Il Mulino or Hoop Dee Doo for last night dinner

[rentayenta]

I realize they are nothing alike aside from serving food. Our party consists of DH and myself.

Trying to decide our last evening dinner though HDD would be at 4:00 pm as DH gets his CM 50% discount.

Our other ADRs for the week include California Grill brunch, Jiko, Tusker House, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Raglan Road, Wine Wednesday at Jiko, BoG for lunch, and Homecomin'. We will also visit with HBD lounge and the Nomad Lounge. And of course there will be a day drinking and snacking around Epcot.

We like all types of foods and experiences and are not sure when our next trip to WDW will be but I'd say no sooner than 2 years.

Between the two, which standout most in terms of the positives?


Goofy I know and thank you!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Personally i would go with Il Mulino. Food is dramatically better.

Hoop Dee Doo is fun with a big group but I wouldn't do it with just my DH.

 

[pattyw]

Il Mulino would be more upscale and quieter, but you do have a few signature meals. so, I think I'd choose HDDR for the fun atmosphere!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For an adults-only trip, I would pick Il Mulino. We went to HDDR twice last year but only because DS10 loves it. The food, IMHO, is almost inedible, but the show is fun. If you want really good food, go with Il Mulino.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

2 vastly different options..... HDDR is best done in a group, with kids and it's a one and done. Il Mulino is a beautiful restaurant with very good Italian food. The choice is yours. In looking at your ADR's do post a follow up to your experiences, I'm interested because I did Jiko and California Grill this week-end. We've frequented these 2 restaurants for many years and I was disappointed in both.

 

[Hopefully]

Based on all your other choices, I wpold go with HDDR I disagree that it needs to be with a group including children. We have gone as adults and enjoyed it completely. The food is good “ home cooking “. Not gourmet and not fancy, but good. And the show is a hoot.
Enjoy

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you everyone for the replies!

Personally i would go with Il Mulino. Food is dramatically better.

Hoop Dee Doo is fun with a big group but I wouldn't do it with just my DH.

For sure the menu looks better at Il Mulino.

Il Mulino would be more upscale and quieter, but you do have a few signature meals. so, I think I'd choose HDDR for the fun atmosphere!

Thats sort of what I was thinking. We enjoy clever and corny just not corny if that makes sense.

For an adults-only trip, I would pick Il Mulino. We went to HDDR twice last year but only because DS10 loves it. The food, IMHO, is almost inedible, but the show is fun. If you want really good food, go with Il Mulino.

Its just us. Thanks!

2 vastly different options..... HDDR is best done in a group, with kids and it's a one and done. Il Mulino is a beautiful restaurant with very good Italian food. The choice is yours. In looking at your ADR's do post a follow up to your experiences, I'm interested because I did Jiko and California Grill this week-end. We've frequented these 2 restaurants for many years and I was disappointed in both.

Oh no.....I am so sorry. Can you share what was disappointing about both? Was it brunch at California Grill? I have been on the fence about Jiko. We will be at AK after brunch then back to the resort at night. I was wanting a nicer dinner. Tiffins menu is not appealing to me. I don't like a buffet for dinner and we have eaten at Sanaa twice before, both times amazing!

Based on all your other choices, I wpold go with HDDR I disagree that it needs to be with a group including children. We have gone as adults and enjoyed it completely. The food is good “ home cooking “. Not gourmet and not fancy, but good. And the show is a hoot.
Enjoy

Thats the reason I am leaning towards HDD; its different. Whats the sangria like? DH will like the beer choices.

 

[KelNChrisKYDis]

We did HDD on our last visit; it was DH, myself, our kids, DH's mom and stepdad. We all loved it. It was so much fun, we all laughed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We all really enjoyed the food, I thought everything was delicious. That said, I can see where it might have been slightly less fun if it was just DH & I, but honestly, it's loud and busy and not a lot of opportunity to talk with your table, so I'm not sure it would've made that much difference. It was a one and done for us, it's really pricy, especially for the type of food they served, but it was a great time and I think if it's even remotely appealing to you, you should try it at least once. Since you've got other signature dining opportunities on your schedule, I say go for it!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Oh no.....I am so sorry. Can you share what was disappointing about both? Was it brunch at California Grill? I have been on the fence about Jiko. We will be at AK after brunch then back to the resort at night. I was wanting a nicer dinner. Tiffins menu is not appealing to me. I don't like a buffet for dinner and we have eaten at Sanaa twice before, both times amazing!

CG - This is my second time in a row, where I've been disappointed, 1st April 2018-Ordered the scallops and they were flavorless, my friend had the steak and she said it was good. So this past Friday I skipped the scallops and had the Black Grouper, (I make steak at home so I generally eat seafood in restaurants) well it was more like grey flavorless grouper. It was nothing special. My appetizer, tuna 3 ways, was not as good as in the past.

Jiko, I don't like the menu changes, gone is the wild boar, replaced by pork tenderloin, at the same price, but the grits were the star of the show. The Elk screamed for a bit of salt, and could have used a few more pickled turnips (I think) My lamb, (I gave up on seafood after the HBD), I actually squeezed lemon on the spinach to give it a hit of acid, since the dish was so bland. Nothing popped with flavor other than the grits, really.

THBD, I had the Black grouper and lobster ciopino at the Brown Derby, since they got rid of my favorite pork-chop. 1st no broth or sauce, that's not a ciopino, but the lobster, though small was sweet and tender, but the fish (black grouper) was very small, a bit over salted but really unforgettable.

This weekend cost me $$$ and it was blah. I'm going again with our usual crew in August (before the boys head back to college) and now I don't know where to eat, what to cancel. I'm thinking of doing all new at DS and maybe I'll cook and grill I've never been able to book CG brunch, that I would love to try, just can't seem to get there.

