Jennifer,
Great questions!
I think that
Chef Mickey's is the best character dining. But there are a lot of other great ones to be had, and this one is not so far and above others that I would travel out of my way to get to it, over a more conveniently located one.
Other great ones include
Donald's Safari Breakfast (Donald Duck and friends - Animal Kingdom),
Restaurant Akershus (princesses - Epcot),
Hollywood and Vine (Playhouse Disney characters - Hollywood Studios), and
Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and friends - Magic Kingdom). There are some good resort ones too. Let me know where you are staying and I can suggest a few.
For park time planning, here is my general rule. If I had 5 days, I would spend 2 or more days at the Magic Kingdom, and 1 day each at the other parks. If added days were available, I would add 1 more to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, then one more to the Magic Kingdom, then, if more are available, to the Animal Kingdom.
Don't take that as me not liking the Animal Kingdom. I love it! But the other, older, parks still have more to see.
Have a magical vacation!