Hi David!
Thanks for your question. The
Disney Dining Plan certainly has its advantages (i.e. saves money and is very convenient), but there have been times when we've chosen not to do the plan at all. The last couple years we found ourselves with meal entitlements remaining at the end of our Disney vacation, which we would covert to 3 snacks, so we got some value out of it before leaving. This year we are foregoing the Dining Plan altogether..
You certainly can eat at the same table with a combo of those on the
Dining Plan and those without. For those who are on the Dining Plan together, at least one person will have their Disney
MagicBand scanned to cover the group on the Dining Plan. The others without the Disney Dining Plan can be billed separately.
Disney understands that guest groups have different needs, and make every effort to accommodate those varying needs.
May you have the time of your life at
Disney!
Terry