Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Pioneer Hall Fort Wilderness

Older Reader Reviews

My wife and I visited the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue on our second night at WDW (prompted by the rave reviews on this site). We were on our honeymoon and the day had not been going well. Both of us had a bad cold and the entire day the Florida interior was plagued with torrential downpours. Neither of us felt like making the trek to Ft Wilderness (by boat from MK) but did not want to forfeit the cost of the show so we put on our waders and set out. We were told to arrive 45-60 minutes early for the show, which we did, and ended up waiting on a bench until 5 minutes prior to show starting.

The show started and we quickly forgot all our woes. The food was excellent and there was plenty of it. The service was pretty quick to refill our rib pails and pitchers of beer (if you are really going through the food they seem to pay a little more attention to you). Midway through the show I suggested (after a few more beers) to one of the Cast that if they were going to need volunteers on stage that I was their man, which they were more than happy to oblige, giving me the role of the Indian Brave.

We stayed on location (Port Orleans) and were not quite sure how we were getting back to the resort after the show until it let out and (leave it to Disney) there was a string of buses returning to every hotel. It ended up being one of the best nights we spent at WDW.

If you have reservations, I would only bother showing up 15 minutes prior however or you will end up waiting around Ft Wilderness with nothing to do (especially in the rain). Plan on a 15 minute ride from Magic Kingdom on the boat. (Nick E., November 2005)

*****

We went to the Hoop Dee Doo Review on 11/01/05 and it was great!! We arrived there way too early for our 7:15 pm seating and the staff was able to accommodate us for the 5:00 pm seating. Our seats were upstairs looking directly down on the stage – great view! The food was delicious and plentiful. We asked for more ribs and they were brought out without hesitation. The performers came up to us a few times to inquire about our evening or any special events we were having. I think our kids may have had a better time than we did (5 – 7) I never heard them laugh that loud or that much!! It was lots of fun and a real treat!! (Theresa Ruggiero, November 2005)

*****

My family and I spent a week in Disney at the beginning of October. Our family consists of myself 36, wife 36, mother 63, a 10 yr.old girl, 12 yr old boy and 3 yr old boy. We had 7:15 pm reservations for the Hoop de Doo dinner show on our arrival day and were worried that this would be too late for the baby. We started our day leaving home at 6:30 am for a 7 hour drive to Disney and the baby refused to sleep. We decided to enter the Magic Kingdom for a couple of hours before boarding the boat to Ft. Wilderness. When we did show up for our reservations, the baby was finally showing his tiredness. That all ended when the show started for the Hoop de Doo Review. WOW!! We all had a GREAT TIME!! The baby jumped up and could not look away from the stage. He was, as we all were, laughing and clapping aloud. The point is that the entertainment was so enjoyable for everyone in our party; every age. Oh, the food and service wasn't bad either. After the show, we boarded the boat to go back to the Magic Kingdom where we had parked our car. While in the middle of the lake, fireworks (from MK or EPCOT) started. The boat captain stopped the boat while everyone aboard enjoyed the show and once again, all were mystified. I could write a lot more about the evening but let me try to sum it up as: it was truly magical! (Rick and Sunnie Lowndes, October 2005)

*****

Every time we visit DisneyWorld (at least every 2 years), we make sure to include the Hoop-Dee Doo! It is a wonderful evening of fun and good food. Recommend the earliest show for the freshest food. We do miss the corn on the cob and chips with nacho cheese dip that used to be served. Wish they would go back to including that! (Lois Ready, October 2005)

*****

We went to Disney in September 2005 and of course, we went to Hoop-Dee-Do (It's always been one of my favorites!) I did make reservations close to 2 years in advance and BONUS! for doing that…we got a table right in front of the stage. My kids, ages 5 and 3, loved the show! The stars of the show kept looking at them and winking and talking as the walked by our table. The food, as usual, was good and we had plenty! But nothing can beat the entertainment. No matter how many times you see it…it's still good. (Wendy Collins, September 2005)

*****

We just returned form our trip and this time we decided to see the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show. There were 8 of us ranging from age 3 to 39 and we all had a great time. The food is good and plenty of it. The entertainment was a lot of fun. We had an anniversary, so we enjoyed that part of the show. Then later, they came to our table looking for a volunteer to go up on stage and be a part of the show. I volunteered my husband who was more than willing! He was an Indian brave and had a blast taking part in the show. They took a small photo of him on stage and put it in a little frame along with a certificate for his participation. Overall a great experience and a lot of fun. We rode the ferry from the Magic Kingdom to the resort and then it's just a short walk to Pioneer Hall. (Michelle, June 2005)

*****

We went to the Hoop Dee Doo Review on Sat June 4th (the 5 p.m. show) and I have to say…we all had a fantastic time. We had 2 kids with us and they had a ball. Also to add to the craziness, I was taken up on stage to be the Can Can girl. My 10 year old will never forget that and neither will I! Too much fun! The food was also delicious! Thank you for a wonderful evening! (Valerie Cherry, June 2005)

*****

We just returned from 7 wonderful, magical days at Walt Disney World. The very best meal experience we had was the Hoop Dee Doo Dinner at Pioneer Hall. It's expensive, but absolutely worth every single penny!! The show was fantastic and the food was outstanding and plentiful! A must-do for all families that visit the World! (Sue Ellen Federovitch, May 2005)

*****

We ate at the Hoop Dee Doo review in April 2005. Put me down as one of the naysayers. I didn't really enjoy it. There is a lot of noise and commotion but not much substance – there are a few mildly funny moments but a lot of the night is taken up with birthdays, anniversaries and what part of the country are you from?

