To Hooop Dee Doo or not to Doo?

[lisareniff]

Would the HDDR be a good choice for my family??

Our family consists of 2DD's 9 & 3. The 3 year old is fairly calm so sitting through dinner shouldn't be too much of a problem. Would this be a good dinner for them??

Also my DH is a vegetarian. What type of meal would they provide for him??

My DD will be turning 9 while we are at WDW and I thought this might be an option for her birthday dinner or just a dinner during our trip. She is past the princess stage and thinks they are for little girls and starting to get into pre-pre-teen things. The other birthday thoughts were chef Mickey's or the Rose and Crown. The Rose and Crown was her idea. Apparently she really enjoyed her dinner there last time (pizza??) and illuminations afterward!?!?!

I would love to hear your opinions.

 

[disney queen]

we love the HDD!! they do a time where they "celebrate b-days and anniversities." it is great fun. the food is down home w/fried chicken, salad, corn, and baked beans. for dessert there is strawberry shortcake. this is all served family style. your older daughter might think it is corny and hokey, but i bet she would have a good time, even if she didn't admit to it!

 

[gottaluvdisney]

I have gone to the HDDR with children of ALL ages from 1 week old to 80 years old and everyone seems to enjoy it. ((Ok, I know you ask, why a 1week old---it was the Millenium and planned for 9yrs - my mom told my sister not to get pregnant in 98 or 99 and she didn't listen))

My first time there was when I was 10yrs old and loved it. Most recently my nephews ages 6, 8, 10, 11, etc LOVED it. My niece who is 8yrs old has seen it three times.

It is very entertaining for all ages.

Forgot to post--I did go once with a cousin that is a vegetarian - they brought her veggies (I think broccoli ) and a pasta dish. I am thinking it was spaghetti.

 

[jann1033]

we only went once and were not impressed by the food or the show, basically it is the same food as at Trial's end for triple the price ( haven't checked the ticket prices lately) which is good for $15 but not for that much money and the show was corny which is ok sometimes but not when you compare it to say the lion king which is only the cost of admission to the park yet a genuinely great show on it's own. i know we are pretty much alone in our feelings but that's the factsas I see them. we'd rather go to a nice dinner and do something else to fill the evening.

gottaluvdisney..i have to tell my daughter about the week old at disney...hers will be almost 5 months and she is afaraid to take her to wdw period!

 

[stacy6552]

HDDR is a good choice for everyone!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

HDDR adds Christmas songs during end of Nov. thru Dec. to the show. We love it.

Lori

 

[cinmell]

We love the HDDR and we've been to it several times. We went last May and our daugther was 2 1/2 and she loved it too because of the dancing and singing. She would laugh at all the jokes b/c everyone in the audience was laughing. The fried chicken is a big hit with my family and my husband really enjoys the ribs and strawberry shortcake. Enjoy and happy birthday to your daughter!

 

[BCV23]

We love Hoop Dee Doo, too and are doing it again this trip. If you can fit it in, go for it. I think both your daughters will enjoy it.

For her birthday dinner, Rose & Crown sounds like a wonderful choice...especially since it is her choice. She'll have a special memory of this birthday.

When I was 9, I would have hated to be singled out in a show...well, actually I still would hate it! But of course, many people love that.

 

[candykisses]

We love the HDDR. I think that woud be a wonderful place to celebrate a birthday. They do ask who is celebrating a special occasion.

We'll be going again at the request of our 10 yr old son, but the 17 yr old thought it was a good idea

 

[timC]

Originally posted by pirateofthecarolinas
HDDR adds Christmas songs during end of Nov. thru Dec. to the show. We love it.

Lori

Wow. Is that right? We always go to HDDR in the summer, but never during our annual Thanksgiving trips.... Do you know if they sing x-mas carols during TG week? That would be a real treat.

 

[lisareniff]

Originally posted by BCV23
.....When I was 9, I would have hated to be singled out in a show...well, actually I still would hate it! But of course, many people love that.

She is a shy one and would not like a lot of singling out. Do you know how much they do? Do they just point to people in the audience? Have them stand up? Or go all the way on stage? She just wouldn't the latter!

Maybe if it is too much we will do it on another night.

 

[BCV23]

Well, my memory on this is a little vague which is not uncommom!

She would not be called up on stage..of this I'm certain. It is more of a spotlight kind of thing I think. But as always I imagine the Disney folks are sensitive to how much attention some one wants. Still, since she is dreaming of Rose and Crown.....well dreams do come true at WDW.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

It had been three or four years since we did HDDR, until last week. I don't know if we were just tired and punchy from traveling, or if it was genuinely that funny, but honestly, my jaws ached from laughing before it was all over. 17-year-old DD got pulled up on stage to be a "can-can" dancer, but as a thorough ham, she ate it up.

For birthdays, anniversaries, and the like, the actors do sort of a general audience survey, and then everyone was sung to by the audience. Low pressure, and a lot of fun.

Re: food? As a buddy of mine used to say about a little Mexican buffet dive we frequented while in grad school: "It's not all that good, but you can have all you want!"

Really, it's not bad. The fried chicken is as good as anyones, and the ribs were tender and nicely sauced. The salad was especially tasty.

I did see someone at an adjacent table eating something that looked like a primavera-type dish, pasta and veggies.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for all the info. I'll have to talk to my birthday girl and see what she thinks. Sometimes she needs a little nudge to try something new and then loves it. But if the Rose and Crown is her choice that is fine too. At least now I can describe it to her better. ...or we could go on another day.

Deamfinder2, I hear you about the food. It was the same with the Princess Breakfast... your not there for the food, but it will fill you up. We will be going to Jiko, Boma, etc. to get our good food fix.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by lisareniff
Sometimes she needs a little nudge to try something new and then loves it.

LOL, that sounds just like me as a little girl!

I'm sure she'll have a very happy birthday whichever you choose!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Go ahead and do it. The HDDR is great for all ages. Your kids will never be bored. The food is good too.