I think the basic dining plan is great because it is a set budget which is paid before going and you don't have to worry about how much things cost.
You get 1 CS meal, 1 TS meal and 1 Snack per person per night of stay.
We got it for free again this trip and WDW has already come out with
Free dining for a lot of 2011.
This discount must be booked by 12/20/10.
Free dining available most nights 10/1-10/7/10, 10/22-10/28/10, 11/12 – 11/18/10, 11/27 – 12/2/10, 12/10 – 12/21/10, 1/1 – 1/5/11, 1/9 – 1/13/11, 1/21 – 2/3/11, 2/11 – 2/17/11, 2/25 – 3/3/11, 5/27 – 6/2/11, 8/19 – 9/29/11. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. Blackout dates may apply.
To pay for it I think it's around $42.00 per adult (10yrs and older) and $12.00 (per child 9yrs and under).