We had seats in the balcony but I actually think these were better than on the main floor where the tables looked crowded together and you had no elevation to see the stage. The performers did visit us upstairs and my 4 yr. old son even invited one of them to visit us at home. LOL.

It's not really about the food – but it was plentiful but not too creative. The servers are excellent and efficient. I do think they should be required to ask if you would like to take your leftovers – I never thought of it until I saw the table next to us with "doggie bags". My husband and I each had one piece of chicken and one rib and with the salad snd bread we were filled. My 4 yr. old twins ordered kid friendly food – pizza snd macaroni and cheese.

I thought the stage was quite small for the cast of 6, in fact the pianist is on the audience floor. I was surprised since many of the staged shows in the parks have pretty large stages. In terms of value, we have also attended Dolly's Dixie Stampede where you are getting a really large show – 32 horses, really large cast, and a pre-show comedy – (almost Vegas style) and the price is actually a few dollars cheaper.

Driving to FW is not even that convenient because once you reach the resort, you need to take the resort bus to reach the hall – this involves a bus change too. After the show you can take a hayride – they even have fireworks hayrides. My kids had fun just playing in the sand at the marina then going to the campfire and seeing Chip and Dale. I think I would try it again in another few years but it is not essential each trip. (Elaine Kleinberg, April 2005)

*****

My family of 8 (5 adults, 1 senior, and 2 kids) just came back from Walt Disney World. We have been going every two years since 1995. One thing that has stayed the same was that we always go to the Hoop Dee Doo Review. This year's show was EXCELLENT!!! The food was EXCELLENT!!! Everything was EXCELLENT!!! We always have a good time there. Yes the cost might be a little high but it is truly worth every penny. (Andrew, April 2005)

*****

Despite hearing rave reviews about the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, both on Allears and from friends and family, we were not all that impressed. The food was good and you could eat immediately after being seated, the service average, and the entertainment okay. My 8 year old had a great time. My 6 year old was somewhat entertained. But, the show did not hold my 3 year olds attention at all. It was difficult to entertain him and get anything out of the show. We were the second from the back table and the performers never came back as far as where we were sitting. If I did go again, I'd wait until the kids are all 6+. But, this dinner show definitely did not live up to my expectations or all the glowing reviews I've read! Also, it should be made clear that tables are preassigned, so don't stress out about getting to the show super early! They won't open the doors until showtime anyway. (Kelly Petrucci, April 2005)

*****

When we went to the 9:30 show, it was less crowded with no kids and the service was excellent. We were seated at the stage, by the steps, right where the actors came down to the floor. The actors were great, the food was great, and everyone, servers included, were friendly and nice to us. Even thought there were 7 people in our party, they treated us like we were the only ones in the room. We have been to Disney at least four times before that trip and never went to the show, boy were we sorry. It is a must see the first time in Disney. Although the bus transportion made the night a little longer, it was worth the trip. Highly recommend you going to the later show if you want to see the show and not be bothered by the kids. (Ruth Loughlin, April 2005)

*****

Took my 11 year old daughter to the Hoop-dee-do for her birthday. While it was not what she expected (it was a surprise). she thought it was the best ever. Her 7 year old brother did not stop laughing from beginning to end. Even though we made our reservation a month ahead of time, we were in the balcony. That turned out to be a blessing as our kids could see everything and we were still close to the stage. Our daughter was highlighted twice (once for her birthday and once with our family) and the performers made it around to every table in the place during the two hour performance. The food was actually better than I expected, but there is almost no time to eat it all without missing some of the show (brief intermissions notwithstanding). They provide pizza, hot dogs and mac & cheese for the picky eater (like my son). The beer and wine are adequate, but cold. The wait staff was exceptional and we never felt hurried. Bottom-line: a definite repeat on our next trip. (Skip, March 2005)

*****

My family and I just went to the Hoop-De-Doo for my husband's birthday. My children (boy 11, girl 8) really loved it. I thought the show was fabulous but the food was just OK. We've also been to the Luau and liked the food there better, but we had a really good time and the performers were great. I would recommend this for anyone with kids. (Stacey Kiefer, March 2005)

*****

Our five year old was captivated the whole time. Thought it was great to twirl a napkin over her head and have actors walking in the audience. She is a picky eater and was not excited about baked beans or corn with peppers in it. Our wonderful waitress Nancy brought her out a HUGE bowl of mac-n-cheese. Also I ordered sweet tea and was told they didn't have it. I told Nancy I was suprised because I had had it earlier at the Trails End next door and thought they shared a kitchen. It was good tea. Sure enough, she came back shortly with a pitcher of sweet tea, she had gone next door and gotten. When the show was over I hadn't finished the pitcher and Nancy put the rest in to go cups to take back to the cabin with me. They are extremely friendly and accommodating at both restaurants. If you need something, just ask. Would highly recommend it. (Of course being from Memphis, I was not impressed with ribs that I couldn't easily slide the bone from the meat, but everything else was great.) (Tracy, February 2005)

*****

The Hoop Dee Doo was such a good time. There were 9 in our group (2 years – 52 years) and we all enjoyed the show. They are funny and friendly. The chicken was really good. My 2 year old wouldn't eat it so the waitress asked what she would eat and ended up bringing her out 2 slices of pizza. It was a great way to end our trip. (Melanie, February 2005)

