Dinner Show or Brown Derby

[mb_uh]

We are doing deluxe dining and have several must have dinners booked, some with kids and some without. On our MGM day I was planning on going to Brown Derby but wonder if a Dinner show for a 5 and 7 year old might be better. If so which would you do?

Thanks,

 

[valeriemouse]

I think Hoop De Doo is a MUST at least once. The show is so interactive and entertaining As simple as the food is, it is sooo yummy! When I went in August I saw a ton of kids the same ages as yours. I've never been to Brown Derby though, so I can't comment if it's better. I'm sure there is someone on here who's done both and can comment!

 

[BigTex71]

I haven't done the Brown Derby, but I will second the Hoop Dee Doo Review! My kids loved it and it is turning into a first night in WDW tradition for us. I highly recommend it, you must try it at least one time.

 

[Nadjalu]

I would not do Brown Derby with kids, simply they would be bored out of their minds.
The atmosphere is very sophisticated, while I am sure the kids are welcome, it just isn't their cup of tea.

The cliental of BD is upscale and very "tight" if you know what I mean.

I think the kids would have a better time somewhere else.

 

[pooh2001]

Your kids and you will enjoy the Hoop De Doo ! The show is so funny and the foos is great for kids your ages - better than Brown Derby, YOu can even pre-order food for a special diet or kids meal 48 hours before the show. Just call WDW dining to be connected to the HDD Chefs. In the past kids can get pizza, grilled cheese and pb&j. You can even get specialty diets like celiac or diabetic meals at the HDD. Just ask for the options for food.

The menu is perfect for familes - Tossed salad, loaf of bread and honey butter, Ma's Delicious Fried Chicken, Smoked Barbecued Pork Ribs, Mashed Potatoes , Country Style Baked Beans and for dessert: Strawberry Shortcake
Drinks included in the meal price: Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Sprite, Orange, Pink Lemonade, Iced Tea, Apple Juice, Milk, Chocolate Milk, Hot Tea, Coffee, Draft Bud Light, Chardonnay, Rose, Sangria, and Merlot

Easiest Transportation and nice ride - but will take at least 1.5 hours with wait times included....bus from DHS to Contemporary, walk the sidewalk over to MK from CR, then go to the MK boat transportation area and take the boat to Fort Wilderness - The HDD is right there.

Or do DHS in the AM and MK in the afternoon. Then go to the MK boat transportation area and take the boat to Fort Wilderness - The HDD is right there.

To go home- depends on your ticket options, resort choice, and park hours.
If you have a muti-park ticket, you go boat back to MK, do some MK that night and then boat/bus back to your resort.
OR
If you are staying at a WDW on site resort, busers will be near the HDD to take you back to your resort after the shows.

 

[mb_uh]

Thanks- I was thinking about Hoop Dee Doo. My husband wanted to do the luau but I have not read good reviews.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've been to Brown Derby a couple of times in the past year and it's loaded with families with children. The atmosphere may be "stuffy" but in practice it wasn't at all. It was way too loud to be tight in there.

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

I would recommend The Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian or Hoop Dee Doo. I've done the luau four times and it never gets old. They finally changed the story line which was an added plus. Food is amazing at both locations. Hoop Dee Doo would most likely be a better choice for children because it has a great comedic value. Regardless I would definitely choose a dinner show. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[OhThePain]

I am also on the Hoop Dee Doo train. It is family tradition to go once on a trip. My girlfriend and I and my parents went to Orlando (Gaylord Palms) for a convention back in September and we still managed to make it to the HDDR. We actually treated a bunch of clients to the dinner show and they all had a fantastic time, even the ones who were skeptical. The show is a lot of fun and the food is pretty good.

IMHO, the luau is not worth it. The food is alright but the show drags and can be a bit boring. I have always noticed a lot of the younger kids either lose interest or fall asleep durring the show.

If you break down the value of the dinner shows into TS credits, I like to think 1 TS credit goes to the food and the other goes towards the show. HDDR has good food and the show is very entertaining, so, to me, it is worth the 2 credits. As far as the SOA goes, the food is good enough to earn that TS credit but the show does not deserve its TS credit. Therefore, SOA does not deserve both TS credits.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[honeydiane1953]

We are doing deluxe dining and have several must have dinners booked, some with kids and some without. On our MGM day I was planning on going to Brown Derby but wonder if a Dinner show for a 5 and 7 year old might be better. If so which would you do?

Thanks,

If you have never seen Hoop Dee Do Show it is a must see. Food is good and show is funny. Very entertaining. We booked last show because it was all they had and u DO NOT get in one minute early. So if at all possible I would def go for early show.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Another vote for HDDR. We have never done Spirit of aloha but have done both HDDR and HBD.

I have to disagree about the stuffiness of HBD as it is much the same as any other WDW non-character fancy food restaurant. I had a fantastic meal and would go again but I was the only one of the four of us to love the food. the kids actually liked the ambience and the fact that if you sit in the right place you can see the live shows such as the HSM one in the front of the sorcerers hat area. Food was a little too rich for DH and DS and too light on the fruit and meat for DD.

Food at HDDR was fine, nothing amazing but well cooked and fine. Bear in mind though that for an adult your alcoholic drinks are included and tip. The show is outstanding and brilliant family fun. A must for us again next trip.

 

[lolakat]

I am a huge fan of the HDDR. I think the food at the BD is not as good as many of the other 2 credit resturants and it is not fun for kids. I think the luau is also fun for kids but I don't like the food there.