Hi Kris!
You heard correctly! The Hoop-Dee-Doo is a Mom's Panel fave! It's interactive, it's funny, full of music and delicious food. You will NOT be disappointed. It's an easy jaunt into Fort Wilderness (which is just next to the Magic Kingdom) so you should have no problems getting there from outside of Disney World.
Just to clarify, Hoop Dee Doo isn't a character meal in that it doesn't feature Mickey, Minnie, etc. Oh, believe me, the Hoop Dee Doo performers ARE characters, just not of the animal variety! If you are looking for those famous Disney characters, there is another character meal at Fort Wilderness called
Mickey's Backyard BBQ featuring the Mouse himself, of course!
Have fun and Hoop Dee Doo!