Hoop Dee Doo Review
We’ve been to HDDR 2 times before this. The first time we sat in category 2 and the second in category 3. We enjoyed both locations but this was the first time we went without a dining plan so I figured we should try category 1. It’s not much more expensive and I figured it would be nice to have a different experience. I’ll discuss my opinion of the different locations at the end since they’re not specific to this experience.
We were staying at FW so this was a perfect opportunity go to HDDR again. I chose a resort day for this because I know that DD14 can only handle so much activity/excitement in a single day so this seemed like the perfect strategy. It certainly did add to the whole “resort day” concept. We went to the first show on Wednesday August 15, 2012. I always try to stick as close to our regular meal times as possible at WDW because I know she starts completely melting down if she gets over hungry, especially if her schedule’s off so the 5:00 show was our best option. We had already gotten our tickets a few days earlier. A CM on the DIS had once explained the table numbering system and I was looking at our table number and got excited thinking that we might be right up against the stage. How cool would that be? I booked the ADR maybe 3.5 - 4 months before the trip so I never expected this since they seat based on when you book. FYI: The first digit is the row number of your table and the second digit is the table number going left to right as you face the stage if I still remember correctly.
We arrived around 4:40 to check in for the picture. They changed the picture location since last time. Instead of being by the barrel with podium across from the entrance they now do the picture right up against the porch/entrance to Pioneer Hall. It just isn’t quite as cute though it still was decent (yes I bought the picture but my CD hasn’t arrived yet; maybe I’ll remember to come back and add it when the CD arrives). The picture felt very rushed and DD14 was getting confused about where she was supposed to stand and where she was supposed to put her things down so she started getting upset. When I got her to focus on me and let me tell her exactly what to do with her things and where to stand she quickly regained her composure and was fine. After the picture was taken we then were directed to another line forming behind the stairs on the other side of the porch (in front of the ticket window). No big deal other than the fact that we were in the blazing sun in August. It was only another maybe 5 minutes before they started loading people in so no big deal.
We get up to the front and hand our ticket to the next hostess. She showed us to the table right against the stage next to the pianist. Woo Hoo!! We sit down and there’s already bread and salad on the table. I notice the salad has stuff the 3 of us can’t eat but I also notice that there are distinctly different corn breads on the table. Interesting. I knew that the chef I spoke with before our trip had said he ordered a couple of loaves of cornbread for our stay so I was excited. I waited for him to come out to confirm which was for the 3 of us and then we devoured it. Soooooo good…… Serviced with Earth Balance margarine of course. The picture doesn’t show it (we dug in before pulling out the camera) but it was a half loaf which filled the tray. We did get the other half after.
The server asked for our drink orders. The girls again only had the option of water or apple juice, but I had an additional option this time over the usual Coke. I was assured that they carry Redbridge beer so I had to ask for one since beer’s included. It’s the same brand I drink at home on the rare occasion that I drink beer so I know I like it. Somehow it tasted even better at WDW. Funny how that happens. I ended up drinking only 2 though our server definitely tried to talk me into more (I’m such a lightweight that I could feel 2 even on a full stomach).
I can’t remember if the chef came out before or after this but he did come out pretty early. Finally I was getting to meet the chef I had spoken with. He was really nice. He had ribs and baked chicken cooking for us and the beans were safe as-is and he wanted to make sure that we were ok with plain corn (well, we could load it with Earth Balance) and baked potatoes. Sounded really good to us.
I do remember that when our server returned after I spoke with the chef he looked at the table and asked if we had wanted salad for those of us with allergies because he saw that the chef hadn’t brought us any. What an attentive waiter. Usually servers don’t really take much notice of what those of us with allergies have and don’t have. Nice! Anyway, I figured we would have more than enough food and I could see having him go get salad for me at that point (I knew the girls didn’t want it).
All of this was happening before the show started. It really was all very efficient. During this time, the pianist came out and started playing and DD14 who was seated closest to him (literally if she had have scooted her chair back any farther she would have bumped the piano) enjoyed talking with him a bit.
