Mickey's Backyard BBQ...... A hit or a miss?

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I'm trying to decide on whether or not to book MBBBQ for our November trip. I just don't know if it would be worth 2 credits on the DP. For those of you who have gone, how was the food, entertainment, crowd factor, etc? I've read good and bad reviews on how crowded it is, but with us going in early Nov., I 'm not sure if that will be an issue or not. Any comments are welcome!

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I have never gone when the crowd level has been too bad. Just remember to sit by one of the square boxes so you are closer to the characters. The food is ok, not 5 star, but a good solid meal. all you can eat Mickey Bars are fun too. The dancing and interaction on the floor is great, a not to be missed experience.

 

[Picabo]

I'm so glad you asked this b/c I've been wondering the same thing. My girls are 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 and they LLLOVE music and dancing so it seems like something they'd enjoy.

Has anyone been in early December? I, too, am worried about how crowded it may be and my little ones getting squished - as well as how the weather is!

THANKS!

 

[vcgirl925]

HIT!

We loved it and so did our kids 5 and 3. We got there kind of late and we were able to get a decent table right in front. The character interaction is fantastic, they dance with the kids and you can take pictures. They do line dancing and have different performers like a lasso guy. I remember the food being pretty good. I'm not a fan of the buns disney uses for the their burgers and dogs. But the ribs (fell off the bone), fried chicken, corn, and salads were great. The desserts are good too, all you can eat mickey head ice creams.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thanks for the replies. I would love to hear from some more of you. My DD is 5 and I think she will love it, but I like to hear other's opinions before using 2 credits.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I read somewhere that if you get there early, the characters are out for a meet and greet. Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

[jcemom]

I read somewhere that if you get there early, the characters are out for a meet and greet. Does anyone know if this is correct?

Chip and Dale were out when we went. We were the second family in line, sat at a table right next to the dance floor. The food was okay, good enough for us, but we're not really picky.

Overall, however, the experience was a "miss" for my family. I'm glad we tried it for ourselves, but we left early and won't go again. We like HDDR much better.

DD was almost 5 when we went and we felt that it was just chaotic. She wanted to dance with the characters and tried to get close, but for the most part they didn't even realize she existed. She was so small and the dance floor was mobbed every time they came out. (I don't think it was sold out when we were there, there were empty tables around the edges.)

My mom enjoyed the band, I'm not into country music but even I thought they were pretty good. But it was difficult to watch DD when there were just so many people crammed onto and around the dance floor. It just wasn't our thing. DD enjoyed herself for a little while and then she was ready to leave.

We went in September and it was pretty hot. They did have ceiling fans I think, circulating some air.

Even though we didn't care for it, and won't do it again, and even though we chose to leave early, I'm still glad we decided to try it for ourselves. Lots of people love it. It just wasn't our thing. I wouldn't have known that though if we hadn't given it a try. We didn't hate it so it wasn't a total loss.

 

[tracipierce]

Chip and Dale were out when we went. We were the second family in line, sat at a table right next to the dance floor. The food was okay, good enough for us, but we're not really picky.

Overall, however, the experience was a "miss" for my family. I'm glad we tried it for ourselves, but we left early and won't go again. We like HDDR much better.

DD was almost 5 when we went and we felt that it was just chaotic. She wanted to dance with the characters and tried to get close, but for the most part they didn't even realize she existed. She was so small and the dance floor was mobbed every time they came out. (I don't think it was sold out when we were there, there were empty tables around the edges.)

My mom enjoyed the band, I'm not into country music but even I thought they were pretty good. But it was difficult to watch DD when there were just so many people crammed onto and around the dance floor. It just wasn't our thing. DD enjoyed herself for a little while and then she was ready to leave.

We went in September and it was pretty hot. They did have ceiling fans I think, circulating some air.


Even though we didn't care for it, and won't do it again, and even though we chose to leave early, I'm still glad we decided to try it for ourselves. Lots of people love it. It just wasn't our thing. I wouldn't have known that though if we hadn't given it a try. We didn't hate it so it wasn't a total loss.

