Need advice on dinner shows

[mfulk]

We will be at Disney the first week of May with our 6, 4 and 2 year olds. We're going to be on the DxDP. Our past two trips we've made all our own food in our condo and eaten there or brought it with us so the DP is a new experience for us and I want to make the best use of it.

I'm so confused by all the feedback on the dinner shows. At first I thought they would be fun for the kids but after reading many reviews I'm not sure what sounds like mediocre food and entertainment is worth all the time they take and two TS credits. We're doing many character breakfasts and CRT if that makes any difference.

DH thinks the luau would be fun, he went like 20 years ago and says he enjoyed it. I thought the Backyard BBQ would be fun for the kids, but I'll be 8 months pregnant so I'm not sure I want to sit outside in the heat and it sounds like it takes a lot of time to get there. I've read the best reviews of the three for the Hoop Dee Doo but to me it just doesn't sound that interesting.

I know no one can decide for me but just curious on others suggestions. Should we do one just to see what they're like? If so, which one would you suggest? Or should we just skip all of them until the kids are a little older?

It's definitely not going to be our last trip to Disney, but I don't know whether or not we'll use the DDP again and I wouldn't pay OOP for the dinner shows.

 

[frannn]

We never did a dinner show till we used the DXDP. After having experienced all three, I can honestly say the only one I would pay OOP for is HDD. MBBQ was not appealing to me because I am not a fan of country music, dance, etc. DD8 loved it, as did DH...but he's into that stuff. The luau was better, as the food was a bit tastier, and it was more of a show. The rain that day almost canceled the show, though, and we would have used 2 TS credits just for the dinner. HDD, on the other hand, has a certain charm that we all love. The food is plain but tasty, the show is inside, view seemed very good from all the Tier 2 seats we've had, and the jokes were appropriate and corny enough to be fun. This is DD8's first request for each trip, and she first saw it when she was 6.

 

[debaone]

You will not be disappointed with HDD, and your kids are at the PERFECT age for this show. Not only is the show funny for adults, but the actors make the kids laugh continuously even though they don't yet get the humor.

Food wise, you will have plenty, and you can always ask for more. The ribs aren't the best ever, but they are good. The fried chicken is also very good, and the sides do not disappoint.

As for the kids, there's just nothing like watching your three kids rubbing their spoons up and down that washboard trying to make as much noise as they possibly can with big smiles on their faces.

Things may change, of course, but at this time I don't ever plan on taking a WDW vacation that doesn't include HDD.

 

[gumbo1009]

The other great thing about HDD is that if you arrive early at FW, your can kids can play on the little beach beforehand, maybe see an armadillo, and depending on how you time it, the kids could attend the campfire sing-a-long and toast marshmallows. (And you can watch the MK fireworks from the little beach as well.)

 

[mfulk]

The other great thing about HDD is that if you arrive early at FW, your can kids can play on the little beach beforehand, maybe see an armadillo, and depending on how you time it, the kids could attend the campfire sing-a-long and toast marshmallows. (And you can watch the MK fireworks from the little beach as well.)

Is that at the later show? At least I think there are two times.

 

[kt_mom]

Another vote for the HDDR. Its a must do for us on every trip. The food is fairly good and the show is great.

I used to love the Luau when I was a kid but its changed now. They added some kind of corny story line and we were all really disappointed when we did it a few years back. We won't go again until DS is older and then probable just once so he has a chance to experience it. DD slept through most of it she was so bored. But she has always LOVED the HDDR.

 

[mmay60046]

Your kids would probably most enjoy the Backyard BBQ because there is a lot of interaction and dancing with the characters. Personally I think the Luau appeals more to adults than kids. Hoop de Doo is great for the whole family.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Is that at the later show? At least I think there are two times.

There are 3 shows a night, every night of the year with a few exceptions with only 2. The shows are at 5, 7:15 and 9:30. After the last 2 shows, buses will be waiting to take you to your resort. Getting there from your resort would be bus to MK, boat to Ft. Wilderness with a 3 minute walk to Pioneer Hall. They've been doing over 1000 shows a year for many years. I went to my first one in 1991. I've been back 8 times.