Mickeys BBQ vs. Hoop Dee Doo vote please!

[marshallandcartersmo]

Which do you prefer?? We will be a party of 6 adults, and 3 boys under 5. My parents, myself, my brother and our spouses, and our children..........Which is easier to get to if staying offsite?? We will be staying at Marriott Grand Vista thanks to dads time-share points.

I know this probably should be on the restaurant side of posts, but they are sort of attractions too, right??

thanks for your opinions!!

 

[owtrbnks]

With 3 boys under 5, I'd go to Mickey's BBQ.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We've only done the HDDR, and we loved it! At the time, our kids were 4-1/2 years and 15 months. Our DD4 was so into the show that she let a big "woo-hoo!!" We had so much fun just watching her!

As far as getting to HDDR or Mickey's BBQ, they are both at Ft. Wilderness Campgrounds. The HDDR is at Pioneer Hall. We saw signs pointing the direction for the BBQ, so it's not too far from there. I don't know what time of year you're going or what the MK hours will be, but I can tell you what we did regarding transportation. We were staying onsite, but had heard that the bus system at Ft. Wilderness could be slow and difficult to navigate. We spent the day at the MK, then took the boat launch to Ft. Wilderness for our 7pm PS. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was going on at the MK that night, so the park was open late. After dinner, we hopped the boat launch back to MK & then a bus to our resort. Pioneer Hall was a quick & easy walk from the boat dock, so we didn't deal with the bus at all. We had a couple of surprises by taking the boat. First, on the way from MK to FW, the boat stopped briefly to let us watch the fireworks at the closing of MK. And, on the way back, we got to stop and see the fireworks from the MVMCP. To top it all off, just as we were approaching the MK dock, the Electrical Water Parade went right behind the boat. A perfect ending to a wonderful day!

We had friends who went to the BBQ this June and they loved it. I believe Mickey and Minnie were there. And our friends' little girl was chosen to be part of the show.

Probably doesn't help you make a decision, but I don't think you'll go wrong with either.

Have fun!
Christy

 

[highland3]

My DS (4 at the time) loved the HDDR when we were there in March (it doesn't hurt that Daddy ended up on stage in a tutu). The music and action kept his attention. He didn't eat much, but he's not much of a meat eater. He didn't have my appreciation for buckets of rids and chicken (yum!!!).

As far as transportation... we were staying onsite and had great service on the buses.

 

[grimley1968]

HDDR all the way!

 

[crjack]

We just did the Hoop dee doo again at our children's request. They are a little older than your group but they loved it two years ago when we went for the first time with them.

Also ,just as an FYI - my son is not a fan of ribs and some of the food served there but they offered us a variety of other choices for him. They had chicken nuggets in place of the fried chicken, mac & cheese, even peanut butter & jelly. He wanted to go for the entertainment so we were just going to get by with what was there but our waitress made sure he had a full plate of things he liked.

We think it's a great show.

 

[minnie61650]

We chose Mickey's Backyard BBQ because I read how much fun the
Children had dancing with the characters.
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale are all dressed in thier western costumes.
We are taking our 3 year old grandson and I know he will have lots of fun.
Also they serve hot dogs at the BBQ. It is only chicken and ribs at HOOP DEE Doo.
This is from another site.
Country band, line dance lessons, and line dancing, Disney characters,*
Buffet dinner*consists of BBQ pork ribs, baked chicken, hot dogs with*
all the fixin's, corn-on-the-cob,*baked beans, coleslaw, pasta salad,*
corn bread, watermelon, marble cake. Unlimited draft*beer, wine,* lemonade and iced tea.* This is a seasonal dinner show.* Dinners are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Do a search on the restaurnt board and find out more.
I have heard good things about both shows. In fact we went to hoop Dee do in 1986 and had lots of fun.
It is more entertaining for adults.
Whichever you chose I am sure you will have fun.
After all it is Disney.
Linda
Just 59 more days

 

[Harmony]

Did both. I say go HDDR all the way!

