Convince me to do HDDR

[Donop26]

I'm so on the fence about going to HDDR. We are on the regular dining plan, so a 2 credit meal for us. I have the 8:30 pm show booked to get Category 1 seating. It will be myself, DH, DS 16yo, DD 15yo, and DD 11yo. We have never been in the 4 times we have been at Disney. We will be there 8/26 through 8/31.

Staying at GF, so I know it's boat to MK and then boat to FW. Unless, of course if there is bad weather, then we may have to Uber.

Just not sure it is worth the travel time there and back (and possible Uber expense), the 2 credits, the night lost in a park, etc. It does get some amazing reviews, but is it really worth it considering the ages of my kids?

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[alltwelve]

Regarding transportation, I read on here that those new Minnie Vans on property can drive you directly to Pioneer Hall, which would save a lot of time on transportation! I realize GF does not offer the vans at this time, but maybe they will by your vacation time.

Regarding the HDDR itself, the last time we went there with kids, the oldest one was an 11yo (the other 2 were a 7yo and a 9yo) and they had a great time! Your kids are older, and I've seen kids your age there who seem to be having a good time, but its hard to say since all kids are different. The jokes are corny, but the actors do such a great job that its a lot of fun!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

This was always a family favorite for us growing up. We don't take the time to do it every trip, but if you have been wanting to do it, I think your kids are at great ages for it - I enjoyed it in that age range. We get a kick out of it. If you're going to do it, I'd do it now.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

We do it every trip and still love it.
The show is corny, but funny and the actors are quite talented.
The food is deliciously country fried and is all you can eat plus beer and sangria. My favorite is the cornbread with honey butter.
It is totally worth the money and effort. Make sure you are prepared for a late night though!

 

[no one]

We loved the show, went on our first trip with our girls two years ago (9 and 6 at the time). We are going again in April and the girls put that on the top of the list to do again. You may want to check out a youtube video from Adam Hattan (my girls are huge fans of his) I think it is the one he stays at Ft Wilderness, he went there a couple of months ago and you see what the show is about. As PP said always tough to know what kids that age will like. With it being your fourth time it might be worth the trip to do something different. Before going I was definitely hesitant, I am not country at all, but I had a great time despite a Patriots deflategate joke with the spotlight on us We didnt think the travel was all that bad, nice boat trip over.

 

[mbcary]

It's one of those things that you have to go to at least once to see what it's all about. Plus the food is really, really good! I'm not as big of a die hard fan as my parents. They go just about every trip.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I'll be the voice of dissent and say I hated it and thought it was a giant waste of time. Stupid and corny and the good was just ok.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'll be the voice of dissent and say I hated it and thought it was a giant waste of time. Stupid and corny and the good was just ok.

What?! You mean you don't like the hokey pokey? And that annoying giggling chick not to your liking either!?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

What?! You mean you don't like the hokey pokey? And that annoying giggling chick not to your liking either!?

Lol, nope. We did the show because everyone said you should do it once but after that evening I would have rather chilled at the resort pool.

 

[Parker Clan]

We think it's a Disney must... We've gone every year since 2011. Love the silly show and food.
You're missing out if you don't go!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you aren't super excited about doing it, I wouldn't. It is an investment of time and money (or dining credits). We went when DS was 3 1/2 (he got really antsy and didn't enjoy it), but I thought it was fun. We are going back this year (he's 9 now so will either enjoy it or roll his eyes at the corny jokes. At least I think he'll stay in his seat this time!). Honestly, if you are on the fence, I would instead pick something else you are more interested in doing that evening.

 

[rosiebean]

If you aren't super excited about doing it, I wouldn't. It is an investment of time and money (or dining credits). We went when DS was 3 1/2 (he got really antsy and didn't enjoy it), but I thought it was fun. We are going back this year (he's 9 now so will either enjoy it or roll his eyes at the corny jokes. At least I think he'll stay in his seat this time!). Honestly, if you are on the fence, I would instead pick something else you are more interested in doing that evening.

I so totally agree with this.

Everyone is different. My "must dos" at WDW are very different than my sister's "most dos", for example. It took my family a while to realize that (and our joint vacations are so much more relaxing now).

HDDR is a large investment in dining credits and time. No way would I personally invest that unless the meal/show really appealed to me. If you have to be talked into investing those credits and that time into the show, maybe it's not the right experience for your group.

 

[jvsims]

I don't mind spending the 2 credits because the tip is included. If my family ate two separate table services that'd be at least a $25 tip each.. so $50 out of pocket on tips. ...instead, we go to Hoop Dee Doo, then use that $50 out of pocket for a quick service meal at another time, so we still eat twice, but the out of pocket is the same. I thought it was corny, but enjoyed the food & seeing my husband & kids getting to be silly. There's some hootin' & hollerin' napkin twirling & wash board playing at the table they really enjoyed.

 

[mousefan73]

ALCOHOL is included.

 

[Lisa F]

it's too expensive to be convinced to do it. I love it but it's expensive and a pain in the butt to get to... if you're not into it, those two factors are going to make it never seem worth it... two most valuable things at Disney are time and money. If you're resenting misuse of either you're not going to enjoy yourself.

 

[jimmytammy]

For transportation, from GF, I would take the monorail to Contemporary then the Steamboat Willie boat(its what I call it, the smaller boat, not the bigger yellow and white one). It may stop at WL otw but its pretty fast. HDDR is one of those must do at least once kind of things. Of all the dinner shows, its the most popular and though we have only done the Spirit of Aloha show and not the Mickeys BBQ, HDDR far out ranks SOA in food alone. I would say go for it knowing you will have good seats. As time goes along, free dining may subside and you may find that you can't merit the extra expense.

 

[ryukage]

Unlimited beer (or wine if that's your preference), and it's an energetic show for kids too.

Also, you could always head directly to FW from any of the other theme parks, like an evening at EPCOT and a bus back to FW. It's not as though you need to dress up for HDDR.