Mickey's Backyard BBQ

[CindyZMomof3]

Well, next week it is time to make my ps for our trip in August. I thought my son and i had it all worked out...but of course a friend of his is going to WDW next week (sooo jealous I am) and they will be going to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. And now he wants to go. I looked it up in my passporter book, and the price seems a bit steep for BBQ food. Please tell me it's SO much more than just the food and worth the $$...We're only in the parks for 3 days...with 4 days in the resort area...and a bit on a budget...so i didn't want to do too many ps "sit down" meals...and want to choose wisely. What's your view on the BBQ?

Thank you,
Cindy Z in CT

(btw, i was hoping to get ps at CRT, LTT, Chef Mickey's, Garden GRill ice cream social)...and now Mickey's backyard BBQ.....

 

[jarestel]

The BBQ might be fun for little ones, they get to see characters and maybe get a chance to meet them. There's a band that plays music and a little thing where they teach the kids to dance. Also, Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, etc... I think the character interaction at Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace is much better though. We did the BBQ once and came away thinking it was kind of lame. If you're budgeting, I would say you will get better value at the sit-down places you mentioned. Good luck!

 

[momxx5]

We went to WDW last August. I had originally booked BBQ but then change plans when I was able to get a PS at Chef Mickeys - I was so glad that I made this change.

The BBQ is very pricey and the weather in August is very hot, humid and usually rains. The night that we would have been at the BBQ was a total downpour.

The kids loved Chef Mickeys and we look forward to going there again.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Don't waste your money. We did Mickey's Backyard Barbecue on our first night last summer. It was hot, humid and IMHO poorly run. At the character meals the characters come to your table, here it was like a free for all with kids running up to the characters, with no lines or order. It's the only thing (besides Mears!) that I didn't plan for this July's trip.

 

[piratesmate]

In our opinion, it was not worth the money - or the time involved. We were very disappointed...and it poured the night we were there in May. There is no easy (or dry) way to get to where it's held.

 

[CindyZMomof3]

Thank you for the info...now I just have to convice a certain 8 year old to not go. I must go now and concentrate on using my powers of persuasion!

~Cindy Z

 

[MELSMICE]

We did the BBQ in April. IMO I think it's much more enjoyable for younger children. I don't know how "young your 8-yr. old is"? If he still enjoys the magic of the characters this may be fun.

My DD's are 14, 11 & 11 & honestly, I wish we would have done it when they were about 7, 4 & 4. The food was okay - not great.

We had fun. We thought the character interaction was great, however, I can't said I would recommend it to familes with pre-teens or teens.

IMO, seeing as though you only have that many days in "the world" you may want to do something else.

 

[hopelea]

Do they cancel if it rains?? We are going next Tuesday night 6/1. I know it will be hot and humid, but we are used to that....we live in Alabama!! I have read so many bad reports on this event. I am getting worried. We do not care too much about the character interaction. My dd's are 10 & 7. I just thought the atmosphere would be fun. We have done HDDMR, and wanted to try something new. We try to eat some where different every time we go.

Am I going to be really sorry I spent my $$ on this???

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by hopelea
Do they cancel if it rains?? We are going next Tuesday night 6/1. I know it will be hot and humid, but we are used to that....we live in Alabama!! I have read so many bad reports on this event. I am getting worried. We do not care too much about the character interaction. My dd's are 10 & 7. I just thought the atmosphere would be fun. We have done HDDMR, and wanted to try something new. We try to eat some where different every time we go.

Am I going to be really sorry I spent my $$ on this???

I think everyone needs to make their own opinion about things, however, if you don't care about character interaction, this may not be the thing for you.

Like I said, the meal was okay - nothing special. I didn't care for the ribs - they were very tough. The chicken was good but not crispy. The baked beans were just okay & the corn on the cob was chewy. The cake was very good. They didn't serve diet soda, which is really all I drink, but they did have lemonade. They also have wine & beer.

We would have had a better time when our DD's were younger. We made it an okay time for us, but we won't be doing it again.

Also, from what other posters have said about - it doesn't look like they cancel if it rains.

 

[Miniefan]

My family(me, Dh,Ds7,Dd4,mom) are going in Ocotber and I just made a PS for Mickey's Backyard BBQ, and the only reason I booked it was because we are staying at the Ft. Wilderness Resort and I know if my kids saw this they would want to do it. I am going to cancel though, when I made the PS they told me the total for 3 adults, 2 children was $167.00!! That really turned me off! I know it is not a whole lot of money but I could buy more than a weeks worth of groceries for that much. From what I've heard the food is not that great anyways and if that is the case I will never hear the end of it. As for the character interaction, I don't think its worth it anyway. If youre not turned off by the price or the food that is bland from what I've heard, then I guess you would enjoy it.

 

[The House of Mouse]

Just back from 2 weeks at Disney. Did the BBQ on the 13th. We were on the silver plan, so tried to maximize our wishes dollar values. So after 4 days of family style and/or sit down restaurants the BBQ was not much fun. It is buffet style with find your own seats (felt like high school) with a lot of confusion. People everywhere, food spilling, butter dripping, if it weren't for the wine I would have left much earlier. I had been looking forward to some good country music and line dancing. But this affair is geared more to the little ones, mine are 7 & 9 and didn't enjoy it much. However they loved HDD and SoA.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

After reading this, I'm scared and thinking about cancelling my PS. Anyone out there have any good things to say about this??

 

[hopelea]

I agree........I am getting nervous. I have a PS for my family on June 1st!!

There has to be someone that can give us a positive feedback!!

 

[GoofyLo]

I guess I am the only one that's going to give a positive review.
True the food is not fantastic. I went with 2 children (ages 11 and 6) and my parents (in their early 60s) so we had a great span of ages going on. We had a blast! The whole night lasted 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We enjoyed the lassoe man and the band. We danced, laughed and had a great time. I guess it really depends on if you the kind of person who jumps in to participate in things or if you sit back and watch the action. The character don't come to you like most character meals. In fact, a good of the evening the characters aren't there for you to interact with. The come and go 3 or 4 times during the evening. The last time they come out you get to dance with them. My favorite was getting to do the Cotton Eyed Joe with Goofy! Now you can dance with him at MK so I'll have to try that. It is very expensive but if you factor in the characters, a lassoe man, and a band for the evening it's really not that bad.
There's my two cents!

 

[tiggerzpalz]

Actually I have a positive review as well. We went with a large group, 16, on a hot, rainy July night and had an absolute blast. The food was just that, bbq food, so we had no high expectations but it was good. Ages ranged from almost a year to 52 and everyone loved it. Character interaction was great, and it was packed, the dancing and music was also a blast. Characters came both to our table and met with kids on the floor. We are doing it again when we go in Oct. May not be for everyone but we all loved it.