Hoop Dee Doo or Mickey Backyard BBQ?

[DisneyMom2000000]

We are thinking about going over to Fort Wilderness on our arrival night in December. We love seeing all the campsites and their decorations! Traveling with a 2 year old and a 5 year old.

Mickey's BBQ only has Cat 2 seats available. I think I would definitely pick this if there were Cat 1, but no such luck right now.

Hoop Dee Doo only has Cat 1 seats available. Just not sure the kids will love it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Interested in this as well.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We have not done Mickeys BBQ - but have done HDDR many times - just about every time we go. We took our kids as young as 6 and they Loved it. They ask to go back every year. I don't think a 2 year old would enjoy it - you don't meet characters - it is a show on stage. They do walk around asking questions but I don't think a 2 year old would be entertained like meeting characters. Plus our kids LOVE the food at the HDDR. All you care to enjoy of fried chicken, BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, corn, beans, salad, etc. I don't think your 2 year old will be bored - there is a lot of singing but it is not the same as seeing and meeting Mickey, Etc. But maybe someone who has seen both can answer better.

 

[MaggieBags]

Mickey's. Our seats were the tables right when you walked in. Def. not category one You couldn't see the band very well but it didn't matter too much as we ate. The performers (rope trick guy if I remember?) ended up asking the kids to come up in front of the stage after a while anyway. Mine were young too; I just stood back and kept an eye on them. After a while it was pretty much a free for all with the characters out dancing with the kids. Once you are done eating; seating didn't seem to matter. The only trick is trying to keep an eye on your kids with everyone milling about.

Plus, the characters stood right outside the pavilion to take pics/sign autograph. From our vantage we were the first in line. The wait staff clued us in when to start watching for their arrival. Food was just ok but they liked the dancing and characters.

 

[Planner2012]

We’ve done both and hands down preferred HDDR. That being said our kids were older (6 & 9 at Mickey’s and 9 & 12 at HDDR). None of us liked the backyard bbq but younger kids may enjoy it more. Food was definitely better at HDDR.

 

[GillianP1301]

We have done both, but only HDDR has been done more than once. We did the BBQ when my son was 4 and honestly it kinda stressed me out. Trying to keep track of him with all the dancing around with characters while parents pushed you out of the way to get the "perfect picture" made it a not so enjoyable evening for me. My son loved it though.

HDDR we have done when he was 6 and again when he was 9 and he absolutely loved it both times, especially this last time. The first time we did Category 1 and the second we did Category 3, which my son actually preferred. We were up top at the table right beside the stage and was laughing so hard the cast noticed and at one point my son called out that somebody was coming from backstage and they incorporated that into the show. It was a highlight of our last trip and we are going again on our next one.

Food wise, they are both very similar. I prefer the family style service at HDDR over the buffet at the BBQ though because it's more relaxing.

 

[MIAMouseketeer]

I have only done the BBQ with my then 2 year old, but it was by far the best night of his life. We are going back in December when he turns 3. With the age of your kids, I would say the BBQ. I've read Hoop Dee is great for older kids. But again, I have not done that.

Also, keep checking for Cat 1. I've seen it open up as people's plans change.

 

[Dawn Streeter]

I love both but the back yard bbq is more kid friendly because you can get up and move around....

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I love both but the back yard bbq is more kid friendly because you can get up and move around....

Yep. BBQ better for kids. The hddr show is fun but kids get bored. BBQ they can dance and run around and you can sit and drink in peace.