Hoop De Doo versus Fantasmic (for 2.5 and 4.5 year olds)

[anomamatt]

The title is fairly self explanatory, but I have the possibility of booking the Hoop De Doo dinner or the Fantasmic dinner special and need to decide which would be best for a 2.5 and a 4.5 year old?

Obviously have heard good things about both... I'm leaning towards Fantasmic due to their ages, is that a better choice than Hoop De Doo?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Betty Rohrer]

my grandkids loved Hoop and a couple of the younger ones do not do well with Fantasmic so before you make up you mind I would look for You Tube videos to watch before you decide

 

[kj2mom]

We did both with my then 4 years olds and they absolutely loved Hoop De Doo while one was scared by Fantasmic! I agree, checking out the videos may help. Do you not have time in your schedule for both or just only wanting to pay for one meal? The reason I ask is because often times same day FP are available for Fantasmic! which if you could get those once you have used what you needed during the day, you could still get into F! without having to wait for a looonngg time and still have great seats without paying for dining (I have done dining and really enjoyed it so please don't think I am completely down on the idea of the F! dinner package just saying if $$ is the constraint there is a way to possibly go to HDDR one night and still see F! without waiting in standby on another).

 

[anomamatt]

Thanks for the responses. Great ideas to check out YouTube. I watched Fantasmic! on YouTube with my 4.5 year old last night and he enjoyed it. He's a skittish kid, however, and might be different in person. We will watch Hoop Dee Doo tonight.

We are doing the dining plan, so $$$ is not the issue, but I ended up scheduling a lot of character meals for the other dinners (because my kids want to meet as many princesses as possible). We are going in Feb/Mar and Fantasmic is scheduled at 7pm, which is when I scheduled most of our dinners. The package "dinner" is at 4:30 or something crazy.

In terms of using a FP for Fantasmic!, that is a great idea kj2mom. How does the FP line (and seating) compare to the "VIP" seating that comes with the package? I thought I read somewhere that the VIP and package was the only/best way to avoid waiting in line a long time (and arriving early, etc)?

Thanks so much! I have not been to WDW in 20+ years and I didn't think of using YouTube to "scout" activities... very good idea!

 

[kj2mom]

Our friend @Robo has a great explanation of using a FP for F! and a map of where you sit with the dining package vs FP vs standby http://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/#post-56460953

I have done the F! dining as well as a FP and honestly, both were great but I don't need to be front and center. Pretty much any seat is okay with us. There was no line when we entered with our FP, we just headed that way during the time window, walked through the FP entrance and found our seats.

 

[anomamatt]

Great, thank you again!!

 

[Kerriowl]

I would think that you should be able to do Fantasmic without any dinner reservations in Feb/Mar, especially if you want to sit a little further back for the scary factor. I have a skittish younger one (4 almost 5 last visit). He did fine with Fantasmic. Being outside and physically removed from the scariness helps I think. It's Tough To be a Bug is a no go for him, Fantasmic was fine.

I haven't done Hoop Dee Doo since I was 7 (almost 33 years ago), but we are doing in for our next trip in May. Can't wait!

 

[adisneyaunt]

I'd actually do hoop de doo. Highly recommend it. Kids love it, as do adults. Music, interactions, fun time for All. Kids love the spoons on the washboards, Yummy non fussy food and ....drinks for adults. Win-win in my book.
Great memories with my DS and Xtended family, grandparents etc.
Many visits under our belt
Easy to get too from ur MK day... Boat right across, if u coordinate that.
Fantasmic is nice but some little ones not crazy about it... Loud etc. and no need to book a meal with it. So to me, I'd do Both.

 

[roseaster]

My kids love both. There is one part in Fantasmic where mickey is fighting the dark forces. Some people have said it scared their kids, it never did mine, and I have 1 who was really afraid of "spooky" things. Plus, if someone gets spooked, it's a show, not a ride, so you can leave.

I agree with a PP that at that time of year you probably won't need the dinner package. It will get you there ridiculously early and you will just sit and wait for the show. (We used it once and we travel during a slower time) You are probably better off using FP. Tip... if it's chilly don't sit down front. Mist comes off the water.

My kids LOVE HDDR. It silly and corny, but great fun.

I would definitely try to do both if you can.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My kids love both. There is one part in Fantasmic where mickey is fighting the dark forces. Some people have said it scared their kids, it never did mine, and I have 1 who was really afraid of "spooky" things. Plus, if someone gets spooked, it's a show, not a ride, so you can leave.

I agree with a PP that at that time of year you probably won't need the dinner package. It will get you there ridiculously early and you will just sit and wait for the show. (We used it once and we travel during a slower time) You are probably better off using FP. Tip... if it's chilly don't sit down front. Mist comes off the water.

My kids LOVE HDDR. It silly and corny, but great fun.

I would definitely try to do both if you can.

but be prepared to have a few steps in dark if you have to leave in middle of show as back rows, back and next 2 if I remember correctly are held for handicapped and their families. saw a few families made to move as they wanted back seats

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

I have to note that these are two different types of reservations.
Hoop de Doo is a dinner show where they feed you awesome country fried food as you watch an olde tyme stage show with audience participation.

The fantasmic package is you getting VIP tickets to the fantasmic show if you have a regular dinner or lunch at a Hollywood studios restaurant. Two events.

My whole family loves HDD and it's not at all scary.

 

[gatormom2tots]

Keep in mind, you do not need a dining ressie for Fantasmic. You don't even eat while you watch the show. All it does is reserve you seats at the show in the evening. So technically, you could do HDDR and Fantasmic without dining reservation.

There are some scary parts, but my 2 year old watched it with no issue. I think my 4 year old was a little more scared than her.

HDDR there is nothing scary at all.

 

[ColonialMouse]

Having spent half of Fantasmic outside the theater holding a terrified 2yo I would hesitate with the 2.5yo.

Bruce