 

[Dug720]

Thats sort of what I was thinking. We enjoy clever and crony, just not corny if that makes sense.

What is “crony”??

 

[rentayenta]

We did HDD on our last visit; it was DH, myself, our kids, DH's mom and stepdad. We all loved it. It was so much fun, we all laughed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We all really enjoyed the food, I thought everything was delicious. That said, I can see where it might have been slightly less fun if it was just DH & I, but honestly, it's loud and busy and not a lot of opportunity to talk with your table, so I'm not sure it would've made that much difference. It was a one and done for us, it's really pricy, especially for the type of food they served, but it was a great time and I think if it's even remotely appealing to you, you should try it at least once. Since you've got other signature dining opportunities on your schedule, I say go for it!

Thank you! It looks like fun and nothing like we have around here (Orange County, California).

CG - This is my second time in a row, where I've been disappointed, 1st April 2018-Ordered the scallops and they were flavorless, my friend had the steak and she said it was good. So this past Friday I skipped the scallops and had the Black Grouper, (I make steak at home so I generally eat seafood in restaurants) well it was more like grey flavorless grouper. It was nothing special. My appetizer, tuna 3 ways, was not as good as in the past.

Jiko, I don't like the menu changes, gone is the wild boar, replaced by pork tenderloin, at the same price, but the grits were the star of the show. The Elk screamed for a bit of salt, and could have used a few more pickled turnips (I think) My lamb, (I gave up on seafood after the HBD), I actually squeezed lemon on the spinach to give it a hit of acid, since the dish was so bland. Nothing popped with flavor other than the grits, really.

THBD, I had the Black grouper and lobster ciopino at the Brown Derby, since they got rid of my favorite pork-chop. 1st no broth or sauce, that's not a ciopino, but the lobster, though small was sweet and tender, but the fish (black grouper) was very small, a bit over salted but really unforgettable.

This weekend cost me $$$ and it was blah. I'm going again with our usual crew in August (before the boys head back to college) and now I don't know where to eat, what to cancel. I'm thinking of doing all new at DS and maybe I'll cook and grill I've never been able to book CG brunch, that I would love to try, just can't seem to get there.

I am really sorry to hear that. We have only been to GC once for dinner and that was in 2007. The brunch menu looks incredible and I have yet to see a bad review though I am sure they are out there.

Jiko's menu looks good. We would never order elk as we use to each so much of it when we lived in Utah; like freshly shot elk. If I never eat it again, it'll be too soon. Bland food is the worst! I wish I could get DH to look at the menu. He said he will look at them on the plane on the way.

HBD was bad too? We only have plans for the lounge there. Hope they make a good drink.

DS looks like they have a great options; thats a good idea! Sounds like its time for a change.

What is “crony”??

Corny.

 

[Dug720]

Ok... I initially wondered if it was a typo, but because I read “Fun and crony, just not corny.” I figured it must mean something g else.

I’m confused.

 

[rentayenta]

Ok... I initially wondered if it was a typo, but because I read “Fun and crony, just not corny.” I figured it must mean something g else.

I’m confused.

Yup just a typo.

 

[Dug720]

Yup just a typo.

No, I meant I thought it was a typo but was then rethinking because of the “just not corny.” Seemed contradictory to me.

Never mind. Lol.

 

[rentayenta]

^^^LOL. Theres clever and corny,, witty, and then there's just plain dumb. We prefer clever witty corny.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We only have plans for the lounge there. Hope they make a good drink.

The BD lounge has good tapas and they know what they’re doing, really good quality, imaginative drinks. We’ve been twice. Maybe that’s what we’ll do, skip big meals and make it an appetizer and drink trip! The monorail Krawl, here we come!

 

[rentayenta]

The BD lounge has good tapas and they know what they’re doing, really good quality, imaginative drinks. We’ve been twice. Maybe that’s what we’ll do, skip big meals and make it an appetizer and drink trip! The monorail Krawl, here we come!

Thanks! Thats exactly what I am looking for.

A monorail crawl sounds so fun! I was reading about the Highway in the Sky on FB earlier; looks fun but $$$. I can imagine its easy to do on your own. Love that idea!

I like the idea of a mix of meals and apps/drinks especially in August as I imagine its going to be super hot.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wow - very tough choice!!!

Il Mulino is one of our favorite restaurants. IMHO, the best Italian food on WDW property. Never disappointed in our meal there. About the only down side is that it can be very noisy because of the acoustics.

HDD is really a fun show where they happen to serve passable food. We were just there a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the food (the corn bread especially) and it includes unlimited beer & sangria. But again, the show is the real attraction. If you're lucky you'll be one of the four audience members that get picked to be part of the finale.

 

[rentayenta]

Wow - very tough choice!!!

Il Mulino is one of our favorite restaurants. IMHO, the best Italian food on WDW property. Never disappointed in our meal there. About the only down side is that it can be very noisy because of the acoustics.

HDD is really a fun show where they happen to serve passable food. We were just there a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the food (the corn bread especially) and it includes unlimited beer & sangria. But again, the show is the real attraction. If you're lucky you'll be one of the four audience members that get picked to be part of the finale.

Passable BBQ like chain BBQ restaurant? How was the sangria?

Il Mulino looks so good but we have amazing Italian 2 miles from us. We also have mediocre BBQ a few miles away but it doesn’t come with entertainment......still undecided.

 

[OKW Lover]

Passable BBQ like chain BBQ restaurant? How was the sangria?

The BBQ is ribs. The chicken is fried. Both OK. Not outstanding.

Sangria is pretty good. Especially if you drink a lot of it.