Mickey's BBQ v. Hoop dee do review?

[Bigcheeseesq]

Tell me everything? If you had to pick one, which one? And why?

Is the cat 1 seating worth it for either? Is it a must?

There are six in our group. Kids will be 7 and 9.

 

[Shanti]

Tell me everything? If you had to pick one, which one? And why?

Is the cat 1 seating worth it for either? Is it a must?

There are six in our group. Kids will be 7 and 9.

Mickey's BBQ will likely be too young for your kids. Hoop Dee Doo will be perfect for the whole family. It's great & I highly recommend it.

 

[Bigcheeseesq]

Mickey's BBQ will likely be too young for your kids. Hoop Dee Doo will be perfect for the whole family. It's great & I highly recommend it.

That was a concern. The videos seem have more toddlers. I also heard you have to stand in line to get in? Then for the meet and greet then for food? I also dont like buffets they gross me out, but I figured it's Disney so they probably have people serving? I just don't want to pass on it if we should do it, but it's expensive so if it's no great for us then I rather spend my money else where!

 

[Jimsig]

We took our DD to the HDDR when she was 5 and she loved it. She didn't really get the jokes but she liked the singing and stage show etc. When she was 6 we took her to the BBQ and she loved that too. She loved the interaction of dancing with the characters on the dance floor and the cowboy doing rope tricks. When we did it there were two times to do the meet and greet. One in the middle of it and again at the end. They made sure everyone got the chance to the meet the characters.

From memory you will have to wait in line to get in both. At the HDDR you get served at your seat and at the BBQ you get in line to get your own food at the buffet, they have a few lines so the wait was never bad. IIRC they both use the same kitchen and some of the foods are the same.

When it comes to the HDDR we did the Cat 2 seating and were at the back of the hall raised up a step over the floor seats, I would sit there again in a heartbeat as we didn't miss out on anything. I would say Cat 1 is not a must at the HDDR. But as this is an internet message board I'm sure others will disagree I can't remember if they were doing categories for the BBQ when we went as I don't remember having an option, but we sat in what is now Cat 2. From what I have read Cat 1 gets early admission and a meet and greet before everyone else and seats on the side of the dance floor and earlier access to the food. We had no issues with what is now Cat 2, I would have loved to have been able to get the perks of the Cat 1 seating but it's not a deal breaker for us sitting in Cat 2. We still get the same stuff in the end.

We are going again in Oct when she will be 8 and have reservations at both. We are on the dining plan so all we are able to get is Cat 2 or 3. We have a big group going and the kids will range from 8yo down to 2yo. We had hoped to do the BBQ as a group but it didn't work out schedule wise so we are doing the HDDR with all 14 of us (Cat 3 as it was the best we would get) and the BBQ (Cat 2) with the three of us plus my mom as everyone else is doing a shorter trip.

 

[PaHunter]

We have done HHDR in the past with our 9yr old nephew. He enjoyed the show and dinner. Oh my, dinner. They bring everything to the table and if you want more, just ask. No one will leave hungry. The floor seating is nice for HDDR as then you maybe part of the show, as they come out and interact with the guests. But if you are up in the balcony, you get to view it all. It is a great time and look forward to going again.

 

[FtW Mike]

Ditto what Chris, PaHunter said we do HDDR every trip. Show is enjoyable and interaction wit Cast can be a blast. We tend to like tier 1 seating as I end up being the one getting the Shame on you . I have done every level of seating and always had a good time

 

[beccasmom]

Over the years we have done HDDR about 8 times with family and friends. It is a lot of fun and most ages seem to enjoy it. The cast really gets the audience involved and it is very high energy. The jokes are corny, but most people don't seem to mind. The food was fine. One tip - the a/c in the summer makes the hall very chilly IMHO. Bringing a light jacket would be a good idea.

 

[Shanti]

I also dont like buffets they gross me out, but I figured it's Disney so they probably have people serving?

Disney buffets are like buffets anywhere: self-serve. That's what you'd do at Mickey's Backyard BBQ, at Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, etc. Some of Disney's restaurants, like Hoop Dee Doo, Garden Grill & Ohanas are not buffet but instead "all you care to eat" (AYCTE), in which servers will bring you multiple courses of food from a set menu. And of course, many Disney restaurants are the type where you order an entree off a menu. But the buffets at Disney World are regular buffets.

 

[Teamubr]

Here's another vote for HDDR. I have never understood the pricing on MBYBBQ for what it is.

HDDR is a great show and the food isn't bad.

j

 

[bjschil]

We also love the HDDR and see it every year we come to DW. We also enjoy Cat I, but in all honesty, all seats are great with interaction in each. Enjoy, one of the best if not the best, at Disney World.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Hddr a better choice imho. And sitting anywhere for ur group will be good. Food good, show good... enjoy it all and we ve done it several if not many times.

 

[peg110]

We had never done HDDMR until our August 2016 trip. I had heard a lot about it (thanks to this board) and finally told the DW (who "Plans" our trips) that this was something I wanted to try. So we booked it. That trip was DW, DD11 and myself so the costs weren't too bad. Well... I didn't know what to expect. DW can be a bit picky about what she does/does not like (food, entertainment, etc) as well as the DD11. Turns out we all loved it. The show was great, the food was good and as others have said, you shouldn't go away hungry. You will stand in line outside to check-in and then you will "Mob" around the steps before they open the door, but it's not too bad. We had CAT 1 so I cannot speak to the other categories.

We did get a "Tip" that you could ask for Mac-n-Cheese which made our DD11 extremely happy. (She really is not a big fried chicken fan but she will eat it if there is nothing else).

We were back down again in November 2016 with Me, DW, DD11, DD19, and her BF21. We also had Cat 1 Seats booked. The only problem is, on that trip DW got sick and did not feel up to going to the show (She stayed in the camper). No refunds . So I took the rest to the show. I was able to get a meal to go for DW (since it was paid for). Sadly, I too was feeling ill to the point where I couldn't eat/drink much. The show was still awesome though and despite me not feeling well either, the kids did enjoy it.

Last thing to note. The show is AYCTE and this includes Beer (and wine I believe) so if you that's your drink of choice, that makes the decision easier.

We have never done MBYBBQ. We looked at it once, but DW decided that she just wasn't up to that. She had read a lot of reviews that were not all that favorable. While I am sure the food is up to Disney Standards and that you will get the interactions, she just felt the money would be better spent at OTHER Character meet and greets instead.

 

[bjschil]

Oops, forgot to add that your seating in each category is preassigned, so it does not matter if you are first at the door, or last. Your seats have already been assigned. The performers tend to pick out the bald men for some of their interaction with the audience. Bill is a regular! So so much fun with the bang for your buck.

 

[Kerriowl]

I would say that if you are booking at 180+ days out, tier 1 is worth it. Seats are assigned by order of booking. We booked 180 +8 days out for HDDR and were front and center, first table by the stage. It was amazing.

 

[peg110]

The thing about booking the HDDMR that far out, is that it has to be paid in full, unless you have the dining plan.

Our first time we went, we booked early and we were basically SECOND row center. It too was quite awesome.