Hi John!
Welcome to planDisney.
This is a good question! I love to talk about Disney dining plans and I'm very happy to explain how they work.
If you are using your
Disney Dining Plan at a table-service restaurant that requires 2 x table-service meals per person, you may choose for one of your party to use the dining plan (2 x table-service meals) and the other guest to
not use the dining plan but just pay out of pocket for whatever they choose to eat. You are not permitted to use 1 table-service credit if the restaurant requires 2 table-service credits, but each guest can pay by different methods.
For a Table-Service meal, you will receive an entree, a dessert and a beverage. If you require any sides, extra drinks or anything else not included with the dining plan, you can pay for these in addition to using your dining plan meals. You can charge to your room, pay with cash or credit/debit cards or
Disney Gift Cards. Gratuities can also be paid for in the same way.
Also Included in the price of your Disney Dining Plan is a Resort Refillable Mug. This can be used for unlimited refills of a selection of fountain drinks, sugar-free versions, and coffee, tea and hot chocolate, at the beverage stations found at the Quick-Service locations at all Disney Resort hotels for the length of your dining plan. It's also worth noting that you will find a sink next to all the beverage stations to rinse your mug before your next refill.
Your Disney Dining Plan can be used from the day you arrive, up to midnight on your check-out day (subject to having any meals or snacks remaining on your balance).
You can use your dining plan in any way you want to - maybe you'll want to use it for more meals one day, and less on another, and any time you want to check your balance you can find it on your My Disney Experience mobile app, or at the bottom of any dining receipt. If you'd like a copy of all your dining plan transactions, and how many you have left you can stop by the Front Desk of your Disney Resort hotel and ask a Cast Member for a print-out.
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions, and you can
send me a direct question if you wish. We will be very happy to help you plan your magical vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.
Sue