Best seats - Hoop-Dee-Doo

[sherry_car]

My family is planning to reserve seats for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue for our trip in Sept.-Oct. I have read some reviews which imply that the best seats are not necessarily the most expensive, that if you sit in the front seats some of the action may occur behind you. Which section really has the best seats? None of us would be particularly interested in be drafted as a volunteer, so that is of no concern.

Thanks for your help!

Sherry

 

[Cinderella94]

We ate at the Hoop this past Jan and LOOOVED it! We had tier 2 (not the most expensive) seats and we thought they were some of the best seats in the house!

 

[disneymath]

We had Category 2 seating for a party of six ... that put us in the upper balcony looking straight down on the stage and all the action on the floor. (We weren't interested in becoming part of the show, so it worked out great for us.) It was a bit crowded up their though - but still manageable.

Also, for what it's worth, there were families on the balcony who became part of the show when they were "spotlighted" as they talked to the actors/servers (e.g. to say where they were from etc.).

The category 3 seats are all on the upper balcony but run along the sdies instead of across the back - not as great a view of the stage itself, but still allowing you to see all the action on the floor. (Oh, and some of the Category 2 seats are at the back on the main floor ... not sure how the view from their would be.)

 

[daisyduck123]

We ate there on January 30th...we sat in Tier 2 - upstairs & dead center, looking down. Our table was probably one of the best in the house.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We love tier 1. Each time we have been in the 2nd row, and it is so great. We really feel a part of everything, and like being so close to the stage. I think it's worth the minimal extra expense.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We also went and had category 1 seats in February. We didn't really think there were any awful places to be sat but the Category 1 seats were brilliant. The action 'behind' you is actually about 5 minutes singing etc. and you just turn round and see it. Definitely the best interaction was had in cat. 1.

We loved it here and would go again in a flash, very slow service but food well cooked (we didn't go expecting gourmet) the show was a real feel good experience and it was fabulous for all ages.

 

[Kayleebug]

I booked HDDR today for our trip in June. The CM indicated that you are seated in the order that you arrive or something like that. How can you request to be in the balcony? We booked Cat. 2.

 

[daisyduck123]

I booked HDDR today for our trip in June. The CM indicated that you are seated in the order that you arrive or something like that. How can you request to be in the balcony? We booked Cat. 2.

No, I don't think that's right. If I remember correctly, when we arrived in late January, we were told that the seating was already assigned, so it didn't matter if we were at the front of the line or not.

 

[disneybound31]

Interested in this as well- how to request the balcony tier 2. Do we ask for this to be part of ressie at booking? Or at check-in?

 

[sherry_car]

I booked HDDR today for our trip in June. The CM indicated that you are seated in the order that you arrive or something like that. How can you request to be in the balcony? We booked Cat. 2.

My understanding, from one of my guidebooks, is that the seats are assigned in the order that the reservations are made. So, the earlier your reservation was made, the better the seats within your category.

 

[jkp464]

First time we went, our seats were somewhere in the middle of the bottom floor - pretty good seats. When we went a few years ago, our table butted right up to the stage. This was WAY to close for our liking. We actually had kinks in our necks from that angle. This year I am going to request category 1, but a row or two back from the stage.

 

[jcemom]

As a PP stated, seats are assigned based on when you make your reservation.

We've been in category 1 twice -- right next to the stage, and about halfway back on the left -- and category 2 twice -- last row on the floor in the back, and on the balcony just to the left of center. All the seats were good. One of the actors had spit flying out of his mouth when we were right up against the stage, LOL, and worrying about how close he came to our table while we were eating did somewhat distract from our enjoyment of the show.

I rather liked the category 2 seating because we prefer to sit back and watch everything as opposed to being in the middle of everything and having to look all around us to see what's going on.

 

[PattnFmly]

Did anyone notice if all of tier 1 was handicapped accessible? We will have a wheelchair bound man with us and have been contemplating this as one of our dinners. We went years and years ago, but haven't been there in a while.

 

[onemaybaby]

My understanding, from one of my guidebooks, is that the seats are assigned in the order that the reservations are made. So, the earlier your reservation was made, the better the seats within your category.

I've read this too, I just can't remember where. I do own the Unofficial Guide to WDW, is this the guidebook you have too? Maybe this is where I've seen it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

From someone who has made seating assignments:

1) Seating assignments are made by the date/time you make the ressie.
. . . the first pass is eight-days before the show
. . . others assignments are made daily for those later assignments
. . . day-of ressies are assigned at the show, or via phone to the show number by a CM
2) The best seats are Category-1.
3) Period.
4) People may claim their seats were "perfect" in other categories.
5) Frequently it is a way of justifying their seats.
6) But, better seats always cost more, whether on Broadway or at HDDR.

NOTE: You can tell your table number by looking on the ticket.
. . . Legend: Floor level, row number, table number
. . . Example: 032 - 1st level, 3rd row, 2nd table (from left, facing the stage)
. . . Example: 044 - 1st level, 4th row, 4th table
. . . Tables: Table numbers can change if some are combined
. . . Reserved: 044 and 045 are usually left until the last minute for handicapped

 

[jcemom]

2) The best seats are Category-1.
3) Period.
4) People may claim their seats were "perfect" in other categories.
5) Frequently it is a way of justifying their seats.
6) But, better seats always cost more, whether on Broadway or at HDDR.

I'm sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree with this. We have had seats in both category 1 and 2, and we preferred category 2. Not because that's all we could get. We made our reservation at 180 days out and could have had category 1 if we'd wanted it. The next time we go we'll reserve category 2 again.

I did not like sitting right up against the stage as much as I liked being at the back of the room. Neither did my shy DS or DH. I did not like worrying if the character was going to spit in my food, though we did laugh about it, LOL, and I'm sure that doesn't happen every night.

I preferred being at the back of the room over being in the middle. We felt we could see better and didn't have to keep twisting around to look behind us.

Maybe the majority of people prefer category 1, I don't know. We don't.

Ditto for Cirque. We liked being in the second tier there too.

 

[sherry_car]

I've read this too, I just can't remember where. I do own the Unofficial Guide to WDW, is this the guidebook you have too? Maybe this is where I've seen it.

I have the Unofficial Guide and Passporter's. I think it was the Unofficial Guide where I read that.

 

[sherry_car]

I'm sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree with this. We have had seats in both category 1 and 2, and we preferred category 2. Not because that's all we could get. We made our reservation at 180 days out and could have had category 1 if we'd wanted it. The next time we go we'll reserve category 2 again.

I did not like sitting right up against the stage as much as I liked being at the back of the room. Neither did my shy DS or DH. I did not like worrying if the character was going to spit in my food, though we did laugh about it, LOL, and I'm sure that doesn't happen every night.

I preferred being at the back of the room over being in the middle. We felt we could see better and didn't have to keep twisting around to look behind us.

Maybe the majority of people prefer category 1, I don't know. We don't.

Ditto for Cirque. We liked being in the second tier there too.

I would say that the most expensive seats will always be those that are perceived by the general public to be the best. Usually that means the most expensive seats are the best, but not always. And, what is best for one person may not be best for another.

In this case, after reading everyone's comments, I will try to book category 2 seats. We are not interested in being part of the show. We are a group of shy people, and I think we may feel a little overwhelmed by the action if it is too close. It sounds like the action is spread across the stage, and that is usually the situation when it is easier to watch from a little further back.

Thanks for the help!

 

[derrickmom]

GREAT info !! I make our ARS in 7 days!