Hey! We’ve got to talk about something that’s quietly been happening at Disney World!
Who remembers those awesome dinner shows that were the perfect blend of food, entertainment, and magic? (We’re still shedding tears over Spirit of Aloha and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.) Well, they’ve all been slowly disappearing and we’ve gotta talk about it!
As we said, Disney World dining shows, for the longest, have been the best ways to end a long park day. Not only did you get a tummy full of good food, but the entertainment was top-notch. Well, over the last few years, they have been quietly disappearing from the property, which has us asking, “What’s the deal, Disney?”
First, let’s pour one out for the Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This show was such a gem with its luau vibes, hula dancing, fire-knife performers, and that feast! It closed up shop back in March 2020, and it left a hole in our hearts that a single Dole Whip just can’t fill.
Next, there was Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, which was the ultimate hoedown at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. If you’ve ever dreamed of line dancing with Mickey and the gang while chowing down on finger-licking good barbecue, this was definitely the spot. Everyone loved this spot, but like with the Spirit of Aloha, this one rode off into the sunset way back in 2018.
Now, we’ve got to talk about Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (which is downright legendary in our humble opinion). It’s been a Disney experience that for the most part has stood the test of time as it has doled out laughs and good eats.
But that doesn’t mean it’s immune to change. But Hoop-Dee-Doo is still not back to its pre-pandemic, 7 nights-a-week schedule. It’s currently closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Hopefully, that’s not a sign that more changes are coming. It would be interesting to see if the show is more or less busy now that they have more limited times.
As we said, their reduction in availability makes us wonder if Disney is going to close the show down in favor of building another DVC resort like they did in place of the Spirit of Aloha. There’s also a bit of precedent since they did just renovate the cabins to the new modern style.
Aside from Hoop-Dee-Doo, there are only two other dinner shows on the property — Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT and Raglan Road at Disney Springs (which isn’t owned by Disney).
So, again, what’s the deal? Why are these dinner shows disappearing? The optimist in me wants to believe it’s because Disney is preparing brand new dinner shows for us that will take the experience to the next level, but the realist in me thinks that maybe there wasn’t as much demand to justify the expenses.
Well, the next time you take a trip to Disney World, you might want to plan on visiting a dinner show just in case, and while you’re there, let them know how much you love them! Also, Disney, if you’re listening, we love our dinner shows!
So there you have it — a bit about the popular Disney World dinner shows that Disney has quietly been putting on ice. Check back with AllEars again soon for more.
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Have you ever dined at these Disney World dinner shows before they closed? Let us know in the comments!
I dearly miss both dinner shows you mentioned….especially the luau. Whenever I went, it was always jam packed. And the long-gone Top of the World dinner show at the Contemporary Hotel is also missed. It seems as if Disney is degrading the guest experience in favor of $s in 2ways. First, the dinner show experience is gone. And second, their moves to build more DVC units just produces more crowding at the sister resorts’ facilities…..restaurants, pools, transportation, etc.
I don’t think there isn’t much demand argument is valid, honestly. Booking those shows in advance always took planning and for the most part, last minute reservations just didn’t exist. I think the pressure to pay the live performers what they should be paid is what really did it. Dinner shows help keep people out of the parks while still on property spending money on Disney. Unfortunately, this shift away from the dinner show along with Disney’s slow move away from family entertainment in the parks.