*****

We just returned from our trip to Walt Disney World. We went to the Hoop de Doo Revue for the first time on January 27th. My family and I thought it was great! I have two daughters, ages 12 and 13 and they really enjoyed it. The food was delicious. We had great seats and the waiter was very nice too. The show was very fun. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. (Robyn, January 2005)

*****

We went to WDW for X-mas with the whole family and did the Hoop-Dee-Doo review as our Christmas Dinner. There were 14 of us, including one person in a wheelchair and three babies. They did seat us all together, however, one of us (me) had to lean over the table to see past a pole – but I didn't mind, I was just happy to stay together. It was wonderful! Our server, Rob or Bor was a blast – the food was terrific and the beer was flowing. The kids enjoyed the show immensely and we adored our waiter's antics. Will go again next trip without a doubt! (Susan Kay, December 2004)

*****

I have attended the Hoop Dee Doo several times, and always am amused by the slapstick humor. In December, 2004 I was extremely disappointed when I attended. The difference was being seated along the side in the upstairs section of the restaurant. While eating, all of our chairs were on one side of the table facing the wall and making for a most unenjoyable meal. During the show, my view was of the back of someone's head, or if I moved to the side, the view of the back of a wooden post. When ordering tickets, ask if you will be seated downstairs, and take a pass if you table is to be upstairs. (RJ, December 2004)

*****

First time to the Hoop Dee Doo, and we loved it. The food was great – I enjoyed the tub of ribs so much I only ate one piece of the chicken. The chicken was fantastic and so were the beans and corn served up in some chow pails to go with the theme of the show.

We were a party of 13 and we got separated in to two tables which we didn't exactly appreciate. But this happened at several meals we went to with such a large party. We complained to WDW after we returned, they apologized and explained they were working on better accommodating large parties. We would certainly go again just in a smaller group. 7 adults and 2 children sat at one table, 4 at the other. (Scott Franks, November 2004)

*****

My girlfriend and I went to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review Show/Dinner on Sunday, November 21…..what fun!!! We laughed and enjoyed ourselves tremendously from beginning to end. We are both in our mid forties and enjoy being silly and boy, was this place silly. The jokes were so corny, we couldn't help bu laught and we highly recommend this experience to those of all ages. But stay away from the ribs…they were pretty nasty. The chicken was good…and oh, the strawberry shortcake was yummy. We're recommending this dinner to all our friends…and we will go again whenever we get the chance. (Jose Collazo, November 2004)

*****

We just returned from WDW and had an opportunity to go to the Hoop-Dee Doo Revue. Our daughters are cast members so we take advantage of their discount available for the 9:30 PM performance. The cast puts on a wonderful show. We were there in July 2004 and the entire male cast was new. Good but new. Our son was taken to the stage and made a part of the show. Oh, by the way, the food is terrific from the fried chicken to the salad. Ribs are good but a bit too messy for me. (Vince Barbieri, October 2004)

*****

The HDD is the best way to start your vacation! The show is fun and funny, it will have you cracking up all night,and the food is great! They start you of with a great salad and fresh bread then they bring you buckets and buckets (I really mean buckets) of fried chicken, ribs, corn and baked beans and then they bring you the world's best strawberry shortcake. I like the way the show dosen't go on while you're eating, they have a little break while you're eating and then they go back on stage which is good. But remember to make reservations early, anytime between 2 years and 4 months. I think the sooner you make reservations, the better seats you get. We got the table right in the middle! (we called 6 months before.) So in all the HDD is perfect for all ages and has to be on your must see/do list. (Sarah McCann, September 2004)

*****

Upon planning my 40th birthday, girls only trip; I decided that we should eat like queens. And two of the queens traveling with me were making their first visit ever to Walt Disney World. The Hoop De Doo was definitely something I thought that they should see and experience. This would be approximately my 20th time to the Hoop De Doo. I also knew that should my husband and children accompany me on the next trip to WDW that the thought of paying $200.00 for this dinner show vs. the same money for a month's worth of groceries……..well you get the picture. It just wouldn't happen. My two friends really enjoyed the show. They really enjoyed the food. I, however, was rather disappointed over the changes that apparently were made since the last time I went. The salad is still enjoyable, but where's the chips and cheese ball? Then, the biggest disappointment was to find the beef ribs were now pork ribs and my most favorite BBQ sauce, was replaced with plain 'ole Hunts BBQ sauce (good thing I invested in 'Cooking with Mickey around the World) And my favorite actress who played Flora, was now on QVC! It was good for me as I got to spend a lot of time with a long time waiter who filled me in on what became of all of the regular actors of the 80's and early 90's. I actually didn't get to see much of the show! I was in such conversation with him (he's a 20+ year veteran of Pioneer Hall. I'm glad I got to go this time; but it will be several years before I return to the Hoop De Doo (although it may be close to $100.00 per person then). (Debbie Bodreaux, September 2004)

*****

Hoop-Dee-Doo- WOW, all I can say is wow. This show was AWSOME. 7/3/04 my family went to the show. Our first time ever. I used this site among the other's the most for information in my planning for our trip. We stayed 7/3-7/9. The show was too cool. They had singing, dancing, cracked us up with their witty jokes and family humor. It was the best time ever. They were very generous with servings too. They brought out buckets of some of the BEST fried chicken I've ever tasted, baked beans, fresh bread, and a delicious salad. We had strawberry shortcake for desert. It was to die for. The show was fabulous. The dancer's come around to all the tables and mingle with the guests. They even spotlight some tables with humor and wittiness. I definitely recommend this show it was way awsome. Rule of thumb. Reserve early!!! I did, and we got second row table!!! Awsome view. The show was packed- I read how it was recommended to reserve early, DO IT!!! I reserved about 4 mths in advance, I'm glad I did. Thanks for the wonderful recommendations and advice!! (Lisa Miranda, July 2004)

