone in her room must add exactly the same Dining Plan if she were to add one. It's not possible to add a Disney Dining Plan for only one guest in a shared room. Unless all of her roommates want exactly the same plan, she will not be able to add one.
Another option would be to see if meal vouchers are available for purchase. Chances are good that your school purchased discounted theme park tickets through the
Disney Youth Office. If that is true, they also have the option to purchase meal cards (of varying dollar amounts) and/or meal coupons. These would have to be purchased in advance. They are not available for purchase upon arrival.
Since your daughter's trip is next month, the best course of action at this point would be to speak to the faculty member at her school who arranged the trip. Only he or she will know whether Disney Dining Plans or Disney Youth meal vouchers can be added at this point.
Don't worry, however, if neither of these is an option. Since your daughter is a senior in high school, she could use a credit card or Disney gift cards to pay for her meals. If you prefer that she pays for her meals in cash, you can check the menus on the Walt Disney World Resort page to see how much money she should take with her.
Feel free to let me know if you have additional questions.
Best wishes,
Jill