The difference is that the free dining promotion is tied to the room and is for the people who are staying in it. OP is trying to add people who will not be staying in the room to the reservation just to get them free dining. Again, no judgement, but I can see why Disney would balk. She says she “needs” them to all get free dining but they also all “want to spread out.” I can see why Disney might think she was trying to have her cake and eat it too.
Consider that Disney is willing to offer free dining for value resorts in part because they know four adults are not likely to want to squeeze into one value room.
She said she was confused and wanted an explanation for why Disney didn’t want to make this easy for her, so I gave her one. I’m sure she’ll be able to make it work, but I’m also sure that Disney’s position is that if she wanted a second room with free dining, she should have booked it when it was offered. Free dining is a limited time offer for a limited number of rooms for a reason, and the promotion ended months ago.
Again, I’ve done this exact same thing before, but let’s not pretend that getting people free dining by claiming they’re staying in a room where they aren’t isn’t outside the intention of the promotion.
I feel like every time I see a thread with a title like “Doesn’t Disney want my money?!?!” it’s someone trying to bend the rules of whatever promotions there and then getting upset that they’re getting pushback from Disney. It’s totally fine to push the limits, that’s your right as a consumer, but I could do without the feigned bafflement each time. Like, you know why Disney is telling you that the people who are going to be staying in another room can’t also be “staying” in your room at the same time. They know what you’re trying to do. They’re not idiots.
Recognize when you’re trying to game the system and own that. Not only will you be happier, your interactions with cast members will probably be more productive if they don’t feel like you’re insulting their intelligence.