Mickeys Backyard BBQ

[Star Mom]

So we are scheduled for MBBBQ on 12/12 at 5.30pm, for our first night of fun! (Hubby and I with 2 girls 4yrs and 2yrs) I have a couple of questions and hope that I can get some insite and advice. We are also having breakfast earlier that day at 1900 PF as soon as we arrive from the airport. Finally we are staying offsite, but on property and therfore would have a rental.

1) what time should we aim to get to the parking lot at Fort Wilderness?
2) can we take our double side by side stroller on the motor coach? Or should we leave it behind? Is there a lot of walking? I was informed that it is an internal 20min ride.
3) Can we pick up our tickets from the concergie at GF in the morning after our breakfast? ( I'm thinking this would be easier instead of standing in line at the box office prior to the show)
4) opening seating? Is it First come first serve?
5) past experiences, reviews? i understand it is for about 1 hr 40mins, how is the food quality and entertainment with character? Looking forward to dancing with Mickey and Minnie
6) is photo pass photographers present? So I can utilized my memory maker?

Thanks so much everyone and wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Holidays!!!!

 

[Robo]

So we are scheduled for MBBBQ on 12/12 at 5.30pm, for our first night of fun! (Hubby and I with 2 girls 4yrs and 2yrs) I have a couple of questions and hope that I can get some insite and advice. We are also having breakfast earlier that day at 1900 PF as soon as we arrive from the airport. Finally we are staying offsite, but on property and therfore would have a rental.

1) what time should we aim to get to the parking lot at Fort Wilderness?
2) can we take our double side by side stroller on the motor coach? Or should we leave it behind? Is there a lot of walking? I was informed that it is an internal 20min ride.
3a) Can we pick up our tickets from the concergie at GF in the morning after our breakfast? ( I'm thinking this would be easier instead of standing in line at the box office prior to the show)
3b) opening seating? Is it First come first serve?
4) past experiences, reviews? i understand it is for about 1 hr 40mins, how is the food quality and entertainment with character? Looking forward to dancing with Mickey and Minnie
5) is photo pass photographers present? So I can utilized my memory maker?

Thanks so much everyone and wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Holidays!!!!

1) 4:30-4:45PM. You will board a FtW "Internal Bus" at the Outpost Bus Depot (next to the FtW parking lot) and ride to the Settlement bus stop.

2) Not much walking from the Settlement bus stop. (See map below.)

3a) Yes. (Or anytime.)

3b) Open seating (which IS first-come first served.)

 

[Star Mom]

@Robo you are da bomb!!!! Thanks soooo much! As always amazing maps and info. U know when I posted this question originally, I was hoping that I would have got a response from you and wishing there were some maps out there! Lol Really appreciate your info as always!

 

[sunshine1]

Went in september.

Mickey was hopped up on goofballs or space dust i reckon: his high kicks, dancing and energy was magic.

Enjoy.

 

[tlmadden73]

Finally we are staying offsite, but on property and therfore would have a rental.

This statement confuses me.

Anyway, if you have time and want to have a boat ride you could get to MK and take the boat over, though I wouldn't recommend it if you just going to Fort Wilderness for dinner --- too many transportation hops. The boat ride is nice though.

I have never gone to Mickey's Backyard BBQ, (I chose not to go late summer and went to Trail's End Restaurant instead) (Lucked out too .. I was worried about heat and humidity eating outside, but the issue was it was Thundering/Lightning and raining sideways when we would have had dinner. (I'm not sure what they did with guests during that.)

Anyway, I would suggest going hours early if you can. I am not sure about if these things are open in the winter, but these are the things we saw did while going to Fort Wilderness for dinner:
1) Check out the stables/animals
2) Maybe get a pony ride for the older girl (extra cost)
3) There is a kid's playground across from the Crockett Tavern (on the "yellow" path in the map above)
4) Take a wagon ride (extra cost)

 

[NavyDad]

I would say be at FW at least 1 hour prior. You should have no problems with the internal buses but just give yourself enough time to get over to the Settlement area. It's really awesome over there with PLENTY of stuff to do and explore.

Unless you are starving or have a very large party don't bother trying to line up 30 minutes before hand. They have enough seating for everyone and there really is not a bad seat in the house as they move the characters around and your party can move around and come back to your table as you like.

When we were there in June they had CM's that asked your party size and seated you in an orderly fashion. It was very easy and organized.

Feel free to take plenty of candid shots as you dance and have fun through dinner. The characters do line up for photos during dinner but they will stay after dinner until everyone has had their picture taken that wants it. The photopass people are there the whole time and it's a great time for some character interaction in very unique costumes.

My wife and I went in expecting very cheap picnic food but the food exceeded our expectations. Wine and beer was very good. Lots of good ice cream treats as well. I think our kids had one plate of food and ate 3-4 Mickey Bars over 2 hours. LOL.

Just relax, have a good time and you will love it!

 

[Star Mom]

@timadden73

What I meant by this, is that we are staying in a hotel that is on Disney property but not a Disney hotel. Sorry for the confusion. We are staying at the Wynhdam Grand.

