Hi Bridgette,
There are such great dining possibilities at Walt Disney World! Be sure to check out all of the list of
restaurants at Walt Disney World to see which appeal to you. Both buffets and character meals are options for narrowing your search on that site. Let me share with you some of my favorites.
First you asked about great buffets. I think that one of the truly amazing restaurants at Walt Disney World is Boma - Flavors of Africa. It is located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and features African fare, as well as more traditional American fare for those who want it. The flavors are truly wonderful and the location is lovely. Another of my favorite buffets is Trail's End Restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. While this is a bit off the beaten path, it features comforting, homey food and a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.
As for character meals, these are such fun! If you are looking for an experience inside of a theme park, try Tusker House Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom to meet Safari Donald Duck and his friends. This location again features African fare but with more traditional American offerings for those who prefer. To meet princesses, consider Cinderella's Royal Table, located in the iconic Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Finally, Chef Mickey's offers an opportunity to dine with the characters outside of a theme park. You can meet Mickey Mouse and his friends all decked out in their chef's gear at this location in Disney's Contemporary Resort. All three of these restaurants feature characters at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please do note that character appearances are subject to change.
Wherever you decide to eat, do make reservations using the link I provided above or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463). Popular locations can book up quickly.
Please do let us know if you have any further questions, Bridgette!