For example, I am assuming that the
free dining did not cover the Thanskgiving week.

If this helps you any, last year FD was offered for these fall dates:
Free dining available select nights 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/9-11/15, 11/23-11/29 and 12/10-12/20/12 (some dates were modified after original offer)
So since Thanksgiving 2012 was on 11/22/12, you are correct about FD not being offered for that period. But you could have done a split stay to pick it up starting the day after.
We are looking to travel over the Canadian Thanksgiving (US Columbus Day) weekend in 2013 and are debating whether we should try holding out for a room or package discount or book a DVC villa before our preferred locations are booked up.
Last year US Columbus Day 2012 was on 10/8/12, so that was not available with FD either. But there was a "Save 5-30% Room Only" discount that would have worked (note - I'm only showing the part of the discount that included 10/8/12 for this example, other dates were offered)
*These rates are all now expired*:
For Disney resort stays for most nights Oct. 7-13, Oct. 21-27, Nov. 4-10 and Dec. 2-9, 2012
Save 20% at CSR, CBR, PO Riverside and FTW cabins
Save 15% at All Star Sports, ASMU and POP
Save 5% at AoA (Family Suite Rooms)
Save 25% at YC, BC, BWI and Villas, Poly, GF, AKL (Standard View Rooms & 1-Bedroom Villas at Kidani Village and Jambo House), SSR, OKW
Save 15% at CR (excludes TPV), WL and AKL (Club Level and 2-Bedroom Villas at Kidani Village and Jambo House)
Also AP rates were available for 9/30 - 12/24/12:
20% Value
25% Moderate
30% Deluxe and Villa
Blackout dates Nov 16-24,2012
Hopefully this helps give you some idea of what
might be offered this year
