Hi, Gregory!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thanks for your great question about character dining at the Disneyland Resort.
It’s true that there is generally not a set list of characters that can be found at each restaurant, and it really makes for some fun surprises since the character lineup varies from day to day. The only character you’re guaranteed to see at each meal is the one whose name is featured in the title, like the Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the Plaza Inn Breakfast with Minnie and Friends, and the character meals served at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. Since both Minnie and Mickey Mouse host their own breakfasts at separate locations, they typically do not appear together at the same meal.
At the character meals at Storyteller’s Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you’ll often find Chip and Dale and other woodland characters like Brother Bear and Winnie the Pooh. On our most recent visit to Goofy’s Kitchen, we met a diverse group of characters like Pluto, Pocahontas, Rafiki, Goofy and Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. At Ariel’s Grotto, you’re guaranteed to meet Ariel herself, along with a few other princesses that can include Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and Jasmine.
I hope this helps, Gregory. Please visit me again with more questions as your planning continues!
Wishing you magic,
Courtney