I had to smile while reading your suggestions as some of what you suggested is what Disney used to do.
At one time, when DD19 was in elem school, there was an ariel character breakfast. It was called "Under the Sea". Ariel greeted guests outside in full mermaid regalia on her rock while the rest of the gang circulated inside the Coral Reef.
As you entered the dining area, there were bubble machines set up on each step and at various spots inside so that the air was filled with bubbles for a true under the sea feeling. It was pre-plated at Coral Reef but probably the nicest Character meal we've ever done.
After Mickey and Minnie; then Cinderella; there was a Villians meal offered at 1900 Park Fare a few years back. After a while though, Cinderella returned by popular request.
In MGM, in the building where Playhouse Disney is now, there used to be buffet character meals with Jasmine, Alladdin, Jafar, Snow White, Maleficient, Pocahontas and her cast the year her movie came out (the villian too whose name currently escapes me) and other characters as they released new movies (I remember ones from Hunchback one year too and think Toy Story as well). Peter Pan appeared there at times and Captain Hook, who, with Jafar, was especially scary for young children, scowling down at them in disdain.
It was a terrific and more relaxed, laid back atmosphere - almost casual and very enjoyable - not the rushed, more formal walk thru the line> grab a plate> fill with food> and wait for characters to eventually find you before being ushered out the door that the character buffets of today can sometimes be.
I'll have to try to find some pics. I know have them from each of those mentioned above but probably need to scan as we weren't digital way back then.
A particularily dear one for us is of a day when Meeko got down on the floor to literally roll around and play with DD19 and our friends' DD19. They were in elem school and the friends', now middle school, sister was a baby. We had a late seating that day and Meeko spent a lot of time returning to our table - perhaps charmed by the baby. He was very patient and kept opening and closing his hand in that type of wave that babies learn to do first. By the time we left she had discovered a new talent - waving at every character she saw the whole trip!
Every once in a great while we tell this accomplished young lady the story of how one morning Meeko taught the baby how to wave. Thanks for bringing back those memories.