Thanksgiving At the Fort??

[3forWDW]

Was able to get reservations at Mickey's Backyard BBQ for Thanksgiving after weeks of trying But then found out that it's Thanksgiving at the Fort! Anyone out there been before that could give info/opinion? Mostly wondering about the menu. Was hoping for the BBQ (DS likes that) as opposed to the traditional T-Giving Turkey! Called Disney Dining and only menu info they had was Turkey and Ham, but couldn't tell me if the show was same/different and if they still had BBQ? TIA!

 

[3forWDW]

bump!

Anybody been??

 

[carolmp]

We were there in 2004. No BBQ then. It was a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

My guess would be that the show is the same as any other day, though the characters are dressed in their Thanksgiving clothes. We enjoyed the show.

Just remember that this is in a covered pavillion, so you are still outside. It was pretty cool the day we were there, so it was a little chilly for dinner.

 

[3forWDW]

Thanks for the info! After trying for weeks to get "any" reservation on Thanksgiving, I was thrilled to get "Thanksgiving at the Fort" only for my DH to say "Are You Sure?" Still keeping the reservation -- with Free Dining -- but still questioning if its what we want to do considering the time it takes to get there, the weather gamble, and the different menu. I have even ordered an out of print Mickey's Thanksgiving book to take to get autographed, but after reading the reviews on the Backyard BBQ not sure if that will even work. especially since my child is a 12 year old that looks like a 18 year old and won't be up dancing with the characters, just not sure if I shouldn't keep looking for another table service to open up!

 

[Joshua_me]

I think definitely you should keep your options open. The Backyard BBQ without young children is a bit of a waste, unless you are *really* into the Disney characters.

I haven't been on Thanksgiving Day, but I've heard from others that the show is mostly the same, and the food is sliced ham and turkey and stuffing and such...

My primary concern would be the weather. As mentioned above, it's a covered open air pavilion, and down here in FL, it's almost impossible to guess what the conditions will be like. It might be blue skies and 80 degrees, (good) but it could just as easily be in the 50's with a strong wind and blowing rain, which would be a nightmare at that place.

If you DO decide to go, please plan to arrive a FULL hour before your seating time, and remember that the transportation there can be quite time consuming. Taking the launch from the front of the MK is the best way to go, IMO.

 

[carolmp]

After re-reading my post, I thought I would tell you that we did have a good time. I'm not sorry we did it. My oldest was 11 when we were there, and she definitely wasn't into going up with the characters, but it was still fun. There is other entertainment too. We will be at WDW again for Thanksgiving this year, but are going to Chef Mickey's for dinner instead. My DH was all for going back to the BBQ (it's tradition, after only one time), but I wanted to try something different. We have the QSDP, so all TS meals are OOP. I don't have a problem eating QS all week, but I refuse to eat my Thanksgiving dinner at the food court! So we did get a TS meal for that day.

My guess is that most of the restaurants and counter service places will serve a traditional-type Thanksgiving meal. When I was looking at the menus, they looked pretty much the same, with just a few tweaks. My DD is still complaining about the BBQ T-day meal, which included cornbread stuffing and catfish. (Those aren't typical offerings up here in MN.) I haven't had the heart to tell her that she's probably going to get the same offerings at Chef Mickey's! She'll live. There are plenty of other options as well.

Good luck, and have a good time!

 

[3forWDW]

I don't have a problem eating QS all week, but I refuse to eat my Thanksgiving dinner at the food court! So we did get a TS meal for that day.

I am the same way. Just wanted something "special" for Thanksgiving (since it is our first one away from home and family). Of course, DH and DS don't care because "MawMaw" has promised to save some of their favorite dishes for our return!! We'll end up deciding on the way down there. Hate to have a reservation that we might end up cancelling though. Especially when others might need this one.
Having same kind of scheduling problem with Epcot -- I want Japan, they want QS or Canada (hardest ADR to get on the 1st day much less this late!)

When we booked and found out we had the Free Dining Pin that upgraded to TS, we debated whether we wanted TS or just QS. Hated to give up those refillable mugs! But DS doesn't believe in going to WDW without a trip to Chef Mickey's (and I paid OOP for all our meals last December) so we went with TS but eating mostly QS. Another reason our ADRs are so confusing!

 

[3forWDW]

I think definitely you should keep your options open. The Backyard BBQ without young children is a bit of a waste, unless you are *really* into the Disney characters.

From my reading too. Like characters lots, but not hours of excited kids while I eat. Been there with my own, gotten older now!

My primary concern would be the weather.

This too is one of my biggest worries!

If you DO decide to go, please plan to arrive a FULL hour before your seating time, and remember that the transportation there can be quite time consuming.

Another reason why DH doesn't really want to go. Lots of time from the day when really not sure if we want to go. Not like it's at the parks!