Hi Scott!
Dining with Mickey is always a must do for our family during our trips to Disney. There are some great character meals with Mickey but my top recommendation for a 5-year old would be
Mickey's Backyard BBQ.
Most character dining locations involved characters coming around to tables during your meal. They sign autographs, pose for pictures and interact with Guests for a few minutes. Mickey's Backyard BBQ goes beyond that by offering a meal with a night of interactive entertainment.
There are 2 hosts for the evening, Cyclone Sally and Tumbleweed Will that entertain Guests while encouraging you to dance & enjoy the party. There is one main dance floor and two smaller ones where characters dance with Guests. Characters are always subject to change but the last time I was there Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip 'n Dale appeared all in their western & BBQ attire.
A live band provides the music for the evening by performing popular country tunes. There is also a trick roping demonstration - pretty impressive - and he brings up a couple of kids from the audience to assist. At the end of the evening, all of the performers and characters gather for the grand finale.
Kids love dancing with Mickey and you spend more time interacting with him then you would at the other character meals. The characters don't typically stop and pose for pictures or sign autographs but the action shots are priceless.
During the breaks, be sure to check outside the pavilion (towards the side where the hostess stand was when you first checked in). I've seen the characters come back there to pose for pictures and sign autographs. We've also been able to catch Mickey & Minnie there at the end of the evening for one last photo as we're heading out.
Wishing you minnie magical memories :-) Allison