Fantasmic or Hoop Dee Doo

[jcemom]

My kids speak good English, but it's not their first language, so they will struggle to understand language jokes. Is there enough "physical" comedy so they would enjoy HDDR? It's a little hard for me to tell from the descriptions. Thanks for any help.

There are some videos on YouTube that might help give you a better idea of whether or not your kids would like the show.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I have a 6:15 ADR for Hoop Dee Doo, and just realized that Fantasmic (which I have never seen) will be the same night at 8:00. I would imagine that I would never finish our ADR in time to see Fantasmic, so would you cancel the ADR and go to Fantasmic, or skip Fantasmic for the ADR. I've never been to either and want to do both.

I'd do fantastic and save the $$$

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[dudelydude]

Nothing against you folks, but I really expected much more love for Fantasmic over Hoop. We've done both shows and Fantasmic (for me and my family) was the clear favorite. Although my kids loved the food at HDDR, they were asking when the show would be over and I found it to be hokey. Fantasmic is somewhat of a hassle, but the show made it well worth the wait. We took the advice from people here that you need to get in line VERY early, but we kinda lingered near the entrance eating while we waited for the right time to get in line, then never had to get in line because the line started moving in and we just waited to jump in AT THE END (we didn't cut like some people) knowing that the place seats like 5000 people. While inside, YES, lots of downtime, but if you find things to keep the kids amused, time flies. My older two were 10 and 12 when we were there, so we showed them how to find us and then let them roam around a little bit. The show is a such a spectacle (in a good way) and has all of the Disney characters in it, which helped the kids relate to it better. But between the light shows and explosions and water walls showing videos, it was breathtaking. Leaving the show, YES, hard to get out of DHS and hard to get a bus, but we made sure to sit close to the exit, walked quickly when the show ended and went right for our bus with no stops and did well. At the very least, I would tell the O.P. to check out the youtube videos, consider the number of kids and their ages and consider what they would like. Hoop is more laid back with food but (again just my opinion) Fantasmic is the better show by a LONG shot.

 

[Karbase8]

I only saw F! one time the 2nd time we got rained out and I loved it and thought it was amazing, however many of my friends have been since and were really disappointed by it I am not sure why. HDDR was a standard when I was a kid in Disney and I went two years ago, since it was only me and my DS11 at the time we had to sit up stairs, our waiter was so-so and it was the last night of our trip so I was exhausted so I thought it was good but wasn't in love with the food or the show although I enjoyed it, we are trying it again this coming trip on our first day there and hoping for a much better time! My son loved HDDR and thought F! was ok. I would try to experience both if you can.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I dunno. Fantasmic! is free and is just a lot more fun in general! I love Hoop de Doo as well, but if I had to choose between that and Fantasmic!, I'm definitely choosing Fantasmic!

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

It's a tough choice. If it were Fantasmic at Disneyland I would definitely pick it. But the one at HS is less impressive and my family does like HDDR. I second the idea of looking on you tube and picking which one looks like a fit for your family.

 

[scdak]

I went back to the original post to see if the ages of the kids were listed, and they are 14 and 2 if the signature is up to date, that confirmed my answer .........HDDR all the way! The teen will think is hokie but will laught all the same, the younger girl will just laugh because everyone else is since she won't understand the corny jokes. On the other hand, Fantasmic can be scary and I have seen toddlers and preschool age scared and crying during it.

 

[SA mom]

Hoopdedoo...I'm singing the song right now!

 

[WishingMom]

I went back to the original post to see if the ages of the kids were listed, and they are 14 and 2 if the signature is up to date, that confirmed my answer .........HDDR all the way! The teen will think is hokie but will laught all the same, the younger girl will just laugh because everyone else is since she won't understand the corny jokes. On the other hand, Fantasmic can be scary and I have seen toddlers and preschool age scared and crying during it.

OP here! my girls are 14 and 3 now

 

[LisaTC]

My kids speak good English, but it's not their first language, so they will struggle to understand language jokes. Is there enough "physical" comedy so they would enjoy HDDR? It's a little hard for me to tell from the descriptions. Thanks for any help.

HDDR!!!

Even if they are ESL...the slapstick and funny physical comedy and facial expressions were the most laughable part for DD (who was 7 when she first saw it) There's singing and music and jokes/skits. It's supposed to be hokey. Think Calamity Jane w/Doris Day - over-exaggerated expressions, etc. I'd have a rebellion if I didn't make an HDDR ADR. We always have fun. It's nice to visit Fort Wilderness, too. We went on the Sleepy Hollow Carriage Ride when we went near Halloween...spooky fun. The boat ride over and back from MK is enjoyable as well.

 

[kirby428]

Rain and the slightest breeze that could disrupt the water spray screen and FANTASMIC cancels. Are you a gambler? Sure bet for a great meal and many laughs is HDDR. Still waiting for my good weather on my night at DHS. I will not sit for 90 min on a steel bench in a steamy poncho waiting for Disney to decide to pull the rug out from under a show FREE or NOT. Cancels are not free.

 

[Chimaera]

I must be really lucky because in our 12+ trips since we've been married (15 years) I've never had Fantasmic cancelled and I see it at least once every trip. It's one of the things I really look forward to - yes the wait kinda sucks and the benches are hard on the butt, but for people who are saying it was disappointing or didn't meet expectations I'd love to know what kind of shows you're used to seeing! Maybe it's just me that's whistling the opening bars from Fantasmic for days/weeks after the trip...maybe I'm just easily impressed

 

[jcemom]

I must be really lucky because in our 12+ trips since we've been married (15 years) I've never had Fantasmic cancelled and I see it at least once every trip. It's one of the things I really look forward to - yes the wait kinda sucks and the benches are hard on the butt, but for people who are saying it was disappointing or didn't meet expectations I'd love to know what kind of shows you're used to seeing! Maybe it's just me that's whistling the opening bars from Fantasmic for days/weeks after the trip...maybe I'm just easily impressed

I think it's a great show, just not always worth the hassle of getting in and back out again. For me, the water screens portion drags. I find it somewhat boring. I love the rest though. We have had them cancel the show due to rain. That really stinks.

 

[larryz]

I have a 6:15 ADR for Hoop Dee Doo, and just realized that Fantasmic (which I have never seen) will be the same night at 8:00. I would imagine that I would never finish our ADR in time to see Fantasmic, so would you cancel the ADR and go to Fantasmic, or skip Fantasmic for the ADR. I've never been to either and want to do both.

Having seen/experienced both, I'd stick with the HDD.

At least you get fed.

 

[princessbrulee]

We've been to both. HDDR is adorable, and my oldest requested going back for her sixteenth birthday. That's in 4 years. I don't feel a huge need to go back before that, although I wouldn't necessarily complain either.

If I skipped Fantasmic!, my family wouldn't forgive me. We go in August, and while it has been delayed due to lightning, it has never been canceled. It's my sister's favorite show (just after Wishes, anyway) and I use the music for my morning alarm.

I'd go with Fantasmic.