You must do Hoop De Doo!!!

[disneyvoice]

I made reservations for Hoop De Doo somewhat hesitantly. Even after reading all the positive reviews I just wasn't sure that it would be my family's kind of thing. Well, all three of us (DH-45, me-37, and DS-8) agreed that it was the highlight of our trip and would be a requirement for all of our future trips.

The show is so corny that it's hysterical and the food is really yummy. We have NEVER heard my 8 year old son laugh so hard. He was literally laughing out loud so hard that he said he needed oxygen because he couldn't breathe. I'm talking slapping the table, laughing so hard that no sound was coming out laughing. My husband and I also laughed out loud through the whole show (I'm sure the sangria helped with that a bit!!).

It was also the only meal that my son inhaled - he's really picky and usually eats nothing but cheese pizza during the entire vacation. I think the show put him in such a good mood that he was willing to try new food!!

I looked around and noticed that EVERYONE of all ages was laughing and having a great time. Since it was free dining we didn't have to pay for it -it is rather expensive but my DH said he would have happily paid out of pocket for the experience and will do so in the future. Really, you HAVE to do it!!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Very few things are agreed upon regarding WDW dining, but HDDR gets universal praise! Don't get me wrong every once and a while, someone will post that they don't care for it, but they are in the minority. It is a wonderful show, for all ages! We have been going since 1990 and haven't gotten tired of it yet!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I hear ya OP!

I was in the same boat... before we went I hesitantly booked it since it didn't seem like our thing. Then we saw the price when we picked up our tickets (also on FD) and said we'd never pay OOP for it. Then when we were done, we agreed, we'd DEFINITELY pay OOP for it. It's a great value really, considering what you get for $60.

 

[tjknitz]

I am considering HDDR for our next trip (granted the trip is in Sept 2010, but I had so much fun our first trip that I'm anxiously semi planning where I want to go and what I want to see). HDDR has a lot of good reviews and I was considering it.

For those of you that used Free Dining to get into the show, was it considered 1 or 2 TS? I've heard there are 3 tiers of seating at this one...was thinking of paying OOP for 1st tier - would you think its worth it?

For OP - glad you had such a good time! It's reviews like these that make me so excited for that next trip. I too am not sure if this will be my family's type of thing (mine definitly, just not sure about the rest of the crew) and I'm hoping my 2 year old will love it and of course my 10 year old. This last vacation he worried more about homework than being in Disney - hoping to get a good reaction out of him next year. Maybe this will do the trick

 

[everythingALICE]

Hoop Dee Doo is considered 2 TS on the dining plan. I think that the best value (if you are using DDP) is to use the 2 TS to go to the 9:30 show, since you can get tier one seating. I think this is a good deal, and will then pay for a lunch or breakfast buffet OOP since many are less than $30 per meal.

 

[jb01]

I have Hoop De Doo scheduled for our next trip. I hope the kids and DH have as much fun as your family did.

 

[ms_missy66]

Thanks for posting that great review! We're planning to do it for our spring break trip and now it's 100% decided!

One question for anyone who has been - how much character interaction is there? My girls (ages 6 and 5) typically hate all character interaction, with the exception of princesses.

 

[sydneysmom]

Your review was so great and made me SO excited about going to this !!!!

I just want to get all of your opinions.....we're going Sept 2010 also and I keep seeing how terrific this dinner show is. My DH and I are coming w/ DD who is 4. Is this something that's too "grown up" for her ? I don't want to take her and then it's all kind of "over her head". I was kind of thinking about either this or the Aloha Show......any opinions are greatly appreciated !!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We've seen it nine times (first time in 1993 and the eight trips after that). The show has not changed at all although the menu has changed a little every now and then. We're taking a break from it for awhile but I agree it is something everyone should do once. One of our favorite reasons to go is to get there early and sit on the porch at Trails End and have a mixed drink, especially during Christmas time with the decorations. We also prefer to go at the last show (9:30) as the actors seem a little more interactive and there's a lot less people there.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My DH and I are coming w/ DD who is 4. Is this something that's too "grown up" for her ? I don't want to take her and then it's all kind of "over her head". I was kind of thinking about either this or the Aloha Show......any opinions are greatly appreciated !!!

