First trip to WDW. Which dinner show with 2yr old & 4 yr old

[mayson12]

DH and I are taking our boys to WDW in January. It will be the first trip for all of us. I have enjoyed researching on these boards and have a question.

We are staying in a 1BR at Old Key West, and would like to do 1 big dinner show. I have looked at the reviews of Hoop De Doo, Luau and Backyard BBQ, but am still unsure of which would be best. My youngest will be 3 in March, and my oldest is 4 1/2, so the show would need to capture their interest.

Any feedback is appreciated. We are excited about the trip and can't wait to go!
Sandra

 

[sullins5]

We took our kids to Poly for Luau about the same ages. Our kids didn't appreciate the food (or $$$$)involved - We went in 2001 and had dinner at the Contemporary with the show there. I had a 14,13 and a 2yr. old with us. It was fast, but great!!!Can't remember the name of it, but I'm sure someone knows the name. And we called to make reservations, they said they were booked, so we went on over and tried our luck, and sure enough seated us in 15 minutes. All of us thought it was the best ever. (It might be Chef Mickeys unless they've changed the name. The picure they took was great too!!)

 

[jcemom]

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure Mickey's Backyard BBQ is only held March-November or December.

 

[2minny]

We love Hoop de doo revue. We've taken our girls (age 10, 8 and 6 now) every time we visit Disney world. We love it!

 

[Stimpy]

We took DS- then 3 to the Hoop de Doo and he loved it! We weren't too sure if he would "get it", but he had a great time. He laughed through the whole show, got to play some instruments and sing along. He's a really picky eater and he ate everything. That was last January and he's already talking about going again when we go in December.
I think the Luau would be better for older kids, but it really depends on your own children.

 

[kfeuer]

Another vote for Hoop Dee Do--my 2.5 year old loved it so much it was one of the most magical parts of the whole trip. He loved all the singing and dancing. I have to say the food was better then I expected, too.

 

[mcnuss]

Count me in on the Hoop dee Doo!

We had never gone in 10+ Disney trips with DD, but this past year, we had my niece & nephews, ages 2, 6 & 9, and everyone, including the adults loved it. Some of the humor will go over their heads but the singing and dancing is great, it's loud and the food is kid friendly. Well worth the $$, we'd go again.

And ps: my husband became part of the show! One of the lady dancers sat on his lap and sang to him. If you could have seen the color he turned! Priceless!

 

[Jacksmom99]

Another vote for the Hoop-Dee-Doo here!! We've taken DS (4) for the last three years. DD was 15 mo for the last trip. They both loved it!! DS knows all the songs and all the corney jokes. The slapstick humor really appeals to pre-schoolers. The music and songs really keep our kids entertained. We go every year for our anniversary and DS gets a kick out of mommy and daddy dancing in front of the crowd.

Since it's so close to your trip, I would call to see how full the reservations are at this point. If the show is very full, and since you would be making the reservations late (you can book this some 2yrs in advance) then you may end up with seats up in the balcony, which may not be as fun for you and your family. Some people don't mind the balcony, and the performers do try to get up there, but I would prefer to be in the middle of the action.

Oh, you can request "kid food" too if your children don't like ribs and chicken. DS couldn't make up his mind between pizza and mac'n cheese, so the server brought him both.

Hope this helps!
Kim

 

[lilallybean]

I have got to pick the Hoop De Doo! Took our three kids (DS12, DS8 and DD4) in May. They had a blast! They loved every aspect of the show and DS8 was picked to be up on stage as THE hero! I personally think he has a future in the lime lights! THe food was soooo good and DD acually liked the bread so much that our server gave her a loaf of her very own to take with us for breakfast the next morning. We didn't make an reservations until about two days before the show and STILL had GREAT seats! Don't forget your camara!

 

[Tina26]

We have Hoop De Doo on schedule for July and I can't wait! My kids are going to love it. I have a son who will be five then, who loves a good show, so I know he will love it. Wish it was closer to July!!! I just can't wait!!

 

[sprtnfan]

The Luau was a hit with my then 2.5 and 10 mo old last spring. Not the food so much, but they were entranced by the singing and dancing and especially the guys dancing with the fire sticks! That was the longest I had seen them sit still through a meal! We'll be giving the Hoop Dee Doo a shot this next trip and hoping that they enjoy it as much as they did the Luau. It looks like they will judging from everyones responses though!

 

[mayson12]

Well it looks like I'll be trying to get seating for Hoop de Doo. While the Luau looks entertaining to me, I'm afraid my guys are a little too young for that.

Even though we're leaving soon, I'll still try to get seating. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!

 

[Stimpy]

Good Luck and Have fun!

As long as you aren't going around MLK Day, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. We went to WDW last January 2003, decided on a Saturday afternoon to go to Hoop De Doo, called that day from the resort and were able to get a table for the early show 4 hours later. We had great seats on the floor about 1/2 way back and there were alot of empty tables. We were shocked since we heard how hard it is to get in there! Have a great time!