Hoop Dee Doo Revue

[momof3poohlovers]

Does anyone know how they assign the tables here? We reserved this over 180 days in advance and yet we somehow managed to be seated up in the balcony section(we ate here on Sat. night). We were category 2 and I understood that we might get stuck in the balcony but my major problem is we were a party of 6 and were seated at a table for four. One side of the table was up against the railing so 2 people were seated at the other (narrow)end which at most should have seated one. I think it would even be a tight fit for 5 but it was ridiculous to have 2 chairs at the end of the table. My husband had to sit straddling my chair and there was no room to maneuver. There wasn't even room to put our food down so the server had to put the buckets our food came in on our plates and we had to take our food out of the buckets and stack them on the cornbread wood thing(not sure what it's called). Did we just get a night where maybe they overbooked tables for 6 or has anyone else had this happen? There was one other table like ours and they were angry too and when asked to move, they were told they didn't have any other tables for them.

We liked the show and thought the food was good but I would never eat here again unless we were category 1.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Sorry to hear that. You should call Disney or send them an email. You pay enough to go here . That's not right.

 

[DrDeb]

ditto it costs much too much to be disatisfied

 

[dbk1029]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. I would definately write or call to Disney. I have gone to the HDDR several times and I have always had a great time. I always book Cat 1 seating as I like to sit on the first floor. They definately should hvae a table large enough to seat you at.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I agree that you should at the very least receive a table suitable to your size party. We went 2 weeks ago, and I bit the bullet and got section 1 seats. Our table was awesome, just the slight left/front of the stage, second row, party of 7. When I saw the new seating categories, it seemed to me that if I was paying that much, I might as well pay for cat. 1. I called at 7 am on the 180 day mark, and that was the closest table for party of our size to the stage. The HDDR costs a small fortune, but it is such a wholesome, family fun event, that we all love.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Did you talk to a manager or hostess when you were seated like this? They probably would have tried to change it for you.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I agree that you should at the very least receive a table suitable to your size party. We went 2 weeks ago, and I bit the bullet and got section 1 seats. Our table was awesome, just the slight left/front of the stage, second row, party of 7. When I saw the new seating categories, it seemed to me that if I was paying that much, I might as well pay for cat. 1. I called at 7 am on the 180 day mark, and that was the closest table for party of our size to the stage. The HDDR costs a small fortune, but it is such a wholesome, family fun event, that we all love.

I was just wondering if they told what table you were at when you made your reservation?

 

[shellybaxter]

I believe that they do seat by order of reservations. Perhaps Disney has decided that the "best" catagory 2 tables are on the balcony since they don't have any tables in front of them and the main floor cat 2 tables do?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Did you talk to a manager or hostess when you were seated like this? They probably would have tried to change it for you.

We were told by our server that she had already talked to the manager for the other table of 6 and she was told that they didn't have any more tables available as they were sold out but that if we wanted a refund (and leave the restaurant without eating)we could get one. We made the choice to stay and eat. I guess I am just venting and trying to figure out if this is standard policy and if it is, I want to warn others that if they are a party of 6, they need to insist on being seated downstairs if they are a cat. 2 or they need to request cat. 1 or 3.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Uh oh, we have an ADR at HDDR for a party of 6 too, category 2, in December. This would NOT work for us at all! Now I'm worried. Would we be better off in a Category three, getting a table large enough for 6 that is?

 

[jenjersnap]

I believe that they do seat by order of reservations. Perhaps Disney has decided that the "best" catagory 2 tables are on the balcony since they don't have any tables in front of them and the main floor cat 2 tables do?

Yes, this is my thought too.

Still stinks that the OP had too small a table for her party size. Sounds very uncomfortable.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I believe that they do seat by order of reservations. Perhaps Disney has decided that the "best" catagory 2 tables are on the balcony since they don't have any tables in front of them and the main floor cat 2 tables do?

I will be honest, we had a great view of the stage. We were seated in the middle section of the balcony. I think it would be great for a family of 4 or less. We made our reservations about 185 days in advance(we are staying on property and this was day 5 of our stay) so I have to imagine we were one of the first to make our reservations. Unfortunately, we are on the DDP so Cat. 2 was our best option.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Is there not enough room to turn the table so a short side is against the railing?

I'm just asking because I'm afraid we'll get the same thing for our party of six, although it'll take us 20 minutes to get up the stairs since my MIL can't really do stairs......she has horrible arthritis in her knees.

 

[bytheblood]

I would call and write. For the money you paid, that is not acceptable.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Uh oh, we have an ADR at HDDR for a party of 6 too, category 2, in December. This would NOT work for us at all! Now I'm worried. Would we be better off in a Category three, getting a table large enough for 6 that is?

I would call Disney Dining and have it noted on your reservation that you do NOT want to sit upstairs.

 

[fuji]

although it'll take us 20 minutes to get up the stairs since my MIL can't really do stairs......she has horrible arthritis in her knees.

When you made your ADR's did you inform the CM of your MIL? If you didn't, I would call and tell them you have a member in your party, that can't climb stairs.

 

[disney-super-mom]

When you made your ADR's did you inform the CM of your MIL? If you didn't, I would call and tell them you have a member in your party, that can't climb stairs.

I didn't even know that was an option, but I'll call and do that and hope for the best once we get there. Otherwise, my DH and BIL (two BIG over 6'5" guys) will have to help her get up the stairs. I just hope that there's a bathroom on the balcony level too. If not, then there's really NO WAY that we could be seated up there.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

I didn't even know that was an option, but I'll call and do that and hope for the best once we get there. Otherwise, my DH and BIL (two BIG over 6'5" guys) will have to help her get up the stairs. I just hope that there's a bathroom on the balcony level too. If not, then there's really NO WAY that we could be seated up there.

There is no restroon on the second level. As far as I know the only restroom is next to the main seating area, outside next to the guest services window.

 

[MandaPerry]

We were told by our server that she had already talked to the manager for the other table of 6 and she was told that they didn't have any more tables available as they were sold out but that if we wanted a refund (and leave the restaurant without eating)we could get one. We made the choice to stay and eat. I guess I am just venting and trying to figure out if this is standard policy and if it is, I want to warn others that if they are a party of 6, they need to insist on being seated downstairs if they are a cat. 2 or they need to request cat. 1 or 3.

It seems like they already tried to fix the problem. One you book a lesser category knowing that you would not get premium seats two when you got the lesser seating that you paid for you complained three Disney tried to fix it by refunding your money but you would have to forgo eatting. you could not expect to stay eat and get a refund. What you should be warning others if you have a big party and want to get good seats book the higher category.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Ok, after reading all of the responses and getting it off my chest I decided to contact the Hoop Dee Doo restaurant while I am still on property. I spoke to someone who wasn't a manager but she agreed that the tables were small. She also told me that a computer assigns the tables so it's not according to when you made your reservation(which I believe is unfair, but oh well). She said that the table could accommodate up to 6 people although not very comfortably(my words)so she suggested I talk to the manager who is supposed to call me and let him know. I got the feeling they were aware of the problem and had received many complaints about this. At least now I know this wasn't an isolated incident and now others can be aware.