Help With Hoop-Dee-Doo

[AnnetteWI]

I am so relieved,
If there is only one row for the entire balcony, the hall must be small?
Over the months of planning I kept reading stories from people who hated the balcony(back to the stage, didn't feel as part of the main audience, etc.) and then I read parties three and under get the balcony I was really starting to sweat.
How come we never hear bawling from the people who are on the main floor but way in back? Is it because the hall is small and only seats only so many people?

Annette

 

[campingcorgi]

Originally posted by Pocahontas1


We're staying at VWL and never thought about taking the boat. That might be the way to go if it isn't too difficult getting a return launch.

The little boat makes the FW, Contemporary, WL run (not sure of the order) and the large boat goes FW, WL, MK (again, not sure of the order) so just ask whichever boat captain you see first if it is going your way. They are both a great ride!

 

[Tess]

Seating at HDD is done based upon the reservation date AND the number of folks that actually reserve for a show. We have always gone to the first seating and it has been a sell out on each occasion.

Our first year (1993), we were seated upstairs--our party size was the same then as now, 4. There were very large parties upstairs and NO small groups of 3 or 2. After I learned the seats are based upon date of reservation, I have reserved earlier, and earlier each year. Last year we didn't go because we didn't decide to head to WDW until January 2002. I already had reservations for HDD on Father's Day for 2003! I've had this particular reservation for 22 months!

I do not believe the statement that parties of 3 are automatically seated upstairs. Groups of all sizes are accommodated on both floors. In fact, I've seen parties of 2 seated right at stage level--front and center. Even IF you do have upstairs seats--you will have no problem viewing the show and service is just as good up as down. When we were upstaris in 1993, our daughter was only 2 and son 6--they LOVED the show just as much then as they do now.

Have fun. . .BTW, I agree--take the boat from MK and return post-HDD for fireworks at MK and Spectro if the park is open at that time during your visit. Just be sure to allow sufficient time to get there--it can take some time on occasion!

 

[magicplace4me]

We are going in nov. and are staying at the VWL. In the past we have always stayed at ft. wilderness so I was well aware of the boats and had figured on that for our trips between the 2 resorts. (my DS9's favorite resturant in WDW in trailsend). It just occurred to me to wonder if on our HDDR night for the 7:15 show the boat will be running between the resorts around 9:00? I believe the MK will be closing about 6:00. Does anyone know how late the launches run between resorts in off season?

Maybe we will just have to book a carriage ride. LOL!

 

[donaldismyfriend]

Can anyone answer the question of:

Where will I pick up my tickets for the show. CM said that Swan would not be able to help me with this. Maybe because it is not a Disney owned resort????

If you have the answer, please respond!!!!!

Thanks,

 

[Rileygirl]

Hi

I have reservations for the hddr in march. We are staying at the poly, I had just figured we would cab it to fw. Here is the question.... Can the cab take us right to pioneer hall, or will it take us just to the gate and then we have to take a fw bus to the pioneer hall?.. I have read somewhere that you can wait up to 30 min for that bus and really, I hate it when it takes us 1 1/2 hours to get to point b from point a. If we have to catch that bus, maybe it would be easier, cheaper and prettier to monorail it to the contemp, and then take the boat? Anybody tell me the best way to do it?

Rileygirl

 

[Alice28]

I don't know from experience, but from what I have read, there is a launch from the Contemporary to FW and that that is a simple way to get to HDDR. It is the route we're going anyway- and since you are at Poly, it might be kind of fun to take the monorail to the CR- make it a real outing. I do know that you will have to stop at the GF and the MK before you hit the CR, but I don't think that's too big of a deal. One thing I don't know is how late the resort monorails run...anyone? (Like if you were seeing the 9:00 hoop dee doo...could you take a launch back to the CR and hop on the monorail to the Poly??)

 

[Rileygirl]

Hi Alice

I have tried to find out about how late those launches run, cause that is going to effect me as well if we go that route. I cant seem to find the info anywhere.....does anybody out there know?......I think I might have to break down and email tourguide mike about this. I will let you know if I find out anything......

Rileygirl

 

[Rileygirl]

Hi all

for those that are interested in those launch times......TGM just emailed me back and tells me this

"Cabs are not allowed inside fw, so yes they drop you off in the parking lot thats at the entrance to the campground. From there you take a bus to the "settlement" which is where pioneer hall is. I prefer your idea of the monorail/boat ride....it is quicker and prettier.......The hours of operation of the BLUE launch (thats the one we need, cr to fw) is tied into the magic kingdom hours. It runs everyday from 7:30am (although it always seems a little late!) until 10pm. If the magic kingdom is open later than 10pm, it remains in operation until 1 hour after the mk closes. ......but if you are there any later when the launch is not in operation...know that there is a circle bus that runs between the campfire area, the settlement, Wilderness lodge,the ttc and the outpost."
Well, I hope this helps you out, i know it does for me. Thank you Tourguide mike!!
Rileygirl

 

[Pigsty333]

We have always done the HPDD show. We have sat right up front, to the side and on the balcony. We are a family of five so we did get to see the show from the balcony and the kids loved it. They sat against the railing and saw it uninterrupted. It gaves us a great view and the cast members did come up to our table and made us part of the show.

