Hi Elizabeth!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question.
I'm happy to hear you're planning to purchase the
Disney Dining Plan for your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation. My family loves the dining plan, and how it takes the guesswork out of budgeting for meals when we visit Walt Disney World. With our meals taken care of before we arrive, we can relax, knowing that we won't have to pay out of pocket every time we enjoy a delicious meal.
With the Disney Dining Plan, the guests in your room will receive a certain number of meal and snack entitlements per day, depending on the dining plan you choose. The entitlements are not assigned to individual guests, and can be used any way you like. You'll be able to use any and all of your meal allotments beginning on the first day of your vacation! If you'd like to share a meal at a Table Service Restaurant at any time, you're certainly allowed to do so. The meal will come with one entree, one beverage and one dessert, so the person sharing would need to purchase their own beverage to accompany the meal. I have a daughter that sometimes eats like a bird, and we've shared a Table Service meal on several occasions.
For fixed-price Table Service experiences, such as dinner shows, Character Meals, or buffets, you would not be able to share meals/dining credits. In those instances, the dining credit is covering the "experience" per person, and not simply the food.
I hope this helps with your planning and preparation for your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Have a magical day! - Diane W.