Hoop-De-Do/Mickey's BBQ--Must Dos?

[MamaBear58]

Be honest...is one or both a "must do" for a first-time visit to Disney with kids 7 and 4? I have to confess that neither menu looks particularly interesting to us (DH and me), and I've heard it's rather corny. But we are staying at WL. If this is the thing everyone does and CMs will be asking my kids about it, I'd hate to feel like I deprived them of something.

We are not doing a dining plan, if that matters.

I'm leaning towards Fanstasmic, other character meals, and meals with good views (of Wishes, Illuminations, etc.).

Thoughts?

 

[Disney44please]

We did neither and aren't planning on either anytime in the near future.

I think for a first trip the kids are going to be more concerned with being at the parks and enjoying all the experiences there. I know my kids didn't want to sit down, rather along leave.

Mickey's BBQ - I've heard some people are disappointed because there is not a true meet and greet. The characters come out and dance with the kids and that is pretty much the interaction.

HDD - Most people love the show, but truthfully I am just not impressed with the premise. The food is the same as the Trails End Buffet, which is significantly cheaper. The only difference is the alcohol is included at HDD.

At 4 & 7 I think you might be better off doing Chef Mickey's or Cinderella's Royal Table depending on interests. There are lots of great character meals, I just don't think Mickey's BBQ or HDD qualify, IMHO.

Good luck !

 

[lisski76]

Be honest...is one or both a "must do" for a first-time visit to Disney with kids 7 and 4? I have to confess that neither menu looks particularly interesting to us (DH and me), and I've heard it's rather corny. But we are staying at WL. If this is the thing everyone does and CMs will be asking my kids about it, I'd hate to feel like I deprived them of something.

We are not doing a dining plan, if that matters.

I'm leaning towards Fanstasmic, other character meals, and meals with good views (of Wishes, Illuminations, etc.).

Thoughts?

Took DD almost 4 to both. She LOVED Mickeys BBQ!!!! She was abler to dance with the characters and meet them as well. She did not want to leave. She enjoyed HDR, but not like the BBQ.

 

[Happyjen27]

Hoop Dee Doo wasn't on my list for our first trip, but this second trip it made the list. It will make the list every year from now on, it was corny, but so, so, so fun!!

 

[staceyrhood]

Hoop de doo!!! All ages will love it

 

[powellrj]

We have been going for years and have never been to either one and never plan to go. They won't miss it on their first trip, there are so many things to do!

 

[sturowski]

My boys 7 and 4 loved hoop de doo last year and will be doing it again this year per their request.. The previous 4 years we did the luau... We have not been to Mickeys backyard BBQ but that was getting out last year at the same time as hoop de doo and my kids were looking in on it and thought it looked pretty neat for kids

 

[ElenaRN]

I don't think either are MUST DOs.

We have done both and have enjoyed both. We started branching out to these types of things after going to WDW many times and looking for something different.

Hoop Dee Doo has all you can drink sangria- which we thought was great prior to having DDs!!

DD had fun at the BBQ and your kids are good ages for it. Def not a must do IMHO.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My kids wouldn't want to be bothered with it. They enjoy the parks way too much. They are parks and pool kids. There are times they even complain about regular ADR's because they would rather be in the park or at the pool.

 

[tina.tina]

Nothing is a must do with young kids- unless you tell them you're doing something in particular and they get their hearts set on it. (I do suggest showing the ride videos to get kids excited and figure out what they really would like to do.)

We took our kids (5&10) to the HDDR for the show and because of the fried chicken. They have finally slowed down but they used to devour chicken.

 

[kidd_freeper]

HDDR is expensive.

I would say that it is a must-do at least once.
If not this trip, do it the next trip.

 

[PlutosMommy]

We've stayed at Fort Wilderness and I don't think you'll need to worry about anyone asking your kids about either. With that said, out of all our dining experiences the BBQ has been my son's (age 3) favorite so far and the only one he has asked to go back to. BUT, I could easily see how some people wouldn't enjoy it as it's rather chaotic at times. And, Hoop-De-Doo is one of the few we haven't been to yet so I can't really comment on it! Whatever you decide, your kids will have a blast.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Both are good fun things to do at WDW. Both are expensive and are extras for sure. Unless your trip is 10+ days, I would not try to add a lot of extra stuff. The parks are plenty for the first time.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I wouldn't classify either one as a "must do" for a first trip. There is so much to see and do in the parks you don't need to worry about finding time for either one.

I've been to WDW close to 30 times since childhood and had never done the HDDR until our most recent trip, which was for my 40th birthday. I remembered my grandparents going to it on their 50th anniversary trip (I come from a long line of Disney fans ) and my grandma telling me how much they enjoyed it. So for a special birthday treat, we went and we did enjoy it tremendously and it was one of our favorite things, but I still wouldn't say it's "must do" for any trip. We may never go again, but it was fun to do once.

 

[bledsoedoc]

Neither are must do's on your first trip. We have been tomDisney many times. We have done both. We enjoyed hddr but not the bbq. Parents were crazy pushy with their kids. My kid waited his turn to dance with characters and several times parents would shove their kid in front of him. Big furn offto both me and my son. We ended up dancing together and avoiding other parents . At times it was really physical andmy child just didn't need to be exposed to that.

 

[jvattes]

Be honest...is one or both a "must do" for a first-time visit to Disney with kids 7 and 4? I have to confess that neither menu looks particularly interesting to us (DH and me), and I've heard it's rather corny. But we are staying at WL. If this is the thing everyone does and CMs will be asking my kids about it, I'd hate to feel like I deprived them of something.

We are not doing a dining plan, if that matters.

I'm leaning towards Fanstasmic, other character meals, and meals with good views (of Wishes, Illuminations, etc.).

Thoughts?

We did BBQ on our last trip and we ALL had such a great time that we are going back again this time - probably the last time the kids will really enjoy it (9 and 6).

There *is* a true meet and greet while you are waiting for the pavillion to open. Not sure if it's always the same, but we met Chip and Dale.

We all ate heartily (and I enjoyed a few beers) and everyone had a ball dancing. Money well spent.


Next time (after this 2014 trip, that is) we'll probably do HDDR because our kids will be much older.