My kids are 16, 10 and 2. We did HDDR last year when the baby was 1 and he loved it. You won't be disappointed with HDDR but you might with Mickey's BBQ...we sure were...unfortunately.

Here's hoping you have fun at either one!

 

[sunkissed212]

I love HDDR. I've never done Mickey's BBQ but I remember as a child my parents would take us kids to HDDR every year! We all loved it! I will definitly be going on my next trip (whenever that may be)

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

HDDR! My family goes there on EVERY trip to Disney. It's a tradition for us

 

[auntie k]

I did not do HDD, but I didn't care for Mickey's. It was too hot, too crowded and no organization to greeting/dancing with characters. It seemed like a free for all. Our nephew was 7 and he was frightened by it all and wanted to sit at the table out of the crowd. They needed more CMs IMHO to corral the hundreds of children.

We weren't impressed with food either.

Sorry - but figured you wanted to hear both sides!

 

[pic22]

We have done both, and will not do the BBQ again, as it was not to our liking. It is pretty much a hoe down(sp?) and being from NJ, just not something we enjoyed very much. It is probably a lot of fun for others, but we just could not appreciate it. The BBQ is a character dinner, but the characters mainly stay on the dance floor, and take short breaks. The HDDR is dinner and a show, (no characters) so if you think your children would want to see characters the BBQ would be better for you. The HDDR is a staple in our iternarary every year, and already have it booked for my trip in Dec. The food at both is not the greatest, but still good. My DD was 3 when I took her the first time and she loved it. I also love the Sangria at the HDDR.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks so much for all the opinions. So far, Hoop Dee Doo is ahead!! Since it seems to be so popular, how far in advance can you make reservations?? Is it the same 90 days like other advanced reservations?

What time does HDD start, and how long does it last?? Can you do it after a day at the parks, or do you think that will be toooooooo long of a day for little ones? thanks!!

 

[Harmony]

It seemed like a free for all.

A "free for all" is a good way to describe Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We left early and it is not a 'show' we want to see again. Such a shame too 'cause it really has the potential to be a great dinner show. *sigh* Oh well.

 

[NCmom2NandE]

Another vote for HDDR. We have done both! We go to HDDR every trip, but backyard BBQ was a one time thing! Just to say we tried it.

 

[indigoxtreme]

You can make HDDR I think up to a 2 years in advance (someone correct me if I am wrong). The number of shows depends on the time of year. We are going to the 5:00 show on Sept 10 for my Birthday. I have a 4 year old granddaughter going with us so we wanted to make it early enough where she would enjoy. She loves music. Hope you have a great time. This is something I have always wanted to do and have never had the opportunity until this time at WDW.

 

[Lorelai]

You know, I don't think that you will be disappointed with either. My kids love HDDR, but the BBQ is so great for character interaction. I think it would be good to gear it towards characters if the kids want to see them, if they are a little shy with the characters HDDR might be a better choice.

 

[gradtchr]

Having just experienced hoop De Doo for the first time ever and wanting to go back on our next trip I'd vote for it. I haven't done the BBQ but the entertainment at HDDR had everyone laughing, and the food was delicious!

 

[disneysnob]

I'd have to agree with most everyone else. We did both and I'd have to say the Hoop-De-Doo it ALOT better. Like a previous post mentioned it was a "free for all" and you're in an outside hall, so it was extremely hot. They did have two big fans on each side of the floors, but that didn't help. The characters only come out and dance for a short time-the rest of the time you're standing in line waiting for autographs and photos. We were very disappointed. The Hoop-De-Doo was terrific!!!! ! The food was good, the show was funny (although, they seem to be the same jokes as when I went as a kid) and it was AIR-CONDITIONED!!!!!! We've taken the kids twice and are planning to go again next year All of the food is served family style, and drinks include beer and sangria-UNLIMITED!!!! How can you go wrong?!