Should I Cancel Mickeys BBQ???

[niclmac]

I am getting concerned, the last few reviews of Mickey's Backyard Barbecue have been awful. I have ADRs for the end of September. I have a 6 year old and an almost 3 year old, both boys. I thought that they would LOVE getting out on the floor and dancing with the characters, but now I am afraid that they will get swamped and not even have a chance to get close to the characters on the dance floor. My 3 year old was born 3 months premature, so he is a little guy, don't get me wrong, he is mighty!!!, just little. What should I do???? I don't want to waste 2 table credits! Should I cancel or should I go with my gut (think they will have the time of their lives). What do you suggest???

 

[JimR24]

We went a few years back when my daugher was 4. She had a blast and even though the dance floor was crowded, the characters were great giving each kid attention. The only issue I had was the heat. It's outside under a pavilion. I know it's Florida in September, but wow.

I am a big believer in gut feelings. especially when it comes to the kids. I would stick to the ressie and let them have a great time.

 

[everylastbreath]

I had booked BBQ for August for my 2 year old GS, also thought it sounded like fun, but I canceled it after I too read too many bad reviews, they said it was wild and the younger kids never got near the characters, sounded too much like a free for all to me. Also read that if you were not seated in the "main" area, it was difficult to even see the activities, I was not willing to take the chance on this meal.

 

[IggyLans]

We did BBQ in 2005, and I do not think it's worth 2TS credits at all. It was basically free for all on the dancefloor, and the food was not so great. I don't regret doing it, but now it's been there done that, it's not something we'll do again. Honestly, given the choice, I would not chose to use 2 TS credits for that again.

 

[bsusanmb]

Went to this with my granddaughter who was almost 3 and she was very upset that she couldn't monopolize Minnie's time. She wanted to hold hands with her the entire time. It does get crowded on the dance floor. If your youngest isn't timid, he will do fine. It was very cute, and the food was good, but I also don't think it is worth 2 TS. Glad I did it once, but won't go again.

 

[niclmac]

Thanks, I am more confused than ever now though, any more opinions out there!? I truly do appreciate you all!

 

[chrisann]

but decided to go for it, even if it's great we'll only do it once because of the cost. I don't know of any character meal where a child can hold on to a charcater's hand all night long The thing I've realized is this, when it comes to Disneyworld, my kids are so happy to be there, they have pretty mild expectations when it comes to the restaurants, which is great because if it's not so good, they propbably will think it's not bad anyway. It's me who wants it to be the best experience ever , which is not logical when everyone is expecting the same thing. I'm expecting a BBQ atmosphere and to have the kids mingle with the characters. Do what you think your kids will enjoy and go with it! Have fun!

 

[mrs_hower726]

I have not done the BBQ, but I think you should keep the ressie. People's opinions are just that, opinions and you should experience it for yourself. Afterwards, you can determine if it a must-do or a must-miss on your next trip. When we were there a couple of weeks ago, we had ressies for Sci-Fi and Mama Melrose (which are two of the most popular restaurants to avoid on here) and we went and had wonderful meals!

Hope this helps!

 

[adell557]

We had ressies in August and cancelled them. Not b/c of the crowded dance floor, we can handle that. It was the heat that did it for me. We are planning on going to a park that day and with it being outside, I just didn't think it would be fun just hot cranky family. We are FL residents, 45 minutes west of Disney, so we know what the heat is like in August. If you are not doing a park that day, i would say go for it!! Sounds like fun. If you are planning on that day being a park day, I don't know if I would Florida is hot and that pavillion will be like a sauna.

 

[Kburson]

I think the BBQ is awesome... I have only done it once back in July of 2000, but heading there again this July. The atmosphere is great, and the all you can eat works very well for my boys and hubby. It's great because the sun is starting to set at the start of the BBQ. If it gets warm under the pavillion, there are plenty of places to stand on the outside of the pavillion to cool down, or to just say ok, I need a break from all of these people. The food is awesome, plenty to choose from and if you have a picky eater, I'm sure they will find one thing they like, and they can have as much as they want of it. The characters try as much as they can to interact with every table, and will dance with the little kids and big kids.

I think you should keep the ressies

Krista

 

[plutosgirl]

Here's my thoughts on this...we are doing the BBQ in October and I've read the good and the bad and too was getting confused!

But the more I think about it no matter what we will have a good time. I don't have high expections and I realize it's a BBQ and it is going to be what we make of it. If the kids want to get on the dance floor and dance they can, we will all have some burgers/hot dogs and a few beers (well no beer for the kids...they do have beer there, right?! )and it will be what it will be. It may not be great but it could end up being one of our favorite nights...I think it will mostly just depend on our outlook going in.

