Hoop Dee Doo Review - Second thoughts

[drgnfly30]

I've never been but made reservations for this trip BUT I'm having second thoughts ... It seems like alot of $$$ & I'm not sure if my two DS's (9 & 14) will enjoy it enough to justify the cost... Any thoughts to sway my decision?
Christine

 

[Nickimouse]

My DS's 13 and 10 love the Hoop-De-Do! They loved the food and laughed out loud the whole night! A must see for our family!
Enjoy!

 

[Patsfan7]

We have not been to this show in twenty years, but we are going this trip. I am not writing to tell you whether or not THIS show is worth the money, but I will tell you how we rationalized the cost of the two dinner shows we will be attending....

We receintly went to see a mattinee of the play Beauty and the Beast at our local theater in the round. The tickets cost $36/adult, and $26 for our two year old, plus fees. The lunch buffet was just okay, and it was $15 per adult, and $7.50 for the baby. (the evening performances of the play were much more expensive, and I am sure the dinner buffet would be more expensive also) Also, we purchased snacks and drinks at intermission.

So, we figure when we go to the HDDR and the Luau, we are getting away cheap. The show and dinner is less expensive than a dinner and show here at home. We much rather watch a Disney show in WDW, and have that magical feeling.

It's all in what angle you look at it from

The added plusses for us are the free "Adult beverages" and having the two year old, she is completely free, until her third birthday, and even then, her dinner and show is less expensive than just a matinee show here at home.

 

[Patsfan7]

Somehow this posted twice, sorry.

 

[flyball]

Definitely well worth it. My DDs are 11 and 13 and love this show. They were younger the last time we went, but still talk about it. (I guess the memory of their mother doing the can-can on stage in a very silly costume somehow made an impression on them!)

 

[LibertyBelle]

Definetly a MUST do. Hoop Dee Doo is my only memory from our first Disney vacation. I was 5 (much younger than your girl's) but it was what I remembered. When I moved to Orlando I went with friends just to see it again since it was my only real disney memory and to this day it is my favorite dinner show. My husband and I go twice a year now. Once for the regular show and once for the Christmas show.

I really think that your kids will love it. The show itself is a lot of fun and the song is really catchy...don't be surprised if they leave there singing the song (most people do)...

O' now you made me want to go see it again... MUST hold out for Christmas Definetly go, it is well worth it.

 

[Kapp]

well worth it. You have to figure in the cost of the food (good quality and all you care to eat), drinks (soft drinks, juice, wine and beer - as much as you care to drink), the tip is figured in and than the cost of the entertainment. I would think your kids would really enjoy it. Sure its corny, but it is fun and a good family activity.

Enjoy!

 

[finnie48]

HDDR -

Hi Christine,

Our party of fifteen - 2 thru 73 - had a real blast there two weeks ago. No one left disappointed. The interaction with the audience is great. Two of our party got "picked on" to the delight of the rest of us. The food is good and plentiful, love that shortcake! With almost two hours of eating and excellent entertainment you can't go wrong. What with tax and tip included, we feel it is worth every penny and more!! We have been five times now with different people and never has anyone not liked the show or food. You will love it!!

Peg and Bob

 

[Jynohn]

I had second thoughts about going too on our last visit. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money (close to $200) and there were so many other restaurants that we wanted to try that I didn't want to "waste" the night.

We ended up going for it and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Everyone in the family loved it, and my DH said it was the best night of the vacation for him. That may have something to do with the serenade he got from "Claire De Lune" though.

I recommend you try it. We've put it on our "must do" list for all our future trips!

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

You will be sorry if you don't keep those reservations! HDR is awesome!

 

[drgnfly30]

OK OK! I'm convinced! I'm keeping the reservations!
Thanks to all!
Christine

 

[erikthewise]

We haven't been yet but are planning to go this year. It does cost a lot and I went back and forth on this but finally decided to do it. Some thoughts:

-- If you go every year or more often then it makes sense to try things like this at least once. If you only go once every several years then there's no need to try and do everything.
-- HDDR gets much better reviews than the Luau
-- Since we won't be drinking beer or wine, I'm not excited about paying for everybody else's.
-- We are spending one night at Wilderness Lodge this year, and our oldest will be 11, so it's the last year we will get a child's price on him. So for us this seems like the best time to try it.

 

[YCFAN]

We've been many times and my only regret is that we didn't go on our last trip in July. Oh how I wish we had gone back to the HDDR again this trip!