For some reason, my husband and kids love this show and the food. That is the first thing they ask for when we say we are going to disney. In 2000-01 we were at the show and had the balcony seat to the left. We were looking around the main floor when we suddenly noticed someone that looked very familiar. My DD(now 23 yrs.) commented that the guy was George Lucas (Star Wars) with his family (3 tables right in front of the stage)> Lo and behold it was and my kids got to talk to him and he signed one of the menus for them. They really got a kick out of it and he was a sweetheart.

We are doing this again on 2/15 (Valentine's Day) and we hope to enjoy it as much. This time I have my aunt, who has never been to Disney. We always do the Ferry and have no problems.

If you are staying on Disney Property you can pick up your tickets at the hotel's guest services, if you are not on Disney property then you must pick them up at the ticket window at Ft. Wilderness, hence the 30 minute rule. I am so glad I went with the Silver Plan and paid for most of my meals upfront.

 

[popeyeohoh]

just made my reservations for hoop de doo. $196.62 for a family of 5
Is this worth it? Seems like a lot.

 

[ilvsocr00]

I know the initial sticker shock gets you, but from what you posted that is approx. $39.00 a person - not bad when you consider that you are getting dinner and a show for that cost. My family went last July for the first time and they are still talking about it. If you like interactive entertainment there is nothing like it -- at least not here in Pennsylvania!

The dinner was all-you-can-eat and drink. There was more than enough of salad, fried chicken, ribs, corn and baked beans. Save room for dessert - I don't want to ruin the suprise!

Sorry if my spelling if off -- it's Friday and my brain lost interest in typing today

 

[Pigsty333]

That's comparable to what you get when you go out to dinner and order, salad, entree and beer, wine and soda.

Love it. We are doing it again. It is the best time. Nothing beats the meal in the buckets, the ale glasses and the washboard. It is so much fun for the kids and my DH loves it. That is his only request - we must do the HDDR. Strangely, the other request I got this year from my 10 and 12 yr. olds was the Mickey's Backyard BBQ.

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?...203205&collid=96823218105&photoid=26904218105

 

[Pigsty333]

Just go to the album page and scroll through it. you'll be able to see the pics taken at the Hoop Dee Doo. That time we were in the balcony and as you can tell, the cast members do come up and interact and take pictures as you can see.

Enjoy it.

 

[popeyeohoh]

After the intitial jolt I'm all better. Looking forward to it now.

 

[yecats]

Sorry to be the bearer of some bad news, but we did just see this show this past December and didn't like it at all. (We went due to a family members recommendation of the show and what it was 10 years before and it was different then.) However, it certainly was not our taste. We did enjoy the food and were placed at the front against the stage but thought the show was too corny. Kids really do seem to like it and I felt a lot of it was written to keep them involved. We were only two people and it cost about $100.00 (we don't drink) and didn't feel like it was worth what we paid for it. I know a lot of people go back, but we never will.

 

[donaldismyfriend]

A great big thanks for all of the info and all of the pictures.

I guess it just goes to say some people love it and some people hate it. It looks like more people love it. Regardless, we are going and we are going to LOVE it no matter where we sit. We have never done this one so it is going to be great. We always like doing something new.

How long is the dinner and show?

Thanks again!!!

 

[Pigsty333]

It runs about 90 minutes. Yeah, its corny, funny too. But isn't that what vacation is all about. Do crazy things, corny things, things you would never do at home. It amazes me how some people want Broadway productions all the time. The price is not bad. How was he charged almost $100 for two. There is nothing extra to buy, etc.

We love it. But to me, being corny is part of the whole "Disney Vacation Experience." Do I walk around my town with Disney ears, Goofy hat, etc., "No." But in Disney, "YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!"

Go and enjoy all the fun.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

We went last week for the 5 pm show. I made the reservation about 8 months in advance and we were in the second row right in the middle - great seats!! We were a party of 3 so I guess that whole "parties of 3 sit in the balcony" thing is not completely accurate.

We love Broadway shows, opera and symphonies and we also really enjoyed this show. Yes it was corny but it was very cute and the entertainers were so well cast and very talented. We laughed a lot and our dd (almost 3) really enjoyed the music etc. We will certainly do it again although I doubt it will be an every-trip occasion.

It does indeed cost ~$100 for two people as that is what we paid last week (dd was free as she is under 3). There were NO discounts of any kind (no AAA, AP, DC etc.) so we paid full price of just under $50 per adult. It was indeed a rather expensive night but we were okay with the cost in the end. We also bought the family picture and magnets for $20.

We look forward to returning to HDDR again someday - good food and lots of laughs - a great combination!

 

[RachelEllen]

We just got back from Disney and saw Hoop-de-do for the first time. We also love V & A, Broadway, the symphony, Epcot, and we had a blast! I'd booked almost a year ago and we had the table dead center right up against the stage. There were parties of all sizes all over the hall. I don't think we would go again, but it was a fun, silly show and the food was tasty.

Rachel