Different characters are availble at different character meals. For instance, the Crystal Palace @ MK is Pooh oriented, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary is Mickey and friends, Ohana at the Polynesian is Goofy with Chip and Dale, the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club has Minnie with Goofy and others, Donald's Breakfastasaurus at the AKL features Donald and friends, the Princess breakfast at Norway in Epcot features various princess (except Cinderella), Park Fare at the Grand FLoridian offers Alice and Peter Pan, etc. You are certainly not restricted to your own hotel for dining. We find it quite fun to dine at different hotels during our stays. The transportation does not run between hotels, but you can coordinate this by taking a bus to say DTD or MGM and then hoping to the bus for the resort to where your meal is planned. Cast members at your hotel will offer good options for the intra-WDW transportation options.