Hi Amanda,
How exciting to be planning your third trip to Walt Disney World! Like you, I often look for new experiences for my family on return trips to Walt Disney World. Character dining can be so much fun for all ages. Even though your boys are a little older, I am sure that with your repeated visits to Walt Disney World, they have learned to embrace fun for the young at heart.
There are many options for character dining. One experience that I particularly enjoy is
Tusker House Restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The menu here includes not only African flavors, but traditional American fare as well. This way, your family can be adventurous in eating as well as having more familiar food. At Tusker House Restaurant, you will be visited by Safari Donald Duck and his friends at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A recently re-opened option that includes delicious, farm-fresh fare is
The Garden Grill Restaurant at Epcot. This restaurant slowly rotates so that you can take in scenes from Living with the Land, and includes visits from Chip 'n Dale and their friends at breakfast and lunch. If you are looking for a character dining option outside of a theme park, I love the
Cape May Cafe buffet at Disney's Beach Club Resort. At Minnie's Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe, you will enjoy traditional breakfast buffet food while visiting with Minnie Mouse and her friends in their beach attire. Please do be aware characters at all dining locations are subject to change.
I hope that these thoughts are helpful for you, Amanda! Have a great time planning your vacation, and please do come back and ask if you have any further questions.