Skipping Hoop Dee Doo in order to see Festival of the Lion King

[njdizneygal]

Just when I had all our plans wrapped up for our Aug 23 arrival to WDW. Our plan was to fly in by 9:00am, rest and relax and then see Hoop Dee Doo at 5:00. Well, now I find out that the Lion King show will go into rehab on the 24th. Our fairytale package doesn't start until the 24th.

Should I take the $$ I would have spent on the HDD and instead pay for tickets to go into AK so we can see the Lion King show before it goes into rehab. Or should I just go to HDD an skip Lion King.

I have a friend that just returned today from WDW and she said she wouldn't do HDD again, but I have read so many good reviews about it.

So, what would some of you do???

 

[Demosthenes]

I think the HDD is better than the Lion King show, and it comes with dinner. I would guess you'd save some money by sticking with your current plan, so I'd go with it.

 

[Cindy B]

Personally I love the Lion King show, and will be there on the 23rd to wave it goodbye.

Mind you, there has not been any official announcement on the closure of the Lion King.. (not on the official Disney site, or any other site for that matter). It is not on any rehab or closure list as well. Could it not be happening? Could it be happening but on a different date? Who knows?

Personally I have no desire for HDD.. its just not us.

 

[CamColt]

While the Lion King show is wonderful, and I am bummed that we will miss it(arriving on the 24th), thats just a short 30 minute show. The Hoope De Doo is a full meal(loved the food!), drinks, and a very funny show. I would definitely do the Hoop De Doo.

 

[Muffy]

My vote is for hoop de doo.

 

[cinmell]

We love the Hoop Dee Doo and have been several times. I would choose HDD over Festival of the Lion King. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Harambe]

Lion King show is awesome - but we couldn't squeeze it in last trip - and that was fine with us!

I'd do HDD! It will be a great beginning to your vacation! Arrive at your hotel, relax, enjoy the pool then grab a bus to MK (if you're staying onsite). Then take a great boat ride over to the HDD.

When you get home, get tickets to Lion King on Broadway!

 

[njdizneygal]

Thanks for all the input . I'll keep the reservations with the HDD. We booked last winter so I hope we have good seats.!!!

 

[RamVA]

In all the years we have been going to Disney we have never done HDD, even though we have heard it's good. Just seems off the beaten path, and a lot of money for dinner and the show(which I'm not even sure I know what the entertainment consists of) especially since there has always been 4 or 5 of us in the family (and the "kids" haven't been "kids" for a long time, so full price for them).

Now Lion King I have done several times. In my opinion it is the BEST show Disney does. The quality of the singing and dancing, the costumes and the production is Broadway calibre. I always leave the show totally happy and exhilarated. However, if you're not really into singing and dancing, that might make a difference--but isn't that what HDD is--singing and dancing?????? Plus, you then have the rest of the park to do and experience; but again, we love Animal Kingdom. We love the Safari ride and seeing the animals, we love the dinosaur ride and Tough to be a Bug; we love the rapids ride, and the bird show, and the atmosphere and the theming!! So, to us, we get to enjoy the park, and the Lion King show is free!! Thank God we are going to be there before August 24th!

 

[lucysdad]

Oh, I'm so sad to see the Lion King Show go into rehab the day we arrive. I love that show and really wanted to get a Lion King Show beach towel at the kiosk after the show. Nuts! Anyway, we saw the Hoop DD show in June and it was good, but I like the Lion King Show more. Maybe they'll make it longer when it comes out of rehab. They certainly can't possibly make it better.

 

[rangebob]

The package that you mentioned includes UPH passes? If it does they start the day that you check in until midnight the day you check out. Why don't you just relax for a little bit and then go to AK mid-day and see the show and then you can go back to the hotel and chill out until the HDD.

 

[njdizneygal]

I have booked room only for our first night. Our fairytale package actually starts on Sunday. The $ to see HDD and $ for AK are just about the same. I just don't want to spend the $ to do both. There are 5 of us.

I love musicals that why I am so disappointed that Lion King is going into rehab. Anyone know when the official notice will be given. I was under the impression that it was official.

Thanks

 

[georgina]

In my mind, the Lion King show at AK isn't a musical, it is more acrobatics, with good music. i would vote for HDD too, although we only did it once and probably wouldn't go a second time because of the price. It was good to see once, the kids really liked it.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by njdizneygal
I have booked room only for our first night. Our fairytale package actually starts on Sunday. The $ to see HDD and $ for AK are just about the same. I just don't want to spend the $ to do both. There are 5 of us.

I love musicals that why I am so disappointed that Lion King is going into rehab. Anyone know when the official notice will be given. I was under the impression that it was official.

Thanks

As for the official notice, its NOT on www.disney.com, or www.wdwig.com (unofficial) and www.wdwinfo.com (unofficial as well)

Yes, it may happen those dates, but with about 45 days or so out, you would think something would be posted somewhere regarding it... I'm thinking we may hear more 30 days out. Yes, the CM that posted that is a CM, but sometimes incorrect information is put out. I'm not saying that that the CM is incorrect, but I like to have two sources to confirm/deny anything... (Journalism 101!)


As for HDD, I think the value is better for AK. The HDD is what 2 hours long at the most? Yes, it inlcudes dinner.. but for 2 hours of entertainment value, you get so much more at AK...

You see the show, do rides, attractions, see animals, and all that. Even if you got there at opening 9 am and left at 1230-1 to go to lunch, you are still over the 2 hours for the HDD.

Plus

 

[Kapp]

for the rehab?

THANKS!

 

[njdizneygal]

If I remember right, the rehab was only suppose to be for a few weeks. You should be fine for your trip in Nov.

 

[gshoemate]

I have never been to HDD so I can't tell you anything there. But if you were planning on arriving at AK say around noon and staying until close, I would say it is worth it if you have never been. Festival of the Lion King is a great show and I wouldn't miss Tarzan either. And that would leave you more days to do the other parks. No, the days for rehab have not been announced but I have talked to a few CM's who have confirmed it will be shutting down during the rehab. Was just there yesterday and there is currently work being done on the theatre.

How much notice do you have to give to cancel your HDD reservations? I would keep them if possible until you can get a confirmation on rehab dates.

 

[thinkerbell]

We did HDD this trip for the first time. I wish I had saved the money. The food was delicious and the show was kind of cute(maybe a little hokey) but I definitely would not pay $50 for it again. I could have eaten at O'Hana's two more times for that. I would definitely choose a whole day at AK as opposed to a couple of hours at HDD. I am also a lover of the Festival of the Lion King Show. We usually go to see it more than once each trip. It is definitely a must see everytime we go.

 

[Mimi Q]

We have done both. I would do the HDDR and skip the LK show.

 

[Talking Hands]

I'd bust the budget and do both. Its vacation and they are both wonderful.