Hoop Dee Doo Revue

[nightowlscrapper]

I have to say I love these boards! They are so full of information!

We have reservations for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue in October and I'm wondering if I should cancel them. What are the chances you will be chosen to participate? My family, especially my husband and daughter, would be way too uncomfortable if chosen to participate. It sounds like so much fun to me, but I am worried about the rest of the family having a good time. Am I worrying about nothing? Are the chances slim that anyone from my family would be chosen? Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[bigcrit]

When we were there just a few people were chosen. In fact you will have plenty of people around begging to get in the show. Don't worry about the show and your family. This is just good 'ole clean fun. Enjoy the dinner and the show. We loved it and I'm sure you will too.

 

[rascalmom]

The Hoop Dee Doo venue holds a lot of people & only a very few actually get chosen to participate. Best I recall - only about 3-4 end up going onto the stage. I would doubt that they would choose anyone who did not seem like a willing participant. The people who were featured in the show we saw seemed to be natural hams - I think they probably keep an eye out for those types of personalities. The performers do come down to the audience level for a few things, but mostly stay pretty close to the stage. They asked who was celebrating b-days, anniversaries, etc. & those people got some recognition (wave from your seat, etc.). So yes, to answer your question, I think the chances are very slim that anyone would be chosen.

 

[DeirdreTours]

The performers seem to look for willing participants or those who are "volunteered" by the person sitting with them......That being said, I would still advise you to cancel your reservations......The show is truly awful. The single worst show I have ever sat through (including a two hour musical on the history of Bayfield, WI that my inlaws took us to). The humor is slow, repetitive and corny. Think of it as rather like HeeHaw, but way less sophisticated with all political refrences removed. The only explanantion I can offer for the consistantly good reviews the show receives on these boards is excessive consumption of the free beer and wine

There used to be a singing cowboy show in the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon that was vastly better than HDDR, but I understand that has been replaced with Dance with Goofy lessons for kids.

 

[BCV23]

It's a great show and I can assure you we don't go for the beer and wine as neither is good IOO. But the food is tasty though plain and we love the show. So do most people on these boards and in all reviews I've seen. It is completely silly and corny but done so very well. The jokes are along the lines of those on Jungle Cruise. There are some people like Deidre who don't enjoy it at all but most do. Really, you can even see cranky teenagers roaring after a few minutes. We had a table full of cousins near us last time several of whom were in full eyerolling mode as they were seated. They had a ball.

But as others have said, don't worry about getting chosen. They do scout out people who are outgoing. There is a certain time in the show when the actors are visiting with the audience. My guess is that is when they figure out whom to ask. And on the slight chance that a quiet person was asked, you could always just say no. The audience members are selected without any fanfare so no one would ever know.

Go and chances are that you will have a wonderful time. If you find it is not your cup of tea as Deidre did, at least you will have found out for yourself.

 

[DeirdreTours]

I only post our review of the show because I WISH SOMEONE HAD POSTED A REAL DESCRIPTION OR NEGATIVE REVIEW before we spent $260 on it! Even one negative review would have prompted me to do a little more research and ask people more specific questions. Of our six WDW trips, this show is by far the biggest waste of time and money we have experienced.

Afterwards, we I discussed it with some others, they agreed that the show was awful, but for some reason no one seems to post negative reviews of any of the shows here.

Clearly there is a big audience for this show, but there is also a significant minority that find it mind numbingly boring. The table seated next to us actually got up and walked out halfway through the show.

 

[BCV23]

Hi Deidre, I agreee that I've rarely seen negative reviews. I think that is because most people do enjoy it. For us, it is not something we go to every trip nor even every year. But we always do have fun when we go.

But I have seen negative reviews here. There is a woman who posts quite often when her family is planning a trip and then does reviews. It might be Belle5?? Anyway, she has six sons now and had never gone to the Hoop. She was debating going before more of her sons hit the adult price. She asked about it, most people told her to try and she did. Her family did not enjoy it and she did report that. But at least she found out for herself.

