Hoop Dee Doo Review - How early to arrive

[tinkerbell_mom]

In March, we have tickets to the early Hoop Dee Doo Review for the 5:00 show. How early do we need to arrive? We are staying at POFQ, what is the easiest way to get to the Hoop Dee Doo? We were thinking go to Magic Kingdom and take the boat over? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[brendaziz]

when u pick up your tickets at the concierge during the trip they will tell you what time you need to be there. They take pictures early and stuff so adhere to whatever they ask- but I dont think you need to arrive much earlier than what they tell you. I believe it was about an hour b4 the show though.
There's lots of stuff nearby for kids to play w/ while you wait- playgorund, gameroom and stuff- and there's also an area that sells souveniers and stuff.

Loved that whole show- only complaint was that the Sangria was NOT very good.

 

[joeyandangiesmom]

Just remember it takes time to get there, no matter what road you take !

If you take a bus to FW, you will need to take another bus to the back. If you go to MK, you will need to take the boat to FW - which also stops at WL and Contemporary. We like to get to WL and walk the nature path over!

PS...try the Merlot next time....THAT is good

 

[grumpalina]

the most direct route from POFQ to HDDR (we've gone twice recently) is bus to MK then boat. We tried boat to DTD then bus to FW & it seemed to take forever, especially changing buses. Taking the boat from MK didn't stop anywhere but FW- maybe it depends on time of day?

We arrived sometime around 4:45 & had plenty of time to check in, do pictures, go to the bathroom & check out the playground before they opened the doors.

Enjoy the show- we have such a great time there! I'm a big fan of the sangria

 

[Mommyto2boys]

You need to give yourself about an hour to get there!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

For any resort to resort transportation always allow about 1 hour. If you want your picture done, then yes arrive 30 to 40 min early, otherwise get there about 10 min early. Your table is assigned before you even get there, so arriving early won't change that, plus they don't start seating until 5pm.
As for the boat from MK to FW it is your best bet and is a direct trip. There is another boat that goes in a loop from FW to WL to CR to FW(but never to MK). WL also has a direct boat to/from MK that uses the same MK dock, so please read the signs and get on the FW boat.

 

[Pumbaa_]

They will tell you to line up with your entire party. They do this to check you in, then they want to take your picture as a group then will come around during the meal and attempt to sell you the picture package Feel free to skip the picture

 

[abbyar]

We're doing HDDR the first night we're there - can we get a photopass with the group photo on it??

 

[monicastanner]

Was there last month (2nd time) and went from PO - Riverside. Picked up tickets there. We just drove b/c we'd been napping and didn't need an hour to get there. It takes about 8 minutes to drive there, it's literally down the road from the Port Orleans resorts. (Turning right out of the resorts, then following signs. NOT going back through Magic Kingdom gates) We couldn't believe how close we were. We ended up driving that direction to the Contemporary too. Once there we waited on their bus system about 5 minutes and the ride is about 5 minutes. It's so huge there and they have their own internal system. I think we left about 25 minutes before and still had plenty of time.

Anyhow... have done the bus to MK thing before and take a boat. You have to allow at least an hour. You don't need to be there that early, but you may have to wait here or there on something a few extra minutes.

We've also gone over there from Shades of Green. We took bus to TTC and then monorail to Contemporary. Hung out there for a few minutes and then took boat from Contemporary to Fort Wilderness. It was an evening where we had no plans and a few hours to kill. I think we allowed about 2 hours or so just to take an easy route. We saw Peter Pan on the dock at the Contemporary Resort too, neat!

If you eat early and have time to kill that night.... You can also take boat back to Contemporary and watch the fireworks @ the Magic Kingdom if you time it right that night. You could also see the night water pageant parade on the water, again if you timed it right. I think it gets there a little later though. Depends on what show you see and how late you mind hanging out.
We are always looking for "free entertainment" and things to do that aren't just "park related".

They do really have buses waiting after every show to get everyone back where they need to go pretty quickly. They have buses waiting for all destinations. Kinda thoughtful of them.

Have so much fun, this is one of our favorite things to do and we went in January and are going back in November with family. Can't wait to share it with them!!

 

[yogiyb]

Was there last month (2nd time) and went from PO - Riverside. Picked up tickets there. We just drove b/c we'd been napping and didn't need an hour to get there. It takes about 8 minutes to drive there, it's literally down the road from the Port Orleans resorts. (Turning right out of the resorts, then following signs. NOT going back through Magic Kingdom gates) We couldn't believe how close we were. We ended up driving that direction to the Contemporary too. Once there we waited on their bus system about 5 minutes and the ride is about 5 minutes. It's so huge there and they have their own internal system. I think we left about 25 minutes before and still had plenty of time.

Anyhow... have done the bus to MK thing before and take a boat. You have to allow at least an hour. You don't need to be there that early, but you may have to wait here or there on something a few extra minutes.

We've also gone over there from Shades of Green. We took bus to TTC and then monorail to Contemporary. Hung out there for a few minutes and then took boat from Contemporary to Fort Wilderness. It was an evening where we had no plans and a few hours to kill. I think we allowed about 2 hours or so just to take an easy route. We saw Peter Pan on the dock at the Contemporary Resort too, neat!

If you eat early and have time to kill that night.... You can also take boat back to Contemporary and watch the fireworks @ the Magic Kingdom if you time it right that night. You could also see the night water pageant parade on the water, again if you timed it right. I think it gets there a little later though. Depends on what show you see and how late you mind hanging out.
We are always looking for "free entertainment" and things to do that aren't just "park related".

They do really have buses waiting after every show to get everyone back where they need to go pretty quickly. They have buses waiting for all destinations. Kinda thoughtful of them.

Have so much fun, this is one of our favorite things to do and we went in January and are going back in November with family. Can't wait to share it with them!!

Thanks for all the tips!! We are staying at POR in May. We are planning to see the show on our Animal Kingdom day and are currently planning to take the bus from there to WL. Since there's a good possiblity that we'll be finished with AK earlier than planned I appreciate the tips on how to get to FW quickly from POR.

 

[thehails]

We went there last Thursday and were told to arrive between 4.15 and 4.30pm. This is much too early if you dont want your picture taken by them. You get checked in and then told to go and have a look around Fort Wilderness whilst you wait for the doors to open at 5pm, they also advise you not to queue at the door in advance as you have pre-assigned seating anyway.

I'm sure if the weather is nice its a lovely place to look around but when it was as cold as it was last week, we were not impressed with having to kick our heels for 3/4 in the cold

 

[CruznLexi]

We had the 930pm show last month. They did not open the doors until 930pm. I would think it would be the same. Yes we went to MK and cought the boat.
Lexi

 

[PrincessNewsie]

Is the picture a photo pass pic, or is it a separate photo?

Has anyone been to the 930PM show? Is it an older crowd?

Also, what's not to like about sangria?

We're going for our Honeymoon w/o kids and I'm just making sure we'll still have an ok time !

 

[chrissyhomeschools4]

We had the 930pm show last month. They did not open the doors until 930pm. I would think it would be the same. Yes we went to MK and cought the boat.
Lexi

You mentioned that you caught the boat from MK to HDDR for the 9:30 show. How long did you allow to get there? I have a friend traveling who is going to try and leave in order to see the 9pm Wishes from the boat while riding over to Fort Wilderness for the HDDR. Do you think getting to the boat dock at 8:45 is pushing it too close? I hate for her to miss the fireworks, but also don't want her to be late, but also they don't want the picture or to wait around for a long time for pre-assigned seats. what do you think? They're only there for 4 days and this is the only MK day!

 

[HelenParr]

8:45 would be really pushing it to get in line at MK dock is there is a line for the boat -- otherwise, wiht no line, it is only sort of pushing it. You may already know, but there is a fairly good view of Wishes from the dock at FW. Many watch from there every night. Perhaps that would work for your friend -- the walk to Pioneer Hall from there is 5 minutes tops. We go to 9:30 HDDR often and try to see Wishes at the FW dock and then walk over.

If there is potential for her to be late -- be sure you have cell phones, or she will have trouble finding you once you are inside!

Pictures are usually wrapped up well before 9:15. (And you have to buy them to have a photopass number assigned to it).

 

[chrissyhomeschools4]

Thank you so much for the info! Watching from the dock is a perfect suggestion. I will tell her to leave right after the Spectro Magic at 8:15 and head for FW. Thanks again!

 

[evedein]

We're also going in May. It will be our Animal Kingdom day, so we'll probably finish early. Our HDDR reservation is for 7:30PM. I had thought about taking a cab from Beach Club, but I read somewhere that the cab drops you off far from the Pioneer Hall & you still have to take an internal bus. Is this true? If so, how long is the internal bus ride?

 

[evedein]

Bumping

 

[DisneyFive]

Resurrecting this thread since I have a couple of questions:

1) Is the photo included with the meal? (like at Akerhus, or Cinderella's Royal Table) ...or do they try to sell it to you?

2) How long will it take to get from AK to Fort Wilderness via the buses? 30-40 min? We'll be leaving from AK to make a 6:15 show. If we need to pay for the photo, we'll probably skip it and show up with enough time to just check-in and watch the show.

Thanks!!

Dan

 

[disneysunshine85]

Resurrecting this thread since I have a couple of questions:

1) Is the photo included with the meal? (like at Akerhus, or Cinderella's Royal Table) ...or do they try to sell it to you?

The picture is not included. They come around to the tables and try to sell it to you for $30