Welcome to planDisney, Amanda! In just a few more months, you'll be headed to the Most Magical Place on Earth, ready for feasting and fun bundled in one with the
Disney Dining Plan! I haven't had the opportunity to use the dining plans personally since their return earlier this year, but I'm happy to welcome you to be our guest as I proudly present your answer!
The Disney Dining Plan provides each Guest on your vacation reservation with one quick-service meal per night of your visit, one table-service meal per night of your visit, one snack per night of your visit, and one resort-refillable mug. Each Guest's meals and snacks will become available for use on the day of your check-in and remain valid until midnight on your date of check-out, so you have some flexibility as to how you use them throughout your vacation.
If you visit a table service restaurant and would like to only use three of your meals at that time and pay out of pocket for the fourth meal, you are more than welcome to do so. Just be sure to let your server know so they can properly prepare your dining ticket. Meal sharing is a little more complicated when using the Disney Dining Plan, and after speaking to a Cast Member, would be at the discretion of the individual restaurant's policies. My best advice would be to speak with the restaurant upon your arrival to clarify that their policy will align with your dining plan plans. There are also a few things to keep in mind when planning how to use your meals most effectively:
- Some table service restaurants, including Fine/Signature dining options, dinner shows like the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, and some character dining experiences do require two table service meals to be redeemed per person.
- Prixe-fixed menu meals, family-style buffets, and character dining experiences such as Garden Grill, 'Ohana, and Liberty Tree Tavern require each person dining to redeem a meal or pay for their own dining experience, so sharing is not allowed.
- Other restaurants might offer Guests the option to share a meal, but it is at the discretion of the restaurant and subject to change.
I do understand and appreciate the value of stretching meals (and dollars!) on vacation, so I'd love to recommend some of my favorite quick-service dining options where my family usually shares meals:
And finally, one of my favorite dining plan tips is using some of your snacks for breakfast items; my favorite is the Fresh Fruit and Nutella Waffle at
Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom - one is usually enough for two of us to share!
Bon Appetit!
Alison