Mickey's backyard BBQ with 3yo and 15 mo?

[AmyDek]

is it worth it? How long is the show and how far are the characters. If it's picnic tables are their high chairs?

 

[Barbydoll8]

Some people will tell you it is not worth it as it's 2 TS credits or pretty pricey. I enjoyed it but there are caveats. This experience seemed best served to children who could get in the middle and dance with the characters. The characters are in the center of the pavilion for dancing and then at either end of the pavilion through the show. They DO NOT come to each table like traditional character meals. You must get up and go to them.
If I remember from 2 years ago, it's about 2 hours total.
It is picnic style seating but I believe I saw a few high chairs.

Warning - it is VERY loud. If your little ones are not good with loud environments, I'd rethink this. It was very entertaining and the food is the same as Trails End so if you've ever eaten there, you know what to expect.
Sitting up front and to the right of the stage seemed to have an advantage for us but again, it was loud.
It was a one and done for us. Unless someone in our party REALLY wanted to do this, it would be the only way I'd do it again. I think there are better character interactions (Garden Grill/Cape May) that are less hectic, food is better and probably easier with smaller children. Just my opinion though.

 

[Nancyg56]

Once and done for us as well. My DGD was 4 and pretty shy so she was not comfortable out there dancing, By the time she was "ready" the dancing stopped. And then it began all over again. Poor kid did not have a good time.

I suggest that if you are going to go, get there EARLY. There is no reserved seating, and so if others arrive before you do, they get their first choice of seating, That means you may be at the outside of the ring of tables.

Given a choice, this is not one I would want to ever experience again. It is loud and kind of chaotic.

I also would gravitate towards the GG for Chip and Dale,
Cape May breakfast for the fab 5 or just about anywhere else.

 

[Tonberry]

They do have high chairs.
They now sit people in groups, so it's not a mad rush anymore. As they're seating you, let the host or hostess know that you need a high chair.
Because the seats are picnic tables, the high chairs will go at the end of the rows.

Also, I would request not to be too close to the stage. Once the characters and performers come out and get going, the stage area as well as the seats close to them get very crowded with lots of parents taking pictures and watching their kids dance. That's where we were seated last time. Every time I got up to get a drink or food, somebody had taken my seat to watch the action.
Another reason to avoid the seating close to the stage....it's LOUD!

My take is this. Our kids love it! I'm sure your 3 year old will have a blast too. Try not to think of it in monetary terms. Is the food worth the money spent? Absolutely not. But you will enjoy it, and your 3 year old will too. That's what counts, right?

 

[Ruth B]

We are going with a 3 and 8 year old and are really looking forward to it.

 

[North of Mouse]

is it worth it? How long is the show and how far are the characters. If it's picnic tables are their high chairs?

No, not worth it!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (*rev 4/1/15*)
. . . 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.

 

[AmyDek]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (*rev 4/1/15*)
. . . 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.

Wow!! This sounds like a nightmare!! Thank you for this info!! They're too little for the luau too right?

 

[Barbydoll8]

They're too little for the luau too right?[/QUOTE]

I would say yes. The luau was a one and done for me as well. The food - meh and the entertainment is a corny but fun show that you watch from again, long tables. It is all you can eat but they bring it to you family style rather than you getting up and getting it. For the $$ I'd rather eat in Ohana. But just my opinion. Again, I'd check the Garden Grill or Cape May breakfast for much better food and character interaction. I just recently did GG lunch and found the food really good and the character interaction was fantastic. Mickey, Pluto plus Chip & Dale. They each came to our table 2 x's and spent lots of time with us. Pluto came 3 x's! One of the better experiences with character dining I've had.

 

[Ruth B]

Think we will brave it as 3 year old is Minnie mad and at least she can run around ( with me following closely behind!) planning on spending the afternoon at FW doing pony rides and archery so will be a nice end to the day and if they keep it at 530 can always pop to campfire afterwards. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Ruth B]

sorry managed to post twice!