To Hoop-Dee-Doo or not??

[mrsschlep]

We are planning our first trip to WDW in Jan with DD8, DS5, and DD16 months. Is it really worth it to spend $150 on this dinner and a show and are my kids(DD8 and DS5) old enough to really enjoy it? I have read about people doing this show over and over again, even 15-20 times. What is it that keeps you coming back? Any info would be greatly appreciated. TIA

[Debs5angels]

We went for the first time this past August. I was concerned also because I have a wide range of ages with my girls. I didn't know if they would all like it. Their ages are 16,14,11,6,6. Well let me tell you it was worth every penny! They all were laughing and having a lot of fun! Matter of fact one of my twins was picked to start the show. Hope this helped.

[Uncleromulus]

Well-it's a fun show and should be done at least once. You get food, entertainment, and a chance to see the Ft. Wilderness area.
We've done it 3 times since 1975--always seemed to be plenty of children in the age range as yours.

[Kaitysmom]

It has become a tradition for us to go every year for DDs birthday. (she is going on 10 and we have been every year since she was 4) When I said we should do something different this year she got really upset. She loves the show and laughs so hard at all the corny jokes. Once she got to go on stage to sing with one of the entertainers - it was really special. Go hungry - the food is great - our experience is that everyone has a great time and it is worth the money. By the way, it's DDs day, so we're going back for her birthday again this year! :D

[finnie48]

HDDR

Hi mrsschlep,
First of all the price, as you probably know, includes tax and tip, and it is all you can eat including wine, beer and sangria.
And the food is very good!!
We, too, have been many times and have never found the show to be boring, even though it hardly changes from one year to the next. If it ain't broken, don't fix it!! Perhaps the greatest draw is the interaction of the performers with the audience. This past August, two of our family party of 15 were picked on to the delight of the rest of us. Included in our party was a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 girls, 7,5, and 2) who had never been and also had concerns aout the price. They are now big boosters of the Hoop!!
Just be prepared for almost two hours of very good food and great entertainment. Really, it is difficult to explain what keeps us going back, but we do. Just a wonderful, well done show!!

Peg and Bob

[Kapp]

DDs were the same age your older ones last year when we did the "Hoop" and they LOVED it! I was concerned about the cost and their ages but we would (and will ) go back in a heartbeat. In fact, they still mention the Hoop more than any other one thing from our last trip to WDW. They still repeat some of the old jokes and remember that their faces hurt from smiling and laughing so much! When you figure the cost of an all you care to eat meal (and drinks, beer and wine), the tip and the entertainment experience, it is not that too terribly expensive.

You all will have a blast. Enjoy!

[missyc]

What kind of food is served? And how 'bout the prices for adult and children?

[Kaitysmom]

The menu is garden salad, bread with sweet butter, fried chicken, ribs, beans, corn and strawberry shortcake. All very good by the way.

[capthooksmom]

I agree with the other posters. You should do it at least once. Your children seem the perfect age to enjoy it. We had a party of 10, ages ranging from 4 months to 57 years. The 4 mo. old slept through it all, and everyone else had a great time. Two of our family members were picked to participate in the show--a can can girl, and, the best of all, their 57 year old grandpa in a tutu and halo as "angel". We also thought the food was good. It's just a great atmosphere and a good time. Everyone I know who has done it says it was worth it.

[missyc]

I just found the prices. :eek: Is this show only for dinner, or is there a lunch one that might be a little cheaper?

[Kaitysmom]

Just dinner

[missyc]

Ok then........Anybody know of another good one that either is just cheaper or offers lunch at lower prices?
I would love to take my kids but just don't have the money. :(
DH is a pud when it comes to stuff like that. I'm taking the kids Sunday for DD9's B-day and he thinks my sister is treating since it's all coming out of my secret stash!Needless to say I don't have much.

[Kaitysmom]

There are so many fun things to do at WDW that don't require a big wallet. How about Alice's Tea Party? You can't go, but DD would have a great time. You can order a special "Glass Slipper" dessert and surprise her with it. (you'll find lots of threads on that one) Be sure to pick up your birthday button and there will be lots of attention. Who is her favorite character or park?

[SAWYERMAW1]

We did it once several years ago. I enjoyed it but probably won't do it again any time soon.

[missyc]

I just did some searching and that tea party sounds really cute. I also saw some info on the pirate cruise. I think my daughter would love either one, but I'm kinda wondering if she might have more fun on the pirate one. Anybody done both?

I also remember someone meantioning something about a horse and carriage ride in one of the parks, probably MK? I called for info on the tea pary but the CM didn't know anything about such a thing. But then she hadn't heard of the barber shop in MK either. :rolleyes:

Any other cheap thrills to recommend?

[aladdin's clone]

Anybody know of another good one that either is just cheaper or offers lunch at lower prices?

When our family decided that HHD was not within our budget last summer, we had dinner at Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge, instead. It was a hoot'n hollerin' good time for more than half the price. There's no "show" per se, but the servers get people into the act with having them dance around the restaurant, thsy stand on chairs and make you sing songs, they get the kids, and the dads!, up for some hilarious shenanigans. The theming is cowboyish, and the food was great, too.

[Kaitysmom]

DD has done both. She liked both. It depends on what your daughter likes better. The Tea Party and the Pirate Cruise are held at the GF. The Tea Party features Alice and the Mad Hatter. They have to decorate their cupcakes without using knives - messy fun. The Pirate Cruise takes them all over from GF to Poly, CR, FW, etc. They follow clues to find the treasure and have a good time too. Either one is great. There is also Grand Adventures in Cooking at GF. They make desserts and serve guests in the lobby. Whispering Canyon is a great idea! Be prepared to be silly and have a great time. You won't go wrong whatever you choose! Have a great time. :D

[missyc]

Thanks for all the ideas!
And sorry, I think I hijacked this thread! :p

[mrsschlep]

And sorry, I think I hijacked this thread!

That's ok! I think I have hijacked a few as well.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Since my wonderful mother just gave me a week of her time share at West Gate to me for my birthday coming up next week, I think we will splurge on the Hoop-Dee-Doo. Now if I can just get January to come a little quicker....

[DFiore1]

The first time I went, It was great...everything. The food, the CMs, the entertainment. The second year, I'd call it a hoop de don't. Cold chicken, bad service.

[F1Julie]

Back to HDDR, is there a plot? It seems everyone raves about this show but all I hear is that there are Western, corny jokes. I'm not really a yee-haw kind of girl. Do you think it would be worth doing for me and my DD4?

[jenjen212]

Originally posted by F1Julie
I'm not really a yee-haw kind of girl. Do you think it would be worth doing for me and my DD4?

don't worry! neither am i. i can't even stand to listen to country music... but it is not really like that. it is southern style wise-cracking jokes..

to tell you the truth, i went last year for the first time, and i can't even remember what the plot is. i just remember laughing hard. they sing and dance and you get into it. if your daughter likes music and dancing (like my 2 y/o godson likes to dance everytime he hears music), then she will love it! go for it!

like the other person said, if you can afford to, do it at least once!

(children are cheaper - i think it is at the age of 3 & younger that are free)

good luck & have fun!

jen
:earsgirl: