Allow me to play devil's advocate with respect to your husband's concern. I've been to WDW multiple times with little ones and I find the TS meals easier. First, someone waits on me. No carrying trays of food items through crowds of people. Second, if you're little one gets hungry waiting for the ADR, just give 'em a snack. Third, an ADR makes you take a break. I took a trip with just me and my 4 year old son and one of the other members of these boards (twotigersmom) saw us when we were tired and having trouble deciding what to do. Part of the problem was that we hadn't taken a break to eat. Also, it's really not that big of deal if you're early or late to an ADR. So long as you're somewhat reasonable (say within a half hour of the reservation) I've never had a problem. Finally, at a lot of the TS restaurants they'll set up the booster seat or high chair for you.
I agree with you 100%.
Being seated in a nice, air conditioned table service restaurant with a server who brings out drinks and usually some sort of bread while you wait for your food is soooo much easier with younger kids than trying to get CS, especially when the CS places are very busy.
And you are right about the high chair/boosters too....at CS places you have to hunt one down yourself, and they are usually filthy. Also, trying to find a clean table during busy times can also be a challenge at some of the CS places.
I will admit there have been a couple of adr's we've had to cancel because of our toddler, but the vast majority of them have been fine. But thinking back on all of our CS meals with our toddler, most of them were a bit stressful!
To the OP: Why not go ahead and make some adr's so that you at least have them? You can always cancel them if you find that it is just too stressful for you. On the other hand, if you decide NOT to make any, you can't change your mind once you are there....everything will be booked. You might get lucky, but chances are you would not get in anywhere without a ridiculous wait.
Our youngest has been 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, and 2 1/2 years on our trips and we have eaten many, many, many table service meals without a problem at all. As far as your DH's worry about the timing of meals....it really is alot easier than you think. Just make your adr times around the same times you eat your meals at home. With a toddler, it is best to try to keep them on their regular sleeping/eating/napping schedule anyway while at WDW....it just keeps everyone happier! And if you feel you are ready to eat but your adr time is still an hour away, it never hurts to go to the restaruant and ask if you can be seated early. We've done this several times and have never been turned away.
You won't know until you try it, so I suggest at least giving it a try!
