Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[Meech Loves Mickey]

Please tell me everything I need to know about Mickey’s BBQ!

Per the official site, it looks like Cat 1 and 2 seating.

- Can you use 2 TS credits for Cat 2 seating?
- Are the seats assigned? Or is it a free for all? (for both categories)
- Is it worth it to pay for the Cat 1 and have “early access”?
- Is it as good as Hoop Dee Doo?

We saw the HDDR last year for the first time and loved it! We were looking to do something different this year. We were also hoping to go to the stables beforehand and see some animals and maybe a pony ride.

Thank you!!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Can you use 2 TS credits for Cat 2 seating?

Yes. I think they can be used for Cat 1 as well/

Are the seats assigned? Or is it a free for all? (for both categories)

You will be sat once you arrive but still kinda a free for all. Lots of people moving all over the place and people are sat at picnic tables which are set up next to each other in long rows.

Is it worth it to pay for the Cat 1 and have “early access”?

No.

Is it as good as Hoop Dee Doo?

Not even close. Spirit of Aloha is much better than the BBQ and thats not close to Hoop in my opinion.

Please tell me everything I need to know about Mickey’s BBQ!

Don't.

I have not been more disappointed in a dining experience anywhere on property and that includes going to Chef Mickeys before I knew anything about it. I think the campfire (which is free) is ALOT more fun and enjoyable.

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

LOL! I appreciate the honesty.

 

[LSUfan4444]

lol

I hate to sound harsh and its not the food that was bad, it was what we got for the cost. The fact that 18% gratuity was automatically added to me check and the only thing a server did for me was seat me kind of ate at me as well. Then, there was a tip jar at the beer booth. We literally threw all of our own trash away, got all of our own drinks, got our own desserts, we did everything ourselves and tipped them almost $30 to do that. I put myself through school in the service industry and over tip just about every chance I get, but this was horrible.

I honestly a better option is dinner at Trails End then heading over for the free campfire and sing along with Chip and Dale or just going back to Hoop....love me some Hoop.

I sincerely hope you like it better than we did.

 

[Meech Loves Mickey]

I was never sold on the BBQ to be honest. LOL. You're not the only person who doesn't care for it.... have read a lot of negative reviews.

I was really just looking for something different, as we always eat at the same places....Not necessarily looking for a dinner show.

thanks for your input!!

 

[Thomas Chaney]

I would also like to know more about it. I wanted to go there atleast ones in my life, though still planning for that.

 

[Thomas Chaney]

Please give me more information about it.

 

[kam1011]

lol

I hate to sound harsh and its not the food that was bad, it was what we got for the cost. The fact that 18% gratuity was automatically added to me check and the only thing a server did for me was seat me kind of ate at me as well. Then, there was a tip jar at the beer booth. We literally threw all of our own trash away, got all of our own drinks, got our own desserts, we did everything ourselves and tipped them almost $30 to do that. I put myself through school in the service industry and over tip just about every chance I get, but this was horrible.
.

This. We went with my husband's whole family and I wanted to leave the whole time. It was really hot, I mean absurdly, uncomfortably hot, really limited drink choices, non-stop country music (ugh), uncomfortable, long picnic tables...

Hoop de doo is awesome. I've really enjoyed Spirit of Aloha. BBQ = nope.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ: (*rev 12/01/16*)
. . . 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.
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NOTE4: New in 2016 is a plan to have Cast-1 and Cat-2 seating areas for normal or early entry, but not reserved seats. In order to get more of your money. This makes the place an even worse bargain.

 

[DWillowBay]

I know this experience is not available every day of the week. Does anyone know ...regarding the last week in August...what days of the week it is typically available? Our first night is a Sunday and I'm trying to work it in ...somewhere. Thanks

 

[DISNEY1975]

We have been many many many times. Of the 3 dinner shows, I rate this #1 for music and show. For food maybe #2 because I do love the food at the Luau, though the show there is tacky (except for the end). IMO, The HDDR is awful. Show is beyond corny and the food is terrible.

