Hoop De Doo or Backyard BBQ?

[TravelingCircus]

We'll be traveling with five children -- ages 1 to 9, plus adults. Which one would you do and what time would you book to catch campfire smores with chip and dale the same night?

 

[TravelingCircus]

No one? Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[sscassel]

I don't know when you going but the BBQ is outside. So take that into consideration. Myself, hands down, Hoop Dee Doo. My kids LOVE it..And so do we!

 

[momtoejanda]

My kids (7,4,4 at the time) didnt like the BBQ. You need to have the kind of kids that like to get up and dance with the characters. If they are the watching type, it is boring.

I thought it was a lot of fun but the kids didnt. Since they didnt like it, we left a little early to go to the campfire, which was only ok in my opinion. It is fine if you are there but not worth a special trip.

I vote for the Hoop dee do!!!!

 

[staceylynnga]

First let me say that we have never done the BBQ, but I have looked into it and read the reviews and they just don't compare.

We did the HDDR in Jan 2009 when my Nathan (now 3.5) was 18 months. He was enthralled and couldn't keep his attention away from what was going on. Absolutely worth the 2 TS credits for us (at the time, he was free) and we loved the Cat 3 seating just overlooking the stage.

We are returning to Disney this August with our 2 boys (Nathan will be 4 by then and Brendan will be 20 months) and we are so excited to return to HDDR. We book a 715 res because the 515 is just too early (too much of a rush from a day at the parks - our youngest will need a nap and it's possible our older son will take one too) and the 930 show is ridiculous. I could never eat so late.

The food was tasty too (really enjoyed the salad, cornbread, and dessert). Try the HDDR, you will not be disappointed.

 

[jsesp]

Another vote for HDDR. We did the BBQ a year or so ago and were highly disappointed. Our girls were just not in to the show and when they tried to dance out on the floor, they gave up and sat back down at the table before I got to spend the rest of our vacation in Downtown Orlando. After the third person shoved my four year old out of the way so she could get a picture of her snowflake dancing, I was definitely having trouble maintaining my cool. They enjoyed the playground at FW more than the BBQ. They love HDDR and were singing the songs weeks after we got home.

 

[milmore104]

HDDR. We just did the BBQ 3 weeks ago for the first and last time. The food was not worth the $ paid. Plus it was cold by the time we got back to our table. DH liked the "free" beer but I was rather upset they didn't offer anything but punch and lemonade for myself. I would have brought a soda for myself had I known. Also our DD had nothing to drink because she drinks apple juice or milk. DH had to run to the store to get her some milk. Our oldest DD (9) didn't enjoy it at all. We had issues w/ the boat getting over there. So there were a LOT of people coming in late for it. We got a table right next to the exit and our oldest DD couldn't see anything. We got up and left after 20 min.Right as thery were heading into HDDR so we went there instead. LOVE HDDR it's a MUST for our family every trip. This trip we did it twice!

 

[webstah]

For those of you who enjoy the HDDR, we will be trying it for the first time this year, but have a concern.
We have been told that everyone is crammed in together, and that is is very crowded.
How is the seating? Is it elbow to elbow, or is there enough space to enjoy the meal comfortably?

 

[tina.tina]

We're going for our first visit in 1 & 1/2 weeks!!!!

We've got the HDDR booked because it seemed to have much better reviews than the BBQ. Lots of stuff about rabid parents shoving small children so theirs could get closer to the characters or so they could take pics of their kids with characters. Did not sound like the best option for us as I don't like chaos and my DD9 is picky about eating outside, too (which I had forgotten about when I was reasearching).

We HAVE to do the campfire singalong thing. This was the first thing my kids asked to do last year and is the thing they have said they are most looking forward to. Of course, they are obsessed with roasting marshmallows & beg to do it quite often.

 

[michelleiada]

The Hoop Dee Doo is soooo fun. We have done it 3 times and plan to do it again in May. We have yet to tire of it. The food is great and the show is really fun and funny! The stars of the show are very entertaining. This show can be enjoyed by all ages too. If you sit up front, be prepared to be part of the show!!

 

[cflowers]

Hoop-dee-do hands down awesome time you'll laugh your buns off!!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

It's not that crowded. If Le Cel is the standard for being crowded, Pioneer Hall is downright roomy.

 

[princessreilly]

I am tring MBYBBQ for the first time this year. I have been to Spirit of Aloha and HDDR. I thought HDDR was just ok, but DD loved it.

 

[Mazz519]

Hoop De Doo all the way, we did both and like Hoop much better. BBQ there is no real show you are pretty much on ur own. if your the type of family that enjoys Square dancing then do the BBQ. We really love the show and comedy routine of Hoop