*****

The HDD is great overall. I think there is maybe 2 things I would change. One the ribs. They were awful tough and no flavor to them at all. The second would be the price. Yes I know it is all you can eat. Also aware of the fact that it is a show but one you have someone who does not drink I have a feeling part of the price is including the drinks. Maybe a discount rate for those non-drinkers would be nice. The show was very cute made you laugh. The staff was very very nice. I would go back. (Dawn, 2004)

*****

This Californian is a yearly visitor to Walt Disney World and my family and I wouldn't miss the HDD on any trip. We have likely seen the HDD more than 15-20 times. No matter what our Disney adventures, we never miss the show. As others point out, it doesn't really change much, but it is a great show for all ages. There's humor, good food, lively atmosphere, crowd involvement and most of all, great Disney fun!! Several years ago we had a 23 person family Hoop Dee Doo dinner where our party's age range was from 3 years old to 74 years old. The HDD was a hit with all….even the 5 teens (some of the toughest critics to please about anything!!). I have checked out the majority of other dinner shows, but we keep coming back to the HDD. This is by far the best value and the most fun for all ages. (Lori Degliantoni, 2004)

*****

I have to tell you how much I LOVED going to see the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue!! I took my younger brother (who was 5) and we had such a blast!!! Our server was so terrific, we were seated by ourselves in the corner and he made a point to stop by every time he went past to make sure we were ok! The food was terrific, the chicken was so moist and tender, and the ribs were succulent albeit a bit on the smokey side. There was so much food I couldn't beleive it, and to top it our server came with MORE!! The show was absolutely phenomenal and the actors came by and paid alot of attention to my brother which was great. I really recommend getting your picture taken before being seated for the show, that is my most favorite picture of all from that trip. The best part was my brother did not stop talking about that show for the rest of the week and for months after! Deffinetely worth checking it out!! (Keith Schwartz, Febraury 2004)

*****

We saw the Hoop De Doo Review with our boys (ages 6 and 8). They LOVED the show!! My husband and I both enjoyed it and would give the show an 8 out of 10. The food however, we would give a 6 or 7. Also, if you don't drink, the admission price is high because it includes all you can drink beer and wine. The tables are assigned ahead of time on your ticket and the food is brought right to your table. (Ruth Berman, 1/04)

*****

Christmas 2003 was our second time that we went to Hoop Dee Do Revue. The first being Thanksgiving of 2002. We love the show and the food. I think the food is one of the best that Walt Disney World has to offer. Alittle expensive but well worth it. We always leave with a sore throat from hooping it up. It's the best interactive show. We will be going again in October. (Bonnie Lock, 12/03)

*****

After five trips to WDW, we finally went to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. We had a great time! The food was great and the show was funny! Our group consisted of my husband, our boys (4, 10, & 18), my sister, and my parents. It was great because at one point in the show, they asked if anyone was celebrating an anniversary. My parents were celebrating 36 years and they had to get up and dance a waltz. They enjoyed it! We were at the 5pm show on 12/23/03 and it was a full house at that time of the year. Something that needs to be said is that if anyone is considering adding the Silver Plan to their Disney Resort Package, this dinner show is included as one of the choices as 1 Magic Wish. This really surprised me because of the cost of the tickets! I expected it to "cost" 2 Magic Wishes. This was a great deal if you are on the Silver Plan because it includes alcoholic beverages. The sangria was tasty!!! We also went to the Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau, but we thought the food was better at the HDDRevue!!! (Mary 12/03)

*****

We attended the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review in November of 2003 and all of us (myself, wife, daughter of 9 and daughter of 5) LOVED IT!!!! We had incredible seats (one table back from the stage), food was very good (especially for picky kids) and the entertainment was excellent. We had been nervous and weary due to the cost and having to coordinate Disney transportation there but it was all worth it! First, the bus we caught from MGM (we were staying at the Dolphin) took us directly to Pioneer Hall. Once there and after a short weight, we were let into the Hall. Once the show and dinner began, we all laughed to our sides hurt! Show was fun and there was something for everyone in it. After the show, we were planning to take a bus back to Epcot and than walk back to the Dolphin. But as luck would have it….the first bus in line said "Swan/Dolphin" and it took us directly back!!! Some may be concerned about the cost but once you figure in the cost of dinner (all you can eat and drink including wine and beer!) and the cost of the entertainment, its really not a bad deal at all. Both of my daughters and my wife say that the "Hoop" was one of their favorite parts of our last trip. Would strongly recommend this to anyone, especially if you have children between 5-12. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Kyle, 11/03)

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My family, including my parents, my husband, my 8 and 13 year old daughters and myself, attended the show on 12/29/02. We absolutely loved it! The service was excellent as was the atmosphere and the show. We had a great table right up front, which was lucky because I only called about 2 months in advance. My 13 year old was picked to be the can-can dancer–she loved it, and the audience was so complimentary of her performance after the show! I will definitely go again. I would recommend the show to all! (Jennifer Wilson, 12/2002)

