Who's been to Mickey's Backyard BBQ?

[Picabo]

I keep thinking that MBB will be SOOO fun for my girls. (2 1/2 and 3 1/2) I've heard/read that the characters actually will dance with all the kids and the interaction is really good. Is this true? Which characters are there? (Please say MINNIE!) I don't read too much about it on here so I have to wonder what it's like. I don't see pix of it much either.

Is the food good? (Enough to keep lil ones happy food-wise?)

And, most important - how important is an ADR for early December??? I hesitate to make a reservation b/c of how iffy the weather can be in December. The idea of sitting outside if it's a 40degree evening is not a pleasant one. Or does anyone know what the cancellation/change fee is if we DO make and ADR and decide to change it if it's too chilly??

THANKS!

 

[aprilmommy0205]

We went in April last year and my DH and kids loved it. The food is typical BBQ type food - hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, salads, etc. The character interaction was good, but it was crowded when we went so maybe it is usually even better. There was also a cowboy who puts on a show.

I know this is a seasonal performance. Are you sure it will even be open in December?

 

[aprilmommy0205]

Forgot to add: Minnie was there. I think the fav 5, although with Chip and Dale were.

Also, beer was included in the ticket price.

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We did Mickey's BBQ last year with an 18 month old and a 4.5 year old. They both really enjoyed it. My 4.5 year old was soaked from sweat from all the dancing, and we couldn't get her of the dance floor. She had a really great time with the characters. The characters do a good job rotating through tge dance floor. We have pictures of her dancing with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Chip.
We all thought the food was okay, typical BBQ food. But for dessert they had the mickey ice cream bars (my 18 month old had 2!)
My daughter still talks about it and when she found out we were planning a disney trip this summer her first question was to ask if she could go back to the BBQ.

 

[Tiggerbounce24]

We have booked this for May and am looking forward to it. I think DD will love it.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We all love it. The food is great (as BBQ fare), and the kids have a blast dancing with the characters. Also, we have always met a number of other nice families at this...

 

[DISNEYNV]

We went in April last year and my DH and kids loved it. The food is typical BBQ type food - hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, salads, etc. The character interaction was good, but it was crowded when we went so maybe it is usually even better. There was also a cowboy who puts on a show.

I know this is a seasonal performance. Are you sure it will even be open in December?

This sounds awesome! I am so glad we made ressies for May and the food is right up my kids alley... They will only eat the foods offered. I guess we are picnic people

 

[Picabo]

We went in April last year and my DH and kids loved it. The food is typical BBQ type food - hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, salads, etc. The character interaction was good, but it was crowded when we went so maybe it is usually even better. There was also a cowboy who puts on a show.

I know this is a seasonal performance. Are you sure it will even be open in December?

I THINK it's open till mid Dec but I cuold be wrong. I'll have to check again!

For those who've been - do you recall what the cancellation policy is? Can you cancel 24 or 48 hrs in advance, if necessary? Or no refunds?

 

[mom2aredhead]

This is the review I wrote about it after our last time there...

"We were there in Oct, so lower crowds and temps. I do not think I would go in the heat of the summer since it is outdoors and it gets a little hot under the pavillion because of the lights and people.

My son was 4 the last time we went, and he really had fun dancing along side the characters. It kind of reminded me of the dance parties at the ticketed events at MK (like MNSSHP). The characters come out and are immediately surrounded by kids, which is fine, but then the kids are surrounded by adults trying to make sure THEIR kid is closest to Mickey, etc. It was a little annoying - but you know what - people are equally as rude on Main Street 10 minutes before Spectro starts, so it really didn't spoil anything for us. The shows in between the dancing were fun too - a roping cowboy and some line dancing - not something we see here in NY very often.

I watched some clips on You Tube and read about it before we went, so I knew what to expect, character and food wise. I think a lot of people that don't like it it probably didn't know what to expect, or were unrealistic about what "dancing with the characters" really means. If it says "BBQ" then no one should be surprised that the menu is BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs and hot dogs. If it is an event with characters, no one should be surprised that there will be lots of kids there, all wanting attention from Mickey and the gang. If it's an outdoor event, you can't complain about the weather.

The food is fine...well, the burgers are gross, but the rest of the food is fine. It's picnic food served to the masses - not a gourmet meal. The unlimited wine and Mickey ice cream bars were a highlight for me - and surprisingly they do go really well together.

