Is HDD really that hard to come by?

[CK1]

I'm planning our trip for next summer and noticed that the HoopDeDoo dinner (which we've never done with our kids, but plan to on this trip) has a HUGE PS window of 2 years. Is it really necessary? Is it THAT hard to get a PS to this? I was under the impression that if I made PS for this in the same window as our other PS ressies we'd be fine... do I need to call now (1 yr ahead) ?

Cindy

 

[ColetteN]

Last time we went to HDD, my DH made the ressie about 1 month out. We were only a party of 4 though (but ended up with a great table). If you are a larger party you may want to call sooner rather than later. I also understand they fill the room from the front first, then the balcony. The sooner you call, the closer to the stage you may be.

The balcony seating looked ok, but you definitely feel more like you're in the action sitting on the main floor.

HTH,
Colette

 

[CK1]

Huh -- I had no idea that PS actually got you an assigned table for this event... with other PS, they can tell you if those sizes seating are available, but not where you are sitting (i.e. Coral Reef says yes, they can seat your party of 5 for that night/time, but can;t say WHERE you'll be...Getting a seat near the fishies means just getting there early, asking, hoping, and crossing your fingers...)

We're one year out from our trip -- I'd think we would get center stage and backstage pass (LOL) with THAT timing!

THanks --

CIndy

 

[danny1649]

Of year it can be hard to snag a PS for HDDR. We go each year on our early part December trip to WDW. We get next years PS while we're at Disney.We always get table first or second row of tables near stage.The earlier you book the closer you will be to stage.That said if you are going in off season I think you could get PS for HDDR with little or no trouble a few days or day of performance you would like to attend.You may not be near stage though.

 

[skiwee1]

I was told by two CMs, one at the guest desk at the Poly and one at the HDDR, that tables are chosen for you as you PICK up your tickets and NOT when you make the PS for them. So if you pick up your tickets early in the day or week then you get a better table.

 

[CK1]

Hmmm. so if I'm planning to do HDDR during a 10 day stay, would I be better served to make our ressies for late in the trip, so that I could pick up the tickets early (several days in advance)?

Cindy

 

[Jordan's MOM]

This is one of those question that the answer depends on which CM you ask. We were told by several CM's that the table is assigned according to when you book. The one CM that was at the show told us that and told us that the family that was front and center had reserved 2 years out. We were about 5 months out and were 2nd row back. A perfect place. When we picked up our tickets at our resort a couple days before the show, our table location was already on them. If you know you want to do the show, i would go ahead and book. It can't hurt and it might help.


Jordan's mom

 

[ArnyVee]

I've never actually been to the HDD. Why is it so popular?

 

[CK1]

Hi, ArnyVee (I recognize you from the DVC board!)

HDDR is one of those "timeless WDW shows" (my dh went when he was a kid and his brother was chosen to go on stage...) HOWEVER -- it is ALSO one of those "pricey" extras (basically 50 for adult, 25 per kid). granted, it's not just a meal, but also a show (C/W singers, dancers, comedy & slapstick, etc. -- family entertainment) and libations come with meal (beer/wine).

The steep price has kept us from doing this show as a family -- just weren't sure we could keep the wee ones in their seats for a whole show. But now we feel we can all do it and enjoy it, so we're gonna give it a try. I think I'll go ahead and make those PS today. If I find out anything later regarding how they do the priority system (when I call for the ressie), I'll let the Board know!!

THanks all for the help --

Cindy

 

[danny1649]

It's a great family show with lots of corny humor and some great songs. All you can eat fried chicken dinner and BBQ ribs with salad and strawberry short cake for desert.We just love it and go each year since 1990 anyway.The cast has changed over the years but the new cast members do a great job with the same material.The food is good but we go for the show.

 

[ArnyVee]

Wait, is this the one at or near the Wilderness Lodge?

I've never been there, but I've heard a little about it. Would it be too much for a one year old to handle? Meaning, music too loud and such?

