What I've found is that paying attention to lighting, and using spots rather than infinite lights, can make a huge difference, It's only one style, but strong lighting can comepletely alter an image. Three or four figures, and you want to focus the attention on one of them -- work on the posing, and where the other figures are looking. Use them to direct the viewer to the key part of the image. An arm reaching out is also acting as a pointer. You can also give a context to a scene with the props. And if you have that context in props and poses, you can use fairly restained facial expressions. This is something I have to do with my "furry" pictures, humanoids with animal heads which just don't have much expression. And don't try for realism. All of this will work with the sort of realism in a Disney cartoon. Pick one areas, and work on it.