I think you should keep it...what some people don't like others may love!

 

[VACAMPER]

One thing people haven't mentioned is that the characters also come around to every table and visit the kids while the rope tricking, line dancing and singing is going on. Also the dance floor is very crowded in the begining but as the night goes on and people leave you have more interaction with the characters. My kids danced with the characters over and over. even my 3 year old who is normally shy and won't go up to the characters. She gradually warmed up to them which was great. You can't do that standing in line for a pic. & autograph. My kids loved it.(even the preteen)

 

[niclmac]

Ahhh, I feel so much better now!! Thanks so much. We are going to go for it and keep our ressies! We live in Texas and are very well used to the horrid humidity and heat. I think the boys will have fun dancing regardless (if they get close to the characters or not). We are defintely NOT picky eaters are far as the food goes. So, I'm going with my gut (along with help from you) and I will be more than happy to let you all know what kind of time we had!!!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We went last year in April with my grandkids, who were 5 and 2 at the time and this was one of the highlights for them! They loved all of it, from the rope tricks to the dancing with the characters. Their parents carried them onto the dance floor so they weren't worried about them, and as someone mentioned the characters also come around to the table. The food was basic but good - and the beer and wine are included. It was just a relaxed, fun night.

Teresa

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

I am still undecided on this. I thought it would be a great experience for my 2 year old, but then I kept reading on another thread how "chaotic" it was and I did not understand what was meant by that until I saw some video posted on youtube and then I understood. Now, this is just my opinion, but it did seem like a free for all and not very organized, but that's just the impression I got. My son is kind of timid and I would serioulsy have to hurt somone if he got hurt or knocked over

I am thinking now about doing the HDDR instead.
But like I said, I still havn't decided. I still think it would be fun, but Grumpy (my DH) doesn't like anything that even remotely sounds like country music...so that's something else to consider as well.....decisions, decisions....planning a meal should not be this hard!

 

[adell557]

I also am confused

For those of you that have been, this is will be the last day before we leave and we will be doing Epcot on that day (only day we will be at epcot). What plan do you think would be best?

My original plan was to go to epcot until 3 or so, break at the hotel, Go to bbq, then to MK for Wishes, the end

Then I thought, Go to epcot, break at hotel, dinner at LTT at 8 parade and wishes?

What do you think is a better plan? Never done LTT or BBQ. Not really done Epcot with kids either?

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I watched it on you tube and thought it was really cute! We're doing the deluxe plan this year and that's the only reason we're giving it a shot. 2TS would be too much on the regular DDP and the cost for an outside BBQ just isn't worth that to me.

I'm not expecting the food to be the best in the World but I do expect the kids to have a good time. I know they will!

If you're going during free dining upgrade to deluxe and pay the difference. That way you can try out all the dinner shows and 2 credit TS meals without any regrets. I think it's only $32 per adult and $10 per kid to upgrade.

 

[MzGemini]

Mickey's Backyard BBQ was the highlight of our trip. My son enjoyed it so much, we went to it again the following year. I thought the whole setup was great. I'm not sure how much more organized a dance could get but the characters dance among the children, not with any 1 child with a whole group. That way no one is being left out. After they dance with one group for awhile they move on to the next group. You get way more character interaction here then say an autograph signing in the park, or at one of the charater dinners where they just stop for a quick photo and autograph.

As for it being too crowded to see the show...at the beginning of the show they invite the children (and parents if they want) to come and sit upfront if they need a better view. The CMs will also ask any parent who is standing up to do video or photos to sit down or to move out the way of other guests if they're blocking anyone's view. On the WDW website, it states that the characters do not come around to the tables but the both times we went they came around for photos and autographs.

It is a buffet style dinner, with beer, wine, pop, coffee/tea included. They also have a freezer full of popicles, including the Mickey ice cream bars for everyone to help themselves.

IMO, its worth it!

 

[mpls_mm]

It is a buffet style dinner, with beer, wine, pop, coffee/tea included. They also have a freezer full of popicles, including the Mickey ice cream bars for everyone to help themselves.

IMO, its worth it!

You mean I can have my own and wine buffet while the kids with Mickey?
Suddenly 2 TS seems like a bargain....

 

[MzGemini]

You mean I can have my own and wine buffet while the kids with Mickey?
Suddenly 2 TS seems like a bargain....

My thoughts exactly!