April:
The free dining plan is good for guests staying in non-discounted rooms at specific resorts for a minimum stay of three nights and with the purchase of at least a 2-day ticket for each person on the reservation.
If the room you have currently is a reduced-rate room and, therefore, that's the reason you aren't eligible for the free dining plan, it may not be cost-effective for you to change. If you do not plan on purchasing a ticket for everyone in the room, that may also take away some of the value. Additionally, if you were planning on eating primarily at counter-service locations with only one or two table-service and Character Meals, paying full rack rate to get the free dining plan, may not be comparing apples to apples for your vacation budgeting.
However, if you are planning on going during free dining dates and you are wanting to stay on Disney property, purchase tickets for everyone, and take in a few Character Meals, I'd consider pricing out a different, free dining-eligible room to see if it would be worth the switch, keeping in mind that if you stay at a resort that makes you eligible for the
Basic Dining Plan that includes one table-service meal per day, you will still pay gratuity.
There's no hurt in talking to a Disney-certified travel agent or Disney to price the two out.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney