Hi Leah!
You're going to be visiting Walt Disney World Resort during the most WONDERFUL time of the Year! Do be sure to check out all of the wonderful seasonal offerings that go on 'round 'The World' in December, including
Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays, the wonderful decorations in the theme parks, fantastic
gingerbread displays at some Disney Resort Hotels, and the ever popular
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney Dining Plans allot either two or three meal entitlements, plus two snack credits, per person per night of your reservation depending on the plan. You are absolutely correct that for your specific stay with the
Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, everyone in your reservation will receive a total of 9 meal entitlements and 6 snacks for your three night stay. And yes, you may absolutely use these entitlements and your resort refillable drink mug from the moment you check in until 11:59 P.M. the day you check out.
There are currently over 200 locations that accept the Deluxe Dining Plan, but do check back as changes are known to happen throughout the year. And check out this helpful guide of
which locations require one or two Table Service entitlements per person.
Bon Appetit, Leah, and We'll See You Real Soon!
~Kristen