Since the OP is just worried about getting selected, not about the show being too corny for her taste, I think there is a great chance she'll enjoy it because most do. It is too bad that your family didn't and I agree it is a lot of money for something you don't like.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Keep your reservation. As already mentioned, there are only a few people chosen to participate, and those that are usually volunteer or are "volunteered" by their family.

As for the show itself, here's my real review...WE LOVE IT! We've been 3 times. Are there corny jokes? Of course. Is it silly? Yes. But is it fun? ABSOLUTELY!!

DD14 and DS8 can't get enough, and DW and I feel the same way. If it wasn't for the expense, this would be a must-see on every trip.

 

[kristen821]

We enjoyed The show very much. I wouldn't go there for the food personally but the show does make up for it. Even my dh liked it and he isn't one for cute and corny!

 

[nightowlscrapper]

Thanks so much for the very honest reviews! I do appreicate everyone's input. We plan to keep our reservations and give it a try.

 

[blueangel]

Good. We love the HDDR - we've been, seriously, six or seven times, and adore it every time. My dad and I repeat the jokes year round. Out of all that, only once has any of us been chosen to participate - my dad two times ago. They very quietly came and got him - he tried to say no, but we were all laughing too hard to convince them he really didn't want to go since we knew exactly what it was going to be for. It was hilarious, but you could definitely say no if you are a very shy person.

 

[Grendalynn]

I can say that when I think about Fort Wilderness and my childhood experiences at WDW, The Hoopy Dee Doo Musical Review always comes to mind. It was a great time and I still have vivid memories of it 19 years or so later. And the Character breakfast there was great too! All the characters follow the Wild West story line and Melvin the Moose was great. Not sure if he is still there, but now having kids of my own, we will be sure to attend both shows at some point... These boards are just for this very thing. You get to hear all sides and experiences from folk with various experiences, likes and dislikes. Good luck to all and hope others have the great experience at the HDR as we did!

 

[lajones81]

HDDR is one of my most favorite things to do at Disney!

 

[OKW Lover]

I've got to agree that this is one of the best shows at Disney. You seldom read a bad review of this experience because just about everybody loves it. Yes, I'm sure there are people who don't - but they are few and far between.

As far as chances of getting picked to be part of the show if you don't want to-that's highly unlikely. There are only 4 spots and several of them require a specific type, so the chance that your friend will be selected is pretty low.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

Oooh, it is so much fun! Don't cancel. Not that many people actually get picked.

 

[wilderness01]

We all liked it as well. Now that we have done the show twice though I think we will wait awhile to do it again. Have fun.

 

[SeaShelley]

I have wonderful memories of this fun, but admittedly corny show. I was chosen to be on stage when I was 16.....perfect for the ham in me!

We are now going with the next generation (my 2 kids and 2 nieces) and can't wait for them to experience the fun!

Please don't cancel your reservation....go and have a great time!

 

[wyoears]

I am planning a trip for next April, and my DH hasn't been too enthusiastic, but last night he asked if I was planning HDDR. It was his favorite part of our last trip, which included MVMCP, Thanksgiving dinner at LTT, and Candlelight Processional. Now I'm planning it for our last night, which is the day before his birthday.

 

[fivefordisney]

We really loved the show (DH, DDs 6 and 9, DS 2). Yes, it is corny, slap-stick type of humor. But, it is fun and our DDs still talk about it. For us, it was the show that was great. The food for us was just so-so. The server did get my DD9 two slices of pizza when I told him she didn't eat meat and didn't care for the food served.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening! We laughed and sang and played the washboard... I do think it is pretty expensive, however. You need to weigh if the price will determine the degree to which you enjoy it. If you focus on the price, you may be disappointed. Sadly, the Diamond Horseshoe, which was so cheap (in a good way) is gone.

As for participation, the chance you will even be asked to participate is very slim IMHO...

I would not cancel your reservation. Go and have fun! Enjoy the silly, corny humor. We did!!!

 

[disney 4 5]

We went to see the show last year on Spring Break and my kids just loved it. Is it corny? yes. Is it goofy? yes. Do I think it is worth the cost? Well that is up to your budget. If you can afford it do it, it's vacation have fun even if you don't get picked. My kids have wanted to do this each time since then but we probably won't until we go next year.