How is the food (really) at Hoop De Doo?

[NeverlandClub23]

I don't like audience participation.

I HATE audience participation restaurants. But this is the best audience participation place for non-audience participation kind of people. If you don't want to participate you don't have to! (I don't usually, like when they give every table a washboard to rub a spoon on, none of us do it). Just keep eating and enjoy the show. There are so many people there it's not focused on one or two tables. Also, it's not a country music show. Meaning they don't just get on stage and sing songs, it's more of a theatrical production. They have little skits and they talk with each other and sing songs about the states that everyone is from and things like that. Also, if you wait to make your ADR a little later then you have a better chance of not being right up front and getting picked to do anything (tables are assigned when you make your ADR). We went to the 9:30 show with maybe 14 other tables even sat and we were right next to the stage and never felt uncomfortable or like we had to participate. Have fun!

 

[TruBlu]

*whines*
I do NOT want to do this show and waste 2 !!! of my TS credits, but I have no choice. Not looking forward to this. No offense but I don't like country music, I don't like audience participation. I'm not going to be happy at all with this am I?
I'm going with my best friend's family. I was allowed to plan the whole trip and for the most part decide on all meals So, I'm being a total brat complaining about this as Alfredo's and HDDR are the only meals they requested! ugh!!!

You are REALLY, REALLY, REALLY going to HATE it. Sorry.

 

[TruBlu]

Oh I don't suppose anyone knows what they do for food allergies? My youngest is allergic to milk and eggs. I keep hoping it won't be an issue by then (Jan) but more then likely it still will be. It seems most foods should be ok for that (chicken and ribs). No honey butter for her though.

They are fantastic with food allergies - all the Disney Restaurants are!!
Did you tell the CM about the allergy when you made your ADRs? They will list it with each reservation so the server always knows before you order. At each TS the Chef always came out and discussed DS meal with us, and at a buffets they took us on a "tour" to tell us what to avoid.
HDDR was especially good. The CM told me to call them 1 week before our dinner. I did, and they offered to make him a special meal. They were very nice about it!!!

 

[Darian]

Apologies to those who love the WDDR. Be sure to take Bean-o before you eat the food. You won't be very popular if you don't. As far as the food quality.... can you say "Alpo?" Woof.

If you absolutely have to go, I'd advise getting dead drunk before hand. Score some Xanax or Vicodin before your trip and take that along with the booze. That way you'll be able tolerate the country music. It'll just sound like cats mating on a hot tin roof, but you'll just be happy that someone's getting some. If you are asked to participate in the show, just say you have a heart condition and am too tired to stand. OR you can always projectile vomit on them if the show folks get too pushy. Be sure and turn your head when you vomit so you can spread the joy.

(I remember puking on the teacups. Our cup was spinning so fast my vomit splattered on about ten people in the face. Of course I was a teen ager at the time and a lot of adults were very upset.)

You don't really want to go to such an extreem. Just sit there and smile, nod your head occasionally and don't talk much. No one will be the wiser. Focus on mudwrestling with your favorite disney character. That will help pass the time. The next thing you know, the show is over and its time to leave. You're all smiles and everyone is happy.

 

[kj2mom]

I felt similar to you BratTink when I went the first time. My brother and I were teenagers and our parents had made reservations. We were soo cruel to my poor mom about the whole thing, I honestly don't know how she stood us but we all had a great time and agreed it was one of the highlights of our trip. I make sure to go every trip although that isn't too often. Just keep an open mind, you might actually like it!

For those who like the butter, I know I have the recipe for it saved on my home computer ( I am at work now). I will try to remember to post it later for those who would like it or maybe do a search for recipes at the World, that is how I found it initially then I bookmarked the page.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I must say, I like the fried chicken at the HDDR. I've been times when it was a bit dry, but in general it is really good. Much better than say KFC. I also hate country music, but as someone said it's more of a show with skits than music. The back-yard BBQ is a different story (one of the reasons I havent gone to it yet).

 

[kcrew]

Let's not forget the adult beverages! Think what a couple of glasses of beer or wine cost anywhere in the world! And if you are not really into the entertainment have more than a couple and you're sure to have alot more fun!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I made all my ADR's for our Jan 2007 trip today. Had no problem getting any of the times and places I wanted. (1900 PF Ohannas, Cheif Mickey's, La Celier, H&V playhouse lunch.) However I was not able to make Hoop De Do Review today. She could only make them up to Dec 31st. She said call back in the fall, closer to 90 days out. We were not able to add the dinning plan to our DVC ressies either. Same problem. Sometimes going in Jan can be a pain in the bum.

 

[Luvamouse]

I love Sponge Bob, Blue Collar Comedy and Drake and Josh. My kids love McDonald's and good barbecue. They laugh at the dumbest jokes that they make up themselves. We thought the Saloon show at Silver Dollar City in Branson was a hoot!! Standards? We hardly have any. HDDR was always our favorite part of Disney trips when I was a child and my family that still goes says it is still a must do for them. We can't be dissapointed.

