I’ve done the math too for our next trip and the dining plan won’t work for us. We did the dining plan once when it was free. It included an app, entree, dessert, and non alcoholic drink. We went with our 3 children. We ended up with unused counter service credits that we could trade in for 2 snack credits each. After trading them in we had something like 23 snack credits left over. On check our day our kids went bananas and brought their friends and teachers home treats. I want to say this was in 2007.
This next trip is just DH and myself. For table service we are planning on dining at California Grill (brunch), Jiko, Yachtman Steakhouse, Tusker House (breakfast), Il Mulino, Raglan Road, and Boma (breakfast) or Homecomin’. Neither Il Mulino or Homecomin’ participate in the dining plan. We are also planning on Nomad Lounge, drinks and apps around the World in Epcot, Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Trader Sams, and any other sort of lounges/bars that look appealing. We share at every meal, always have, and generally order a cocktail, (we don’t share these) an app or pasta as an app, a salad of some sort, an entree, and a dessert. We also like a glass or bottle of wine with dinner and maybe an after dinner drink or cappuccino. We’ll generally stay away from quick service as well.
I think the Tables in Wonderland card will work best in our situation.
I know it might not influence your decision, but Homecomin' is included in the dining plan. It's possible it wasn't on the list at the beginning of the year, but a few restaurants get added after some time goes by. I also just wanted to note it in case someone else wants to hit Homecomin' for 1 credit.
Here's a link to the DDP location list:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/m...ld/en_us/PDF/Jan_2018_DDP_Locations_added.pdf