With all that being said...if you dont have a child under 10, you wont fit in. My daughter was 10 last year, but she is super tall and looked completely out of place on the dance floor. I enjoy the music and watching my kids dance, but once they outgrow that, there is really no reason for me to be there. The food is typical BBQ. Pretty decent. Free win/beer and sangria to boot Sandly until I have grandkids, I wont be going back!

Oh,,and for the categories...there are none. Its first come first seat. They try to stay organized and seat people in certain sections as they enter, but that goes away once the firt 2 tables are filled. Then people are coming faster than they can try to set them and everyone just ends up sitting where they want or can find a spot.

Check out my Video. Pics of the BBQ start at second 43 thru 1 minute 23 secs.

 

[Vestmama4]

I agree with @DISNEY1975...I loved Mickey's Backyard BBQ (even more than Hoop De Doo.) We have 4 kids and the older 2 (9 and 12) weren't into the dancing but the younger 2 (7 and 2) had an absolute ball. All 4 kids (and my husband and I) loved the food (the kids preferred this style of food more the food at HDDR) and I loved that the adults could walk up to a booth to get the alcoholic drinks (instead of waiting for someone to bring it to you.) The night we went the weather/temperature was perfect, so I can't speak for what it is like if it's too hot/cold, rainy, etc. I had read so many negative reviews about this BBQ and I was hesitant to book. It turned out to be one of our favorite meals the whole trip. Super fun!

 

[nikjd68]

One issue I have with the BBQ and Luau is that we go in Summer and I don't want to sit outside to eat. Also, if there is a storm and it is cancelled, you will have wasted time getting to Fort Wilderness (if you didn't know it was going to be cancelled) and you have used 2 TS for the Cat 2 seating, you now have to scramble to use those credits--pray it isn't on the last day of your trip.

 

[DopeyDame]

It's absolutely not worth getting in early - your seat really isn't a critical factor in the evening, and it's sort of a free for all once you get in anyway. That said, we LOVE the BBQ. We liked it so much more than the Luau (haven't been to HDD in a while, although I remember absolutely loving it and can't wait to go back.)
One of my all time favorite memories was the Backyard BBQ when DS was 2. The dancing was awesome, and all you can eat mickey bars and wine is exactly what moms of little kids need!
As far as what you need to know... don't feel like you need to be in the mad rush of people when they open the doors, you can move to see the show and during the dancing everyone is up and about anyway. my biggest tip is to dance with the characters in the side areas, rather than the middle - it is much less chaotic! Also, the characters will dance for a while and then take a break. After the break, the crowds are a lot more manageable and the dancing is super fun.
It's totally cheesy, all country music, and the food is fine. And we loved every second of it.

 

[kboo]

I agree with the above, food was sort of crummy, but our 4.5 yo LOVED it. We got there late because of naps, but there is really no reason to rush to get there. We enjoyed the boat ride from the CR. We got there after the show had already started, walked right in (no line) found seats that were fine, got our food (no line), and ate. We weren't rushed, and DD had plenty of time to eat, then go up front to the dance floor area to watch and dance along. We were one of the last to leave, because DD and DH got i line to meet the characters at the end, and they stayed to meet everyone lined up. Then DD played in the playground in the dark before we took the boat back to CR. Because we weren't all racing for the boat (most people had left already), our boat captain pointed out River Country to us and we had a nice conversation with him.

Note: it is LOUD, though, so we brought ear protection and DD had a blast.

