HDDR Cat 1 Seating

[pjpoppins]

We are heading to WDW this summer to celebrate my DD's 10th birthday. We have never actually been there for her birthday in July so it's a big deal to her and us. On her birthday she wants to do HDDR. We did Cat 2 seating (via dining plan) last time. I would love to get her in the front row this time, she'd love to get on stage. Any tricks?
Also, we are going with another family (so a party of 6). Can we sit in the very front with these many people or are we better with 2 parties of 3? Thanks.

 

[StaciaRae]

My understanding is that seating is assigned based on when you make your ADR so the sooner you make your reservation, the closer to the front you'll be.

 

[Pakey]

We sat in the very front with 8 people. My grandson (6 at the time) was one of the ones selected to go on stage. I'm pretty sure I booked this close to the 180 day mark

 

[cruisingmom1977]

We booked our Cat 1 seating for a party of 6 right at 6:00 am at 180 days and had seats right in the stage. They were almost too close as my FIL ended up sitting with his back to the stage and had to turn around to see the show.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

My understanding is that seating is assigned based on when you make your ADR so the sooner you make your reservation, the closer to the front you'll be.

Yes, I believe this is right, and the tables are actually moved around to accommodate that policy. We ate there last June as a party of six and were right up to the left of the stage. Our table was picked on ruthlessly (which we all loved!).

 

[Mainemama]

We ended up at the exact same table as pp (front row to left of stage) as a party of 5 last February. We were also picked on... My kids laughed so loudly they kept drawing the attention of the performers. We actually only booked 2 months in advance, and we were late to show (got stuck on a boat waiting for a captain), so I was surprised by the table. This was the 4:00 show, so maybe that one doesn't book as fast.

 

[michelepa]

I took my DD (11) for her first time in late August to the HDDR 8:00 show.

We had category 1 seating made on the 180th day.

We weren't up against the stage but the next row out.

I liked being a little further away from the stage. We had a really nice view and weren't looking straight up at the performers.

I've been there a couple times and it doesn't matter how close you sit to the stage the performers mill around the audience and will get many involved in the show. You might remember that even the waiters and waitresses are part of the shtick here. Those sitting directly at the stage were not the only ones chosen to be part of the show.

So even if you are not right up on the stage there is a likelihood your children will be included in something if the child appears interested in participating.

Also, they do make a big deal about anyone celebrating anything no matter where they are sitting.

 

[senadler]

I definitely prefer category 1 for this show, but I don't think it matters where you are in category 1. We were at this show in October with a group of 10 and were about half way back on the side. My husband was included in the show in a very funny way and the kids in our group loved it.

 

[Stefecatzz]

I booked a Cat 2 table with our DDP once & when we showed up to check in, we were moved to the Cat 1 table for 2 to the right of the stage. It was a great view.

 

[katt789]

The earlier you make your reservation the better! The tables right against the stage are 2-4 tops, and the row behind that has some circular tables for parties of 6+ That being said, I've booked a party of 7, 20 mins before the doors opened, and we were sitting in that row (we think someone cancelled)

Go to the 4pm show if you can, it's usually WAY emptier, we've booked cat 2 before and ended up in cat 1 because there's way less people.

As for getting up on stage, the cast all picks those throughout the show, they kinda keep an eye out for specific types of people so it's all up to luck!

 

[Trip planner]

is there anyway to upgrade to cat 1 on the DDP?(Not counting the 8:00 pm performance- kids too young for that) I would gladly pay the difference. We did cat 1 OOP last year and my kids LOVED it. I was glad I booked CAT 1.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I would love to get her in the front row this time, she'd love to get on stage. Any tricks?