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Went to the Hoop-De-Do show on Dec 3, 2002 and loved it! We had the 7:15 show and was seated up front in the middle of the stage, wow what great seats. The show itself was well worth the price, the food was o.k. The strawberry shortcake desert was great. I'll be going back to this show again, it beats the Luau hands down. (Robert Wescovich, 12/2002)

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We attended the Hoop Dee Doo review for the 4th time. Our 10 year old enjoyed it the most this time of all four times as did I. My husband was chosen to be the Angel at the end of the show. I never expected to see my large engineer type husband in a pink tutu, but he was a very good sport and leapt on stage as directed. We were seated in the balcony, but the service was excellent and we felt very included, although I would have preferred to be downstairs. We all liked the meal. We will definitely return the the Review! (Liz S. Williamson, 4/2002)

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I had a similar experience as another WDWIG reader. Bad bus service from the HDD to our hotel. On May 17, 2002, my parents & I had spent an awesome day in the Magic Kingdom, took the boat from MK to Fort Wilderness, and had no problems. We checked in early, got seated, and had a great time at the show. (We are repeat vistors and always enjoyed this show.)

As we came out, it was raining. (OK – Disney has no control over this.) But it made things more chaotic. No one working at the bus stops was organized. We had no idea what bus we could get on. After about 10 minutes, we found a bus where the driver said he was going to Downtown Disney. We thought we could just transfer there to go to Riverside. The driver proceeded to WIlderness Lodge & then to the TTC! He then announced that he was headed back to Fort Wilderness. What happened to Downtown Disney?! We were forced to get out at the TTC & wandered aimlessly looking for other buses. We eventually had to walk to the Polynesian & pay for a cab to get back to Riverside!! The rest of our vacation was perfect, and Disney was fantastic, as usual. But the bus service at Fort Wilderness is really lacking! (Kara Costello)

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We did the HDD in Feb. 2002, and must say we really enjoyed it!! Only (small) complaint is that our boys (10 & 11) were looking forward to corn-on-the-cob and instead we got corn mixed with peppers which they wouldn't touch!! However, the corny show more than made up for this; we had a great time!!

Keep in mind that this is not intended to be a Broadway show or a gourmet meal; just wacky fun for all ages- which it definitely is!! Remember, attitude is 95% of a good time…(Robert Andrews)

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I'm 18 and I've been to the Hoop de Doo 12 times. The show is the same every year, but we still keep going! It's so funny and the food is great. Everyone there is so nice and you can tell they really love doing the shows. There are six people in my family and three of them are teenagers, including me, and everyone loves the show. The way we see it, it's not a real Disney vacation if we don't go to the Hoop de Doo. If I had it my way, we would go more than once a trip! I highly reccomend it!! (Jessica)

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When we first planned our Disney vacation we read all the accolades HDD received and how it was such a must see. We thought that it sounded very goofy and corny but maybe, just maybe, we might try it. When I told my sister we were planning a Disney vacation, her very first words were, "What ever you DO NOT miss the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue"!

So we made our reservations about 8 months in advanced got one of the three tables that are right next to the stage. Well that was definitely cool, and as we were being led past everyone to the front, we felt awfully lucky we read up on things before we came. (Birnbaum's guide is invaluable for planning a trip to Disney) Even at this point we a bit reluctant of being bombarded by corniness and having to pretend to have a good time.

The show actually started out a bit slow, but eventually got going great. We were roaring with laughter. I think it helped that we were very tired and were starting to get a bit goofy. We thought the food was excellent, especially the chicken. We didn't get corn on the cob though, it was corn off the cob with green peppers and onions, but it was very good.

Our party of 4 was my wife and I and our children 11 & 10. My son was brought back stage and ended up being in the show as the sheriff (hero) and got a kiss from the silly blonde. It was a riot, he was really embarrassed, being that he's at that stage where he still doesn't like to admit that he likes girls.

As for the price we thought for a show and all you can eat food and drink, it was really quite reasonable. Plus my kids eat as much as we do, so them being half price was actually quite a bargain.

As a reference we ate at The House Of Blues and the bill was $133.00 without the tip and the great show. It was easily our most enjoyable dinning experience at WDW. Now we will be the ones telling everyone, "Whatever you do, DO NOT miss The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!" (The Flacks Freeport, IL, Sept 8, 2001)

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In Aug. 2001 hubby, myself and kids, 7 1/2 yr. twins, went to this show. We had an absolutely wonderful time. I am sooo glad I didn't miss this one. We laughed and enjoyed every second of entertainment. The kids did too, even though some of the jokes were over their heads. They laughed right along with us. The food is good. If you're going for a to-die-for dining experience this is not for you. What was lacking in 5-star dining was more than made up for in entertainment. Again, that's not to say the food wasn't satisfying. And boy, the quantity. You will not leave hungry. My whole family would gives this a huge Thumbs Up. (DHogan)

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Our family (my wife, seven year-old daughter and I) did a 7:15 p.m. show on 8/20/01. The show was sold out and we had made our reservation five months before the date. We were in the fourth row of tables in the center of the room. (So I would recommend making reservations but not being too tense about making them two years in advance–unless you want the first row!) The event is not inexpensive but definitely worth the price of admission. We found the food to be fresh and hot and delicious. While chicken and ribs isn't gourmet fare, the meal was solid. Also, you get unlimited refills on beverages. Our waiter-CM was friendly and attentive. He made sure we had food and drink and refills and did not clear the plates before we were done.

Although we had read a lot about the show, it is hard to put into words how entertaining it really is. Calling it a Hee Haw-type show does not do it justice. My daughter "got" most of the jokes and really enjoyed the music and dancing. My wife tends to be a little slow to join in things like this but even she had a visibly good time. The high energy level of the cast is also hard to communicate in words. Although the cast must be well experienced (the cues were hit right for the whole show), they gave you a feeling of spontaneity and enthusiasm that was gratifying and infectious.

Also, the picture opportunity turned out to be a nice souvenir. We weren't pressured to buy any shot but now that we are home the picture is a cherished memento.

As for transportation, we came from the Wilderness Lodge and using the Boone and Crockett buses got us there and back nonstop. One thing we did learn is that there are other evening activities at Fort Wilderness that can be done before or after a show. There is a "campfire' event for kids and hayrides. Also there is a petting zoo. I would recommend that persons considering the HDD check out the info for Fort Wilderness and plan an afternoon and evening that encompasses more than just the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review itself.

In sum, we would rate the HDD review a definite "must do" (Tony S., 8/2001)

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We went to Hoop-Dee-Doo for the first time on August 21st for the 7:15 show. My wife, 4 year-old daughter and I are fairly frequent WDW visitors, but we had just never gotten around to doing this — in fact, we'd never gotten around to Fort Wilderness. We were staying on property and used American Express for the tickets, so we got 20% off.

On a 1-10 scale, my wife & I would give Hoop-Dee-Doo between a 6 and a 7. It's a nice show with a lot of G-rated Vaudevillian shtick with Western flair. We had fun and our daughter enjoyed it.

The food was OK, but we have some issues. First, we didn't particularly like being herded over for a family picture prior to seating, but we were in a good mood, so we indulged. What we liked less was having the picture seller come to us in the middle of dinner; they could wait until the show ends. Second, there's a long wait between the bread/salad and the entree. Even with the short break in the show, you're still well into eating when the show restarts. We were still eating when they were clearing plates for desert. I'd have felt less rushed if the food could have been out at the beginning. Finally, no matter how good the show is (and Hoop Dee Doo is fun), $120 ($95 after discount) for a family of 3 for chicken & ribs is steep.

We did come away happy, though. After the show, we went on the Ft.
Wilderness Wagon Ride. It was $16 for the 3 of us. It lasted 45 minutes, and they took us to a clearing by the 7 Seas Lagoon with a wonderful view of the electrical water parade and the Fantasy In the Sky fireworks. A wonderful way to cap the evening! We'll definitely be back for that. (Ward Cunliffe FL, 8/01)

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We went to the HDD in June, 2001 and had a really good time. Our children were 3,6 and 9 at the time. We had a table right in front–I had booked the previous October. My girls were talking to the performers and we were told what a great family we had (what parent doesn't like to hear that!) "Dolly" flirted shamelessly with my husband who loved every minute of it. Even my 3 year old son was enthralled. The food was a 7 on a scale of 1-10, but the entertainment pushed the whole evening to at least a 9. And for once the family took a great picture!!! (Robin McConnell, Perrysburg, OH)

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I went May 15, 2001 to the Hoop de Doo review with my husband, his parents, my niece and my son. I found this show to be very entertaining and my niece and son loved it. This being my first time going to the Hoop de Doo it was a very enjoyable experience. I guess it was more so the kids reacting to the actors and bring two 2 year olds, the reaction is amazing. We were fortunate enough to get a good seat in the 2nd row toward the middle of the hall. The actors were personable and friendly and we were included in the show. My father in law was even the angel. The food I found was good, except for one thing but, I dont even remember what it was. All in all I give the Hoop de Doo a 9 out of 10 rating. The kids loved it. I loved it. We had a blast. I highly recommend this event. (jleiva5)

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I took my 8 year old son in and he absolutely loved it. I planned it for our first evening to get us into the festive mood and to get us both geared up for the days ahead. I must say on a scale of 1 to 10 we would both rate it a 9. The food was unbelievably delicious. The entertainment was so good that my son asked a few times during our trip could we go back again. For our next trip (May 2002) I have already booked the show for our first evening, to me it was worth every penny. The only reason we did not rate it a 10 was because my son absolutely would not even try the strawberry shortcake. I loved it, but he said he would have preferred a dish of ice cream. Other than that it was awesome! (Ursula Hicks, May 2001)

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Went to WDW May 2001 and it was awesome!! My husband and I went to the Hoop Dee Doo the second night and they made us dance because our waitress told them it was our 2nd wedding anniversary! We brought my husband's parents to see it two days later, and two days after that, we brought his parents and his brother. We had an awesome time, the show/food were excellent and the cast remembered us, since we were there 3 times in a week!! I was wondering if you know of a way to get in touch with the performers. I wanted to send them a letter! Please let me know. Thanks, Cheryl Carlson

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We went to the Hoop Dee Doo in April with our 5 and 8 year old and we had a very nice time. If I was taking a once in a lifetime trip to Disney World, there are probably higher priorities but it really was a good time and I would recommend it to most families. My only serious gripe about it was the commute. Once you are at the campground you have to park and still take a bus to Pioneer Hall. If I had to get there via another resort bus I think that would have required too much effort!

We thought the food was good (not great, but good). The barbecue ribs and chicken were good, as were the rolls with honey butter and the corn. The salad was somewhat greasy but O.K. and the strawberry shortcake was pretty good also. They have beer, wine, and sangria and they were also of decent quality. Just put yourself in a barbecue frame of mind and you'll be fine. Since most kids eat chicken, bread, and corn, most kids would probably be O.K. as well. The show is entertaining to both children and adults so that is a plus also.

