To Hoop Dee Doo or Not... That is the question

[tinknsnow]

Hey, DISers!

I am almost done planning/booking my ADRs for our January trip. I am really wondering whether or not to finally try HDDR. Whenever I talk about WDW with a fellow annual WDW traveler, they are always surprised when I tell them I've never been to the HDDR. It seems almost unanimously loved by the families with whom we talk Disney.

I know there are many fans of the Poly's Luau, but when we went we all were disappointed. Since then, DH and I are hesitant to try the Hoop De Doo Review, even though the reviews are generally much better. Here is what we didn't like about the Luau:

Long wait to be seated
Food was just "okay"
We had a seat with a partially blocked view
The show was boring (though we all loved the fire dancers!)
Took too long to get through the meal-- kids were exhausted by the end

Our confirmed ADRs are a mixture of "tried and true" and new places. We don't like to book ahead for every day so we can be spontaneous if we crave something (like Dole Whip!). We're not on the Dining Plan.

Every trip:
CRT (breakfast-- it's always the first meal of our trip)
Boma (dinner)
O'hana (dinner)

New this year:
Restaurant Marrakesh (lunch)
Yak N Yeti (lunch)
Sci Fi (lunch)

And still trying to decide between a dinner at Cali Grill or trying a new place (Yachtsman's SH, Artist Point)...

Given the above information, would HDDR be a good addition to our trip plans? The menu looks appealing and everyone in our home appreciates a corny sense of humor. I can't decide if this is the year we should "go for it" or not. Please help me decide!

 

[chepic]

Hello.....I vote go. We went to DW last year and skipped the Hoop-Dee-Doo and we were so sad, we go just about everytime. Most people look at us funny when we say that, but we love the corny show, love the all you can eat food, and love the loud atmosphere. Our son loves it, so when we return in March, we will book it again.

The wait is not too bad, they tell you to get there 45-60 min. ahead, but we have found that it just isn't necessary to do that....they do it so you will have your picture taken outside, and then spend money at the little booths they have set up. Then once you are seated, things start to move pretty quickly, the waiter comes over and finds out what you are drinking, the bread comes out and music begins to play....and then you are "hoop-dee-dooing it tonight"

Have fun.

 

[PPFDDisneyLover]

I too say GO. We will be down in November and attending it for the 4th time in 30 years or so. The atmosphere is fun and they keep the show going and the audience articipting the whole night. Well worth the money!

 

[BarleyJack]

We actually cancelled the Poly Luau on our last trip in order to see the HDDR, so glad we did! Here are my responses regarding your concerns:

Long wait to be seated: Honestly depends on how early you get there, the sooner you're there the longer you'll wait. There is a picture line but it can be bypassed if you don't want a pic taken.

Food was just "okay"HDDR is pretty standard, but tasty. Its all American comfort food, so don't be expecting the California Grill and you'll be just fine; you definately won't leave hungry!

We had a seat with a partially blocked viewFrom what I could tell, every seat in the house has a good seat; we were tier 2 on the balcony, right in front of the light operator and saw everything perfectly. All the tables were inside the roof supports, so unless there is a tall person at the table in front of you (main floor) you'll be ok

The show was boring (though we all loved the fire dancers!)This show is most decidedly NOT boring...its cheesy and predictable, but the entertainers have SO much fun with it you can't help but get involved!

Took too long to get through the meal-- kids were exhausted by the end The service here is top notch! Never did we have to wait long for refills on food or drink! The show started, and you're all into what is going on on stage, the next thing you know...BAM CLANG (you'll know what I mean when you see it)! And don't forget, your alcohol choices are included!

Please go, you'll have a blast!

 

[dburg30]

I know a lot of people dont like it, but I think they are just too serious or something. As others have said, it is so corny, and yes, usually predicable, that it's almost 'un-bear-able' You'll have to go to understand that

If you like ribs, chicken, smashed taters (with the skin) beans, BEER (or wine) and cornbread (I hope they still have cornbread?? ) And 'honky tonk' piano playing, you'll love it. If you go in with any seriousness, well, it's probably not for you

 

[kstinw19]

IMHO...skip it this year. I think that it is a great show but I think it's great for older kids. We took our kids last year and though my kids are younger than yours (7, 6, 3) even our 7 year old was bored after the first 15 minutes. We were seated at a table in the back with "barstool" like chairs, which were not easy to eat on. The other difficult part was that the bathrooms are outside so we were constantly going outside with one kid or another.

The show is funny...the food was so-so (similar to the luau, I thought) but my kids were bored and we ended up leaving half way through.

Bottom line...I think its a great show but for older kids...your 9 year old will probably like it but not sure about the younger ones. But that's just my opinion...I am sure that others will disagree with me.

