Hoop de Doo or Spirit of Aloha?

[Goofy's apprentice]

If you had only one to choose which would it be?

The trip is just my DD15 and Dniece8. We are there Thurs to Tues and have reservations for a Chef Mickey's breakfast and 1900 Park Fare dinner (which I may cancel). My DD has had many trips to WDW so not as concerned for her, but my Dniece needs to experience Disney magic!

As well, how important are the seating categories? Will I be disappointed for Cat 2's? or 3's?

haven't been to any of the dinner shows so looking forward to seeing one! Obviously as I am the only adult, the unlimited drinks are not the draw this vacation!

 

[Goofy4]

HDDR will likely leave a greater impression on you (and probably a good one ). Some people don't care for it, but I'll probably be going back for a 3rd time before I do SoA a 2nd time.

Our kids, now 16 and 14 have enjoyed HDDR both times, but like me, they also liked SoA (and most things Disney)... I just asked them, and they said they liked HDDR more.

 

[Goofy4]

As well, how important are the seating categories? Will I be disappointed for Cat 2's? or 3's?!

This thread has more on that: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36647282

See post #38 for links to pics.

For SoA, I would avoid cat 3. There was nothing wrong with our Cat 3 table (we took whatever we could get), but if the place is full, a couple cat 3 tables might not have a good sight line.

 

[mom0299]

We've seen them both and I would say HDDR.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Thanks for the links to the previous discussions....somehow I can never get the thread search to work properly for me.

So far looks like there are more positive reviews for HDDR than SoA....

 

[Woth2982]

I did SOA when I was 12 cuz HDDR was not available. I really have no strong desire to go again. We got a 930 showing of HDDR for 12/11 so we can see Fantasmic then head over to Ft. Wilderness.

 

[jacksmom]

We have done both and really liked HDDR a lot more!

 

[princssdisnygina]

HDDR for sure. The SOA has put me to sleep not once... but twice. I will never do it again. The HDDR we do every other year since it never changes so we don't get bored with it. It is great food and great entertainment!

 

[Hannathy]

HDDR definitely. I have never taken anyone there who hasn't liked it and the food is good.

My kids liked it so much they tried to talk me into doing it twice. None of us liked the SOA show and the food was sub par for a disney dinner.

I have never had a bad seat at HDDR and had what ever cat you get on the free dining plan the last time. Our seats at the SOA were not very good and my DS had to kneel to see(no one was behind us)

 

[OhThePain]

Another vote here for HDDR. The show is far more entertaining and the food is better there. SoA can be really boring at time, IMO, and the food is just not as good.

As for seating at HDDR, I have sat in all of the different categories and my girlfriend and I actually like sitting up in the balcony (cat 2 or 3) better than sitting on the floor. The cast still comes up stairs to interact and you don't have to worry about somone sitting on top of you or blocking your view.

 

[jimmytammy]

Never done Aloha, but did HDD a few trips back and loved it!

 

[GeorgeG]

HDDR, hands down! We had a great time there just last night.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Thanks so much for all your responses! Definitely a consensus here....

 

[SuzieN]

HDDR for sure!! It is a lot of fun and the food is really tasty! SoA was long and boring with mediocre food and a truly disgusting dessert.....

 

[ilovejsparrow]

HDDR is a must do! Categories don't matter.. I've sat in all of the categories at HDDR and was never disappointed in either. Have a great time!!!

 

[momandseandodisney]

we have been to both (myself and DS12) we were debating which one for this year, and choose Spirit of Aloha

 

[honeydiane1953]

HDDR hands down

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

HDDR!!!!!

 

[Maridw]

HDDR Hands Down. We have been there numerous times and loved it every time. Not a bad seat in the house.

Will NEVER do Spirit of Aloha again. We had a problem with the family at the stage end of our table and talked to the CM about it. The CM talked to the family but it did not solve the problem. (The family in front of us was a family of three and the little boy was standing up the whole time during the show. After the CM talked to them, he was standing in his mother's lap, so I could not see the show at all). We talked to a Supervisor afterward and the only thing that they would do was to let me (by myself) come back the next night to see the show. We were a group of 5 and we were leaving the next day. When the problem did not get resolved after the CM talked to the family, we even asked if we could be seated at a different table that was empty and they would not move us. DH emailed WDW and really did not get any satisfaction with their answer. This was about 10 years ago. But to this day DH says he will not go there again. We enjoyed HDDR so much more.