As far as the cost, I think it is one of the more reasonable dining situations at Disney. Since alcohol, tax, and gratuity are included I don't think $140 for dinner and a show is all that bad for a family of four! We had a very good table and according to the C.M. the tables are assigned as the reservations come in so make reservations early. This is a good Disney activity for families on your down day after an afternoon at the pool! (Mark Westervelt, 4/01)

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We went on January 21st, 2001. We loved it. It was 2 adults and 2 children ages 4 and 6. My kids were very tired that night but they made themselves stay awake to watch the whole show. It was the 7:15pm one but since we did this on our last night we were all tired from our short 4 day stay.

I didn't think too much of the menu when I first read about it on your site. I am not a big fried chicken eater and with the cost of the show/food I thought it was a little too much for what they served. BOY WAS I WRONG. Everything was great and cooked to perfection. The chicken was moist and everything else was great.

The show was very funny and we laughed a whole lot. Everyone agreed that we definitely would be back to this on our next trip. I would probably do it on our first night so that we won't be so tired from all of the walking around at the parks. JR from NJ

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This is one the best dinner shows I have ever been too. My husband and I went on our honeymoon last year. We are planning to go this year in Sept. for our anniversary. Definitely worth every penny. Dawn and Chuck Erickson

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My 2 daughters and I have been to the Hoop Dee Doo dinner 5 times in the last 5 years and we love the show and the dinner. In fact we are going to WDW in December over the holidays and we have reservations for the show 2 times. As you can tell we love the show. We always have fun there. Marilyn

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The dinner show was great. Even my husband who grumbled all the way to the show, was playing a washboard at the end. The food was great! My six year old loved it. Hearing her laugh all through the show was well worth the price! My reluctant husband even wants to go back next year on our upcoming trip. He really loved the ribs. I think he ate the whole bucket himself! taddeoj

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We went to the Hoop Dee Doo Review on February 21, 2001 and had a great time. My kids enjoyed it and they even got most of the jokes (they are 5 and 7). Last year we sat upstairs and this year we sat on a nice table in the middle of the main floor. I suggest the main floor as it made a big difference to be right in the middle of the action. We loved the food and I crave those ribs all the time. (Tip: if you have a nice server and picky eaters, ask for macaroni and cheese for the kids). We were at the 7:30 show. The only problem is that the kids did not like the dessert (delicious strawberry shortcake) and there was no other choice. Go there and celebrate an Anniversary or Birthday!!!! Loads of fun! Lynn M.

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We have been to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue several times and we never grow tired of it! My three kids (11, 9 and 5) love the food and the entertainment. My oldest son especially loves the ribs!! I realize some people may think that this show is expensive but for the meal and the entertainment I think it is plenty of bang for your buck! I highly recommend this show because its a great way make some great Disney memories. (Karon Alexander South Carolina)

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We went to the Hoop-Dee-Doo and had a blast. The show was very funny. My favorite character was Six Bits, he messed up the lyrics to "Clementine" (and his daughter Valentine; dreadful sorry Frankenstein; dreadful sorry Porcupine). He also asked my brother if he ate all the baked beans himself, and told Professor Tommy to play "Beautiful Dreamer" in the key of R. The food was great. The ribs were fine, but I liked the chicken better. We also got root beer and delicious strawberry shortcake. If and when we go to WDW again, you can bet we'll go to the Hoop de Doo. James Welch (1\15\01)

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Attended the Hoop Dee Doo Review in August 2000 and after waiting 2 hours I thought it was not worth the money. The only bright spot was my son being chosen from the audience for a part. Other than that, the show is "taddered around the edges" showing its age, bad dancing, bad acting-I got the impression even the actors are tired of the same old thing and the waiters rush your dinner. Won't make that expensive mistake again. (GaryM)

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I think my husband was prepared not to like it – now he says he wants to see it again! We had good seats (reserved tickets way in advance when I made our ressies for the trip). We were in the 2nd row so close enough to see everything but we didn't get picked on!

My daughter (who is a picky eater) loved the fried chicken and everyone enjoyed twirling their napkins. Again – even my husband which is truly amazing. We all felt it was worth it and would like to go again. (DulceGo, October 2000)

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We attended the Hoop Dee Doo on June 19, 2000 at the 9:30 seating since it was the only one available for this date 2 1/2 months in advance. The food was good and the entertainment great. My girls were 3 and 12 and both were thoroughly entertained as were my wife and I. My wife had seen it in the 70's and the rest of us were first timers, but she was just as satisfied with the event as the rest of us. My only change would be for an earlier seating so that we could enjoy the hayride in Fort Wilderness that closes before the late show ends, and to allow for more rest before an early next morning in the parks…George Swindel, Louisiana.

