but I believe that having PS's (or ADR's as they are now called) are a great idea.
If you go to allearsnet.com you can check out the menus of all the restaurants in WDW. This might help you decide what places interest you and your family. If you are paying cash for meals, the prices are listed as well (if you're on the dining plan, the costs don't really matter in the long run).
We usually think about where we think we'll be spending the day and then select our table service meals at that particular park. If you think a larger lunch might be better, you might want to make lunch your main meal (plus the menus are often the same but with lower prices). We like to do counter service for lunch with a sit down dinner being the bigger meal.
Remember that there is nothing committing you to the PS (if you find it's not going to work for you, then you just skip it - I try to be courteous and call to cancel a PS if I know far enough in advance, figuring someone else might want one and this will free a space up) so it makes good sense to have ones for those restaurants that you really want to try. There have been stories lately of people w/o PS's being turned away at the door of many restaurants. You are going during a slightly less crowded time I think, but I still recommend you make a few.
This board is great for recommendations. Just post what type of food your family likes and some idea of your projected itinerary and you will get a bunch of recommendations.
I'll start...we always try a character meal so we usually do Chef Mickey's. Couldn't get it for this trip so we're trying Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner meal. We also love O'Hana's for the atmosphere and fun (many are not thrilled with it but our kids like it so we go back), and we're trying Le Cellier at EPCOT this time as well. Also going to Whispering Canyon at WL based on everyone's reports.
Good luck with the planning. Don't look at it as a chore, look at it as food fun!
