Since you are staying off property, you can save money by buying your tickets through undercover tourist. If you sign up for MouseSavers newsletter, they send an additional discount amount through their link to Undercover Tourist.
As far as Character meals, I would say Chef Mickey (Goofy, Donald, Mickey, and others I think), or even Crystal Palace for Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet etc.
If your daughter is into princesses, Cinderella's Castle is always a good one, but expensive! you have to reserve a spot and prepay. You could try 1900 Park Fare as a slightly inexpensive alternative (that's what we did).
Allears.net has great info, as does MouseSavers.com. Also, easywdw has fun info and a good crowd calendar. Touring plans has a crowd calendar (you have to buy a membership to see a full year in advance, but it's well worth it!) They have a great app, that you can add your own touring plan or their's to it, and when you are in the park, just mark it off as done! Super easy and quick (I had a small notebook I carried around, but usually the app was so much simplier and easier to get out of my bag real quick).
http://www.easywdw.com/
http://allears.net/index.html
http://www.undercovertourist.com/lan..._campaign=uct3 (undercover tourist also has an app. It's another great one! It has menus listed for the different restaurants, and it lists wait times).
http://touringplans.com/
http://www.mousesavers.com/
You also might want to register here:
http://www.disboards.com/index.php YOu can find tons of info and helpful hints there as well!
Most importantly, have fun! This will be an amazing trip for you!