We did the Disney dining plan this year, after much researching on these boards. I can't seem to find out much about the meal plan at Universal, though. Can you explain it? Do you have to stay at one of their hotels to get it?
You don't have to stay onsite to buy the meal plan. I think it's like $19.95 per adult and something like $15.95/per child. Basically...you have a list of places where you can eat all day for one price.
We have never found it worth doing, although we do get a discount off food with AP's. You have to eat a lot of food in a day to be worth doing. Drinks are not included. It can be worth it to some but not for us.