Hoop De Doo advice

[glocon]

I’ve been to Disney quite a few times but never went to HDD.

People seem to really really enjoy it, so for our second annual Sisters Trip we are looking at either HDD or Story Book Dining (neither of us has done either of these). Kind of leaning towards HDD.

We are thinking tier one if we can get it. How is seating assigned? Will a table for two have a decent chance of a good view?

We will be coming from EP, and hoping to go to WL and see the EWP afterwards (and stop at Territory Lounge and/or GP somewhere in there as well). Would the 615 show be our best option?

Thanks for any advice you all have!

 

[gmi3804]

If you book the top tier, you'll be guaranteed a great view. Middle of the floor, maybe even up against the stage at a two-top. Second tier is towards the back of the main floor, on a slightly elevated platform. A bit more removed. Third tier is in the balcony, at a long table that runs the length of the railing, and you'll be at adjacent swivel chairs, not unlike bar stools.

I like to make an evening of HDDR. It's a destination in itself. The early show is too early for me, the late show is too late. 6:15 is great.

 

[glocon]

Probably bus from EP to MK then boat to FW is best route?
Would leaving between 4 & 430 be about right?

 

[gmi3804]

Easiest route from Epcot: Bus to FW, internal bus to front of FW (where Pioneer Hall is located). After, there's a boat that goes to WL from right outside Pioneer Hall. Territory Lounge for an after dinner drink is fun!

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

Hoop Dee Doo and the Electrical Water Pageant are, no joke, two of my favorite things in all of Walt Disney World. I had to go back and check my notes to confirm, but we have indeed done the 6:15 show and then hung out before catching the EWP from the Fort Beach. I'd just double check the EWP times if you want to bop to Wilderness Lodge as I can't remember where it stops first!

Also yes, tier one is absolutely worth it. I ended up right next to the piano and banjo player last time. I also ended up IN the show but I think that was more to do with the checkered dress I was wearing that basically screamed "I am a big HDDR fan" lol

 

[mamatohaleybug]

I honestly don't think there is a bad view. I've been seated in different places and enjoyed every view. It's not the like the whole show happens on the stage. Last week I was at a two-top mid-way back on the side and enjoyed that. I also like the view from upstairs. I'd do the middle show, time-wise. Have fun!

 

[NYCgrrl]

For the money and lack of being pulled on stage I prefer tier two. Truth of the matter is it’s a pretty small theatre so all the seats are “good”. Take a look at the stage layout when you book and you’ll see what I mean. I believe only tiers one and two are wheelchair accessible.

 

[bama_ed]

We are thinking tier one if we can get it. How is seating assigned? Will a table for two have a decent chance of a good view?

Tables are assigned for a tier/time/date in the order in which the reservation is made. The earlier you make the reservation, the closer you get placed to the stage.

Also be aware that full payment is made at the time the reservation made.

Discounts like Annual Pass and others are reimbursed when you check into the line before the show. There is not a way to get the discount applied at the time the reservation is made. But it all works out in the end.

It's a fun show and the food is plentiful and good. And the show can be corny at times but purposely so which makes it fun.

We've been a couple times and enjoyed it every time.

Bama Ed

 

[NYCgrrl]

Tables are assigned for a tier/time/date in the order in which the reservation is made. The earlier you make the reservation, the closer you get placed to the stage.

Just wanted to clarify that if you make your reservation early enough you’ve a choice of tier and hour; it’s not just based on how early or late you make it.

All this talk of HDDR decided me to book for this Independence Day as it’s certainly up my Disney newbie girlfriend’s alley. Currently, nothing avail but 8:30 but all three tiers are open and I chose two.

 

[BeachMouse1]

We have done both and both are very good. However we went to Hoop Dee Doo for the first time in many years a few trips ago and wow it was so much fun. We couldn’t believe we waited so many years before going again. It’s such good old fashioned fun with a lot of food! For days we were talking about how much fun it was. It’s classic Disney.
We have done Storybook dining twice recently it’s fun and the food is very good probably better than Hoop IMHO but hands down I would do Hoop. We had tier 2 and were very close to the stage but on the side. Seats were good

 

[bama_ed]

Just wanted to clarify that if you make your reservation early enough you’ve a choice of tier and hour; it’s not just based on how early or late you make it.

Absolutely. I'm glad to see you agree with me.

That's why I specified you choose a date, a tier, and a time for the show when making a reservation.

And then the rest falls into place. Based on 'the early bird gets the worm'.

Which, I have to say, is kinda as it should be, n'est pas?

Bama Ed

 

[Rm4OneMore]

We just ate there on Saturday. We paid for tier 1 for a party of four. We were just behind the first three tables. Those tables had two, two person parties and the other table had a party of three. This was our first time trying HDDR and we loved it! It's way to pricey for us, but that won't stop us from going again.

 

[glocon]

I looked today for 60 days from now and saw only tier 2 & 3 available.
How fast does tier one go?

We’ll be going the first week of September this year, probably looking at day 3 of our week (9/1-9/8) if that matters.

 

[Marthasor]

I would definitely pick HDDR over Storybook Dining!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

As is said above book Tier 1 and as soon as your window opens. Always get sat right up front which IMO is very worth the negligible difference between Tier 1 and 2 pricing. But then again larger parties may not feel that way as it'll for sure cost a lot more! Enjoy! One of the best experiences on property!

 

[CarolynFH]

I looked today for 60 days from now and saw only tier 2 & 3 available.
How fast does tier one go?

We’ll be going the first week of September this year, probably looking at day 3 of our week (9/1-9/8) if that matters.

HDD books up fast, especially tier 1. When we first visited WDW in 1994, you could book up to 2 years in advance, and people did!

 

[bama_ed]

As is said above book Tier 1 and as soon as your window opens. Always get sat right up front which IMO is very worth the negligible difference between Tier 1 and 2 pricing. But then again larger parties may not feel that way as it'll for sure cost a lot more! Enjoy! One of the best experiences on property!

Yes Tier 1 books up but also since there are 3 shows per night, the middle time (615pm) tends to book up sooner/more among all categories as well since it's closest to the conventional dinner time. The early (4pm) and late (830pm) shows might have availability in Tier 1 when the mid show doesn't.

It just depends on what else you might have planned for the day you want HDDR.

To the @TheDailyMoo 's point, adult prices aren't much different between Tier 1 and 2 (just checked current pricing and it's $74 (T1) versus $69 (T2)). I hope it takes YEARS for Disney to figure this out.

 

[Figment Mom]

Tier 1 with a party of 2 and we had the front, center table right at the stage. My son was 9 and he got invited to be in the show.

Several years later, Tier 1 with a party of 3, we got seated at the exact same table. Younger son was 7 and he also got invited to be in the show but declined.

HDDR is a must-do for us!

 

[glocon]

So next question…
We want to try the different lounges too. Stop at one lounge before HDDR and another after.

What all would you recommend?
Crockett Tavern, Territory Lounge, Geyser Point?

I don’t think we can get to all three.

 

[team bradfield]

we like Crocketts, but we stay at the fort so we are kinda partial to the resort.