The kids loved being up against the stage. The performers engaged them directly a few times and even commented out loud to each other during the show about something DD14 said (you should have seen how excited she was over that). If you don’t like being noticed or acknowledged then this isn’t the place for you. Every stage side table was acknowledged for something during the show. DD14 loves being the center of attention when she’s trying to be (she was) but I would definitely be nervous about being here if she was melting down for some reason as acknowledging her then makes meltdowns worse. This day she was in a great mood and I’m glad we did HDDR on a down day so that she could really enjoy it, as could the rest of us.
Our food was brought out by the chef around the same time as everybody else’s. Having been before, I could have sworn that they used to serve the first bucket with a loud clang onto guests’ metal plates as part of one of the songs but that didn’t happen this time. Am I imagining that this used to happen? I could have sworn it did because DD14 got very upset the first time as she has auditory sensory issues and can’t handle sudden unexpected loud noises and that’s exactly what it was. Anyway, that didn’t happen this time so no concern. It did feel to me like something was missing but I very quickly got over it. Nobody else at our table commented.
Oh, yeah, the food. I’m sure you want more pictures by now. I’m so wordy.
Everything was tasty and cooked well. I don’t know if you can tell from the picture but the baked potatoes are covered in rock salt which is my preferred way of doing them and DD14 loves them that way too. DD12 won’t eat baked potatoes no matter how they’re done. I thought he brought some ribs with and some without sauce but I don’t see that in the picture (my kids prefer without but I prefer with though I will eat and enjoy them without as well). Note that this was another picture taken after we already dug in so it is possible there were some with sauce. I really can’t remember. For all I know, maybe we couldn’t even have them with sauce. Boy, my memory’s not what it used to be.
Anyway, we ate a lot. We could have had more but had no room for it. The chef came out part way through to see how we were doing with our food and seemed to really want to give us more but I hate being wasteful so I wouldn’t let him bring more of anything out.
When the desserts were brought out, ours took a few more minutes to arrive. The chef brought out Babycakes chocolate cupcakes for us. Yummy!!
When he brought these out, he also came out with what looked like a Babycakes grocery bag. In the bag was another full loaf of corn bread plus a box with more cupcakes. I was shocked! He was sending us off with a big goody bag of Babycakes stuff. How amazing is that?
I thanked him profusely for all that he did for us including the to-go bag as well as all of the prep he did in getting the other chefs ready for us. He was beaming and told us that he really hopes that we’ll be back. We’ll definitely dine there again but the jury’s still out on FW (lots of factors though from an ASD and allergy perspective it’s great overall).
We really enjoyed our dinner and the show.
Now on to the discussion of categories.
Category 1: Being right up at the stage was a lot of fun when DD14’s in a good mood but I’d be worried how she’d handle it in a less than stellar mood. It was a bit disappointing when the performers were out and about among the tables that the view of them didn’t seem to be as good as if we had been in the center. I think I’d prefer farther back in category 1 but this isn’t something that can be controlled other than maybe waiting longer to book (that’s a gamble as you never know if/when they’ll sell out).
Category 2: Our table I think was the very first category 2 table available. We were ground floor under the balcony at the table closest to the stage (actually the kitchen). We had a great view even though we were off to the side. My concern with category 2 is just how variable the location can be. You can be ground floor or upstairs. Ground floor you can be on the side under the balcony or at the back which I can’t help but wonder about heads obstructing kids’ views probably not but I can’t help but wonder). It’s just so variable. I guess that’s true of any restaurant though. We did like our view and being on the outside did mean we’d have easy access to leave without disrupting others if we had to.
Category 3: You always know what you’re going to get with this category. I wasn’t sure what I’d think of the view from upstairs but it was really good. The performers do come up so it’s not like you miss out on that when they’re moving around amongst the tables. Because you’re at a long single sided table you don’t need to worry about being bumped or jostled when people pass by. If the show isn’t sold out though, they move people “up” the line so if you book early you may be in one if the upstairs category 2 tables at the back which I wouldn’t like as much.
Personal Preference: I think that we’ll most likely stick with category 3 most times if we go again though I’ll certainly consider category 1. I doubt I’ll do category 2 again. Even if using the dining plan, knowing that category 2 is a better financial value, I’ll likely still go for category 3.
