Hoop-Dee-Doo Review or Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[bostongrl88]

My family and I are camping at Fort Wilderness for the first time from Dec 5-8 after a 4-night Disney Cruise. My kids will be 4 and 19 months at the time. Which is more appropriate for kids that age, HDDR or Backyard BBQ?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Hoop-Dee-Do-Review is FAR superior to Mickey BBQ.
2) The BBQ used to be less than one-half the cost of HDDR.
3) But, with DDP, they found people (IMHO) are gullible enough to spend 2-TS.

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Our Ratings of Hoop-Dee-Do-Review: (rev 4/1/2013)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: B (singers, not characters)

NOTE: HDDR is a fun, corny, lively Western show. The food is quite tasty
for comfort food and is all-you-can-eat for both the food and the beverages,
even the sangria. Good show for adults and children alike. As side info,
HDDR is typically cool from the air conditioning, so take a jacket or sweater
for everyone. Cat-2 and Cat-3 tables may have posts in the viewing way.

**********************************************************

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (rev 1/10/13)
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: D
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: C

NOTE1: Tables are long picnic tables of about 40 people per
table, so you sit with other families. No reserved seating, so
the "mad dash" for seats can be interesting. There is no front
row", just the end of the picnic tables. Folks start lining up
about 1-hr prior to the 5:30pm seating. Also, characters are
there for dancing and front interaction, and *usually* do not
go thru tables, so sometimes there is a long line trying to get
to the charcters. It should also be noted that the sides are
open to the weather. They put up some plastic wind diverters,
but it does get hot or cold.

NOTE2: Mickey BBQ was always about one-half the price of the
Hoop Dee Do Review. With the popularity of DDP, they jumped the
price to double, including 2-TS coupons. NO CHANGE IN MENUS,
NO CHANGE IN CHARACTERS. NO CHANGES AT ALL. Cost was
barely justified at lower prices, and not worth the current price.

 

[retired and happy]

I think the backyard BBQ is much preferred for the kids of most ages, and the HDDR is entertaining for all, but more for adults. Food is pretty much the same for each, although there is a wider assortment at the BBQ. Dessert is better at the HDDR.

The BBQ has several Disney characters who interact with the kids and are available for a meet and greet before and after the meal/performance. There are performances by a trick roper and a band, both of which are very good.

The HDDR has a cast of six who do a pretty good stage and audience show, but no Disney characters.

We do at least one of these on almost every visit, sometimes both on a long visit. They are both expensive, but entertaining.

 

[Teamubr]

I really prefer HDDR. My DS has been going since he was 6. He's 15 now and still loves it.

j

 

[tcu4me]

HDDR is the best!

 

[WDWCP96]

We have done both and I would return to HDDR over Mickey's Backyard BBQ. And here are my reasons:

-food at HDDR was far superior IMO
-the character interaction was less than stellar at the BBQ with two characters physically pushing my son aside to leave the dance floor area as he had patiently waited for them to take a picture with him.
-entertainment was more fun at HDDR
-and I personally liked that there were less people at HDDR then at the BBQ
-the wait for the buffet was long at the BBQ which was tough for us since we had 3 little ones to feed and only 2 sets of hands to carry plates back to the table

And honestly if I am going to be serving myself everything including drinks it is not worth the money.

 

[mmmagic7754]

HDDR is one of our favs...good food and family fun!

 

[bostongrl88]

Thank you for all the input. I think we'll definitely do HDDR.