 

[Poohbug]

I have to admit, I was not impressed. I thought it was way overpriced, even for WDW. The show is cheesy-usually I like cheesy but this was too much. The food was O.K. I just feel it was not worth the $$$.

 

[goofypooh]

DH & I were just there about a week ago. We loved it & had a great time. We did not have our kids with us, but think they would probably enjoy it (they are 12, 10, & 3). I think it just depends on your kids. We were told to be there 30 minutes early & even then that was plenty early, because you have to wait for the previous show to finish/clean up (unless you go to the first show, I guess). As someone else said, it might be a pain if you had to take your kids to the bathroom....my youngest ALWAYS needs to go to the bathroom at least twice when we eat out.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

HOOP - DE - DON'T

 

[Amy&Dan]

We actually cancelled the Poly Luau on our last trip in order to see the HDDR, so glad we did! Here are my responses regarding your concerns:

Long wait to be seated: Honestly depends on how early you get there, the sooner you're there the longer you'll wait. There is a picture line but it can be bypassed if you don't want a pic taken.

Food was just "okay"HDDR is pretty standard, but tasty. Its all American comfort food, so don't be expecting the California Grill and you'll be just fine; you definately won't leave hungry!

We had a seat with a partially blocked viewFrom what I could tell, every seat in the house has a good seat; we were tier 2 on the balcony, right in front of the light operator and saw everything perfectly. All the tables were inside the roof supports, so unless there is a tall person at the table in front of you (main floor) you'll be ok

The show was boring (though we all loved the fire dancers!)This show is most decidedly NOT boring...its cheesy and predictable, but the entertainers have SO much fun with it you can't help but get involved!

Took too long to get through the meal-- kids were exhausted by the end The service here is top notch! Never did we have to wait long for refills on food or drink! The show started, and you're all into what is going on on stage, the next thing you know...BAM CLANG (you'll know what I mean when you see it)! And don't forget, your alcohol choices are included!

Please go, you'll have a blast!

I feel exactly the same way. We really enjoyed HDDR and will definitely go again.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes, go and do the show.

 

[guitarob]

Personally, I love it. It may be partly nostalgia, but I go on every trip to DW. It's cheesy, the food is on the high end of mediocre, but it's a really great time.

 

[Mom2Kate-Anna]

I vote go!! If you go into the show knowing that it is a "corny" type humor you will enjoy it more, I think. We have been numerous times and will continue to attend. My 5 year old requests it now every visit. She has seen it now 5 times, 2 she may not remember though.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The first time we went DS was 8 and DD was 12, and they really loved it. The pictures I took of them are some of my favorite memories of Disney. They loved it so much that we are going back in Sept. DS will be 13 and DD just shy of 16. I say go and try it....

 

[freesone]

I would definitely do the HDDR!! It's a very entertaining show and the kids will love it. The food is better than the show at the Poly too.

 

[Lisa F]

I felt like you did about the Luau. We went on our honeymoon 10 years ago and were very unimpressed. I agree, the show was boring (except for the fire part) and the food was downright blech but I'm sure it's changed several times since then. We had an awful server who kept reminding us that tip was NOT included (I think it is now) and overall it was just a crappy time for a lot of money.

We've been to hoop dee doo at least 3 or 4 times since then. I found the show to be a LOT better, a lot more fun and the food to be a lot better too. No, it's not gourmet but I love their fried chicken and strawberry shortcake. We've always had terrific servers. One time I went there with a really bad cold and the server brought me a whole pitcher of juice. They tend to be on time opening the doors but they do request that you get there quite early for picture taking. There's no reason to get in line early though because the tables are assigned. I agree that there isn't a bad seat in the house (we have sat right at front and up in the balcony).

 

[susieq76]

We LOVE the Hoop Dee Doo- I even have a favorite server whom I have had several times- his name is Rob or Bor The waitstaff is a big part of the show- I vote for Go!

 

[Coconuts]

GO, GO, GO!!!!! My kids, about the same ages, loved it. The food is yummy, and they give you as much as you want . DH and I loved the pitchers of either beer or sangria, especially after a hot day. They tell you to get there early but the doors don't open until showtime, so don't get there too early. As soon as you sit down there is cornbread and drinks on the table; service for us was always good. The show is corny but hysterical; the kids were belly laughing. This is always a must for us and is one of our favorite things to do at WDW

 

[dreamer17555]

We did the Luau and HDDR this last trip. I would NEVER do the Luau again, once was more than enough IMO but HDDR is going to be a must do every trip. We loved it, the food was better, the seating is better, the show is better and you don't have to worry about the weather. I would give it a try. I think you will enjoy it.

-Becca-

 

[vanreg]

GO!!! We have 3 DD's (5, 8, 11) and all 3 of them LOVED it. I wasn't sure whether to book it or not, now I'm glad I did. They all want to go back next year.