Hi, Janice!
You will probably find the smallest crowds mid-January and mid-September. This is the time kids are just getting back to school from long breaks, so crowds tend to be smaller.
For your resort choice, you might want to consider
Port Orleans French Quarter which is a Moderate Resort. It is one of the smaller resorts, and if you book a standard room and request a first floor room in buildings 3 or 4, you should have a relatively short walk to the food court, lobby, and bus stop. If you need an accessible room, make sure to let your reservationist know when booking your room.
As far as when Free Dining will be offered, that is anyone's guess! The best advice I can give you is to keep checking
HERE for Special Offers. Promotions have ranged from everything from Free Dining, to free Gift Cards, to bonus resort nights, so keep checking to see what deals Mickey Mouse has in store!
Sending pixie dust your way that you are able to book the perfect Walt Disney World vacation for you and your Prince Charming. Good luck!