Hoop De Doo on DP

[brymolmom]

Well, I just called to book my hopefully free dining ADR's....we decided to use 2 credits on Hoop De Doo this year and give it a try. Another family wants to attend this dinner with us, so they transferred us to Group Dining since it's a party of 8. Anyway...the group dining woman told me that anyone who uses DP at Hoop De Doo can ONLY get category 2 or 3 seating (I've never been, but I gathered by her description that it's the less desirable seating). This CM said several times during our conversation 'well, you can pay for it and I can put you in category 1'. Now, as of right now - I AM paying for the dining plan...and using **2** TS credits for this show per person. So I'm not sure about the discrimination to those on the DP.

I think I'm going to call and ask about seating just 4 of us (and have the other family do the same) to see if this is something unique to larger parties (the CM said it was for EVERYONE on the DP, tho) or if this is the case for everyone.

I'm definitely rethinking this now...using 8 credits for undesireable seating (and, btw, all she 'found' even in those sections were for the 9:30pm shows which is too late for my kids). Although I didn't really believe her...I kind of got the feeling she was just trying to sell me into paying for it OOP.

So, anyone else hear this with their ressies? Has anyone sat in category 2 or 3?? Is it still worth 2 TS credits sitting there?

 

[happybirdsfan]

cat 2 or 3 is what I was told. I was also told they only had 9:30 PM left. I called a few days later and the 2 or 3 is what we get on the ddp. But I was able to move to the 7:30 seating. I thought the 9:30 would be way to late for my kids.
I do not think it is worth paying out of pocket.
Good luck

 

[lyzziesmom]

This is a change that was made last year to the DDP. They put the seating at the dinner shows (HDDR and the Luau) into tiered categories. Even paying OOP, category 1 is the most expensive. Category 1 is ONLY for those paying OOP, you can't get those pricey seats on the DDP. (It's also the only section that is handicap accessible, which means handicapped guests MUST pay top dollar, but that's a whole 'nother issue.) I think she was just trying to get you to pay more, maybe they are having a hard time filling those seats?

FWIW, last year I did the HDDR on the free dining plan, before they seats were categorized. We were at the table in the front row right next to the piano. I had to scoot my chair way in so as not to touch the pianist with the back of my chair. Honestly, we loved the show but those seats were TOO CLOSE. We could see up the performers' skirts and noses, and could see their microphones "hidden" in their costumes. My DD8 kept reaching out and putting her hand on the stage, I had to keep telling her she'd get it stepped on. I don't think the other seats are "bad," they are just a little farther from the stage and/or up on a 2nd level balcony. I probably would have enjoyed the show more if I wasn't so distracted by being practically up on the stage.

I'd just stick with your original plan of using the DDP for the show. You are already paying for that, use it to your advantage and see the HDDR and don't let anyone talk you into something YOU don't really want (i.e., paying OOP for "better" seats).