Hi Elizabeth,
For my family, one of the highlights of every trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is the FOOD! In fact, we are the type of family who plans our Theme Park touring calendar and schedule around our dining reservations, as opposed to the other way around. So food and dining at Disney is definitely a topic I take very seriously!
The Disney Dining Plan is a great way to pre-budget all of your meals during your trip and ensure that you get a chance to try many of the great Disney table restaurants not only in the four Theme Parks, but also at the Disney Resort hotels. If you are looking for some recommendations, be sure to check out the
Moms Panel Restaurant Advice Thread where you will get some great advice from many of my friends on the Panel.
With regard to your question, with the exception of certain buffet restaurants and character dining experiences, such as Chef Mickey's or The Crystal Palace, if you are dining at a regular table service restaurant and someone in your party does not order a meal, they will not have to use a Disney Dining Plan credit. The Plan is very flexible; you don't have to use a set amount of credits each day, nor does every person on your reservation have to use the same amount of dining credits each meal. Instead, you can customize your dining as you wish.
If there is a specific restaurant you wish to inquire about where someone in your party will not be having a meal, please feel free to send us a follow up question. We would be happy to provide more specific advice if we can. In the meantime, don't forget to make your dining reservations starting 180 days prior to your Disney Resort hotel check-in date for the entire duration of your stay, up to 10 consecutive days.
Bon Appétit!
Trish