Hi Justine!
I am so excited for you to be traveling to Walt Disney World Resort for the first time with your children. They are the perfect ages to truly enjoy so many of the activities, entertainment AND character dining!
I've experienced them all and would suggest checking out which characters are typically found at the specific breakfast, lunch or dinner. Although characters are always subject to change, you can check out the
Character Dining list on the disney.com website to determine which meal would appeal best to your children! From Lilo and Stitch, to Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter, there is bound to be a favorite among the many options available to you!
My children are the same ages as yours, and we find
Chef Mickey's to be a huge hit for our family. The all-you-care-to-eat buffet items offer something for everyone, and you can't beat meeting the FAB FIVE for a unique, personalized experience!
The unofficial site allears.net offers a link with menus to every dining location, which is very helpful in determining the best fit for your family.
I'll give you two tips when dining with characters. First, choose a less popular time to dine, for example 10:45 a.m. Doing so might provide your family with extra attention as the restaurants may not be as crowded. Second, purchase a matted photo frame prior to traveling. Have the characters sign the matte at your table and you'll then have a wonderful way to display a favorite photo from your experience.
I hope my tips were helpful, Justine.
Have a MAGICAL vacation!
Sherri