I'm a firm believer in trying (almost) everything once to form my own opinion. If you're going during the steamy summer months, I'd do HDDR for the a/c alone. But during another time of year, the BBQ is lots of fun, especially for the kids."

We've gone twice, and we really liked it both times. And I think the gross burgers have since been removed from the menu.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I THINK it's open till mid Dec but I cuold be wrong. I'll have to check again!

For those who've been - do you recall what the cancellation policy is? Can you cancel 24 or 48 hrs in advance, if necessary? Or no refunds?

I believe it is a 48 hour cancellation policy, but please double check me...we never had to cancel, so I am not positive.

 

[Picabo]

This is the review I wrote about it after our last time there...

"We were there in Oct, so lower crowds and temps. I do not think I would go in the heat of the summer since it is outdoors and it gets a little hot under the pavillion because of the lights and people.

My son was 4 the last time we went, and he really had fun dancing along side the characters. It kind of reminded me of the dance parties at the ticketed events at MK (like MNSSHP). The characters come out and are immediately surrounded by kids, which is fine, but then the kids are surrounded by adults trying to make sure THEIR kid is closest to Mickey, etc. It was a little annoying - but you know what - people are equally as rude on Main Street 10 minutes before Spectro starts, so it really didn't spoil anything for us. The shows in between the dancing were fun too - a roping cowboy and some line dancing - not something we see here in NY very often.

I watched some clips on You Tube and read about it before we went, so I knew what to expect, character and food wise. I think a lot of people that don't like it it probably didn't know what to expect, or were unrealistic about what "dancing with the characters" really means. If it says "BBQ" then no one should be surprised that the menu is BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs and hot dogs. If it is an event with characters, no one should be surprised that there will be lots of kids there, all wanting attention from Mickey and the gang. If it's an outdoor event, you can't complain about the weather.

The food is fine...well, the burgers are gross, but the rest of the food is fine. It's picnic food served to the masses - not a gourmet meal. The unlimited wine and Mickey ice cream bars were a highlight for me - and surprisingly they do go really well together.

I'm a firm believer in trying (almost) everything once to form my own opinion. If you're going during the steamy summer months, I'd do HDDR for the a/c alone. But during another time of year, the BBQ is lots of fun, especially for the kids."

We've gone twice, and we really liked it both times. And I think the gross burgers have since been removed from the menu.

THANKS! It was nice reading a review. I did a "search" but was having a hard time finding much specifically on it. QUESTION about the pavillion - do you think it'd be too cold come early December or do you think between the people, food, dancing, etc that it'd be comfortable enough?

 

[mom2aredhead]

THANKS! It was nice reading a review. I did a "search" but was having a hard time finding much specifically on it. QUESTION about the pavillion - do you think it'd be too cold come early December or do you think between the people, food, dancing, etc that it'd be comfortable enough?

When we were in WDW in December (07), I was AMAZED at the temperature swing we saw during the course of 7 days. In the beginning of the week, it was 80+, we were swimming, and I was wishing I had brought more tank tops. A cold front came through, and the temp dropped 40 degrees. The Emporium had actually sold out of gloves and hats. The weather in December is just so crazy all over the place, you never know. The only advice I would give is to make the reservations, then check the 10 day forecast before you leave to see what it looks like, and cancel within the appropriate time frame. It is warmer under the pavillion because of the lights, dancing, etc. like you said...and if the temp outside is 60, great. If its going to be one of those 45 degree nights - I don't know that it would make much of a difference.

 

[puffkin]

We were there in October and DS was 2 1/2. We had a good time and would probably do it again.

We got there pretty early and the characters were out for pictures along the trail back to the waiting area/bathrooms. They also had games set out for the kids to play and drinks circulating for the adults.

It was a beautiful night when we were there, low 70's, nice breeze. It was very comfortable under the pavillion, but I would think it gets stifling under there in the summer.

Food was good. Nothing fancy, but what they did have was good. Everyone in our family found plenty to eat. DS loved the ice cream bars.

It was only about 1/2 full in the pavillion but the dance floor got packed. My DS had a little trouble at first because the older kids would mob the characters and push him out of the way. But about an hour into it EVERYONE left. It was crazy to spend that much money and then leave right away. The whole last hour DS got tons and tons of dance time with the characters because there were only a few kids there. So my advice is to stay til the end, they do a cute little show too at the end.