Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[Kimmumum]

Has anyone ever been? What it worth the price? Do DVC members get any kind of discount? We are going in June and are trying to figure out if we want to go. Any insight you can give would help. TIA!!!

 

[DVCDAVE]

yes, I went once four years ago.

I am not aware of any DVC discount. I know there wasn't one when we went, but it may have been added. There may be one if you are an AP holder, and have the Tables in Wonderland card.

In my opinion, and my wife's too, we'll never return. The theme(ing) is excellent. The food is served buffet style, and it is Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Ribs and chicken. With sides of beans, corn, salad, etc. It was OK. Then again, how good or bad can it be?

Our problem was not with the food, but rather the seating. There is no reserved seating. You simply wait in line outside to go through the buffet, then grab a seat at one of the large picnic tables..........if you can find one for everyone in your party to sit together. Even if you do get seats together, don't be surprised if you lose them when you go to get your drinks, which is in a different area from the the buffet line. When you get up to get your drinks, people will either push your plate aside, or dump it in the garbage and take your seat (Happened to me twice).

The band was good. If you like country and western, you're sure to enjoy it. If I remember correctly, Country and Western Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy make an appearance and they call everyone up to the dance floor that wants to learn how to line dance, and give a few minutes of lessons. Audience participation was excellent. In fact, maybe too good. If you want to continue to dance, the dance floor remained absolutly packed. Almost impossible for young ones to dance without getting bumped or stepped on by adults trying to dance. At least at our event, there were no teenagers to be found, only adults and adults with young ones (under 12).

For us, and this is just our opinion, it was a huge disappointment. I happened to get one of those DVC survey post cards in the mail when we returned for our trip, and I went online and wrote extensively about our experience at the BBQ. I also made several suggestions, among them reserved seating and either a larger dance floor, or a 15% to 20% reduction in the amount of people they let in.

 

[IggyLans]

yes, I went once four years ago.

I am not aware of any DVC discount. I know there wasn't one when we went, but it may have been added. There may be one if you are an AP holder, and have the Tables in Wonderland card.

In my opinion, and my wife's too, we'll never return. The theme(ing) is excellent. The food is served buffet style, and it is Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Ribs and chicken. With sides of beans, corn, salad, etc. It was OK. Then again, how good or bad can it be?

Our problem was not with the food, but rather the seating. There is no reserved seating. You simply wait in line outside to go through the buffet, then grab a seat at one of the large picnic tables..........if you can find one for everyone in your party to sit together. Even if you do get seats together, don't be surprised if you lose them when you go to get your drinks, which is in a different area from the the buffet line. When you get up to get your drinks, people will either push your plate aside, or dump it in the garbage and take your seat (Happened to me twice).

The band was good. If you like country and western, you're sure to enjoy it. If I remember correctly, Country and Western Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy make an appearance and they call everyone up to the dance floor that wants to learn how to line dance, and give a few minutes of lessons. Audience participation was excellent. In fact, maybe too good. If you want to continue to dance, the dance floor remained absolutly packed. Almost impossible for young ones to dance without getting bumped or stepped on by adults trying to dance. At least at our event, there were no teenagers to be found, only adults and adults with young ones (under 12).

For us, and this is just our opinion, it was a huge disappointment. I happened to get one of those DVC survey post cards in the mail when we returned for our trip, and I went online and wrote extensively about our experience at the BBQ. I also made several suggestions, among them reserved seating and either a larger dance floor, or a 15% to 20% reduction in the amount of people they let in.

I agree with this. It was ok, but not something we'll do again. We used our DDP for this and it's definately not worth 2 credits IMO. It was packed, and a total chaos.

 

[dgaston]

We went some time ago, perhaps in 2003, and did not experience any of the chaos reported above. Yes there are picnic tables, and yes the food is buffet. We were celebrating an anniversary, and enjoyed the special celebration dance. We got a great pic with Mickey -- both of us kissing him.

One of the other factors is it's in a covered pavillion which might get quite warm on summer evenings.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Hello dgaston !! Can't help but notice that you too are from the Peoples Republic of CT. I lived for four years, quite literaly in your neck of the woods, when I was at UConn. Nice area of CT.

I think you may be enforcing my point. I shared my suggestions that I sent to Disney in answer to their survey. Most important was controling the number of people. So, most likely your group may have been much smaller in size than either IggyLans or mine. Most likely your group had no problem getting a seat at a table and retrieving a beverage, without others pushing your food aside (or throwing it out) and taking your seats.

I also wanted to add that you are correct about the pavilion being covered and not air conditioned. I have heard that from others posting here over the years that went on sweltering evenings. I, on the other hand, didn't experience that because we attended on a comfortable March evening.

Lastely, I just want to clearify that my comments about the buffet and food weren't ment to be negative, just descriptive, in order to provide Kimmumum information she may need to decide.

 

[Bob Price]

Hello dgaston !! Can't help but notice that you too are from the Peoples Republic of CT. I lived for four years, quite literaly in your neck of the woods, when I was at UConn. Nice area of CT.

I think you may be enforcing my point. I shared my suggestions that I sent to Disney in answer to their survey. Most important was controling the number of people. So, most likely your group may have been much smaller in size than either IggyLans or mine. Most likely your group had no problem getting a seat at a table and retrieving a beverage, without others pushing your food aside (or throwing it out) and taking your seats.

I also wanted to add that you are correct about the pavilion being covered and not air conditioned. I have heard that from others posting here over the years that went on sweltering evenings. I, on the other hand, didn't experience that because we attended on a comfortable March evening.

Lastely, I just want to clearify that my comments about the buffet and food weren't ment to be negative, just descriptive, in order to provide Kimmumum information she may need to decide.

We went last August and it was jam packed as described. We did have fun but would not do it again unless we went at a less busy time of year. We arrived 45 minutes before the show - 30 min. was recommended. We walked right throught the buffet line BUT the seating was completely full.
I thought I was 45 minutes LATE. We also experienced the musical chair routine when we left for a drink or ice cream. "Oh, were those plates full of food yours?" After that we got refills in shifts.

 

[Kimmumum]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll pass on this one.

 

[drusba]

Been once (and it was in June), never again. Didn't really mind the seating even though it is just park benches. Music was just OK even if you like Country & Western. Characters and dancing were nice although not great. However, it wasn't the event itself that will make me never go back again. What we discovered at the barbeque is that it is in one of those mostly wooded areas on WDW where Disney cannot hide the fact that mosquitos live in Florida; there seemed to billions of the little bloodsuckers when we went.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went once, in June '01 with honorary nieces and had a great time! They were ages 10 and 18. Can't wait until the DGC get old enough, and we're going again! Everyone enjoyed the food and the dancing!

Bobbi

 

[gwensgoofy]

We went, on one of our first trips, back in 2002 or 2003. The kids were7 and 5 I think. They absolutely loved it! Totally kid friendly food, it was louder than a regular restaurant with lots of dancing. We loved it for the beer and wine. I didn't mind the seating-I'm always early at places, so we had a great table. Its not something I'd do without kids, but for the age group we had, they thought it was great.