Worried about Cat3 seating for Hoop De Doo

[canadianmom2three]

I booked the Hoop De Doo for my DS's birthday, but all I was able to get was Cat3 seating. I have read some descriptions of cat3 that sound great (close to the balcony, good view etc) but some others that sound not so great (poles in the way, lighting in the way, seats facing backward to the show etc). I understand the concept, cat3 is in the balcony, on either side of the stage, CM assured me the view is fine, and the cast comes up there etc. but I'm just wanting more information from people who have actually sat in Cat. 3. I tried to search out some pics of the actual seating in cat3 but can't seem to find anything. I just don't want to be dissapointed, especially on DS's birthday. If it is really that big of a diffference, I will pay oop and get the Cat. 1 seats (assuming there are any available at this point...). If anyone has a pic they would be willing to post, I would be sooooo appreciative, or even to hear in detail about the seating from someone who has been in cat3 would be great. TIA

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I've been in cat 3. Sat stage right on the balcony. I sat right next to a pole. Our seats are "backwards to the stage".
However, I still felt I had a great seat. I could see the stage clearly - really the pole didn't block anything. The seats swivel so all you had to do was swivel and perhaps move the seat forward or backward a little. We were much closer to the stage than a lot of people on the floor. I liked being out of the crowd.

The only "disadvantage", IMHO, is that you are seated in a line down the table. Since I was a part of 2 it wasn't a problem, and we were next to a party of 4 and they didn't have a problem. I think any bigger of a family and you'd have some trouble communicating. It is a show, but they break while you eat, so you don't have to worry about being turned around.

Enjoy!

 

[canadianmom2three]

Thanks but I still can't picture the table set up, we are a party of 7, so would we all 7 be in one long row, or do you mean like 3 on one side of a table and 4 on the other.....

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Here's a picture of just the general:

It's not mine, found at http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/menuoutput.cfm?restaurantname=Hoop-Dee-Doo%20Musical%20Revue

Ok, you would all be seated in one long row; no one faces you.

You're basically sitting in a "hallway" with one side being a railing. The tables are set up so that you face a wall - so it's railing, your chair, table, area for servers to walk, wall. The chairs swivel so you'd flip around to the stage for viewing.

I found a picture in google images but they're not mine. I will pm you think link since, well, it's a little odd but I did find them on the net.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Thanks so much - that was so sweet of you to look for those! I had been searching under hoop de doo revue, so off to check out "review". After looking at them I guess Cat3 really does sit in one long row, facing the wall, and then has to turn around totally to see the show......does the show really stop the entire time you are eating, or are we going to be turning around to watch, then to eat etc.....??
Sorry to be so obsessive, but at 2ts credits I just want to make sure that I will not end up wishing I had paid oop to get better seats, since I am now going to end up paying oop for two other meals (but they will likely still be cheaper, maybe Sci-fi lunch and one of the breakfast buffets....but not MUCH cheaper, so if it is really worth it to upgrade to cat1 to get better seats, I could) I just think since it is DS's birthday, I want it to be fun, and I like the idea of being up on the balcony, it looks really crowded below, I'm just not sure about the eating in one long row, and facing a wall instead of the show. Geesh, I thought all my planning was finally over, have the ressie, and the adr's but I'm still obsessing