Thanks for the addition tips and things to do at FtW. Not sure if we would have time. Its gonna be a long day for us as we would have been traveling since 2am that morning!! Guess it up to the girls and their energy level. We will def keep them in mind, I'm sure the girls would love the animals, wagon and pony ride. Thanks again![/QUOTE]

 

[howedaniel]

What days is this on in December? Trying to plan if I can fit it in...

 

[Robo]

What days is this on in December? Trying to plan if I can fit it in...

Normal days are Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat nights.

But... it may not be open in Dec.
It is a "seasonal" event.
If it's too cold, they don't offer the BBQ.

Many prefer the "Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue" at Ft.W.
It is open year-round. (Inside where it's air conditioned or heated.)

 

[Shanti]

Many prefer the "Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue" at Ft.W.
It is open year-round. (Inside where it's air conditioned or heated.)

Micke's Backyard BBQ is better for families with small children than HDDR, and HDDR is better for families without small children. I think the OP has a young family, and the former would best suit their needs.

 

[mshanson3121]

Micke's Backyard BBQ is better for families with small children than HDDR, and HDDR is better for families without small children. I think the OP has a young family, and the former would best suit their needs.

Guess this depends. My children, 8 & 5 LOVED HDDR

 

[Robo]

Micke's Backyard BBQ is better for families with small children than HDDR, and HDDR is better for families without small children.

I think the OP has a young family, and the former would best suit their needs.

The Hoop is filled with families with all ages of kids.

-------
BTW, the poster to which I'm responding, howedaniel, has not stated the age of the guests in his party.

The OP of this thread has LONG AGO gone to WDW.
This is a ZOMBIE THREAD from last year.

 

[Shanti]

The OP of this thread has LONG AGO gone to WDW.
This is a ZOMBIE THREAD from last year.

More like a hostile thread...

 

[Robo]

More like a hostile thread...

Now, let me get this straight.

Someone finds an old thread (one on which I posted back at the time it was new) and asks a new question.
I try to answer that question and make a suggestion about an alternate show because the one in question may not be playing.
You come by and quote me to say my suggestion is not a good one due to the questioner having young kids.
Another poster pops in to say that my Hoop suggestion would be fine for kids.
I come back to point out that we don't know if the questioner whom I answered has young kids or not, because you didn't catch that this was an old thread or that the poster I was answering is not the Original Poster from months ago.

And, NOW you call this "hostile."

 

[Dismama2boys]

Now, let me get this straight.

Someone finds an old thread (one on which I posted back at the time it was new) and asks a new question.
I try to answer that question and make a suggestion about an alternate show because the one in question may not be playing.
You come by and quote me to say my suggestion is not a good one due to the questioner having young kids.
Another poster pops in to say that my Hoop suggestion would be fine for kids.
I come back to point out that we don't know if the questioner whom I answered has young kids or not, because you didn't catch that this was an old thread or that the poster I was answering is not the Original Poster from months ago.

And, NOW you call this "hostile."

I truly am flabbergasted that anyone could call Robo hostile.

 

[howedaniel]

The Hoop is filled with families with all ages of kids.

-------
BTW, the poster to which I'm responding, howedaniel, has not stated the age of the guests in his party.

The OP of this thread has LONG AGO gone to WDW.
This is a ZOMBIE THREAD from last year.

Thanks for the information, we are three adults but we LOVE both and have done both many times, this has always been in August when we usually travel but this year we are going in december and wasn't sure of the schedule.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Now, let me get this straight.

Someone finds an old thread (one on which I posted back at the time it was new) and asks a new question.
I try to answer that question and make a suggestion about an alternate show because the one in question may not be playing.
You come by and quote me to say my suggestion is not a good one due to the questioner having young kids.
Another poster pops in to say that my Hoop suggestion would be fine for kids.
I come back to point out that we don't know if the questioner whom I answered has young kids or not, because you didn't catch that this was an old thread or that the poster I was answering is not the Original Poster from months ago.

And, NOW you call this "hostile."

@Robo has Trump called you about being his VP choice yet?

 

[Robo]

@Robo has Trump called you about being his VP choice yet?

If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.

 

[PabloMax]

To take this a bit further...

I have boys ages 8 & 10, which would likely be better for them? Backyard BBQ or Hoop-De-Doo? Would they find the BBQ "babyish" (a word I often hear from them)?

 

[Robo]

To take this a bit further...

I have boys ages 8 & 10, which would likely be better for them? Backyard BBQ or Hoop-De-Doo? Would they find the BBQ "babyish" (a word I often hear from them)?

While both can be fun.
The BBQ is more "dancing and clapping" with the characters.

The Hoop is an actual SHOW (one of THE longest running shows in the history of the USA,)
with lots of comedy and songs and fun, as well as a great sit-down meal with waiters who "keep the food coming"
until you can't eat another bite.

Then...
there's dessert!

(Which is ALSO an actual part of the show!)