I love the dining plan for convenience and value!
I love having one meal a day where we sit and relax. I don't do the deluxe, so we are just having one TS a day. To me, it's not that much to plan one of those a day,and figure out your trip around it (or your ADR around your trip).
I loved not worrying about how much we were spending on meals, or having the extra cash to pay for it, or adding it to the credit card. I didn't bat an eye about ordering a $30 entree at Coral Reef and I loved it!
There aren't that may restaurants that are 2 TS credits either, so unless you are doing a lot of dinner shows or CRT, you won't be running out of them. The buffets can be pricey, but on the dining plan, not to worry. $40 a day per adult and $11 a day per child is a great deal for our family.....and it's all paid for in advance, which is great. All you have to worry about is alcoholic drinks and tips for TS.
It all depends on where you want to eat.. They also have the new CS plan, so if you don't want TS meals, that is another option that is very affordable.