For our trip in July we decided to get the basic DDP because the credits fit into our normal eating routines while on vacation. We always like to go to a TS restaurant for dinner on vacation each day, and have something quick for lunch while we are out doing things. For purposes of touring the parks at WDW the DDP fit right into our normal style. That's why we decided to get it in the first place. We originally were looking into the deluxe plan because we also love to indulge in eating on vacation since we are people who watch what we eat the rest of the year, and we like to indulge on our one vacation per year. Food is very important to us on vacation. We did not do deluxe because we decided that with being so busy at the parks and running around, we do not need 2 snacks daily for each of us, and we would do quick breakfasts in the room each morning because getting to the parks before rope drop was more important to us than a big breakfast (especially right before rides!). So, even though we wanted to do 2 character breakfasts in addition to the daily TS dinner, we decided to pay OOP for those 2 breakfasts. It worked out well, and the basic DDP ended up saving us a lot of money in the longrun since we did mainly character meals, and the other 2 dinners were all-you-can-eat too, so everything was included from the buffet.
So, we did a CS lunch everyday. We started out on the first day with lunch at the resort (Pop Century) because it was 11:30 by the time we checked in and put the luggage into the room. My kids usually eat lunch anywhere between 11 and 12, so I wanted to keep to their regular routine (they are only 1 and 3). Then we went to MK where I used a snack credit later that afternoon for a dole whip which I shared with DH and the kids (but the kids did not care for it). The other 4 days, we ate a CS lunch at whichever park we were in at the time. Epcot: Tangierine Cafe in Morocco; DHS: Toy Story Pizza Planet; AK: Flame Tree BBQ; MK: Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland. All our lunches were delicious and we had different kinds of food at each one, so we were not bored. My only burger in the entire 5 days was at Cosmic Ray's, for example, and there were other choices besides the basic burgers and fries over there as well.
For TS credits, we did a TS dinner every night. Sometimes at a park, sometimes at a resort. On the first day we were already at MK and ate at Liberty Tree Tavern with the characters. Biergarten in Germany at Epcot (highly recommended!); 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian with Cinderella and friends the day we went to DHS; Boma at AK Lodge the day we were at AK; Crystal Palace on our second MK day. The days we dined in the parks (except for day one when we got to MK later in the day), we went back to the room first for naps and then returned for dinner and attractions, very well-rested!
For snacks we enjoyed many treats WDW offers. Fresh fruit, Mickey ice cream bars, dole whips, Mickey rice krispie treats, huge cinnamon roll at Main Street bakery, yogurt/fruit parfaits, etc. We brought water into the parks and did not spend a single snack credit or a single dollar on a drink. We wanted to enjoy more of the food so we chose to do it this way.
We loved the DDP, as it worked well into our plans. I also do not mind making ADRs well in advance and I was on the phone 180 days out very early in the morning! Enjoy your trip!!!