I also would recommend Goofy's as a brunch so you can use that valuable morning time for getting on to rides. We always do that and really enjoy it.
We also have had really good character interactions at Ariels in DCA and found the food to be great. Frankly, this last time we went (last month), I felt like we got more characters and more time w/them at Ariel's than at Goofy's.
C