Hi Carol-Ann!
I am also a big fan of the
Disney Dining Plan! My family was on the Quick-Service plan this past weekend and I calculated that it saved us well over $100. I do make sure I'm using it to the fullest value as far as our meals and snacks go. We did the
Pizzafari Family-Style Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom for dinner tonight, which is currently $19.99 per adult and used our Quick-Service entitlements for it AND it included an adult beverage. That's a great use of a Quick-Service meal!
Unfortunately, everyone listed on your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room reservation must get dining plan. Basically it's everyone or no one. It sounds like you have some experience with it, so perhaps you can show her how beneficial it can be.
One of the reasons I'm all for it is because the cost is taken care of in advance, besides the gratuity if dining at a Table-Service restaurant. If your friend remains unconvinced, you could roughly add up the cost of your meals, if you have them planned out in advance, and put that money on a gift card to use exclusively for food. It's not the same, but simplifies paying for meals a little bit.
If you are not already aware, you can set up your room charges separate from your friends. That way, whatever you or your daughter charge on your MagicBands only gets charged to you. I find this to be really convenient when I am on a girls trip with friends.
Have a magical day!
Leslie