So we arrive at the resort launch and get in line.
It was about 4:45 or so.
Dinner was at 6:30 we were going to Mickeys Backyard Barbeque.
However, everyone on the DIS recommended we arrive at 5:30.
Which, of course, meant a 5:00 boat.
So here we were.
I called Mom to see where she was and they were just getting onto the bus from Pop Century.
Around then, a boat appeared for Wilderness Lodge and they announced that there were some issues with the Ft. Wildnerness boat.
They recommended everyone take the bus.
Great I was avoiding the bus since I knew the bus stop for Ft. Wilderness was on the other side of the resort.
We would have to take an internal bus to the BBQ once we arrived.
More travelling with grumpy kids.
Everyone left and we were now at the front of the line.
I wasnt sure what to do but finally I gave up.
So we headed towards the bus stops.
We got to the info desk and I talked to a CM there.
She said the boats were fine and another one was on its way.
Love the mixed messages.
So we headed all the way back down to the boats.
Which is not so close - especially when I'm pushing a stroller along with two grumpy kids.
Now we were about 10-20th on line.
But there was no CM telling people that the boats were shut down.
However, it was clear that one of the boats was taken offline.
When the boat finally arrived, they announced it would be the last one for quite some time since it was the only one running.
Great.
I quickly called Mom and told her to get over here
NOW.
I got the kids settled and waited for the rest of the line to board.
Then I began to plead my case with the captain stalling for as much time as I could.
Finally I saw Mom in the distance, pointed her out, and begged the captain to wait for her.
She finally arrived huffing and puffing and not in a good mood.
But, if she missed this boat, she wouldnt have made dinner (since I had the tickets).
It was a nice boat ride, but with all the excitement, we arrived about 6:00 at Ft. Wilderness.
This was much later than expected so we headed off fairly quickly towards the pavilion.
Of course, theres always time for a photo spot:
DS began to inform us that he was here on his Pirate Cruise and knew the way.
So we followed DS (and some signs) and headed towards the BBQ.
Chip and Dale were outside taking pictures but when we arrived, the CM said the line was closed.
We could have picture opportunities later.
That sucked (and just for the record, there were no opportunities later).
So we headed along with the rest of the masses to the cabins outside the eating area.
They held everyone up here but provided games and drinks.
DS played some checkers
But we had heard horror stories about getting seats, so we made sure to head over to the line.
There was one small gate and LOTS of people pushing and shoving to get a better spot.
Mom had parked the stroller and had the kids with her.
My job was to get a spot.
Sure enough, the rope dropped and everyone charged.
And I literally mean charged.
It was insane and totally un-Disney like.
I was able to get us a table close to the dance floor/stage with Mom close behind and we sat down.
Then a rude family showed up and started pushing us over.
Um, excuse me we were here first.
They didnt seem to care and kept pushing my children.
I swapped places with the little ones since I KNEW they were not going to push me.
Needless to say, this meal did not start off very well.
When everyone was mostly seated, I headed off to get some food for everyone.
Food was slim pickings for the little ones hot dogs were all they (and I) would eat here.
Mom was a little more adventurous but the food was not good at all.
They had alcohol which is their way of saying water mixed with a little wine or some horrible thing they attempted to call beer.
Anyway, I figured the show & characters would be worth it (Again, for the record, they weren't).
Mickey and the hosts took the stage so we settled in.
They talked a bit and then invited everyone up to dance.
I ran up to get a picture since the kids were not interested.
I snapped Mickey
And Goofy
Before the entirety of the kid population basically attacked the characters. And then, DS and DD decided to go dance.
It was insane. There were walls of children surrounding the characters and trying to dance with them.
Big kids were pushing little kids.
Adults were pushing big kids and little kids.
I had enough of this.
The kids went to sit down as they announced dessert and I decided to see if I could get X to meet the chars.
The best I could do was this pic.
If you look close you can see DD and DS
but you can also see the masses surrounding Mickey even here.
Dessert was the best part of this meal as the ice cream cabinets were stocked with ice pops and Mickey Bars.

And you know how much we love a good Mickey Bar.
Everyone got their own this time around:
And here are the after shots:
Nice mess eh?
DDs fell towards the end and she was about ready to lose it.
So we went back for another treat.
This time she chose the ice pop
About now, they gathered all the children around the stage for some roping demonstrations.
That was pretty cool but I was ready to leave already.
Finally it was about about 7:45 and I think wed had enough.
The BBQ goes to 8.
We were finished with our desserts, had no desire to attempt the dancefloor anymore,
and were done waiting for the chars to make their rounds for pics like other character meals.
And yes, the CMs promised this would happen.
It didnt.
On our way out (7:50), we saw Minnie just starting to talk to some tables (far away from ours).
But the rest of the chars were still on the dance floor.
Since we passed Minnie on our way out, we snuck in and grabbed a quick pic.
I know thats uncool but I was so frustrated by this point, I didnt care.
We stopped for pitstops on the way out and DS found some blocks to go building.
Of course our own X-zilla knocked down the tower.
So, DS built another
And kept building until it was taller than him
Finally, we headed back to Pop.
We had to take the boat back to Magic Kingdom and then transfer to a bus to Pop.
Bottom line Mickeys Backyard BBQ is
NEVER something we will do again.
The food was average at best, the CMs had no control, and it felt like I was at a low-class chain restaurant.
This was the first time we really didnt feel like being in Disney (other than seeing the characters).
There was no organization, poor planning, poor food, and average entertainment.
If you are not a pushy person, you will not get a seat from which you can see nor will you meet the chars.
And this was 2 Table Service credits.
I was thoroughly disappointed as the only things we enjoyed were the Mickey Bars and the blocks.
We got home frustrated, put the kids to sleep, and tried to finish packing.
Mom had packed a bit when she was home earlier in the day so we tried to finish up.
I headed down to the lobby and settled up the bill applying the last of our Disney Rewards Dollars to the room balance.
I also dropped off the postcards I wrote to families heading to Disney shortly.
I love the Fairy Godmailer board on the DIS I had to do this once I saw how happy our kids were to receive personalized postcards.
One more day to go and some BIG surprises are still yet to come.
To start it off, please join us for breakfast in the Polynesian!
It was definitely a much better experience than this waste of time.
ALOHA!