Hoop-dee-doo logistical questions

[Scott McDuck]

We are planning a visit to the Hoop-dee-Doo Revue (HDDR) in August. Trying to maximize the logistics of a meal, as not only is the meal itself long, but it’s also a hike to get to (at least from a park). So was open to suggestions and input.

A few specific questions:

1. Pros/cons of 6:15 vs 8:30 showing? (I think the 4:00 will be a non-starter for us.) Obvious one is 8:30 is a little late but could get extra park time in before. Alternatively, if we did the 6:15, we’d probably have enough time to make it back to MK for Happily Ever After at 10pm, right? (We don't need prime seats to watch the fireworks.)

2. I was thinking about going to HDDR on one of the days when the MK closes early (6pm) for the Halloween party (we’re not going to that). Figure we could just leave straight from the MK and not be “missing” too much. Thoughts on whether this is a good/bad/as-good-as-any day to go?

2A. If we do go to HDDR straight from MK, what do you think about our possible driving options? (We’ll be staying off-site and will have a car).

• Option 1: Drive to MK parking lot for park day; after leaving MK, take the ferry to HDDR; after dinner, take the ferry back to MK; [possibly watch Happily Ever After, depending on timing]; take another ferry/monorail to the parking lot; drive home.
• Option 2: Drive to MK parking lot for park day; after leaving MK, get car, drive to HDDR/Ft Wilderness; take the Disney bus to HDDR; after dinner take the Disney bus back to Ft Wilderness parking; drive home.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pooch]

I would definitely go with option 1. Much nicer modes of transport with NO BUSES!

 

[bama_ed]

The 2nd show of the night (615pm) is the closest to a traditional "dinner time" so it tends to book/fill up first. The last show at 830pm is the next to fill up.

Yes, taking the boat from MK to HDDR is generally the best way to get there (for those not staying at the Fort or maybe Wilderness Lodge).

However, be aware that the boat traffic to/from is interrupted (paused) when the Electrical Water Parade (EWP) is at 'presenting' at the Fort. EWP, when it pauses in front of a lake resort of theme park, stops all WDW boat traffic INCLUDING WL/FW to MK boats.

Here is the schedule when EWP plays at the Contemp (Bay Lake side), Fort Wilderness, and Wilderness Lodge (plus when Magic Kingdom is open late).

https://allears.net/walt-disney-world/wdw-planning/electrical-water-pageant/

HDDR runs about 75 minutes leaving 30 minutes to clear tables and reset for the next meal. So the 830pm show lets out around 945pm. Which is close to when the show plays at the Fort, Contemporary Resort or MK (on certain nights). I made it back to the Fort although later than I expected to.

EWP gets priority through the water bridge near Contemporary and WDW boats stop when near the show.

Just something to consider if you are travelling around EWP when it is nearby.

Bama Ed

PS - I have NOT tried to ride a FW boat to MK while EWP was nearby but I HAVE tried to take a boat from MK to FW while EWP was in Bay Lake. We were much delayed, one boat made it through here and there, but it's not quick, flawless, or recurring. But I understand that EWP is a WDW treasure.