Mickey's Backyard BBQ Is it worth doing?

[Glennie5]

I am thinking about booking the the Backyard BBQ for our trip in Aug. If you have eaten there before what did you think of it? Is it worth the money?

 

[deserrai]

I'd like to know too. I've thought about it, but can never make up my mind.

 

[willowsnn3]

If you're going for the food, probably not. Don't think I would pay out of pocket for it either. That being said we LOVE MBYBBQ!!! We've done it twice and were on the ddp so it is a 2TS. We were so bummed last Sept cause we couldn't get an ADR. The food is not bad. Hot dogs--burgers--ribs (very good). Sides included salad--corn on the cob--baked beans--& lots more. Beer & wine is included. And the kicker for me is AYCE Mickey Bars The entertainment & character interaction was great also.

 

[Glennie5]

If you're going for the food, probably not. Don't think I would pay out of pocket for it either. That being said we LOVE MBYBBQ!!! We've done it twice and were on the ddp so it is a 2TS. We were so bummed last Sept cause we couldn't get an ADR. The food is not bad. Hot dogs--burgers--ribs (very good). Sides included salad--corn on the cob--baked beans--& lots more. Beer & wine is included. And the kicker for me is AYCE Mickey Bars The entertainment & character interaction was great also.

Thank you, sounds like the kind of food my kids would love plus they love character meals. I don't mind paying that price but I still have my fingers crossed that they will come out with free dining for that time.

 

[Christymarie222]

I love Mickey's backyard bbq. DH and I brought DD 9, DD2 and DD 1...we had a blast! Country music, dancing...and I may be in the minority here...but I think the food is great! Nothing fancy, but very tasty! And the included wine, bud and bud light is a nice perk! I would highly recommend it.
One suggestion...the characters are out the entire show. You can wait until the first rush of people go up...no need to fight the crowd. If you are patient, there is plenty of opportunity to dance and hug the characters throughout the bbq.

We are going again this year and I can't wait!

 

[Glennie5]

Thank you for all the info. I have always wanted to do the BYBBQ but it was always booked up. This time I am going to book it on the 180 day mark. On our previous visits we never knew we were going that far out.

 

[jasper1428]

I love Mickey's backyard bbq. DH and I brought DD 9, DD2 and DD 1...we had a blast! Country music, dancing...and I may be in the minority here...but I think the food is great! Nothing fancy, but very tasty! And the included wine, bud and bud light is a nice perk! I would highly recommend it.
One suggestion...the characters are out the entire show. You can wait until the first rush of people go up...no need to fight the crowd. If you are patient, there is plenty of opportunity to dance and hug the characters throughout the bbq.

We are going again this year and I can't wait!

I agree totally - DS8 loved it - we went for my 30th bday in march2002 didn't have ADRs but still got in!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (rev 1/5/11)
. . . 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: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: C

NOTE: Tables are long picnic tables of about 40 people
per table, so you sit with other families. 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, 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 charcters. It
should also be noted that the sides are open to the weather. They
can put up some plastic wind diverters, but it does get hot or cold.

 

[willowsnn3]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (rev 1/5/11)
. . . 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: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: C

NOTE: Tables are long picnic tables of about 40 people
per table, so you sit with other families. No reserved seating,
so the "mad dash" for seats can be interesting. We have been several times and have never experienced the 'mad dash'. Tables are long & other parties are seated at your table but we have always had plenty of room.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, 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 charcters. It
should also be noted that the sides are open to the weather. They
can put up some plastic wind diverters, but it does get hot or cold. We have gone in Sept when it was really hot & Nov (Thanksgiving week) and the weather was perfect each time. Never too hot or cold. The only time we were chilled was in Nov at the end, we chose to ride the boat back to MK and while we were waiting at the dock the wind was pretty cool.

So it all depends, each time could be different. Enjoy.

 

[suevr]

We did the Backyard Barbecue as our first character meal and paid out of pocket. We learned at this dinner that our boys (then 3 and 6) really don't care about characters. Our one son is also a picky eater so it was painful paying for his meal since he ate almost nothing and wouldn't get up to dance or even go to see the characters.

The food is okay...nothing special. It's just barbecue food. If your kids love the characters and like to dance then you'll enjoy it. We went the beginning of September and it was so hot in there. I would only recommend it to people that are paying out of pocket if their kids really love to interact with the characters because there's plenty of opportunity. If you can use the dining plan, then why not.

 

[North of Mouse]

Very expensive backyard BBQ picnic food, not a very good show and I hear it's 2TS now if I'm not mistaken, but OOP is rediculous also. Pretty disorganized. Sorry, we don't like it.

 

[Pooh667]

Hi,

The food was yummy when we went.
I don't remember how many times the characters came out but i know it was at least 3x. The 1st time it was so crowded, the 2nd less crowded and by the 3rd really less crowded. We stayed to the very end and it was only about 20 people that did that and the characters came dancing around the table. Minnie even sat down. The kids got a lot of personal interaction. It was really nice.

 

[jjk3]

My family and I are big FW & VWL fans but have never done the BBQ. We have always wanted to and plan to in the future.

From what I know about the BBQ, whether or not it is "worth it" (from the perspective of a character meal/character interaction) for you and your family depends on the nature of your children. As some have explained, there is typically no "formal" character interaction (waiting in lines, with a gauranteed, dedicated time for each child). Rather, the characters come out and dance with the whole group. If your children are the type who are likely to jump in and boogie with the characters they will likely love it. My only concern will be if one's children are very shy and not anxious to join the potential crowds of children around the characters as they dance; they they possibly will be unhappy/upset about not getting any personal interaction with characters. Maybe this is not a legitimate concern. Some parents with shy children can possibly add their opinion.

We plan on going when we can, possibly this June.