Hi Amy,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am delighted to discuss this dining plan question since food is one of my favorite experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort! My family has used the Disney Dining Plan and the
Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.
Officially, signature restaurants require two table-service meal credits per person 3-years old and over on a dining plan. I did call to verify my interpretation of this policy. The cast member I spoke with indicated that, at signature restaurants, each person dining would be charged two meal entitlements. My family does not ask to split meals at signature restaurants because we all tend to want a different entrée. If we have food leftover, we box it up if the restaurant allows and take it back to the resort hotel room. Feel free to verify the policy when you dine. We always ask when we are not quite sure of the dining plan specifics at each restaurant!
You are right that the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan does give you the opportunity to dine at some fantastic signature restaurants. California Grill, Tiffins and Cinderella's Royal Table are a few of my favorites. To save dining plan entitlements in the past, we have also split our party. On one occasion, my cousin took her daughter and my girls to dine at Cinderella's Royal Table while the rest of us dined at a quick-service restaurant.
Amy, we have also reduced the amount of food we waste in another way. When using a dining plan at a quick-service restaurant, we typically just send one or two family members through the line to order for all four of us. If we order just two meals to bring back to the table, no one has checked to see that those two meals are only being eaten by two people.
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell