Hoop-dee-doo Category 3 seating

[disney-super-mom]

I know that the Hoop-dee-doo category 3 seating is upstairs in the balcony, but I was wondering:

1. What is the view like from up there?

2. How big of a party can sit at one table up in the balcony?

3. Do you at all feel removed from the experience when sitting in the balcony?


We've seen the show once before from category 2 seating in the VERY BACK of the main floor at a table for six located directly under the balcony, and I have to say, although we really liked the show and the food, we DID feel somewhat invisible and removed from the show. No one interacted with us or even gave us a glance when walking by except for our server, who was AWESOME by the way.

This time if I have too, I'll break up our group into two seperate tables if it means we'll have a better spot to watch, interact, and experience the show.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I know for sure I have seen tables for 2, 4, and 6. Possible an 8top at the end. We did NOT feel removed from the show and my children requested that we sit there this time. We had Cat 2 back of the floor and they really did not like those seats.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I actually chose Cat 3 for our October trip this year bc of the view. Last year when we went, I reserved Category 2 and we had the very last table next to the door, it was awful. I asked to moved and we were moved to a Cat 3 balcony seat, which gave us an excellent view. DD7 did not miss a thing. The cast members came up signed autographs and were very attentative to the Cat 3 seats.

There are only 2 of us and when I looked at the seating arrangements there really are not any tables for two near the front or that I could see on the HDDMR link on WDWinfo.com for Cat 1. I honestly do not believe that any of the Cat 2 seats can compete with Cat 3.

 

[LJD2143]

I just booked a Cat 3 reservation for our trip in Sept.
Its a great view from up there - better than being on the floor IMO!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I know for sure I have seen tables for 2, 4, and 6. Possible an 8top at the end. We did NOT feel removed from the show and my children requested that we sit there this time. We had Cat 2 back of the floor and they really did not like those seats.

I wonder if it was the same table we were at? It probably was because there wasn't any other tables to the sides of us. We were the only table in the very back right next to the door and the stairs leading up to the balcony. You can kind of tell in this picture what I'm talking about. (BTW, that's not me smiling in the picture. That's my MIL. I'm the one taking the picture. LOL!)

Anyway, we did enjoy the show and food, but would like to feel less removed this time. That's why I was asking if perhaps category 3 is maybe better? Sounds like from the responses so far that it is. YAY!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I wonder if it was the same table we were at? It probably was because there wasn't any other tables to the sides of us. We were the only table in the very back right next to the door and the stairs leading up to the balcony. You can kind of tell in this picture what I'm talking about.

Anyway, we did enjoy the show and food, but would like to feel less removed this time. That's why I was asking if perhaps category 3 is maybe better? Sounds like from the responses so far that it is. YAY!

We were directly towards the left of your table and a row forward.... (okay it sucked, and I try not to say bad things, we felt very disconnnected from everyone else)

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I'm glad this question came up. I booked Cat 3 and was wondering if I made a bad choice and should change to Cat 2 but now I think I'm going to stay with my reservation. It sounds like the balcony is a good place to be and enjoying the show from there will not be a problem. Thanks OP and everyone for their replies.

 

[pooh2001]

How many rows of tables are in Category 3 in the balcony ?

What if your table in Category 3 is not near the balcony railing - Can you still see the stage well ?

We are a family of 4, so we need a table which seats 4 people.
Where would the table be located in the balcony at HHD ?

 

[disney-super-mom]

How many rows of tables are in Category 3 in the balcony ?

What if your table in Category 3 is not near the balcony railing - Can you still see the stage well ?

We are a family of 4, so we need a table which seats 4 people.
Where would the table be located in the balcony at HHD ?

Looking at pictures of the balcony seating online, it looks like it is just one row of tables that all line the balcony railing, so your view should be great. Maybe these pictures will help.

You can imagine what kind of view you would have of the stage/show from various locations up on the balcony. I don't think you could have a bad view from the balcony, which is nice.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I actually chose Cat 3 for our October trip this year bc of the view. Last year when we went, I reserved Category 2 and we had the very last table next to the door, it was awful. I asked to moved and we were moved to a Cat 3 balcony seat, which gave us an excellent view. DD7 did not miss a thing. The cast members came up signed autographs and were very attentative to the Cat 3 seats.

There are only 2 of us and when I looked at the seating arrangements there really are not any tables for two near the front or that I could see on the HDDMR link on WDWinfo.com for Cat 1. I honestly do not believe that any of the Cat 2 seats can compete with Cat 3.

I just to post again to get rid of my post count. Yikes. Thanks OP for posting this,I am glad that I am not the only that prefers 3 to 2.

 

[Atchley]

Looking at pictures of the balcony seating online, it looks like it is just one row of tables that all line the balcony railing, so your view should be great. Maybe these pictures will help.

You can imagine what kind of view you would have of the stage/show from various locations up on the balcony. I don't think you could have a bad view from the balcony, which is nice.

We sat at this exact table in 08. Great Seats IMO

 

[PrincessMentality]

Thank you so much for this info! I want to see the show and enjoy the food but I don't want to be right in the middle of it all. I booked category 2 but just switched to 3. The balcony seats look awesome!

 

[momofrrr]

I wonder if it was the same table we were at? It probably was because there wasn't any other tables to the sides of us. We were the only table in the very back right next to the door and the stairs leading up to the balcony. You can kind of tell in this picture what I'm talking about. (BTW, that's not me smiling in the picture. That's my MIL. I'm the one taking the picture. LOL!)

Anyway, we did enjoy the show and food, but would like to feel less removed this time. That's why I was asking if perhaps category 3 is maybe better? Sounds like from the responses so far that it is. YAY!

We have sat at that table twice. We love it! and the waitress is wonderful, we had her both times. We have done HDDR 5 times and been seated all over the room and we have never been dissapointed.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I know that the Hoop-dee-doo category 3 seating is upstairs in the balcony, but I was wondering:

1. What is the view like from up there?

2. How big of a party can sit at one table up in the balcony?

3. Do you at all feel removed from the experience when sitting in the balcony?


We've seen the show once before from category 2 seating in the VERY BACK of the main floor at a table for six located directly under the balcony, and I have to say, although we really liked the show and the food, we DID feel somewhat invisible and removed from the show. No one interacted with us or even gave us a glance when walking by except for our server, who was AWESOME by the way.

This time if I have too, I'll break up our group into two seperate tables if it means we'll have a better spot to watch, interact, and experience the show.

At hoop dee doo I have sat in all categories through the years and NEVER felt left out. It is a fun, plenty to eat whomping good time.

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

Just booked cat 3 for the third time in a row---'nuff said.

 

[wolf29]

We've been seated upstairs the 2 times we attended HDDR and had no problem seeing the show.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We have sat at that table twice. We love it! and the waitress is wonderful, we had her both times. We have done HDDR 5 times and been seated all over the room and we have never been dissapointed.

As I said, we did enjoy the show from this table, but we definitely felt very removed from it as well because there was NO interaction of any kind with any of the CMs in the show. And because we were sitting way in the back, way under the balcony above our heads, we didn't have an open view into the room/building. During the show, the cast would at times look up and talk and joke around with some of the guests sitting in the balcony, and suddenly everyone in the room would break out laughing over something happening in the balcony, and we couldn't see any of it. Imagine trying to watch fireworks with a roof/ceiling above you. You can see the faces of the people all around you watching the fireworks, but you can't see the actual fireworks yourself because when you look up, all you can see is the ceiling.

The show was still good, we still had fun, but we knew we missed some of the fun show shenanigans due to where we were seated.

However, our waitress/server was also WONDERFUL!

 

[momdisfan]

This thread was very informative. Sounds like Cat 3 has great seats!

 

[Danielle1971]

We did HDDR with our two boys in 2008 and really enjoyed it. The food was delicious too! We sat in a Category 3 and were seated in the balcony on the left side towards the front the stage. We had great seats and could see everything. Our waiter was great and interacted with us as well.

If were to see the show again, i'd love to be on the floor level. The cast interacts with those people alot more.