Mickey's Backyard BBQ vs. Hoop-Dee-Doo

PabloMax

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 4, 2016
Messages
123
Considering going to one of these when we visit in late August. We were told the Backyard BBQ is fun but I am wondering if my boys, ages 10 and 8, will enjoy it. They're not so into the characters and I fear they may find it "babyish".

What say you? How would you compare the entertainment and the food of these two? Also, because the BBQ is outside, what happens if it rains?
 
Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (*rev 3/10/16*)
. . . 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 heaving.


*************************************************************************

Our Ratings of Hoop-Dee-Do-Review: (*rev 11/20/2015*)
. . . food price value: B (if using DDP Credits = D)
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: B (actors)
.
NOTE1: HDDR is a fun, corny, lively Western show. The food is average, but quite tasty for
comfort food and is all-you-can-eat for both the food and the beverages, even the nice sangria.
Good show for adults and children alike. As side info, HDDR is typically cool from air
conditioning, so take a jacket or sweater for everyone. Cat-2 and Cat-3 tables may have posts
in the view. For a truly unique evening, do an early show, then attend the Chip-n-Dale Campfire
meet-greet appearance, the marshmallow roasting, Singalong, and outdoor movie. Buy S'mores,
marshmallows, and other snacks at the campfire.
.
NOTE2: Food is served "family style" and is purposely slammed on the table. The menu includes
fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, cowboy baked beans, seasonal vegetables, tossed green
salad, fresh baked bread and strawberry shortcake, plus unlimited draft beer, wine, sangria
and soft drinks, Please be aware that the corn is now kernels in a bowl and not on-the-cob.
.
NOTE3: Show times are 4:00, 6:15, and 8:30. The doors open EXACTLY at the "show time". Yes,
they say to arrive 15-20 minutes early, but it doesn't do much extra good.[/i
 
For those ages I would do HDDR. My 11 year-old son and I enjoyed HDDR a lot. I thought about Mickey's Backyard BBQ, but after looking at videos of it online, it did seem a bit young for my son, but looks just right for the pre-K & Kinder crowd. I'm sure older kids can have fun there, but just seemed a bit too young kid-focused for us at this point (even though my son does like the characters). If you're on the fence, I recommend a video Internet search of Mickey's Backyard BBQ, so you can get an idea & decide after seeing it.

Everyone has their own opinion on how good food and character interaction is at different restaurants. Keep that in mind when reading people's "ratings" of various dining venues. You're at Disney, so it's hard to go really wrong. Just keep an open mind and pick based on what seems most appealing to your family.
 


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