Mickey's BackYard barbeque

[dadwilliams]

Hello All,

We are going June 2 for a week at WLV. My 9 year old will be celebrating his birthday on June 9 and I booked a dinner at Hoop-Dee-Do, our family's favorite. But thinking we might want to try something different, we have heard that Mickey's backyard BBQ is really awesome. The question is, is it opressively hot, it being in June? What about bugs? Is it really as good as we hear it is? For birthdays? I have been to Disney over 30 times but have no experience with this dinner show. Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences with Mickey's BBQ?
Thanks!

 

[SFLTIGGER]

We went last Aug./Sept. It is outdoors (under a shelter), seating is picnic tables, food is served buffet style.

That being said; Yes, June in Florida can be hot. When we went I was hot, our then 4yo DS was tired, and fussy. The entertainment was good (country band playing music), characters came around to the tables and danced with guests on dance floor (some people are so rude, pushing to get close).

As for us and the money, we are going back to HDDR next time. JMHO

 

[ddhoeg]

My birthday is also June 9 - I'll be thinking of your DS being at WDW on his b-day while I'm at home Hope you all have a great time!

That being said, our family LOVES Mickey's Backyard BBQ. It is always a top on the list for our 4 kids. It is a great night of family fun and a time to interact with your kids and be a kid for an evening. For birthdays and other special events I remember them having you write your event on a piece of paper and then they read them all at once and did a special dance. We enjoy watching the rope tricks, dancing with the characters, learning line dances, and just being silly with the kids and having a fun time on the dance floor together. We like the relaxing atmosphere of the picnic tables and open seating where we can watch the kids dance and play and then play right there with them.

I haven't been there in June so I can't comment on the heat or bugs. We're usually there in Nov/Dec or March which was very pleasant and cool.

Have a great trip!

 

[nbodyhome]

I was really disappointed in it - I prefer the Hoop De Doo (and I like country music a lot).

 

[VMS]

Stick with the Hoop Dee Doo. A few years back we celebrated by son's 9th birthday at the Backyard BBQ. None of us enjoyed it -- and we love most everything at Disney. My three kids (11, 9, and 5) at the time all asked to leave early, and they never do anything like that. It was crowded, noisy, with mediocre food. We felt it was a glorified character autograph session.

 

[tjkraz]

We booked the BBQ about 5 years ago and nobody in our party (me, wife, 18mo son and my parents) were thrilled with it. DW is a country music fan and I thought she would enjoy it but it was a bust.

As that style of food goes (hot dogs, ribs, corn on the cob, beans, etc.), I thought the food was pretty good. For us it was the highlight of the meal. But it's been a long time and they certainly could have changed the quality of the food in that time. I'd give more weight to more recent reviews of the food.

Before booking I read a lot of reviews on Allearsnet and it really seemed to be a "love it or hate it" event. I took a shot, but for us it was mostly a "hate it" experience. Can't think of any reason to ever try it again.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went in '01, DH, 2 DNieces 17 and 11, and myself, and we had a great time. Lots of good food, dancing, and I think the finest watermelon I've ever had.

Bobbi

 

[lovinthemouse]

We did this show in July '03 and loved it. There were 11 of us and each one had a great time. It was hot, but it is in the woods sort of and it is covered so it did not seem to bad. I would highly recommend this dinner show.

 

[Gizmo1951]

My 2 Grand daughter, my husband and myself all went 2 years ago.
Not one of us enjoyed it or ever want to go again.

On the other hand we all love Hoop De Doo and try to go on each of our Disney Trips

 

[kdonnel]

We did the BBQ last May and had a great time. Both my kids 6 and 3 at the time really had a great time. They had a guest roper. It was amazing what he could do with a rope.

Everyone in our group loved the food except the vegetarian.

Dessert consisted of freezers full of the same ice creams sold at the park. I think everyone had at least two.

It was not very crowded during out visit. I could see how it might be uncomfortable if the pavilion is completely full. There is no assigned seating or separate seats. All the tables are picnic table style with an attached bench.

 

[nbodyhome]

I not only didn't enjoy it, but thought it was really overpriced. I mean, I expect things to be overpriced at Disney! But $40 or $50 for picnic food, not so much.

 

[DVCDAVE]

We are HUGE Disney fans. That being said, two years ago we were looking to do something new and signed up for Mickey's Backyard BBQ instead of Hoop Dee Doo which we have done four prior times.

The BBQ was a HUGE disappointment;

1) WAY overpriced

2) at best mediocre food. Considering the cost; a ripoff

3) Good Music, but the dance floor was way overcrowded

4) NO reserved seating; therefore just getting an area for a family of four was a chore in itself.....then when you get up to walk over to a different area for beer or sangria, people just push your food aside and sit down in your seat.

5) it has the unique distinction of being the ONLY Disney event we tell other families planning a WDW vacation to avoid. Unless of course you like being treated like cattle, run through the feeding trawf, and coraled in an over crowded pen.

6) My recomendation is this; Considering the cost of this event, you could make a reservation for California Grill, on the roof of the Contemporary. Time the reservation for about 40 minutes to 1 hour before the Magic Kingdom Fireworks. You'll have a far better meal, good atmosphere, and the best seat for the fireworks as a desert, for about the same cost.


Just my two cents.

 

[dadwilliams]

Thank you so much for your input. We have heard many more replies that were negative about the Backyard BBQ than positive. We won't be doing it, and are so grateful that you replied so kindly so we didn't end up wasting our money. I loved the idea of the California Grill instead. Thanks so much!

 

[mbhoxsie]

Personally, we loved it...

Food was all American, and the kids get to spend way more time with the characters than they do in the parks...

For any DVC member, I would recommend staying in a FW Cabin for a few days... Hang out around Fort Wilderness during the day exploring and go to MBYBQ at night...

 

[nbodyhome]

Another suggestion - the campfire movie and a wagon ride at FW. Those are fun and not too expensive!