Hi again Julie! My family went to
Mickey's Backyard BBQ this summer, and we had a great time! The food is not fancy, but I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the items on the buffet were. (The chef even specially prepared a grilled cheese sandwich and fries for my picky-eating son!) The country-western band is really entertaining, and the complimentary wine and beer makes the BBQ a relaxing evening for parents!
I think Mickey's Backyard BBQ is a great introduction to the characters for young kids. When my kids were very small, they were a little scared the first few times large characters approached our table at character meals; at Mickey's Backyard BBQ little ones can approach the characters as they feel comfortable, and dancing with them is easier for little kids than trying to interact with the characters at a dining table. My kids are older than yours, so they didn't experience any problems accessing the characters at the BBQ, but little ones may need the help of an adult on the dance floor to avoid getting bumped around. The characters stayed out on the dance floor a large portion of the time we were there, so I think there's plenty of time for everyone to get up close with Mickey and friends, especially as the evening wears on. Here's a tip: Mickey and Minnie will pose for photos at one end of the open air pavilion when they take a break from the dance floor, so keep an eye out for this opportunity and try to line up early to snap a great picture of your kids with the characters.
If you think your kids want more one-on-one time with the characters, then you might prefer a character meal like Chef Mickey's, where Mickey, Goofy and friends will visit your table, interact directly with you all, sign autographs and pose for photos.
Come visit me again with more questions Julie!