Hello Lisa! Welcome to the Disney Parks Mom´s Panel.
Walt Disney World allow guest to decide how to redeem their Dining Plans Meals, so you will have no problem paying in cash for meals during your vacation.
In my experience,
Walt Disney World Dining Plans offer great value for a unique culinary experience.
Many Disney restaurants also allow guests to change pace and slow down for one or two hours, before heading back to the attractions.
With
Disney´s Deluxe Dining Plan my family enjoyed Character and Signature meals almost every night.
Signature restaurants as California Grill, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Le Cellier Steakhouse and Artist Point are great experiences to share with our 6 and 8 year old kids. Our kids do enjoy tasting all our meals, while sharing a pizza or pasta between the two. Some times are the adults who shared one meal.
At Signature restaurants I either use the Dining Plan to cover the kids shared meal or pay cash for it.
The saved kid´s meals are used at Quick-Service restaurants when the kids get hungry at the parks.
At the time a meal is purchased, specify to the server or cashier the number of meals being redeemed for adult and/or kids (between 3 and 9 years) guests on your Disney Dining Plan.
Happy to help you plan a culinary and magical Disney vacation.
Miguel