Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[KTSMOM]

Anyone done this?? Would a 5yr old find this entertaining??

 

[tyandbash]

We LOVE this dinner!! My kids (9, 7 and 3) love the dancing with the characters!! We just went to it a few weeks ago and my 3 year has made it her only request when we go to WDW this summer. The food is normal picnic food, I really like it, but my dh does not. However, even he admits that the entertainment is the best for kids!!

 

[WDW LOVR]

I wouldn't plan on going to the BBQ based on the food, but with your child's age I think they would have a blast.

Lots of character interaction, country music etc.

We did the BBQ a number of years ago when the kids were younger and we had a good time.

 

[BossBrody]

We did this last August. It was nice seeing Mickey and the gang in their Cowboy outfits. The food was ok. You stand in lines, long at time, for food. It isn't brought out for you. You sit at very long tables, no reserved seats, and it's first come first seated. If you want a table in front of the stage, get there early. You might want to leave something at your spot, otherwise someone else may sit there if you get up.

Getting photos or autographs was chaotic. No real order. It was a free-for-all at times. The pavailion is huge and it was crowded. Lots of kids running around trying to get the character's attention.

I didn't mind it, thought it was fun. Not something I'ld do every trip though. My wife hated the disorder!

 

[traviesojmt]

I agree that the food is fine, but nothing too exciting. But we didn't go for the food. We went for Mickey and my kids, DD2 an DS7, had a blast. They absolutely loved it. It is a very laid back character meal. There are long tables. You can sit wherever you want. It didn't seem to me to matter where you sat. The characters come out on the dance floor and everyone joins them to dance. My DD2 got to hold hands and dance with Minnie and Chip and Dale. If it were just my DH and I, we would not bother to go again. BUT, if you have young children, it is a wonderful thing to do.

I will say that I agree that it could be chaotic at times. The characters seemed to do a good job of trying to pay attention to all the kids and not let a few hog their attention.

 

[Scotch]

I'm contemplating this for dinner even though the reviews have been so mixed. I have a 2 yr. old who loves Mickey and we'll be staying at Wilderness Lodge. My biggest concern is that it runs so late -- allearsnet says this goes from 6:30 to 9:30. DS's bathtime starts no later than 8:20 am so we'd have to leave by 8 pm to make sure we get back to our unit in time. If we have to miss 1 1/2 hours, is it a waste of $$, then? I guess what I need is an idea re what goes on at what time. It sounds like the food will be all laid out for folks right from the beginning; when do the characters show up and entertainment start? And what goes on the last 1 1/2 hours?

 

[traviesojmt]

I'm contemplating this for dinner even though the reviews have been so mixed. I have a 2 yr. old who loves Mickey and we'll be staying at Wilderness Lodge. My biggest concern is that it runs so late -- allearsnet says this goes from 6:30 to 9:30. DS's bathtime starts no later than 8:20 am so we'd have to leave by 8 pm to make sure we get back to our unit in time. If we have to miss 1 1/2 hours, is it a waste of $$, then? I guess what I need is an idea re what goes on at what time. It sounds like the food will be all laid out for folks right from the beginning; when do the characters show up and entertainment start? And what goes on the last 1 1/2 hours?

When we were there last summer, I do remember we left early too. Everone eats at the beginning. From that point, there is music and dancing. Our kids had a wonderful time, but we were all tired and ready to go after a couple of hours. I saw other people leaving early too. There really wasn't a structured program where you felt like you might miss something if you left early. My kids got a good hour of dancing done. I think that you will be fine if you decide to go and not stay the entire time.