Diane,
I am not really sure by what you mean that it is "not free"? Basically what they are giving you as part of a vacation package is a set of dining "credits" that you don't have to pay for.
Now of course, if you can find a better travel package that comes without dining, and is less expensive than the one that has "free dining", then great, grab it. But when they toss in the "free dining", they really are giving you something of value.
With a "free dining" plan, I guesstimate per day that it saves me;
- $2.00 for the one snack
- $10.00 for the one counter service meal
- $20.00 - $25.00 for the table service meal, with a cost to me of a $4-5 tip.
If you eat lighter, or bring in your food, perhaps all these savings aren't there for you. But for me I am getting what I would have spend $32 on, for just a $4 tip.
I would take those credits, and even if I didn't use them all, I would still feel that I had come out ahead.
Have a magical (and delicious) vacation!