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We were a party of two and got a fabulous main level table in the second row from the stage. The food left much to be desired. The best part of the meal, in my opinion, was the loaf of bread and butter. It just went downhill from there. The main course came. It looked so good sitting there on the table in the pails but when we started to eat we were disappointed. They put massive quantities of onions in the corn and made it taste just horrible. The kernels were also pretty shriveled up. The baked beans were edible and so were the ribs and chicken. However, they were not very good. We didn't even like the strawberry shortcake served for dessert! The shortcake was very dry and tough. The whipped creme on it was inedible. I want to stress that we are not picky eaters. We even like to eat at the Trails End Buffeteria next door to the Hoop Dee Doo which serves the same type of food. There was just something wrong with this food! Perhaps it sits around for hours under heat lamps waiting to be served. Needless to say we didn't eat very much. The show was very good though. It seemed painfully lame at first and I was thinking that we had completely wasted $100. However, after a while we got into it and the show was a blast! It is totally corny but that is part of the fun. Oh, we also enjoyed the washboard segment at the end too. Hey, it's fun using a spoon to play a washboard 🙂 Overall a very worthwhile show but don't come too terribly hungry. (Susan and Xavier, July 2000)

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We had a great time at the show. The entertainment was great. Very funny! My husband had mixed emotions. He felt rushed to finish each course although the food was good, and the strawberry shortcake was excellent. I had been to this show when I was a little girl with my parents. (1977) It brought back alot of good memories. In spite of the price increase, I do feel it is a worthwhile show but we will not be attending this year. We are going to check out other dinner shows. (Chuck and Kerry, 12/99)

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My family and I went to the Hoop Dee Doo. I thought it was fun but some family members thought it was a little corny. Hey no one said it was Shakespeare! For the food I wasn't expecting too much. I was happily surprised! The salad was a bit oily, but the fried chicken was the best that I have had in years. I was amazed how fast and good the service was. We were at the 7:15pm show and I saw everyone leaving from the previous show at 7:00pm. When we walked in 15 minutes later I couldn't believe how clean the dining room was. It was like we were the first show. My only disappointment was with the price. For 5 of us it cost around $170.00 not including the souvenir picture for $25.00! If you are looking for some good old fashion fun then this is the dinner show for you!(Jennifer Savickas, October 14,1999)

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We went to Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue on October 4, 1999 and attended the 9:30 show. We were able to get a 20% discount by using our American Express card for the show. We also had some people in our group of 6 adults, who had some special dietary requirements. Overall, our experience was not a good one. We liked the show itself. It was actually better than we had anticipated. We still are teasing each other about some of the characters, like "Johnny Ringo", who seemed to have a crush on my husband! It was so funny!!! The entire show surpassed our expectations, and my parents particularly enjoyed it.

The food was another story. Two people in our party are allergic to latex, specifically the latex gloves now being worn by some workers in the food industry. Two days prior to our reservation, I spoke with one of the head chefs at Hoop Dee Doo Revue. In fact, he called me at the Wilderness Lodge to make sure they understood what precautions needed to be taken. We reviewed how our food would be handled for the entire table, seeing as the food is served family style. There were also some in our party who don't eat certain foods, such as pork and beef, and this was also reviewed at that time. HDD has several items they will provide instead of the traditional menu for those with dietary restrictions, and these substitutions were fine for our party.

When we were seated, our server seemed to be clueless as to our specific allergy and what precautions she needed to take. Mainly, our food was prepared separately, to ensure no one wearing latex gloves touched it during preparation. This seemed to throw her completely off for some reason. I mentioned this fact when I made the original PS, and HDD was obviously aware of it since they had contacted me. Unfortunately, they neglected to mention it to their wait staff! As a result, we were uncertain which food items were safe for those of us with allergies.

We attempted to clarify this with the waitress, but she was also uncertain. I believe the special menu items were prepared specifically for our table, but I am not sure about the regular menu items. So we stuck to what we knew we could eat without making a fuss.

Well, now for the review of the food itself. First course was the salad, which arrived swimming in a sea of salad dressing. It was only edible on the top, where most of the dressing had drained off. This was the only restaurant in all of Disney World we encountered on our 12 day stay that served iceberg! So not much salad was eaten at our table, and we are all big salad lovers.

The bread was OK, but again, we weren't sure if it was safe for those with allergies to eat. It was never made clear to us what was safe and what was off limits, in spite of asking when we were able to. Our server wasn't exactly attentive, obviously! Then the main course arrived at the table. The regular menu items were fine, if plain.

The "special" menu items that were our substitutions were terrible! We had boneless chicken breast, with no seasoning, steamed veggies, with no seasoning, baked potatoes, again, with no seasonings or condiments, and pasta with a small amount of bland tomato sauce.

While the regular items were all-you-can-eat, the substitute menu appeared not to be so. We ended up trying thing off each other plates, since some of us got chicken or pasta, while others did not. The plates were filled ahead of time and brought to us…we didn't get to serve ourselves. We were afraid to ask for anything different at this point!!

This was a very strange experience for us overall. We were not happy, but didn't want to make too much of a fuss, because realistically, what could they do to make it up to us? Plus, since my parents liked the experience so much, I didn't want to spoil their time by putting a damper on their fun. So those of us who were not too happy just traded looks throughout dinner, and discussed it later. It really was a disaster! Needless to say, we will NOT be attending Hoop Dee Doo Revue again in our lifetimes! (Joanne Martinez, 10/99)

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Went to the Hoop-Dee-Doo and it was outstanding! Definitely worth the price, although the food is mediocre. The entertainment is awesome! Plan to have fun, and try to go with a larger group – it adds to the fun!! Our server, Bob, was wonderful, and a really good sport to put up with the antics of a bunch of crazy Canucks! (9/99, Lynda Hodgins Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

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We saw the Hoop-Dee-Doo in July. It was the first time for me, and I really enjoyed it. The waitress was really great and the food was also terrific (especially the strawberry shortcake). (Amy Clark, 7/99)