I think everyone has their favorites but here are all the character meals offered at DLR:
~ Goofy's Kitchen at DLH: this is considered premium dining and also one of the most expensive character meals at the land but it is offered during breakfast/lunch (brunch) and dinner. The food is buffet style and they offer the biggest selection of food out of all the character meals. People like Goofy's for their nice selection of pretty decent tasting food. Goofy is the host and Pluto, Chip and Dale always seem to be there as well. Other characters seem to rotate and have previously included Belle (in her blue dress as well as yellow ballgown), Cinderella, Aurora, Mulan, Aladdin and I think one or two of the princes have been sighted there as well. There are usually around 6-7 characters at any one time.
~ Ariel's Grotto at DCA: offered at both lunch and dinner - it is also considered premium dining. It is not an all you can eat meal but rather they bring out a selection of appetizers and desserts for the entire table to share and you get the choice of one entree. Ariel is the host and there are usually 4 other princesses there with her.
~ Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn in DLR: the food is buffeteria style - meaning all you can eat but served cafeteria style and it is only offered for breakfast. The food also tastes like it is from a cafeteria...not very good. However, this is the character with the most characters at any one given time. Minnie is the host and there are usually around 9-11 characters out and have included the following: Chip, Dale, Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore, Captain Hook, Max, Fairy Godmother, White Rabbit, Peter Pan and Wendy.
~ Critter's Breakfast at Storyteller'Cafe in GCH: you can choose between ordering off the menu or their buffet. Breakfast is the only time that the characters are out and they usually include the woodsy critters such as Baloo, Meeko, Koda, etc.
~ Surf's Up with Mickey at PPH: the only character meal that Mickey can be found at but it is only offered during breakfast. Other characters include Stitch, Daisy and I think someone else.
I think you would need to base your decision on what you consider the most important for you and your family: good food, lots of characters, etc. Have fun wherever you end up going
Minnie's - the price is a bit lower as well *Goofy's and Ariel's are the priciest. There's always a ton of characters - we usually do brunch there - in fact I called today and was able to get a reservation for Thanksgiving day at 10am! Storytellers is nice too - I like that there's a menu to order from *DD and I usually split something.
