Counter Service vs. PS

[ntmec]

For our 7 night vacation, our dinner plans are 3 counter service meals (probably in Epcot or BW area since we are staying at BCV), 2 PS (Biergarten & Boma), 1 night at Beaches & Cream, and 1 night off site (visiting relatives). I see so many people who have a full-service PS every night of their stay. Is counter service food just horrible, or will we be happy with a good mix of dining experiences? We have 2 preschoolers and grandparents traveling with us, so I am trying to make things easy and fun for different appetites/tastes/earlier bedtimes, etc. What do you all think?
Also:
Can we make a PS for Beaches an Cream? I don't think we can, but just checking.
How fabulous/important is character dining? I am hoping that small doeses of characters in the parks will be enough for our 4 & 1 yr olds.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[DeirdreTours]

We do one comfortable table service or buffet meal a day, not for food quality but for the quality of the experience. That is, we want to sit down in airconditioned comfort, linger if we want, drink that extra ices tea, etc. We have always tried to this as a late lunch at 2pm or a very early dinner at 4-5pm. Afterwards, we are rested and ready to tackle the parks again. Wolfing down counter service food, outside, just doesn't give us the same break. YMMV