A choice to make between Luau or Hoop Dee Doo?

[Mom2Evie]

Spirit Luau or Hoop Dee Doo review:

I'm having trouble making a decision on which to choose for my upcoming trip. I've checked and as of today, they can still take our party at either location.
This trip will be my daughter (just turning 6 years old), Disney Enthusiast/my best friend from college and me. We're three blonde girls, taking on the World!
I've read good and bad reviews about both. How do I decide which would be the better experience for us, considering my daughter's age? Any recommendations & advice would be helpful!

 

[kt_mom]

I would go to the Hoop Dee Doo. We did both on our last trip. Our DD4 loved the Hoop Dee Doo. SHe loves singing and dancing and they are silly and she had a great time. We really enjoy it also. Its a must do for us.

DD4 liked the Luau okay. She actually enjoyed the corny sort of preshow but once it was over she got in my lap and fell asleep. She kind of woke up and watched the fire part, but not really.

It depends on your child though. Our DD just really liked the singing and dancing and silliness of the Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[jhryb]

From all the reviews I have read, I am certain that I am in the minority. Two years ago my family went to see Hoop Dee Doo. My kids were 6 and 8 at the time. We were not impressed. I don't have a specific reason why we didn't enjoy the show. Perhaps it is because there was no "wow" factor. We were far more impressed with the shows we saw at the parks (i.e. Lion King and Beauty and the Beast).

Last year we decided to see the Luau. We were not expecting much based on the reviews. We all agreed that the show was lots of fun. The fire tricks added a "wow" factor. My kids enjoyed the story line. My son enjoyed the food so much that we actually told him that he had to stop eating. Being outdoors added a real authentic feel.

 

[jenjersnap]

HDDR! For sure. My kids were bored silly by the Luau, except for the fire dancer. And the food and wines were awful.

 

[Camicar]

Hoop de doo.

When we went my dd was 6 and that was her favorite part of her trip to WDW.

Luau was borrring for a kid.

 

[IHeartTink04]

FOR SURE Hood Dee Doo. The food is better and so is the entertainment. Luau is BORING!

 

[pooh2001]

We have done both.
Our kids liked HDD (from age 8 to age 15)

If your DD is a picky eater you can pre-order from HDD 24 hours in advance
pizza, mac & cheese and I think chicken fingers.

 

[ParkPrincess]

We've done both, and the Hoop Dee Do is by far our favorite of them. Our DD just loved it in January!! It is definitely one that I would do again.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've done both. We did the Luau when my dd was 8, then we did HDDR when she was 10. She asked if she could celebrate her 13th birthday at HDDR if at all possible...so that's where we were last Oct. We much prefer the HDDR show.

 

[HUFF590]

I loved the luau, but my kids liked the HDDR best.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

...need I say more?

 

[klj27]

We just did HDDR last week for the first time. We loved it! We were level two seating and were in the second to last row center. Our tables were the first ones that were raised, which gave us a great view. My eight year old couldn't stop laughing the whole time. He said it was his favorite meal of the whole trip.

I am not a big meat eater but filled up on potatos and corn bread. Our server made fun of me for not eating more and came back with a huge plate full of veggies from the buffet next door. They were delicious!

 

[klj27]

I had this last week for the first time and it was delicious!! I would love to make it at home. Does anyone have the recipe??

 

[Mom2Evie]

RECIPE INGREDIENTS


3/4 cup good quality balsamic vinegar

4 ripe beefsteak tomatoes

1 pound fresh salted mozzarella

Sea salt

4 sprigs of basil plus 1/2 cup julienned basil

1 1/2 cups Mesclun lettuce

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil





RECIPE METHOD


In a small saucepan over medium low heat, reduce the balsamic vinegar until it has reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Keep warm over low heat.


PREPARE THE STACK: Cut each tomato into 4 slices, keeping the stem end as one of the slices. Use the tip of a small paring knife to carve the stem out and create a nickel-size hole in the top of the tomato slice. Cut the fresh mozzarella into twelve 1/4-inch-thick slices.


ASSEMBLE THE STACK: Place the base of each tomato in the center of 4 medium-sized plates. Alternate stacking the tomato and mozzarella slices, seasoning the tomato slices with salt. Make 4 small bouquets composed of a sprig of basil and a few leaves of Mesclun. Tuck each bouquet into the carved hole of each tomato top. Drizzle each plate with 1 tablespoon of the reduced vinegar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Garnish with a sprinkling of julienned basil and sea salt.

 

[smjj]

Done both and Hoop-Dee-Doo wins hands down. Depending on when you go another factor is the Luau is outside and Hoop-Dee-Doo is inside. The "older" version of the Luau was replaced about 5 years ago with the one currently running. If the old one was still inplace, it might be a closer call but I would still pick Hoop-Dee-Doo..smjj