So should we book Hoop De Doo for our first night?

[MelanieC]

This will be our 10th family trip to WDW this summer and we will be arriving at WDW on Friday July 13th.

We are trying to decide what to do the first night we arrive. We are driving and we should arrive approx. 12pm-1pm or so that day. It's the night before my birthday and I'd like to do something fun that night. DH doesn't want to do much and doesn't want to stay out late because he wants to get to bed early that night so we are rested for our first full day.

We had several ideas and one is possibly doing the 5pm Hoop De Doo show at Fort Wilderness. We have never been to Fort Wilderness and we have never done Hoop De Doo.

So how is the food and the show?

 

[canda]

I never hit the parks on arrival day unless I am alone or with an equal nut as me. My family just needs the down time from travels before getting going.

Hoop would be a great choice for a first night cause it takes up a bit of time once you get into theme park mode. If you wait, everyone could be tired and not be able to enjoy it as much.

The show is corny and the food is as good as KFC. THe corny show is fun when you are in a good mode.


I think that is a great idea to head to HOOP DE DOO first.

 

[beccasmom]

Great idea, especially if you can book the 5 pm show and therefore be able to get a good night's rest. Traveling is tiring and often stressful, so we are usually ready for a good night's sleep the first night. The show is lots of fun and very festive in nature. I think you'll really enjoy it!

 

[danielle782001]

Great idea... We love the food and entertainment. Walking around the camp grounds before or after is also really nice. Our kids did the pony rides before the show. We took the boat to MK after for the fireworks. The timing worked out. We had a "magical" night. We are doing the same thing again on May 7th for my father's 60th b-day. Just book it ASAP. The seating is based on a first-come, first-serve purchase. Getting there early does NOT get you a better table. Tables are assigned at time of purchase. It is expensive but worth it!!!!!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We did this on our last trip, and it was a great way to "kick off" our vacation. We followed it with a Wishes cruise. It was fun and relaxing all in one! Plus, if you tell them it's your birthday they'll probably do something. We had a couple of birthdays and an anniversary in our crowd.

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks everyone!

So I just booked us for the 5pm show. The CM was not the nicest person. She was trying to rush the booking (they were closing at 10pm and it was 10 minutes till then). She got mad when I asked about discounts for DDE, AP or Disney Visa. She said I should have asked in the beginning because she would have to cancel the booking and start all over. YIKES, lol!

I thought they booked your table when you booked it. She seemed annoyed I was questioning her. She didn't have a very good answer, seemed unsure and said something about getting it when you get there or when they take you to your table. I'll have to call back tomorrow and get more info.

 

[DizznyChick]

i think your table is booked when you call and make the reservation
so the earlier you call the better table you get considering how many people are in your group
recently they have been telling me the tables are grouped according to category 1 2 or 3
when ive done this in the past they never mentioned categories
i had cat 1 seats reserved with the dde discount but then changed to the dining plan so i had to move to cat 2 or 3
either way its so much fun-ive called the day of and got seats in cat 3 and we still had a blast-its our favorite thing to do in disney and a 5pm
on your 1st day should be perfect