Sharing a Meal at the Disney restaurants

Question

Do they allow you to share meals without charging you for an extra plate? I called disney dining and they said have to ask at each restaurant.

Has anyone had experience in sharing a plate and do the majority of restaurants allow it or not?

Thanks!

Answer

Sharing meals at Disney World restaurants can vary depending on the type of restaurant and the staff’s approach. While Disney Dining Cast Members want guests to have an enjoyable experience, there isn’t a universal policy that applies to all locations, which is why Disney Dining advised calling each restaurant.

Based on guest experiences:

Quick-Service Restaurants: Sharing a meal is usually straightforward. You can order one entrée and have multiple people eat from it without any issue. No extra plate charge is typically applied; the server will usually provide extra utensils and napkins upon request.
Table-Service Restaurants: Sharing can be a little more nuanced. Most casual table-service restaurants (like Ohana, Whispering Canyon, or Sci-Fi Dine-In) are flexible if you explain that you want to share a plate. Staff will often provide an extra plate or split your meal on the spot.
Character Dining / Signature Dining: At higher-end restaurants (e.g., California Grill, Victoria & Albert’s, or certain character meals), sharing can be trickier. Meals are often designed per person, and servers may suggest ordering an additional entrée if sharing affects portion size or the experience. In these cases, it’s best to politely ask and be prepared for their recommendation.

Additional tips:

Be upfront: When you are seated, politely inform your server that you plan to share a meal. Most servers appreciate clarity and will accommodate with no issue if feasible.
Expect flexibility varies: Some restaurants have no problem, others may subtly encourage each guest to order their own plate. Sharing is more widely accepted at casual locations than at signature dining.
Special dietary or allergy requests: If you need portions split for dietary reasons, staff are usually more accommodating.

In summary, the majority of quick-service and casual table-service restaurants allow you to share meals and provide extra plates without charging extra. Signature and character dining experiences may require additional meals for portion size or experience, so asking politely at the time of ordering is the best approach.

Sharing a Meal at the Disney restaurants

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