We have been visiting the Fort almost every year for the past 25 years or so and have never had the dining plan.
To Us , the plan works for those that have no means of cooking, or taking food of any type in and storing it. We usually will visit either Sams Club, or Costco and stock up for the trip once there.
We will plan a few meals out each trip, with usually a breakfast at the Fort, and a couple dinners at one or 2 of the hotels, but the rest is at the camper..
For those that like fried chicken, we found that the take out down at Crockets tavern can't be beat ! We enjoy either taking it down to the beach and eating, or at the table back at the site.