 

[disney2001]

1st reason - very silly jokes, belly laughs, slap stick for all ages

2nd reason - food is like you are on a picnic. Nothing fancy. Kids seem to like it fine, so do adults. The HDD will accomodate special diets - no salt, veggie platter, no sugar, pizza or PB&J for kids. Just call HDD (dining #) 24 hours in advance (also have them note it on your PS) with your food requests.

3rd reason - cost is worth it. Plan 2 'cheapie' lunches. Do breakfast in your room 3 times (food you brought with your or bought at the food shop stop on your way to WDW). Then splurge on the HDD.

4th reason- even the kid or adult who says they will not laugh - will at the HDD. My DS at 9 said he would just sit though it politely. Not only was he polite - but had the biggest smile and laugh at WDW. He even won a glass boot from our waitress for stacking up a plate full of cleaned-off rib bones.

5th reason - The boat ride from MK to FW is fun. Spend the afternoon at MK and then take the boat to the camp ground.
From the FW marina it is a very short walk (3 mins) to the HDD building.

6th reason - after the HDD, follow the crowd to the bus stop.
There will be a bus right back to your resort or DTD.

7th reason - You may see your spouse or child up on stage. HDD also acknowledges birthdays and anniversaries. Bring your camera. Pictures of the show are permitted.

8th reason - Your waitress/waiter has a dance at the end of the show before they bring you your strawberry short cake.

9th reason - It's fun

Remember to make your PS early. Up to two years in advance. Best seats are on the main floor. But all seats are good.
The earlier you request a PS, then more likely you are to be on the main floor.

 

[CamColt]

I didnt read all the replies so Im sorry if Im being redundant.

It is a lot of money, however we feel its well worth it. If you were to go to a regular restaurant and get salad, sides, a meal, and dessert, plus a few drinks you would be spending about that much anyway. At the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, you get all that, unlimited(and its really good, IMO), plus a very entertaining show. We have gone twice in the past 4 years and both times had a blast. I laughed til I cried and ate until I was stuffed. Honestly, I wouldnt do it every trip because there is so much more to do and it is a lot of money, but if youve never been, I highly recommend trying it once for yourself.

 

[francie]

hi all, a few questions, please. has anyone gotten good seats on the second level? was it roomy up there or were the table too close together? does anyone actually prefer the second level? thanks in advance.

 

[jann1033]

we went a number of years ago and didn't think the food ( basically same as trails' end for 3 x the cost) or show was worth it..one of those we did it once won't bother again things,,,i'd rather spend more and go to cirque imo

 

[goofy4tink]

We booked HDDR for 8/14 about 7 months ago. Long story short? Hurricane Charley caused us to lose our show. It was cancelled that Friday and Sat. night. Very understandable. However, we rebooked for Monday night. I knew we wouldn't get main floor seats. We were seated on the second level, on the right side (stage left side for you theater folks!) at the last table before the end seating. The tables seat 3 and only on one side. YOu eat with your back to the stage area so to speak. There is about an 8" space between tables. When the show is being performed, between meal courses, you just swivel your seat around to face the stage. In some ways they were better seats in that you could see the stage very easily. As far as the food went...I knew I wasn't going to be thrilled to pieces with it since I don't like ribs and fried chicken isn't my favorte either. But the salad and bread were wonderful. The strawberry shortcake was, well....if I hadn't known it was strawberry shortcake to begin with I wouldn't have known what I was eating. It was very gelatinous for some reason. Dd had mac and cheese. I will know better the next time to preorder some. It seemed to be kinda a hassle to get it for her on the spur of the moment.
All this being said...my dd, almost 11, says we have a new family tradition. She loved it!! Dh and I like it as well. Much better than the Luau!!

 

[timC]

Originally posted by francie
hi all, a few questions, please. has anyone gotten good seats on the second level? was it roomy up there or were the table too close together? does anyone actually prefer the second level? thanks in advance.

On the second floor they aren't really tables. It's more like a coutner or bar. You sit on a raised swivel chair, in between the railing, and the counter. This give the CM free and access on the other side of your "table" for serving, and clean-up. As far as good seats, I'm not sure there's any location that's substantially better than the next.

We booked late, this past trip, so we could try out the second floor. If you've been to HDD in the past, but never been upstairs, it's a certainly a different experience, worth a try. Overall, however, the standard table seating on the main level is more comfortable IMO.

 

[christinou]

We went 3 years ago, the girls were 4 and 6 at the time, they are still talking about it, they just loved everything about it, and the food was very good.
It is a really fun show.