We had practically an identical experience to you! My DD who was 5 at the time did seem to enjoy it, but you're right it was very chaotic and the music was not for me either. The food was just ok, it was very hot inside and the benches were uncomfortable. We also left early. My other DD who was 15 at the time was the one who had wanted to book MBYBBQ in the first place, she thought it looked like a lot of fun, but she wanted to leave after about 45 mins

All that being said, there were plenty of families there who looked like they were having a great time, so its probably all a matter of personal preference. I'm also glad we tried it for ourselves, but wouldn't go back again.

 

[mermster]

Thanks for the replies. I would love to hear from some more of you. My DD is 5 and I think she will love it, but I like to hear other's opinions before using 2 credits.

We went a few years ago with our then 5 year old daughter. She loved it! She loved the music and dancing with the characters. I loved watching her out there, she was so joyful! Somehow the dance floor was not overly crowded while we were there. Adults stayed "out of the way", so it was mostly the kids p there. (We could have just been lucky that day!) It's definitely a different experience than the typical character meal, as the characters don't come to each table individually for autographs, etc. The food is fine - not great or anything, but decent. We liked it enough that we're going again on our next trip (which is right around the corner!!!)
And I do remember at least one or two characters outside while we waited in line, entertaining people while they waited. (I think it was Goofy and Pluto...)

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We went & loved it Good food & fun

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I really appreciate all the honest reviews. It is very helpful!!!

 

[dato63]

We went the 2nd week of November last year. When we went it was crowded, but didn't look nearly as overwhelming as jcemom's pictures. And thankfully it was not hot. Overall, we enjoyed it enough that we are hoping to do it again this year.

My mistake was booking it as our very first meal, on our very first WDW trip. My DDs asked to dance, I walked them up. . .and Minnie ran at them with her arms open. . one of my DDs turnes and ran screaming in the other direction. No amount or preparation I did pre trip had her ready for the size of the characters.

My family loved the food. DH ate our money's worth. My DD Maddie loved dancing with Minnie Mouse. ANd my scared DD - Mickie - loved sitting at the table clapping, while others danced.

I enjoyed the experience. Watching the characters dance with the children. Watching the rope trick guy. . .. watching the cm's teach the guests the electric slide. It was fun.

If you've not done so yet - when I was planning out trip I went to utube and searched for a video of the BBQ. After watching a few, I decided to give it a shot. It is fun entertainment to us, but everyone's tastes are different.

 

[mischief32]

We went in May 2009 and it was great. All the food and adult(beer and wine) that you want. They other drinks also. My husband loved it and has asked to do it again when we return to Disney. My daughter(almost 3) loved it also. We were there early and chip and dale and goofy came around to the tables. The food is picnic food but was wonderful. We did leave early but she was getting tired from a long day but we will go again.

 

[disnee4mygirls]

We just went Thursday night and I left feeling ripped off. Not sure what I expected exactly but the food to me was not that good and the character interaction was very little. They had kids and their parents crowding around the characters making it even tough to dance and all the little kids just stood around the characters looking up at them. The cast members did nothing to facilitate anything as far as the kids dancing with the characters so all kids could get a turn. The same kids and their parents would crowd the characters and give no one else a chance to have a 'turn'. It was extremely chaotic and I would not do it again. It was extremely hot and our 8 month old cried the whole time. I thought the band was good and the rope trick guy was outstanding. Oh, and you have to take a bus to get to where the show is so make sure you get there extra early! Luckily, we did leave really early but had we only given it 30 minutes as we were advised, we would have been lucky to find a seat together. (it was pretty packed) The dance floors are way too small too! Lucky for you it will be November when you go so if you do decide to go, it won't be so miserably hot! It was just way too chaotic to me. I would rather spend my money and go back to Ohana's for the Lilo and Stitch breakfast where we got to see Mickey and the price was much more reasonable! Just my 2c's!

 

[Mickdeb]

Chaotic is definitely the word of choice. Not worth 2 dining credits in my opinion. We paid out of pocket when we went 2 years ago. Will not return, in fact we left early.

 

[abandcsmom]

If I'm not sure about a place, I like to go to youtube and check out other people's videos. That way I can sort of see for myself if it is going to be my cup of tea. That said, we really liked the Backyard Barbecue, but we went in knowing it was going to be just hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken. When we went, it wasn't as crowded as in the pictures posted above, though. We also found the character interaction to be great and didn't have the problems of another pp of people just gathering around the characters.