HOOP DEE DOO or Pirates and Pals?

[120304]

Going in Nov this year with DH, DD8 and DS5. Trying to fit in an extra surprise in addition to the MVMCP. Any recommendations between these two? Or,
I was thinking about possibly doing both on the same night with HDDR at 4 and then the fireworks cruise at 7:45 or so. Would that be a bit much for one evening?
Would love to hear any thoughts. Thank you!

 

[SouthernBelles]

We have never been to Hoop Dee Do so I can't speak to that, but last December we did go on the P&P Cruise. We actually started the day at the Pirates League so my DD4 & DS3 could be fully decked out pirates! We ended our evening with dinner at Chef Mickey's so we wouldn't have to travel to get to the P&P Cruise. There is a small dessert party before you board the ship. We also had photos with Smee & Capt. Hook. The kids LOVED the pics, autographs, & of course all the goodies they wanted. The cruise was AWESOME! I think we laughed the entire time, our "pirate" was hilarious! They did a little trivia session and both my kids got little prizes and the view of the fireworks was AMAZING! We had a straight on view of the castle with the fireworks all around it, it truly was breathtaking. As we were coming back to dock, Peter Pan was there and the kids were able to get his autograph & pics too! I would HIGHLY recommend this. The kids still about it today and it was nearly a year ago. We are going back this Dec. and they asked if we were going to do it again this year!

 

[Cynister]

We haven't done Hopp De Do either, but Pirates & Pals is great! We loved it. It was like a floating comedy show both to & from the fireworks. Very entertaining for young & old. I'd highly recommend it. Plus you get some personal time with some characters that you don't always see in the parks.

 

[YourPalMickey]

We have not done the Pirates and Pals cruise, but we have done Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. It is a must do for the family. It's an interactive show, especially if you're sitting in the middle of Pioneer Hall because the cast comes down on the floor to interact with the guests. If you have to choose between the two, Pirates and Pals would be the way to go only because of your children's ages. If you can go to both, I would choose the 4:00 Hoop Dee Doo show so that you'll have a digestion period before the desserts.

 

[ls1jt]

I love Hoop Dee Doo - I hope it sticks around forever. Funny and entertaining! All you can eat, drink, and laugh. The jokes are corny, but in my opinion the actors enjoy themselves doing it. I could be wrong, but it is just fun for everyone.

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

We have done both. I think doing both in one night is too much. If you had to only do one, I'd do the pirate cruise . Our kids loved it! HDDR was fun too, but the pirate cruise is what they still talk about.

We also did Chef Mickeys beforehand. I'd also recommend not getting there at the time they say....we did a lot of waiting around. I'd come 15-30 minutes after they say to get there.

 

[120304]

Thank you all for the help! I was able, after more than a little finagling, to schedule both- for different nights. Excited to try both!

 

[txcorey]

I'm so glad you posted about this. I had never heard of the Pirates and Pals cruise and just booked it for our January trip, along with a trip to the pirates league beforehand for my son. Can't wait!

 

[binkblum]

No brainer - fun for ALL ages. Guess that's a given as it's Disney but it never gets old.

 

[wiigirl]

I love Hoop Dee Doo - I hope it sticks around forever. Funny and entertaining! All you can eat, drink, and laugh. The jokes are corny, but in my opinion the actors enjoy themselves doing it. I could be wrong, but it is just fun for everyone.

x2!

 

[Wild about Walt]

I'm going to HAVE to agree with the Hoop Dee Doo Revue....it was a smash up of a night!!
All 3 of my kids had tears in their eyes from laughing so hard and their bellies were so full of the yummy all you can eat food. I highly recommend this one.

That being said, I'm now convinced I have to try the P&P cruise. I'll be checking that out riiiight....NOW!

 

[derekjd]

I had already booked Hoop Dee Do....after reading this I went and booked Pirates & Pals too. Having dinner at Chef Mickey's on our first night and booked P&P for after dinner. Thanks for posting!

 

[MrInfinity]

We have done both. I think doing both in one night is too much. If you had to only do one, I'd do the pirate cruise . Our kids loved it! HDDR was fun too, but the pirate cruise is what they still talk about.

Interesting... I was about to recommend Hoop Dee Doo cuz well, it's awesome... and have considered doing Pirates and Pals but not pulled the trigger there. Can you elaborate on it? Worth $100 for an adult and 7-yr old boy to go?

 

[kelowatt]

I <3 Hoop De Doo! We used to go as kids and laugh our heads off
and going back as an adult the refills on sangria were a nice bonus


also, I don't eat chicken and when we made the reservation I mentioned that I am a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish, aka a lazy vegetarian or fishaterian) and they made me an amazing salmon dish.

also, I feel like Fort Wilderness is a hidden gem. We used to stay there as kids and it was the best. Our family would go back from the parks in the afternoon and we kids could run around and nap and decompress for a bit and then head back in the evening when there were fewer people. My parents were GENIUSES!