Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[Paticake]

Thinking of doing Mickey's backyard BBQ on the 4th of July with our 3 grandkids, It's steep $347 for the 7 of us (2yr old doesn't count) the other 2 are 8 and 10. Thoughts please.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I prefer the A/C and lack of concerns about inclement weather at HDDR. Oh and it's spot on strawberry shortcake. And deeply corny jokes and skits that all generations seem to understand and laugh at, LOL. Seems it costs a little more though.

 

[Barbydoll8]

It was a one and done for us locals. We took my nephew who was 12 at the time and he was a bit old for the party. The kids that really seemed to like this even were around 5-ish. The characters do not come to you. You must get up and interact with them so if your kids are shy, it may not be the best thing in the world. The food is Trails End all the way (which was fine with us) and the entertainment was ok too.
It's very loud so be prepared for that.
If you are doing this in July, be prepared for it to be blistering hot & humid. It's out in the open under a pavillion which could mean afternoon T-storms at the dinner hour for the event. Standing in line to get in could be an issue here. We did it in August and it was sticky. We live here though so we are a bit use to it.
If AC is a requirement, this isn't for you.
If Mikey & Minnie and Goofy are your goal, there are other indoor places you can get with them for less or about the same $$. (Cape May Breakfast was one of the best for Minnie & Goofy IMO) If Chip & Dale are who you are after, there is a sing a long campfire program that is free at Fort Wilderness nightly or Garden Grill would be better for indoor experience.

 

[GillianP1301]

Positives:

• At an average of $50 per person for your party, it's a pretty decent value for dinner + entertainment.
• Definitely fun for young kids and they will be over the moon with the all they can eat Mickey bars
• Kids love the chance to dance with their some of characters

Negatives:

• It is loud and when we went, I found it quite chaotic. I only had to keep track of one child (4 at the time) and it was stressful because they get in a large group dancing around with characters, you have parents shoving and jockeying for position to try and get a decent photo. I spent more time worrying about where he was and keeping an eye on him that I did not enjoy it much myself. He loved it though.
• In summer it will be hot, you are outside so no A/C. You are covered and shaded though, so you are somewhat protected from the elements.

In my opinion, and if you ask my son who is now 10, we both prefer HDDR. Such a fun show, the food is comperable but you are inside and more comfortable. It comes with a higher price tag though. If it's a character experience you're after, then just about any of the character meal buffets would be a better option.

 

[Planner2012]

Our family didn't really enjoy it, but every family is different. When we went DD was 9 and DS was 6. The food was okay, but not great. We all liked the entertainment (rope tricks), but the dancing with characters was very chaotic. I don't know the price difference for Hoop Dee Doo Review, but our family loved this. Both the food & entertainment were far superior.

 

[POTCfan]

I agree with most in that I prefer Hoop Dee Doo, but I am very glad I did Mickey's Backyard BBQ when my daughter was young. She enjoyed it (and her grandmother enjoyed it a s well, probably because my daughter was having a lot of fun). But my daughter is 13 now, and she would not like it if I took her now.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Thoughts please.

Our Ratings of Mickey's BBQ:
. . . 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 behaving.
.
NOTE4: New in 2016 they have separately priced Cat-1 and Cat-2 seating areas. In order to get more of your money. This makes the place an even worse bargain.