3. Rushed service

Disney dining plan participants do not want to skip meals and lose money on what they've already purchased, so restaurants have to meet that demand by turning tables over quickly. However, that means that you're unlikely to get a very relaxed meal. And one way to get diners moving through their meals quickly is to eliminate "free" appetizers and make the breakfast, lunch or dinner over as soon as possible.

Rushing through a meal may be fine at a quick-service location, but people who take the time to have a sit-down meal usually like to take their time and enjoy the ambiance and special touches that DIsney adds to their restaurants. But many servers tend to get the meals out quickly (they're likely already made before a guest even ordered them, of course) and they encourage guests not to linger. Meals become more of a chance to get "fueled up" before heading onto more rides instead of a memorable experience themselves.

4. More crowds

Walt Disney World's occasional free dining promotions bring lots of people to the parks — and that, of course, means longer lines for restaurants and rides. But there's another downside to this promotion too: Guests who want to skip paying for the dining plan must purchase a full-price Magic Your Way room and park ticket package, so there's not really a completely free lunch after all.

An increase in crowds mean even faster service to free up those tables and less of a chance to eat at preferred places.

5. No spontaneity

Just like FastPass+ with rides, Disney wants guests to make their restaurant reservations up to six months ahead of their trips. This benefits the parks and hotels because they know far in advance how many employees will be needed and how much food must be purchased, but if a guest decides on her trip that she's just not in the mood for French onion soup on a hot summer night at Chefs de France, unlike when she first made that reservation back in the winter, she may have a hard time getting a new reservation at a place where she actually wants to eat.

More people eating at table service restaurants means fewer open reservations, so guests are pretty much locked into their choices. Guests who decide to eat at a place other than what they reserved also must pay $10 per person if they don't cancel their reservation a day ahead of time, and this cost can quickly add up if a large party is involved.

The advanced dining reservations and cancellation fee aren't exclusive to the dining plans, but they show that since more people are eating at table-service restaurants because of the dining plans, reservations are a must, and the fees are meant to discourage people from taking reservations that they won't use so other people (who are probably also on the dining plans) can use them.

So what's the solution to the dining situation that Disney's dining plans have caused? Disney's signature restaurants, like California Grill, Citricos and Flying Fish Cafe, seem to have maintained their good service and kept innovative dishes on their menus, mainly because they tend to draw Florida locals, people who are in town on business and many fellow patrons who pay out of pocket. Guests could also venture outside of the theme parks to eat — restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin resorts, such as Shula's Steak House, Fresh Mediterranean Market, Todd English's bluezoo, The Fountain and Garden Grove, don't accept the dining plan at all, so you can expect better variety and quality dishes.

What do you think about the state of Disney restaurants? Has it caused you to skip the dining plan or eat outside the parks? Leave your comments below!