I did like the more relaxed approach of the regular dining plan ( our 2007 trip). Having the CS freedom, we ate breakfast OOP early at the resort, and always had a TS dinner, we did pay oop that year for a CP breakfast. We were rookies and had no idea. We booked our trip for Jan 2007 in November 2006, and did not know about ADRs. So I think we booked ADRs 45-60 days out, we had NO idea therewere character meals, when we found out we picked one for each dinner

It was reading dining reviews and my families decision to pick the deluxe in Jan 2009. It was nice having so many nice meals and not worrying about paying OOP for. I didn't like planning around our meals, however I also didn't miss eating CS every day... although WDW has improved with the salads and such ( there is only so much burgers and nuggets we can take in a week).
This trip I chose deluxe because I plan again on alot of character meals and a few 2TS meals. My family has said they will only do deluxe.
I think I'd like the regular plan, but for us it's better priced to do the deluxe when we do the math.

(Gee I probably sound like a snob or a pig or both)...
I think doing the math is very beneficial.