Answering this will help a friend decide (as well as our family for our next trip!) We both have families of five w/ similarly aged kids (ages 8,6, and 3).
We have done both and I much prefer Hoop Dee Doo. The BBQ was a big letdown. The character interaction was very poor (the entire set up for meeting the characters was bad) and the weather can make or break the night. The food was pretty good, but with HDD you are indoors and heat or rain won't matter. The show at HDD is really funny and there is lots of audience participation. Have fun.
Lisa
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.