 

[Funfire240]

We like this. We did Cat 1 in November and I was happy that we did. Our seat was saved with our name on it (we did at one point later have someone try sitting there and they actually knocked our stuff off the bench - she sat in between my husband and I! But that's another story and I just politely told her we paid extra for that seat and she this was our spot). Anyways, I enjoyed arriving early - if anything just for the character interaction. We had a lot of extra time where we were just getting settled at our table and Mickey was walking over and stealing our kids away. We had a relaxed time with Chip, Dale and Goofy, again with them calling us over. WE even went back to them a second time for more pictures so our kids could get pics with Chip and Dale with their race medals as we forgot the first time and we still had plenty of time with them. It was nice to grab the food before the rush started. As for dancing, kids are 8 and 6 this last trip and had a ball - I even was out on the dance floor with them!
Definitely not a place if you're looking for a relaxing peaceful dinner.

 

[VAfamily1998]

We like this. We did Cat 1 in November and I was happy that we did. Our seat was saved with our name on it (we did at one point later have someone try sitting there and they actually knocked our stuff off the bench - she sat in between my husband and I! But that's another story and I just politely told her we paid extra for that seat and she this was our spot). Anyways, I enjoyed arriving early - if anything just for the character interaction. We had a lot of extra time where we were just getting settled at our table and Mickey was walking over and stealing our kids away. We had a relaxed time with Chip, Dale and Goofy, again with them calling us over. WE even went back to them a second time for more pictures so our kids could get pics with Chip and Dale with their race medals as we forgot the first time and we still had plenty of time with them. It was nice to grab the food before the rush started. As for dancing, kids are 8 and 6 this last trip and had a ball - I even was out on the dance floor with them!
Definitely not a place if you're looking for a relaxing peaceful dinner.

Ugh---I have reservations in Cat 1 for April, and this kind of thing stresses me out. Did the woman move when you told her that? Do cast members make any effort to keep people from taking other people's seats like that?

Also, my kids are older--10 and 16. Will they be ridiculously bored or out of place? The 16 year old would rather die than get up and dance, but the 10 year old might want to. I sought out the BBQ because their favorite characters are Chip and Dale; I know there are a few other places to see them but we've done Garden Grill and also the Camp fire, but have never done the BBQ before.
Thanks!

 

[hoffman1]

It has been a few years since we have been to the BBQ but we really enjoyed it.
We are two adults--no kids. We did not get up and dance with the characters but enjoyed watching all the little kids. We did get our pic with some characters before getting in line to be seated. The food was ok - my husband is a picky eater so he liked this much better than the luau or HDDR. It was hot so we really enjoyed the ice cream and popsicles.
It was fun doing something a little different.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Ugh---I have reservations in Cat 1 for April, and this kind of thing stresses me out.

Also, my kids are older--10 and 16. Will they be ridiculously bored or out of place? The 16 year old would rather die than get up and dance, but the 10 year old might want to. I sought out the BBQ because their favorite characters are Chip and Dale;
Thanks!

Its a free for all once the first couple of tables have been filled with guests. You wait outside in one line before getting in. Unless something drastically changed in the past year, I really dont think there is any category of seating. Nobody has checked my name when being seated, as they do at the Luau. We enter, see a spot and sit.

I think your children might be a bit shy to dance. Literally, the dance floor is swarming with 2 - 6 year olds. Youll get an occasional 7 - 10, and of course some parents of the 2 - 6 year olds, but if your children are taller than 5 feet, they will stick out like a sore thumb.

Here was my (then) 10 year old. She was about 5'4" at the time. It wasnt just this night. We have been many times. Have never seen older kids out on the dance floor.

 

[Nancyg56]

LOL! I appreciate the honesty.

Unless I had a child who was outgoing and wanted to dance with the characters, I would avoid this one like I avoid the plague.

I would also like to know more about it. I wanted to go there atleast ones in my life, though still planning for that.

It is a backyard picnic type of atmosphere. Long picnic tables all surround a center staging area where the characters come to dance, and where this is a little show. The food is buffet and is similar to HDDR< but with burgers and dogs added, IIRC. There is ice cream and popsicles for dessert. I liked the food, it was fun food. But that was it! It is controlled chaos. I think it is wicked expensive for what you are given. I would really have to have a child who wanted to go for me to go back.