Well, since TiW doesn't apply to quick service (other than a couple places at Animal Kingdom and value food courts), that's not really a big drawback.
The DDP is a specialty option that works for some and not for others. There's also a big jump between the basic plan and dlx plan. I'd love to see an in between option akin to the deluxe plan but less credits. Or they could trash the entire system and use a points system or similar which would work well for those of us who may prefer to skip appetizers or desserts at times. That way one plan fits all, you just have to decide how many points to get and Disney simply must decide what points options are reasonable to offer. You just have a points table for dessert's, appy, counter service, TS & signatures with drink tied to the entree. It also could solve the problem of the in between places like Le Cellier. Obviously the law of unintended consequences could apply as could the careful what you wish for mantra but in theory it could do everything that the current plans do and actually be easier and cheaper to administrate and as easy or easier for the guests to understand.
Bill
Obviously there are many variables. I'm assuming Disney would want to keep much of the control and limit ideas in place. That means they'd likely control the minimum number of points to purchase much along the lines of the current limitations. But it could mean only one basic program instead of the 3 currently offered and the increased flexibility could bring more people into the purchase group. That does create other issues both good and bad such as busier restaurants but it means that every restaurant is potentially available to everyone at the "appropriate cost", that one could do all TS, all CS or ANY combo one wanted. It also means one could chose any combo they wanted and avoid anything they didn't want. By controling the cost of the points, points packages available and expiration; Disney still retains the windfall options they now have.
They essentially do this already at at Disneyland. Except, using you're example, you pay $550 for $500 worth of dining. Disney doesn't need to discount anything here, and they won't.
There was a similar program around the 1999 to 2000 but I forget what it was called. It was the replacement for the food n fun program. You got a credit equal to 10% over what you paid but other discounts did not apply. It was a horrible program since the DDE was much better and didn't last that long.
