I think this discussion really goes beyond Pesach Programs...
As many seforim bring down, one of the underlying themes of Pesach and the prohibition of Chametz, is to cut down on indulgence (Chametz = Yatzer Horah according to the Penimius hatorah). We will call it the spirit of the law. That is really the Ikur of the Yom Tov.
It is not to see how we can try to circumvent the restrictions to indulge as much as possible and still be "within the rules of the law".
Obviously each have to do it on their own level and what they can handle.
I am not one who doesn't buy any products. I do, however, try to limit for my family the overall bought products. It gets more and more difficult each year when you see the vast availability of new products. Niskatnu Hadoros. I commend those who do it without any outside products.
Look at the overall development of the Pesach Food Experience in your local groceries. Do we really need Non-Gebrokst Pesach Pretzels? Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns? Animal Crackers? Do we need to have Pesach food look and feel like Chometz to the point that it is indistinguishable by look ( I know the taste is not there yet...)?
Someone I know had come home one Chol Hamoed morning from shopping and found their 5 year old eating Chometz Pretzels. The parents were horrified. After asking the child where he got it from, he said the cleaning lady gave it to him. He didn't know what the issue was, since they eat "pretzels" ( the pesach ones) on pesach and he told the cleaning girl he wanted pretzels and she gave that to him. The same pretzels he always eats.
Now you can say that more safeguards could have been made to ensure no chometz was around, etc... But the simple answer is if the kids knew that we don't eat pretzels on Pesach, which should be a basic thing that kids learn in kindergarten and from their parents, the kid would know it is wrong.
So those who can afford to go to programs and need to go to programs, Gei Gezunt Aheit. If it enhances your Simchas Yom Tov, that is great.
However, there is a reason why the most talked about part and most advertised part of a program is the level of indulgence. That is what sells; and that is what a majority of the people want.