Hi Amy! You must be so excited to be planning your first visit to Walt Disney World-your kids are at a perfect age! My family's personal favourite character meal is Chef Mickey's located in Disney's Contemporary Resort. We love the food, and it is such a fun and festive atmosphere. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck can make appearances, and they offer a buffet-style meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If Winnie-the-Pooh and friends appeals to your kids, The Crystal Palace
in Magic Kingdom also offers a buffet-style meal, where Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger and Piglet are some of the characters you may meet. Again, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. My final suggestion is a must-do! While not exactly a "character meal", it is a very unique dining experience; Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom offers lunch and dinner. You and your family will get to dine inside of Beast's Castle from Beauty and the Beast. I can tell you it is unlike any dining experience I've had before. You'll feel as if you've really stepped into the story! Lunch is quick-service style, and dinner is Table Service with a photo op after dinner with the Beast himself.
Disney Dining Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance of your arrival at a Walt Disney World Resort.. At all of the restaurants I've recommended, with the exception of lunch at Be Our Guest, advance reservations are strongly encouraged. For dinner at Be Our Guest, I would book exactly at the 180 day mark to be able to secure a reservation.
I know you'll have lots of questions as you plan your first trip, and it would be my pleasure to answer them for you. Just come back to the Moms Panel and ask me! Have a magical day!
Kristen