Hoop-Dee-Doo -Tier 2 or 3

[gail789]

I am on the dining plan, and the reviews for Hoop Dee Doo seem to be good, but the new 2008 dining plan rules, you can only sit in Tier 2 or 3 for the earlier shows. Does anyone know how the seating is in the 2nd and 3rd Tier and if the show is worth it.

gail789

 

[dandave]

We sat in what is now tier 3 when we went to the HDD. If you think of the seating as a squared off "U" shape, with two stories, then we were on the second story, closest to the stage on the left hand side. That's even confusing to me...
We were up in the boondocks, but we still had a great view of everything. We had to turn around from the food to see the show or sit sideways to the table, in order to nibble and watch. It sounds awkward, but it ended up being perfectly fine. There is an intermission period right after service, that provides ample time for eating. We didn't have to look over any heads, and we had a bird's eye view of everything. We never felt excluded either, as the cast directed the show to those of us in the rafters, as well as those on the floor.
I wouldn't hesitate to sit in the 3rd tier again! I'm going back to the HDD in a couple of weeks. I generally am not a dinner show fan (i.e. the Dolly Parton thing), but I think the HDD is wonderfully fun and well worth the price.

 

[gail789]

I am not a 'slapstick' type of person, is the show good?

 

[dandave]

Well, I guess it's a bit corny. My then 12 and 10 year old self-proclaimed super cool boys couldn't help but laugh out loud, though. It's not like Hee-Haw or anything like that, thank goodness. I'd put the humor more on an "Everybody Loves Raymond" level of comedy than on a "Beverly Hillbillies" level, with a splash of "Andy Griffith" for the slapstick edge. As you can see, it's tough to describe. I enjoyed it!

 

[gail789]

Thank you. It helps a lot. Have you used the meal plan? Perhaps someone get help with another dilemma. We go for 10 nights, and have gone in 06 and 07. In both years we received 11 days of meals, now it is seems to be 10 days of meals (for the number of nights). It comes into play when you book the 'double table service meals'.

gail789

 

[dandave]

You're welcome!
Yes, we used the free dining plan for 8 nights/ 9 days last September, and several nights in Sept '06. It was always supposed to have been based on the number of nights booked- not the number of days.
In '06 we used it for HDD. We did a few 2 TS ressies with our party of 4 in 2007 (2 adults 2 juniors), including Flying Fish, California Grill, and Artist Point.

 

[gail789]

I'm still lost. Why do you think it seems I had 11 meals for 10 night stay. The reason this is driving me crazy, if I book the HDD, then I will be short a few table service. (if it is based on 10) But in 06, I had two double table service meals and we never ran short. We had a counter service for dinner only one night. We used 11 table service and 11 counter.

Maybe I am overthinking it.

gail789

 

[dandave]

gail, Even on a good night my head starts to hurt if I think too hard.
I have found that it can be harder to keep up with credits than one might think. On our last visit, we ended up having 4 CS meals left over, because somehow we had forgotten to eat a second meal one day due to snacking. Luckily, the Mgr at the AS food court had the staff pack us up some sandwiches picnic style for the road, and she was kind enough to help me gather up drinks and desserts that would travel well.
If you have either a CS or a TS on a late arrival day, and a CS or a TS on an early departure day, it can seem like your are getting an extra days worth of food on a 10 night ressie. It seems that way to me, anyway. Hope that helps a bit!

 

[gail789]

It does help. Thank you. It seems you have been there quite a bit, what is your all time favorite show/restaurant?
I am so excited to go. My six year old made a count down calander, 39 days and counting...

gail789

 

[dandave]

I'm glad it helped, gail! I honestly can't pick just one. As for resorts, I love the POFQ, the AKL, and the BC the best. I was very, very impresserd with the AS Sports Resort last week, though. They have redone the furniture or something since I last stayed in that particular AS. It was really somewhat "contemporary" in feeling, and I loved housekeeping as well as being 1st on/off the bus.
Restaurants- I loved just "being" in the California Grill and the blueberry dessert trio was unreal, but I preferred the food at Artist Point. The mussels and the steak at Flying Fish are to die for. Cape May Clambake at the BC is yummy when I'm in a gluttonous mood. Le Cellier is worth it primarily just for the pretzel bread and the cheese soup. The sticky wings and the macadamia tart at Kona cafe are delicious! At Beaches and Cream, the kitchen sink must be done at least once with kids. I like something at almost every restaurant I've tried.
The only show I've seen at WDW is HDD. As I said, I'm not much of a show person. I *will* see Cirque one day, however! Hopefully one day soon.
I hope you have a terrific trip!