Nope.
.
HOOP-DEE-DO-REVIEW TICKET AND SEATING "411":
1) HDDR tables are prioritized in category by WHEN the ressie was made
. . . whether via phone or on-line.
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made in January gets a better table than ressie made in February
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made within 7-days of the show gets Cat-1 leftovers
2) Tables are manually assigned on 8th day before the show date.
3) Last minute ressies are assigned to the next open table in order.
4) There are no requests allowed for tables.
5) The earlier ressies are made, the better table location.
6) Exception: #044 & #045, kept for last minute handicapped guests.
7) Table numbers do have meaning,
. . . EXAMPLE: table #052
. . . 0 = floor-level
. . . 5 = fifth-row-from-front
. . . 2 = second-table-from-left (when facing the stage)
8) Tables and table numbers may be moved around to accommodate number of guests.
9) Only one family/group is usually seated per table. *
10) Distribution of tables and categories, prior to any combining of tables.
. . . Cat-1 tables are main floor back to row8, they are the best seats
. . . Cat-2 tables are the seven tables in row9 on main floor
. . . Cat-2 tables are the last four on left/right wings
. . . Cat-2 tables are the eight rear balcony tables facing stage
. . . Cat-3 tables are the eight tables on both balcony sides
. . . Cat-2 and Cat-3 tables may have posts in the viewing way **
. . . Cat-3 tables require one-half of the table to turn around to see
11) DDP Credit Use
. . . 4:00pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 6:15pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 8:30pm show = 2TS for Cat-1, Cat-2 and/or Cat-3
12) Ticket Pick-Up:
. . . up to 7-days prior to show date at any Concierge or any Park/DTD Guest Services
. . . within 2-hrs prior to show-time only at HDDR Box Office at Fort Wilderness
. . . box office windows are to the left of Pioneer Hall at FW
.
* There are four large tables for big families. If there are no big families (which seldom happens), they will mix small families of 2-4 to fill the tables. This allows HDDR to maximize the seating, and revenue. If there are more than one group at the table, each group has its own "family style" menu items.
.
** I often assign seats for HDDR, and wince when I put folks behind pillars or have the pillars in their line-of-sight.

 

[purple figment]

is there anyway to upgrade to cat 1 on the DDP?(Not counting the 8:00 pm performance- kids too young for that) I would gladly pay the difference. We did cat 1 OOP last year and my kids LOVED it. I was glad I booked CAT 1.

No. You cannot use cash to upgrade the category 2 or 3 seats at the earlier performances when using credits.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

is there anyway to upgrade to cat 1 on the DDP?(Not counting the 8:00 pm performance- kids too young for that) I would gladly pay the difference . . .

.
.
1) As stated by purple figment, nope.
2) Once in a GREAT while, there will not be a full house, and they move some Cat-2 and/or Cat-3 people to Cat-1 seats without charge.
3) But, don't count upon this.
4) If you want Cat-1 for the 1st or the 2nd show, you need to pay for it.

NOTE: The reimbursement from DDP does not cover the profit from a cash Cat-1 seat. And, to make it fair to everyone, they don't permit DDP to "upgrade" for cash. Such would drastically reduce the capacity of Cat-1 Cash seats, since lots of DDP people would probably book Cat-1. If Cat-1 seats were not available, many cash people would not go, as they would have to settle for Cat-2 or Cat-3.

 

[drea21]

We booked at 180 days and were a party of 6 and we were against the stage. We were in the corner though, which I liked, great view (my husband also had to turn is chair to see though) but not smack in the middle of the room.

 

[Trip planner]

.
.
1) As stated by purple figment, nope.
2) Once in a GREAT while, there will not be a full house, and they move some Cat-2 and/or Cat-3 people to Cat-1 seats without charge.
3) But, don't count upon this.
4) If you want Cat-1 for the 1st or the 2nd show, you need to pay for it.

NOTE: The reimbursement from DDP does not cover the profit from a cash Cat-1 seat. And, to make it fair to everyone, they don't permit DDP to "upgrade" for cash. Such would drastically reduce the capacity of Cat-1 Cash seats, since lots of DDP people would probably book Cat-1. If Cat-1 seats were not available, many cash people would not go, as they would have to settle for Cat-2 or Cat-3.

Thanks for the heads up. A DDP calculator recommended using the DDP plan for HDDR and paying OOP for other reservations but paying OOP for the Cat 1 may be the way to go. What are the chances we would get stuck behind a pillar if I book CAT 2 right at the 180 day mark? (Party of 4)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What are the chances we would get stuck behind a pillar if I book CAT 2 right at the 180 day mark? (Party of 4

.
.
1) Simply depends upon where you are in the seating queue, as you are assigned by the date/time you make your ressie and pay.
2) Some folks are going to get tables that are not as good as others.
3) Your only bet is to get the tickets 6-days ahead of the show date and see where your table is located.
4) The numbering system to find your table is quite easy to comprehend.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

calculator recommended using the DDP plan for HDDR

1) I would not use DDP for HDDR.
2) DDP is bad financial choice for
. . . any dinner show
. . . any breakfast
. . . most lunches ("signature dining" at lunch, are the only exceptions)
. . . room service

 

[Trip planner]

1) I would not use DDP for HDDR.
2) DDP is bad financial choice for
. . . any dinner show
. . . any breakfast
. . . most lunches ("signature dining" at lunch, are the only exceptions)
. . . room service

I was surprised the calculator suggested using the DDP for HDDR. At any rate, DH said book CAT 1 and pay OOP. We are there for the experience. And we want to maximize it!

 

[Meriweather]

booked right at possible day for 2 people, 2 times over the years.
Same table both times, front and center. It was great