When does Mickey's Backyard BBQ End?

[thecapells]

The times posted say 6:30-9:30 but I can't imagine it actually goes THREE HOURS. The kids would be all melting by then. Can someone who has been there help me out here?

-M.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Hi! Welcome to the DIS!

I would avoid Mickey's Backyard BBQ at all costs, we went in the summertime and I assure you it was miserable and not at all pleasant. It is at least 2 hours long, and 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Eat at Chef Mickey's instead, the same characters will be present with the same level of interaction, probably more, it is less expensive, and best of all it is AIR CONDITIONED!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Chef Mickey's is a controlled environment, the characters come to the tables one at a time, at the BYBBQ the kids swarm the characters. So unless you kids are aggressive, they will not get much character time.

The only thing that makes the BBQ tolerable is the wine and beer, ha just jokin, that doesn't even help! Maybe it would help, but I don't drink!

 

[Disneywoz]

We love the BBQ, but I will admit we have never gone in August, so that may be the difference. The BBQ does last 3 hours. There is a coutry band that plays country music allowing the kids to dance with the characters. Yes the characters can get swarmmed, but by the end of the night a lot of people have left and this allows for some extra time with characters. They also have a trick rope performer as well as a line dance teacher. The food used to be better, but it is still pretty good. I think it all depends on what you are looking for. If it is a character meal where you can get good clear photos and autographs, this is probably not the right choice. If you are looking for a great band that gets the kids and adults dancing along with all you can eat and drink (alcohol included), then this might be the right choice.

 

[jcemom]

You don't have to stay the entire time if you don't want to, or if the kids are antsy and ready to go. We tried the BBQ for the first time last September and DD5 was ready to leave by around 8:45 or so. *I* would have preferred to see the rest of the show, but it was hot and sticky so I gave in and we left. She played in the sand on the beach for a bit, we saw Wishes, and then headed back to our resort.

As for my opinion of the BBQ, I'm glad we tried it, but I don't feel the need to ever do it again. I think HDDR is much better, plus it's inside and air conditioned.

DD jumped right in with the characters though, so it wasn't a problem for us. Any shy or reserved children wouldn't get any character interaction at all though, IMO. It's basically a free for all. The characters come onto the dance floor and whichever kids are bold enough to jump up there with them get to dance with them, any kids who hold back are left out. Not really a great system, not really any system.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Wow I had no idea that's what the BBQ was all about. I mean, I knew there was a band but I didn't know it was a 3 hour show. Is it awkward if you leave early? We were going for the food and a short show. If the show is really entertaining, we'll stay, but we have no young kids. Our youngest is 17.

 

[jcemom]

No, it isn't awkward at all to leave early. We weren't the only ones who did. It's very informal, picnic tables under a pavilion, just what you'd picture of a BBQ. There were plenty of people walking around and children playing outside the pavilion for much of the evening when we were there. You're free to get up and down, walk around as you please.

The 'show' is broken up into segments. The band plays, the characters come out and dance more than once, there's also a cowboy with a lasso who comes out and does rope tricks.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

It is not a 3 hour show, it is more of a 3 hour event. The only show part is the cowboy segment, it is done on the dancefloor, the kids sit down in front and adults stand behind. It is not a dinner show, you don't sit down at a table and enjoy a show on stage. If you want to see anything you have to get up from your picnic table and stand around the dancefloor. Also, you have no servers, everything is get up and get it yourself.

Also if you are the type that doesn't let your kids out of your sight or out of your reach, this place is a potential nightmare. There are kids running and dancing everywhere.

You can leave anytime you like.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the show is pleasant for some, or else they wouldn't have it. My daughter is shy and doesn't leave my side she also has autistic tendancies and is sensitive to loud sounds, so to say the least it was a miserable experience for us and traumatizing for my daughter. It was also 100 degrees under that pavillion.