Mickey's Backyard BBQ (Character Experience)

[ExCMbeau]

Last year we decided to take a trip to Disneyworld for T-giving. On T-giving day we didn't want to do any parks, but wanted some place fun to eat. We decided that visiting Fort Wilderness and eating at Mickey's Backyard BBQ would be something new for our family. My girls were 6 and 3 at the time.

This is something we wouldn't have booked our plan during a normal trip so we had no idea what to expect. I can tell you that this was one of the best character experiences we have ever been a part of. There was no rush in the meet n greets and there were characters we had never seen before like Pocahontas.

The best part was the dancing with the characters. My kids had a great time just being in an OPEN environment with characters. They danced and danced and danced. We had to force them to eat.

Anyhow here is a quick clip of what it is like. ENJOY

 

[Tonberry]

Glad you had a good time! I enjoyed the food and our kids had a great time as well.
Yes, there's tons of time for the character meet and great. They also give you a ton of time for eating.
When we went, they kept coming out with the food until nobody took anymore and then left it out for people to graze on. Unlimited food for 2 hours. In reality, you can eat until you are sick!

My only gripe with the BBQ is that it costs 2 TS points.

 

[thehappyhours]

This made me a little teary. I booked this for our November trip because I figured my girls (4&2) would love watching them, but I didn't know they could go dance with them. I'm going to need to bring tissues with me!

 

[ExCMbeau]

This made me a little teary. I booked this for our November trip because I figured my girls (4&2) would love watching them, but I didn't know they could go dance with them. I'm going to need to bring tissues with me!

There are meet n greets outside while you wait. Make sure you get there early to do those before they open the doors for the buffet!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It looks much less crowded than the night my family went. Unfortunately we had the opposite experience. The dance floor was completely packed and kids were pushing and shoving to get near the characters. My DD (5) wanted no part of it. It's an experience that depends heavily on the crowd level and the personality of your kids. Some enjoy the dance party. Others don't. I've read both kinds of reviews.

 

[ExCMbeau]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It looks much less crowded than the night my family went. Unfortunately we had the opposite experience. The dance floor was completely packed and kids were pushing and shoving to get near the characters. My DD (5) wanted no part of it. It's an experience that depends heavily on the crowd level and the personality of your kids. Some enjoy the dance party. Others don't. I've read both kinds of reviews.

We went during lunch on Thanksgiving so it might be a different experience at night.

 

[mgentry210]

Thanks for sharing. We will be there in 10 days and I know my 5 year old niece will have a blast if its that empty. I'm going to get so many pics! I wonder if Donald is always there or just because it was Thanksgiving. Everything I read didn't mention Donald.

 

[dpswift]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It looks much less crowded than the night my family went. Unfortunately we had the opposite experience. The dance floor was completely packed and kids were pushing and shoving to get near the characters. My DD (5) wanted no part of it. It's an experience that depends heavily on the crowd level and the personality of your kids. Some enjoy the dance party. Others don't. I've read both kinds of reviews.

This was my experience as well. Very disappointing.

 

[lynch34]

I have this booked for my trip in September but I am starting to wonder if the total time allocated for this one meal is going to be worth it.

It sounds like for a 6:30 meal, I need to be there at 5:30 and it'll probably take 45-60 minutes to get there? I have 3 kids (8,5,2) and I'm not sure that starting to think about eating at 4:30 when they won't until 6:30 is going to work out.

Is that everyone else's experience?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

It definitely took us an hour to get there from POR. It was worth it for us. Lots of kids having a blast. I can see why shy kids may find it intimidating. It is a free for all there. If your kids are outgoing and make friends easy they will fit right in.

 

[rrehman]

Last year we decided to take a trip to Disneyworld for T-giving. On T-giving day we didn't want to do any parks, but wanted some place fun to eat. We decided that visiting Fort Wilderness and eating at Mickey's Backyard BBQ would be something new for our family. My girls were 6 and 3 at the time.

This is something we wouldn't have booked our plan during a normal trip so we had no idea what to expect. I can tell you that this was one of the best character experiences we have ever been a part of. There was no rush in the meet n greets and there were characters we had never seen before like Pocahontas.

The best part was the dancing with the characters. My kids had a great time just being in an OPEN environment with characters. They danced and danced and danced. We had to force them to eat.

Anyhow here is a quick clip of what it is like. ENJOY

In my opinion the best character dining experience at the world. Our last trip to the BBQ was August 2013, my 2 year old at the time got to dance with Minnie for a full 2 minutes, the highlight of her trip.

 

[ExCMbeau]

I have this booked for my trip in September but I am starting to wonder if the total time allocated for this one meal is going to be worth it.

It sounds like for a 6:30 meal, I need to be there at 5:30 and it'll probably take 45-60 minutes to get there? I have 3 kids (8,5,2) and I'm not sure that starting to think about eating at 4:30 when they won't until 6:30 is going to work out.

Is that everyone else's experience?

Don't worry about getting there too early. There is a playground near the entrance. We actually got there early enough to have the kids do pony rides and then play on the playground before going into the BBQ.

 

[mpetti]

We went during lunch on Thanksgiving so it might be a different experience at night.

This was our experience as well.

 

[lynch34]

Don't worry about getting there too early. There is a playground near the entrance. We actually got there early enough to have the kids do pony rides and then play on the playground before going into the BBQ.

Thanks