Mickey's Backyard BBQ - Fit it in or skip?

[musika]

I think my DH would love this, he's an AYCTE kind of guy, and my kids are into dancing and country music (ages 6 and 2.5). I'm not sure how to fit it into our plans, though... Any thoughts? Here's our current itinerary... BBQ in parentheses on days it is offered during our stay:

Wed 4/11 - Arrive late at night
(BBQ) Thurs 4/12 - AK, FP for FOP at 4pm and we would have to ride swap it. Not sure we would have time on Bus transport to make the show.
(BBQ) - Fri 4/13: We already have MK FEA dessert party booked this evening so this is out
(BBQ) - Sat 4/14: This is our "off" day from the Park and we will have a rental car... DH wanted to take DD to Blue Man group but they could go to a matinee instead of evening, or go on 4/15 instead (That's our HS day though so might be show overkill).
Sun 4/15: DHS
Mon 4/16: Epcot (We have Garden Grill booked for breakfast but the time isn't super at 10:10)
(BBQ) - Tues 4/17: This is our 2nd MK day. We were originally planning on leaving the park a bit early anyway since we have an earlyish pickup for our flight home the next day (7am I think). We will not have a rental car this evening though.

There is Cat 2 seating available for each of the potential options. Help please!

 

[wcw57]

fit it in.....it is fun. food is good....mickey bars....great photo/video ops!

 

[DWillowBay]

I love MBYBBQ. Great character interaction. Great show. Picnic food. Great time! If you can...it's a great time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think my DH would love this, he's an AYCTE kind of guy, and my kids are into dancing and country music (ages 6 and 2.5). I'm not sure how to fit it into our plans, though... Any thoughts? Here's our current itinerary... BBQ in parentheses on days it is offered during our stay:

Wed 4/11 - Arrive late at night
(BBQ) Thurs 4/12 - AK, FP for FOP at 4pm and we would have to ride swap it. Not sure we would have time on Bus transport to make the show.
(BBQ) - Fri 4/13: We already have MK FEA dessert party booked this evening so this is out
(BBQ) - Sat 4/14: This is our "off" day from the Park and we will have a rental car... DH wanted to take DD to Blue Man group but they could go to a matinee instead of evening, or go on 4/15 instead (That's our HS day though so might be show overkill).
Sun 4/15: DHS
Mon 4/16: Epcot (We have Garden Grill booked for breakfast but the time isn't super at 10:10)
(BBQ) - Tues 4/17: This is our 2nd MK day. We were originally planning on leaving the park a bit early anyway since we have an earlyish pickup for our flight home the next day (7am I think). We will not have a rental car this evening though.

There is Cat 2 seating available for each of the potential options. Help please!

I would do it on 4/14 or 4/17. You could go after Blue Man Group or after your second MK day. Personally, I would probably do 4/14, so I would have the evening of 4/17 to unwind a bit from the vacation and do any last-minute packing.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Fit it in now! There is a small window of time that you will feel comfortable being there. Average age is about 4 !! Once your kids are a little older, they will be VERY out of place. I LOVE it there, but wouldnt do that to my kids again. Ill have to wait until I have grand kids to go back!!!

She was 9.......

Here she was only 6. I guess we didnt pay attention to the ages of the other children, as she didnt look out of place.

 

[UrsulaTime]

Fit it in now! There is a small window of time that you will feel comfortable being there. Average age is about 4 !! Once your kids are a little older, they will be VERY out of place. I LOVE it there, but wouldnt do that to my kids again. Ill have to wait until I have grand kids to go back!!!

She was 9.......

Gaaah! So glad I saw this. I almost prepaid for Mickey's Backyard a few minutes ago - then I thought, maybe let's just do a quick search on the Dis first...

We'd be going with our cousin who's 8, almost 9. This would totally be her.

Thanks for posting!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ:
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: D
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: D
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: B
.
NOTE1: Tables are long picnic tables of about 40 people per table, so you sit with others. No reserved seating, so the "mad dash" for seats can be interesting. There is
no "front row", just the end of the picnic tables. Folks start lining up about 1-hr prior to the 5:30pm seating. Also, the characters are there for dancing and front interaction,
and usually do not go thru tables, so sometimes there is a long line trying to get to the characters. Also noted the sides are open to the weather. They put up plastic diverters
for winter and simple fans for summer, but it does get VERY hot/humid or cold. This is not a well heated or air conditioned pavilion. "Dancing" characters interact well with
kids in front of the stage, and younger kids love it.
.
NOTE2: Mickey BBQ was always about one-half the price of the Hoop Dee Do Review. With the popularity of DDP, they jumped the price double, including 2-TS coupons. WITH NO
CHANGE IN MENUS; NO CHANGE IN CHARACTERS; NO CHANGES AT ALL. Cost was barely justified at lower prices, and not worth the current price for ribs-chicken-burgers.
.
NOTE3: The characters "dance" in front of the stage, and children come up to dance with them. This creates a lot of pushing by the kids as they try to get next to their favorite
character. There are no lines like in the park for Meet & Greet, and no handlers to keep the kids in a line or behaving.
.
NOTE4: New in 2016 they have separately priced Cat-1 and Cat-2 seating areas. In order to get more of your money. This makes the place an even worse bargain.

 

[Ss77]

Hi everyone!
Booked backyard for us in August, my son Is 4 and loves music and the characters of course so thought it would be perfect. We staying at the WL so thought we could do MK in the morning then pool and dinner. DH excited about the beer and hot dogs but after reading some reviews I’m not sure..
I need some more opinions Food and environment sound ehhh from some people. Also what will the August heat be like under the tent?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Also what will the August heat be like under the tent?

1) Hot.
2) Sticky.
3) Sweaty.
4) Muggy.
5) Hot.
6) The pavilion has a hard roof and no sides, just "tarps" or "flaps".
7) Sure, they have fans, but no where for the heat to go.

 

[Ss77]

That’s what I’m thinking. Thanks!

 

[Ss77]

Still torn, the rest looks perfect for my son! Need to ponder it more. I have a reservation, so still have time..

 

[Linkura]

Should be a perfect fit for your kids. A college buddy who has two young boys went there for one of the son's birthday and they loved it. Based on the PPs' experience, they'll be too old for it next trip, so do it now!

 

[DISNEYWITHCHILDREN]

Haven't gone, but my friends who have have LOVED it. And I personally think Blue Mans Group is boring and overhyped. I'd do Mickey's BBQ over that.

 

[musika]

Thanks all for the replies!

Haven't gone, but my friends who have have LOVED it. And I personally think Blue Mans Group is boring and overhyped. I'd do Mickey's BBQ over that.

Eh, different strokes for different folks. We saw it as a couple in Boston a few years back and loved it. DD is obsessed with their videos on youtube. I think she will like it.

Fit it in now! There is a small window of time that you will feel comfortable being there. Average age is about 4 !! Once your kids are a little older, they will be VERY out of place. I LOVE it there, but wouldnt do that to my kids again. Ill have to wait until I have grand kids to go back!!!

She was 9.......

Here she was only 6. I guess we didnt pay attention to the ages of the other children, as she didnt look out of place.

This is really helpful. If we ever did go back to Disney, they are definitely going to be too old to fit in.

So we pulled the trigger and booked for 4/14! I am pretty excited, especially since I was able to score Cat 1 seating after all. For an extra 30$ US I think the early access is worth it. We booked Blue Man for 4/15, which was our HS day. I think we will get their early enough that DD will get her fill and not feel like she missed anything. Bonus, if DS and I want we can still stay and bum around the park and still get back on the bus.