 

[Michelle2]

Hi,
I have read all the posts, and since some of you have been there and done the HDDR, I would like to know about some of the seating....I was told from a reservation cast memeber even though she wasn't sure, that all of the tables for parties of 5, 6 and larger were all located only up in the balcony. But I have heard from others that all the tables are intermixed everywhere, both floor and balcony, and even if I have a larger party (6 of us) I can still be on the floor if I booked my seats early enough, which I think I did....Are there more than just 4 or 5 tables of 6 on the main floor?? I think only 2 parties of 6 are ahead of me in booking, with about 11 or 12 behind me, so where do you think I will be? Any ideas?
I can never find much information on the seating arrangements there, even the cast members don't seem to know because they do not have a display or map of the tables. So I figured in here would be the best place to find out what my chances are!
Also, which would be slower at the hoop dee doo...a monday or Thursday night?? (5:00 show)

 

[danny1649]

We have been many times and I have table's with 8,10 and one year twelve folks on first floor 2 rows back in center of room. So I don't think CM gave you good information but did not give you wrong info on purpose.My guess would be Monday 5:00 show less crowded from our experience's on going different days and times.

 

[Michelle2]

Thanks danny, that was just the answer I was looking for!!
I hope we have good seats on the floor then!! Glad that they mix them up in there!

 

[G-gang]

When I made my reservations for the HDDR back in January I don't remember any mention about tickets. We will be staying at the Dolphin-- can I assume the tickets will be there or waiting for me at the podium at HDDR?

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by G-gang
When I made my reservations for the HDDR back in January I don't remember any mention about tickets. We will be staying at the Dolphin-- can I assume the tickets will be there or waiting for me at the podium at HDDR?

I picked ours up at Guest Services at our hotel, the Polynesian. I don't know where you would pick them up since you are not at a Disney hotel. I know they didn't have anyone picking up tickets at the HDDR as there wasn't even a place to do that. As far as other posters I just wanted to add that we had balcony seats. While they were close enough to the stage but up and on the side, you had to turn around to see. You are faced away from the stage to eat. You stare at a wall while eating. When the show is on you have to turn your stool around so that you are looking at the stage. That was the most uncomfortable place I've ever stayed at. The show was nice but I would not go there again unless I was guaranteed to be on the floor.

 

[sherry8253]

I called a few months ago for the HDD for a party of 2 for an eve during the week of 11/30. The 2nd seating (which I assume is the most popular) was sold out for several of the nights and the CM said that the early seating for a few of the evenings was almost sold out. I was surprised because I thought that would be a slow time. My recommendation is that if you want a weekend or the 2nd seating, you call as soon as you decide when you want to go. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the HDD.

 

[Disbug]

Hi, everyone! We just got back from the Hoop de Doo and were a party of 15. We had a table for 10 and a table for 5 and made the reservation through group dining 3 to 4 months before we went. I believe the 9:30 PM show is considered the "slow show" and the reason I state this is, it is the ONLY show that offers discounts of 10 to 20%. The earlier shows don't need that discount to fill them up. Most people with younger children don't want to be eating dinner at 9:30!

We did not pick up our "seating tickets" until we got there 15 minutes before the show. I, too, had heard you were assigned your seats based on when you "checked in". I think that is a rumor, because our tables were close to the stage and had to be arranged in advance for that many people. There was no "scurrying" to put 2 or 3 tables together... I will go with the supposition that it has to do with when you make your reservation. The food was very good this time! The show was "okay" and had plenty of laughs; but the last time I saw this show (1 or 2 years ago), it was hysterically funny! We could hardly eat for laughing (and that included my 2 daughters, who wanted to go again the next night!)

My recommendation would be: GO... you'll have fun!

 

[CK1]

Well surely 13 months ahead is ample time to get a good seat?!?

Just made our PS for HDDR for next August. But I have to say that the MS person who took my ressie was less than impressive -- I think she was eating something really tasty b/c there were these long lulls of nothingness and I swear I could hear chewing and such. She was more interested in the food than me, and had very littel knowledge on whether I was #1 or #101 on the seating list, lor could she tell me how the system for that PS worked, etc. SHe tried to state that it was all based on when you checked in, but then I noted that some folks got tickets at their resort, and she had no knowledge of this. I may call MS again just to make sure she did it right -- when she went to confirm, she had the wrong date (a week before we would even arrive!) and had to cancel one ressie, then make a new one... she did NOT give me a warm fuzzy feeling that she was getting the job done!

Cindy

 

[Donnainnj]

I can't see it being when you checked in at HDDR, because our table was already listed on the check-in sheet. We went the Friday after Easter and had called in late Jan early Feb I believe, I know it wasn't that far out. I asked how many tables were left to try and determine if we would be balcony or not. I think they said there were 29 tables left. Maybe that was tables for 4? Don't know, but we ended up first "row", right behind the piano.