HDDR Cat 2 or 3?

[Sarahgraci]

I feel like this question has already been asked, but I need help. DH and I are going to WDW in August. We are celebrating our anniversary and HDDR is our "splurge" meal. (We are so not fancy eaters- a country BBQ and show is much more our thing!) We'd like to go to the 6:15 seating, but right now, only Cat 3 is available. I already have booked Cat 2 for the late show. We would really prefer to be at the 6:15 show since we're going to Epcot the next morning, and we won't have our kid so we'll be drinking more than a couple of drinks at the show. Is category 3 really bad, or should I just stick to the late show?

 

[garris3404]

Don't know if you're on the DDP or not? If not, might want to splurge for Cat 1. If on the DDP, might want to pay OOP, and use the 2 credits each for other TS meals? We sat right up front once and had a blast! Make sure your ADR states that you are celebrating an anniversary!

 

[Sarahgraci]

Don't know if you're on the DDP or not? If not, might want to splurge for Cat 1. If on the DDP, might want to pay OOP, and use the 2 credits each for other TS meals? We sat right up front once and had a blast! Make sure your ADR states that you are celebrating an anniversary!

I should have added that info- we aren't on the DDP, and there aren't category 1 seats available at either the second or third show, only Cat 3 for the second show, and Cat 2 & 3 for the third. We'd love to have Cat 1 at the second show but that seating isn't an option right now. We have no interest in the first show of the night.

 

[yooperfan]

Category 1 is best IF you are booking close to 180 days out. If it is a close yo arrival book, I wouldn't bother with Cat. 1 because you may end up sitting basically where Cat.2 begins as they assign the seating from the stage area back according to who reserves first. If choosing between Cat. 2 & 3, I would go with 3 especially for the first show. We took Cat. 2 for early show once only. We did not care for all the guest noise between us and the stage at the early show, it was very noticeable. I believe it was partially because there are more small children at the early show.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) 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 some of you to turn around to see

2) Cat-3 isn't bad, if
. . . you don't mind turning around - one half of seats face away from stage
. . . you might have a pillar in your way - five posts per side
. . . your kids are tall enough - short kids might have railing in the way
. . . you don't mind climbing stairs to your seat - not handicapped accessible
3) Some people don't mind Cat-3.
. . . entertainers still visit the upstairs
. . . the food is not cold
. . . they like viewing down on the stage

Let's face it, whether HDDR, Broadway, or your local live theater, the expensive seats (eg. Cat-1 at HDDR) are ALWAYS the best. Sure, some like the balcony at HDDR, but Cat-1 is still the best.