Mickeys Backyard BBQ: worth it? When is it offered?

[okienick]

Hello! We are taking our 18 yr old daughter and 4 yr old son for 10 days in October. I’ve read mixed reviews about the BBQ but have never really considered doing it. Read some posts on a DVC Facebook group I’m in that said it’s great so now I’m curious. Is it worth it? If so, what days is it offered in October? TIA!

Nicole

 

[cjhudson]

I went last May with my DW, DD 16, and DD 10. My wife and 10 year old thought the experience was great. My teenager and I both were ok with being one and one. I would assume your 4 year old would eat it up as the interaction is keyed more to a younger audience. The food was a BBQ buffet, it was edible but nothing to write home about. They did have unlimited beer and wine in the back so that was a plus.

 

[KenHutch]

I found the barbeque to be meh very average but I am from Kansas City and we can be very harsh critics when it comes to good barbeque.

 

[kboo]

I went last May with my DW, DD 16, and DD 10. My wife and 10 year old thought the experience was great. My teenager and I both were ok with being one and one. I would assume your 4 year old would eat it up as the interaction is keyed more to a younger audience. The food was a BBQ buffet, it was edible but nothing to write home about. They did have unlimited beer and wine in the back so that was a plus.

Is the unlimited beer and wine a new thing? I went with my parents and our then 3.5yo in early 2016, and it would have been a lot more palatable (literally) with unlimited beer and wine!

I found the barbeque to be meh very average but I am from Kansas City and we can be very harsh critics when it comes to good barbeque.

I'm from NYC where we have no good barbecue and I thought the food was pretty awful!

So - here are the good things about it:

• unlimited food includes Mickey bars for dessert
• the 4 yo will probably love the show. This alone may be worth the price of admission.
• the performers and characters in the show were very friendly, they stuck around after dinner when we were there in early 2016 for pictures and autographs
• boat ride is lovely, if you go from the Contemporary. It's a nice escape and change of pace from typical Disney World activities
• unlimited beer and wine ??

The not-so-good

• Food is pretty bad. Even by Disney standards, it's bad.
• It's loud - our 3.5 yo did not have sensory issues and she wore ear protection the whole time she was up front dancing/watching/participating. I had a headache by the end of the night. Maybe I just needed some beer or wine.

I'd probably take our YDD when she gets to be in the 3-5 yo range, and then consider us done unless both kids are clamoring for it again.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (*rev 08/01/17*)
. . . 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.
.
NOTE4: New in 2016 is a plan to have Cast-1 and Cat-2 seating areas. In order to get more of your money. This makes the place an even worse bargain.

 

[Barbydoll8]

This was a one and done for us. Took my 12 year old nephew, SiL and DH. We like Trails End so the food was ok as they cater it. My nephew was too old for it. It tends to be for a younger crowd that is not shy. I say this cause the kids need to get up and interact with the characters. They do not come to you. We had fun but I think for the money, Hoop Dee Doo review is WAY more fun and better.
If you just want the BBQ, just go to trails end and then go to the campfire sing a long in the campground for free for character interaction.

 

[okienick]

Thanks everyone. Great info. Leaning towards skipping based on everything. We already planned to do Hoop De Doo so we will probably just stick with that!