Anyone actually recommend Backyard BBQ?

[JJsmama]

I asked on another thread about CRT with three boys and the responses were mostly "Skip it." I think I will cancel and now need another idea. We are reserved for HDDR, which everyone seems to love but am also considering MBYBBQ. It looks like fun, right? But everything I read is pretty negative.

Since it doesn't sound like fun to do Cali Grill,etc with 3 tired boys and no hubby along, if I don't pick another Signature, I will cancel DxDP and go to DDP since I am really on the fence at this point.

Anyway, is the BBQ fun at all or just a big let down? Is it really chaotic? or relaxing? I must say, those picnic table benches don't look very comfy...

 

[hstrickland]

I'll be interested to see what people say. We have a ressie for this in May. We've done HDDR and actually are going back again...the kids loved it. Wanted to try Mickey's BBQ despite the negative reviews. It looks like something that our 3 kids will enjoy. Who knows???....our family might really like it....or not

 

[Madi's Mom]

It has been years since we did MBYBBQ so my info may not be the best. but my DD11 was 4 or 5 at the time and absolutely loved it. Food was just okay - typical bbq food but the characters were there and danced and carried on with the kids. So it would depend on how much your kids would get out and participate.

The negative from an adult perspective was getting to it - with the buses and stops around the resort it took us a long time to and from.

 

[Snappy in OK]

We did MBYBBQ on our last trip (9/09), and we enjoyed it. As the PP stated, the food is your typical picnic/BBQ food - ribs, burgers, hot dogs, etc, and it was okay. Nothing spectacular, but not bad either.

The big draw is the characters & the music. The characters were out for dancing, and the music (country) was pretty good. Our kids (DD2 & DS4 at the time) enjoyed the music, and DS really had a blast dancing with the characters. DD was afraid of the characters at the time, but she relaxed after eating & we danced on the central dance floor together as a family.

There was also a guy doing rope tricks that was pretty cool.

As far as transportation - I would suggest taking the boat from MK. It is a short ride, and then a short walk from the boat dock. I have heard that it can take a while coming from another park or DTD, and then you have to use the campground's internal bus system. It was really easy coming from MK.

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We enjoyed Mickey's Backyard BBQ in Nov. 2008 when DS was 3. DS enjoyed the rope tricks and the characters. DW and DD19 had fun doing country line dancing with the characters. You get rope/lasso tricks, a live country band, dancing with the characters (I remember Goofy, Country Bears, Minnie, Others). The food was good -- it's picnic type food. Beer and wine included (Yahoo!) And unlmited help yourself Mickey ice cream bars for the kids.

I'd definitely return. It was fun. I'd say it's definitely a boy thing. The only reason we didn't come back is we were trying new shows and restaurants. The BBQ would be more fun with a large group, but we had fun too.

 

[mom2shayleeandlogan]

We have went twice, 1st time with a15mo old and 3yo and then the following year. We loved it both times, loved the dancing my older child had a great time with not only the characters but the other kids too! I thought the food was good, I wasn't expecting a 5 star meal, just happy to eat and relax.

 

[jacksmom]

We have thought about doing this but don't really like the idea of sharing a picnic table with others! Wondering how crowded it might be! Anyone have any pics to share?

 

[welchie]

I went with my 7 and 5 year old boys 3 years ago. We travel to the World every year. I felt the BYBBQ was ok and I do not regret going, but my boys have never asked to go back like they do for other dining options.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We are just starting to plan our ADR's for our Aug trip. DD7 had this on her list of places to eat. My question for those who have gone before-- are there any animals that come up and try to eat the food that has been dropped?? I ask bc DD7 flipped out a few years ago at Rose and Crown bc there was a squirrel that kept trying to get under our table while we were eating. The squirrel came to know the top of a baseball cap very quickly but it didn't deter him. We were right along the water for seating and we also had a white bird walking near us and flipping her out. When I told her there may be squirrels there she said she would pick a different ADR.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ginadv]

We're staying at FW in a cabin the first week in July so I've done a bunch of FW research.

1. re. BYBBQ--it's outdoors. No AC. For hstrickland, May could be buggy as the bugs are sometimes ahead of Disney's pest management in the spring (though you may be okay with May). I don't know what evening temps are in May, but it could also be a bit warm. For the PP who is headed there in August, I'd be more concerned about the temps than the squirrels!

2. if you're looking for character interaction I BELIEVE that I read that the characters at BYBBQ don't interact with guests; I think it's really more of a show than a traditional character dinner.

3. If you're already booked for HDDR (which gets amazing reviews--we're actually going for July 4th--I know, we're crazy to be in WDW over the 4th) then do you really need to schlep to FW a second time for the BBQ? Unless, of course, you're staying at FW!

JJsmama: did you consider 'Ohana at the Poly. That's super kid friendly and if you're going to be solo with your boys it's a very fun choice. Great food and entertainment. We went May 2003 (wow, that's ages ago!) and we loved it. It also gets great reviews.

 

[DCDisney]

If you are staying at FW it might be worth it but otherwise I'd pick another signature. Yachtsman Steakhouse was great for kids. Cute little steak meal and amazing kids dessert of a white chocolate mickey puzzle they can paint with edible paint plus a mini brownie and mini cupcake. There were tons of kids there and it's not too quite or formal especially if you dine early. Perhaps you'd enjoy a Fantasmic Dining Package at Brown Derby? There is also the Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Poly that usually gets good reviews.

 

[hstrickland]

Another question...we are staying at the CR, so we can take the boat to and from FW, right? When we went to the HDDR last year, we had to take a bus back to the Poly because the boats were not running that late...it took FOREVER to get back!!!

 

[scrappinmom]

We LOVED it! My oldest dd who was 13 at the time was a little bored, but my younger dd who was 8 loved it. There's loads of character interaction, dd was dancing with chip, dale and Mickey ! - the food is typical picnic food, but tasty, the wine made me happy. We really loved it. We've done every character meal at WDW, & this one, for young kids gets high marks from us. It's just fun

 

[jldixon62]

We have thought about doing this but don't really like the idea of sharing a picnic table with others! Wondering how crowded it might be! Anyone have any pics to share?

Last August we went on a Tuesday night and it was not that crowded at all, year before last we went on a Saturday and it was extremely crowded, my 5 year old grandson got lost in the crowd and a very kind dad helped him find us.

This year I'm going to book for a Tuesday and hope its not so crowded. My grandkids love music and dancing so we will go again.