My husband will be thrilled with the unlimited Bud draft (go Jr!! #8) and that is how I will explain what we're doing there. Since we plan to go for Thanksgiving dinner, hopefully with more family who will be meeting us there, we will be missing the 25+ family members back home eating turkey. That makes us need the crazy (think family back home) atmosphere. I think it really depends what you expect and what it takes to get your money's worth. We're all different people here and so is the cooking at Disney on different nights!

I will say we thought the Luau wasn't worth it back then and hear from those HDDR lovin' family members that is still isn't for them.

My .02.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've done both the Luau and HDDR. The food was better at HDDR, but that's not saying a whole heck of a lot! We knew going in what the food was going to be. We aren't big fried chicken eaters, dh hates ribs and dd eats none of the above!!! We like our strawberry shortcake on real biscuit type shortcake, with slightly mashed strawberries...so not what we got at HDDR. Didn't like the dessert at all.
However......dd really, really wanted to have her 13th birthday dinner there. So, she and I are going back in Oct, with another mom and her dd who is also celebrating her 13th b-day. We get a plate of mac and cheese for my dd, the other mom and I will drink the wine, and dd will be thrilled.
I'll be on the DDP but not using TS credits for HDDR. I'm going to the late show, and got 20% off with my DDE card. No way would I use 2 TS credits for HDDR. Like the show, but there are better ways to use the credits. Won't use them for CRT either. ANd I like the food there!!

 

[BratTink]

TruBlu, I think you were being sarcastic, but its ok you really, really really made me laugh. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, so sorry if you felt that I was.
And Darien, your suggestions will be taken to heart!

 

[TruBlu]

TruBlu, I think you were being sarcastic, but its ok you really, really really made me laugh. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, so sorry if you felt that I was.
And Darien, your suggestions will be taken to heart!

Sorry if I sounded sarcastic...
I really, really, really didn't like the show or the food!

 

[BratTink]

Too funny. I think we're in agreement!

And apparently we're sisters cause we have the same picture.

 

[BCV23]

We love the show. It is just so funny and so well done. Yes, it is corny but to the max and that is part of the fun.

As for the food, the chicken has always been good and we all enjoy it. Most in my family like the ribs. Baked beans are fine as is the corn. I miss the corn on the cob that used to be served.

I am glad that you can now order real beer and pay for it.

We don't go every trip or even every year but we always have a great time when we do.

 

[daisax]

I do NOT want to do this show and waste 2 !!! of my TS credits, but I have no choice.

Why not pay cash, then?

I remember when folks here used to rave about the food -- sure surprised me when I went, because, ~eh~

The show was cute. The children thought it was hysterical, especially the Clementine song.

I'd never go see it again (except with kids 10 or under who would really appreciate it), but if you go to Disney each year, it's worth having the experience.

If it's your first time in the World, I think there are better uses of your time. However, if you want to give the little ones a night out and sit down for a few hours instead of doing more park hiking, it's worth seeing. Remember that little kids aren't quite so jaded as we are and just seeing people performing on stage while eating is a huge experience for them.

And the corny jokes were pretty funny!

 

[DaniDownUnder]

My new hubby and I went on the first night of our honeymoon to the 5pm show and LOVED it.

We didn't eat the sides (the beans were too sweet and the corn was mushy) but we chowed down totally on the ribs and chicken. The chicken was moist (but done through), although it wasn't particularly crispy (I've worked in food service and know that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep fried chicken crispy unless it is left uncovered so it doesn't steam, and is served immediately upon finishing in the fryer). That said, the ribs were delish...moist, tender, VERY meaty and just the right amount of sauce.

We liked it so much we joked about going again later in the week (but didn't have the $). This dinner show will most likely become a necessary 'WDW ritual' for us.

The whole idea of 'is the food good....is it worth 2TS' is really rather silly...as it is all a subjective assessment and everyone has different tastebuds and ideas of what it means for something to be 'worth the money'. I for one find CRT a complete waste of time and money...the food is mediocre at best and seeing the Fairy Godmother/getting a pic with a character isn't worth the 2TS credits charged. But that is my opinion....your milege may vary.

 

[mickey mommy]

I agree, the food is pretty good. Not Great by any means, but the kids LOVE it! They love the food, especially the ribs, the show, the dessert, and they simply HAVE to go back this time. So, we are going again. I don't mind using the 2TS credits when I see them rolling on the floor laughing!

 

[Belle's Mom Tink]

Not sure if this would help in the decision for Hoop at all but here are some food pics from our last trip. As I said before, we really enjoyed the dinner and the atmosphere made it all worth it!!

Bucket of Ribs

Bucket of Chicken...and the bread too!

 

[danny1649]

HDDR several times and the food was good not great but good.We go to see the show which we really love and the food is second to us.I got to be in show one time I was Daveys angel in the pink tutu.