Hi Robin,
Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. So when does your magical vacation start? I surely hope it's soon!
The
Disney Dining Plans give the freedom of having to budget for meals, since you can include them as part of your
Magic Your Way Vacation Package. My family loves them, with so many options to choose from. Well, that's a problem sometimes - we can't come into an agreement!
If a member of the reservation can't make it, there is a no-show fee per person that would be charged to the primary reservation holder. Of course, if someone is sick, you should talk to the head waiter to explain the situation. Now, sometimes one of our members of our party may not be too hungry, especially after having snacks soon before dinnertime (teenage boys). In this case, they may not order a full meal and use a dining credit entitlement, and instead they might order an appetizer or dessert, and we will pay out of pocket. Simply inform your server and he/she will help you out.
One last tip: remember you may make dining reservation changes or cancelations up to 24 hours in advance in order to avoid fees. The easiest way to do this on the go, is with the
My Disney Experience mobile app. Make sure you download it ahead of time, since it'll be your best buddy, and will help you with all your planning needs. Happy planning!
Ricardo.