Marlene:
I usually recommend to families with children 9 and under that they get the
Basic Dining Plan with one table service, one quick service and one snack per day to maximize Character Meals for the kids. The plan pays for itself. Plus, because table service meals usually take about 1.5 hours, you're not spending your park time in the restaurants like you would with the Deluxe Dining Plan.
But you make a good insight: if you can't get reservations for those coveted Character Meals that make the Basic Plan worth it or restaurants that you like, then you should consider the Quick Service Plan, which doesn't require reservations. Additionally, you simply wouldn't want to pay for a meal plan you can't maximize and then find yourself using your table service credits for quick service meals.
Before you make your decision, though, go to
www.disneyworld.com and log into your account and try to make your dining reservations as if you had the dining plan. (Go under
THINGS TO DO/DINING/MAKE RESERVATIONS.) You will be required to give a credit card to hold your reservations for your table service meals but can cancel later. If you're not able to get the reservations that you want, then you'll know that the Quick Service Plan is the better way to go or if you can only get one or two table meals then consider just paying as you go.
The dining plan provides a solid tool with which to budget for your vacation and makes it easier when there are multiple parties dining together and don't like the hassle of splitting checks. But if you can't make it work for you economically, you can simply pay once you get there.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney