My momma always said "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"
So, with that in mind, I offer the following:
ADR's are suggested, and, if you want to INSURE you actually get seated instead of being turned away, you should try and make as many as you think will be needed. NOTE: Several times over the last couple of weeks they have been putting up signs in MK telling people there is NO MORE TABLE SERVICE SEATING AVAILABLE TODAY and refering them to counter service places.
With the increasing popularity of the DDP, and depending on when you travel, most theme park restaurants/character buffets will be very busy. Even the 'typical' slower time of August-September will be crowded because of the 'free dining' promotion. And, when the table service places are full, the counter service areas get very backed up.
My best suggestion is to at least determine in WHICH park you will be, where you MIGHT LIKE to dine on that day, then 'best guess' the seating time you would LIKE to have. When you call for ADR, the Cast Member will let you know if that time is available, or if not, give you other time options.
I would encourage you to pick a time EARLIER than you think you'll need. We have always found that 11:30 am is not too early for lunch since we hit parks before rope drop. In fact, we are usually STARVING by that time. It then stands to reason that a 5:00 or 5:15 pm dinner is fine for us. If we get hungry later we can always buy a light snack.
Also, anytime after 11:30 am the lunch crowd quickly builds. The same can be said for dinner after 6:00-6:30 pm. It use to be safe to book a 6:30 or 7:00 ADR, but people are learning they won't have to wait so long for seating if they go earlier. So, timing becomes VERY IMPORTANT!
Remember - all those tables that fill at 5:00 have to be emptied to seat the 7:00 dinners! This is especially tough for Character meals since people will finish dining but sit and wait for the characters to come by 'one more time' before they leave.
We don't want you waiting (especially if you have little ones) for 2 hours to get seated now do we?
Trust me, please. If you make ADR's and find you won't need them, you can always call (even from your hotel) and cancel them - but GETTING them on the same day could be a whole other story.
Give yourself the peace of mind you will have by getting ADR's. I know it's tough to narrow things down (I'm trying to do that now for our Sept trip), but it WILL be worth it in the grand scheme of things! If I'm WRONG, you can always yell at me when you get back - but somehow I feel you'll probably be sending a
my way.
Make your ADR's, get seated early, and feel empathy for all those people sitting in the waiting areas as you leave the restaurant with a full tummy and smiling family members!