Mickey's Backyard BBQ thoughts ...

[bellazachmom]

OK, this is something that we have never tried but that I have heard wonderful things about.

We are heading to WDW in late April/early May with our 5, 3 and 1 year old and are staying at VWL. We have a day that we are taking a break from the parks and are planning a dinner at either CM or the BBQ --- any thoughts on which would be more fun?

We have done CM numerous times and always enjoy it and will probaly eat breakfast there on our departure day if we end up going to the BBQ earlier in the week.

Thanks for any and all opinions!

 

[kgs732003]

We went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ a few years ago and had a blast! The food was great and it was really fun! There was a band there and they taught you all kinds of dances, and the characters came out and dance with you also. I would definitely recommend it!

 

[Halbleib1]

We went to Mickeys backyard bbq in Sept as well as to Chef mickeys. The bbq food was really good and the entertainment wasnt bad. I would not use two dining plan credits for this meal again though I would pay oop for it. The characters do get up to dance with the kids but they are swamped with so many kids that it is hard to get much time with them. Basically the same thing as the dance party at Hollywood studios during extra magic hours. If you have been there than that is what you can expect at the BBQ except with a live band and country music. The characters also take a break every 15 mins or so like they do in the parks. The food is left out until about 30-45 mins before the show ends. It is served buffet style but you get your own drinks as well and they do not come around to collect trash until the end of dinner. Wine and beer is included. The only other drinks they had was a fruit punch which was very watered down and not much fruit taste to it, lemonade and ice tea. Dessert is ice cream-minnie strawberry popsicle,mickey head ice cream bar, itzagadoozie. You seat yourself there is no assigned seating which I did not like. When we went it was so busy it was hard to get a table for everyone in your party to sit together. So if you go get there early and get lined up right away so you can get a seat together esp. if you are a larger party. We thought we were arriving in plenty of time we arrived at around 4:30pm and already there was a big line waiting to get in. They have games for the kids before letting everyone into the pavillion to eat but when we were there it was so crowded it was hard for the kids to play as everyone was standing in line at the same place they had all the games set up. Like all dinner shows they take your picture but I did not think it was as nice as the other dinner show pics. There is nothing on the picture that says mickeys backyard bbq like at chef mickeys or the poly luau or hoop dee doo. We did all three dinner shows during our sept. trip and our favorite was the Hoop Dee Doo. We loved it so much that when we went back in December we did it again.

Chef Mickeys was our favorite until our Sept trip. We were disappointed with the quality of the food and the character interaction. We thought it was just because of free dining so we decided to give them another try in December and ended up with the same problems only worst character interaction. Maybe it has something to do with the remodeling going on in that area or maybe they have just gone down hill lately. So if I had to choose between Chef Mickeys or the BBQ I hate to say it but I would have to choose the BBQ. Much better food and about the same character interaction as we got at Chef Mickeys the past two trips.

Good luck deciding. If you do decide to do the bbq make sure to make your adrs early as it books up quick and they only offer two shows: it was Thursdays and Saturdays when we went. Either night sells out usually so I dont think it matters which one you pick. Also be aware that it is an outside pavillion so it might not be a good choice in very hot weather.

 

[Villainess]

We went to the BBQ last April and will be going again on Apr. 30. We arrived by 5:45, they will take your picture as a family (like CM), then Chip, Dale and Goofy were outside for pictures and autographs. We waited a bit before they opened seating - my sister went ahead and found a table while I parked the stroller and got the kids out. The food line is opened up immediately. The show is fun. The first round or 2 of character dancing can be crazy. DD was 18 mos and wasn't pushed around but couldn't get close to the characters on her own, however the characters do seem to have a knack for wandering around and I have pictures of Goofy mimicking my DD's funky dance moves. People started to leave early so definately stay to the end - DD and DS had more interaction w/ the charactes then. It was lots of fun and are expecting the same this year! A change of pace from the traditional character dining - and it wore DD out, so she slept well that night! Oh, we are doing a CM b'fast as well.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We went and had the time of our life

 

[dato63]

This was our favorite meal of our trip. The ribs were wonderful. The entertainment was great. When I asked my family which meals they wanted to do again in 2009 - this one was the first DH asked for. I think it was 2nd for my twins (the Tremains beat them out for 1st place).

The only hesitation I would have is with your 1 year old. How does he/she do with loud noises? The BBQ is very, very loud. One of my DDs was scared at first due to the level of the noise - but once she got use to it, she had a great time.

 

[bellazachmom]

Thank you everyone for the quick responses!!

We have gone ahead and booked it and are really looking forward to it. The CM on the phone mentioned that the characters did not come by the tables, which I knew, but wondered if youi still felt like there was plenty of interaction.

We are going on May 2nd and was told to be there 30 minutes prior to the 6:30 opening. We will be coming from the WL. Any thoughts on how early we should REALLY get there and what area to shoot for as far as table location?

Thanks again!

 

[bellazachmom]

This was our favorite meal of our trip. The ribs were wonderful. The entertainment was great. When I asked my family which meals they wanted to do again in 2009 - this one was the first DH asked for. I think it was 2nd for my twins (the Tremains beat them out for 1st place).

The only hesitation I would have is with your 1 year old. How does he/she do with loud noises? The BBQ is very, very loud. One of my DDs was scared at first due to the level of the noise - but once she got use to it, she had a great time.

Thanks for the thought on the loud noises, I think that we will bring a set of ear plugs, just in case.

Thanks to the fact that he has a 5 year old Big Sister and 3 year old Big Brother he is pretty comfortable being surrounded by constant noise!!

 

[Halbleib1]

My son was three when we did this and he did get some character interaction but not as much as at other meals. The older kids tend to push there way in. Also since they are taller the characters tend to see them better. Also at that age he really wasn't as into it as older kids would be. Even without a lot of character interaction it was still a nice show and meal. The characters did go to some of the tables while we were there for a short time. Mainly to the ones farthest from the stage back by the food. I would pick a table right in front of the stage. Not where you are facing the stage head on but where you are facing the dance floor when sitting and the stage will be to the side but still viewable. We sat on the right hand side as you walk in and ended up having a beam in our way the whole time which obscured the stage.

Have a great time.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I've been thinking of this one aswell and am sitting on the fence. I've read the reviews at allears and there are a lot of negative ones but I'm thinking that they might be from people who were expecting the characters to come to each table for photos and autographs. We are not looking for this. We have enough character meals that will satisfy the photo opportunitys. We are looking for something where the kids (5 and 7) can get up and move. They loved dancing with the characters at H&V. From reading some of the other experiences here, it might be what we are looking for. The only other thing that concerns me is the food - I'm vegetarian. Would there be anything for me to eat at all? I would get by if there wasn't - we are more looking for a good experience for the kids, but if possible, I would like some food for my money.