I too am hoping for free Dining.
We will go, in September, no matter what as my DD7 is off-track then. We've been 4 times in Sept. and of course prefer the 2 times we did free
DDP!
If you asked my DM, she probably say she prefers to go without it.
I know she doesn't like it when I make all the ADRs and then she worries that I'll be upset if we don't make them all (and we don't). I always have to explain to her that there area usually only a few that I insist we keep, all others are negotiable. That's why we didn't do Coral Reef, San Angel Inn, and Rose and Crown last year. Our plans changed, and we didn't go to a park, those days.
I guess I'm one of the few who hasn't booked September yet. I actually just realized that the 180+10 window is now here for Sept. I know, what was I thinking? But actually, I booked our trip for last September in April (as soon as the Visa card free DDP window opened) as was able to get all my ADRs. I continued to make more ADRS up until, I think, August, with most of them being made by June. Again, I had no problem (I didn' t ask for, or want CRT) Even during our trip, I was able to make ADRs (while cancelling others) without too much trouble. The hardest one to get while we were there was Narcoossee's. I booked it half way thru our trip and while Saturday and Sunday weren't availble, Monday was and it made a memorable last meal.
Probably the two ADRs that I made that would be hardest to get were Calif. Grill and Le Cellier. We've done them both the last 2 times and probably will skip them this year. Le Cellier, for sure. CG is still up in the air. Without DDP, both will be out.
I still may book our room, after all, I can cancel it, if needed. However, we will still be going, we'll just be on more of a budget. More meals in the room, etc. Less TS.
Crossing my fingers,.......