No way! It really is fun for all ages. Lots of singing, dancing, and corny jokes. My brother's favorite (and he's now 31) is "Call me butter cause I'm on a roll" . He'll continue to use it about 5,000 times during the rest of our trip.

The character interaction is as much as you want it to be. They don't come around to every table. But they do walk around and ask people where they're from, or if there's any anniversaries, etc. They also ask for 3-4 volunteers to be in the show but if you didn't want to be in it you wouldn't have to be (for a kid anyways as I've seen them pick pretty unwilling adults!). They also have people "play" a washboard at each table and you can tell the kids always enjoy this.

My only complaint is that I wish they would serve all of the food when you first get there. Especially for the later seating. The bread and salad holds off the hunger pains but it would be nice to be able to eat and enjoy the show from the beginning.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Thanks for posting that great review! We're planning to do it for our spring break trip and now it's 100% decided!

One question for anyone who has been - how much character interaction is there? My girls (ages 6 and 5) typically hate all character interaction, with the exception of princesses.

There is very little character interaction, save for a few "lucky" folks who get chosen for the show and get put on the spot. The actors come out in the crowd and clap and sing and interact with the crowd in general. The actors may ask you where you are from, or if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

This really is a show that is fun for all ages, my two year old neice was mesmerized, and even those difficult teens, get a kick out of it.

I've been picked to be the Can Can Girl and my nephew was picked to be Davy Crocket. It was a hoot!

 

[Faldred]

Your review was so great and made me SO excited about going to this !!!!

I just want to get all of your opinions.....we're going Sept 2010 also and I keep seeing how terrific this dinner show is. My DH and I are coming w/ DD who is 4. Is this something that's too "grown up" for her ? I don't want to take her and then it's all kind of "over her head". I was kind of thinking about either this or the Aloha Show......any opinions are greatly appreciated !!!

My older boy was just shy of 4, and he loved the show. Didn't eat much, but he was too busy reveling in the noise and bustle. My younger boy (2) who is autistic, however, had a real tough time with the noise (his twin sister, also autistic, was just fine with it, though).

 

[inkedupmomma]

we also love HDDMR!! My Dh was eve picked to play the Indian this year! So fun and our must do!

 

[Swimalie]

I went with my parents and sister when I was about 10 or so. I can still remember the show to this day. You know it's good when someone can remember 29 years later. I highly recommend it as well.

 

[bgohre]

I was kind of thinking about either this or the Aloha Show......any opinions are greatly appreciated !!!

Last time we went to WDW we went to both. It was my 7th time at the HDDR and my 1st at the Aloha Show. I was really excited for the Aloha show but I found it very boring. The food was a very good but the show left me wishing I hadn't spent so much money on it. I wouldn't do it again. But that's just my opinion.

 

[golden6911]

This is a pricey show but it is a must do for all our trips. I went as a child so it is a tradition now. I am really looking forward to it for our next trip!

 

[dogodisney]

Thank you for the reviews. I have HDDR booked for the last night of our trip. I wanted to end our trip doing something special since we won't be going to a park that day. It sounds like I picked the perfect thing.

 

[Dwight]

We went last year for the first time. My DD was 12, and I was worried it may not pass her "cool test". Boy did I worry for nothing, as I often do. It was one of the highlights of the trip. She ate her weight in ribs, and let out those deep, down, I really mean it, belly laughs, that I haven't heard since she was much younger. Of course I can't wait to go back, but even better- she insists we do the Review every Disney trip from here on out. If you're remotely considering this one, as some shoe company once said, Just Do It!!

 

[that's nice]

Your review was so great and made me SO excited about going to this !!!!

I just want to get all of your opinions.....we're going Sept 2010 also and I keep seeing how terrific this dinner show is. My DH and I are coming w/ DD who is 4. Is this something that's too "grown up" for her ? I don't want to take her and then it's all kind of "over her head". I was kind of thinking about either this or the Aloha Show......any opinions are greatly appreciated !!!

We saw the show for the 1st time last week. My DD3 loved it. She ate the chicken (with ketchup) and loved the mashed potatoes. She was laughing and singing and clapping along with the cast. I will be putting this ADR on future plans. We had a blast!!!!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love HDDR good food & great laughs