Hi Kelli:
Disney, food, and fun are two of my favorite topics. Here are my favorite fun restaurants for my family, which includes two boys, ages 8 and 7. The list contains a mix of character and non-character meals. I excluded 'Ohana and Hollywood and Vine Play 'n Dine since you addressed those restaurants, but I highly recommend those experiences.
For character meals, I love Chef Mickey’s. Every vacation, my boys insist on eating at Chef Mickey's - for breakfast, dinner, or both. The energy at Chef Mickey's is incredible. My boys not only enjoy the huge buffet, but their smiles shine when Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and Minnie stop by the table to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Cape May Café is wonderful too. It's a delicious and fun beach-themed breakfast usually featuring Goofy, Minnie, and Donald. We even had a surprise visit from Goofy's seldom-seen son Max at our last meal at Cape May Café. Enjoy Mickey Waffles, fresh-baked pastries, fresh fruit and yogurt bar, and other favorites. If you ever wanted to know what Donald, Goofy, and Minnie look like in their swim-wear, you should definitely check out Cape May Café.
For non-character fun experiences, my family's favorites include:
- Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot - all-you-care-to-eat German-style buffet with a polka band
- Whispering Canyon Cafe - an Old West themed family-style restaurant
- Raglan Road in Downtown Disney - a modern twist on traditional Irish pub food with Irish dancers and music
- 50's Prime Time Cafe - American comfort food and fun service in a period setting
- T-REX Café, a dinosaur-themed family restaurant with a large menu, and
- Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, featuring a large buffet
Enjoy your vacation.