Last week, you may remember how I discussed my favorite “thing” to do at a Walt Disney Resort. The “thing” was not swimming, cycling, or fishing. And, as you can see from the title, my “thing” is the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review Dinner Show!
I first went to this Dinner Show because after traveling to Disney World so many times, I felt I should give more time to activities outside the parks. It just so happened I had also booked a vacation with free dining! What better opportunity to experience this Show than by using the free dining points?
The basics: Hoop-Dee-Doo is located in Pioneer Hall at the Fort Wilderness Campground. The Dinner Show includes a menu of salad, corn bread, cowboy beans, BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, and strawberry shortcake. Drinks include a list of wines, beers, and sodas. Visitors can see the show 3 times nightly at 5:00, 7:15 and 9:30 PM. All shows last approximately 2 hours.
The cost of the show varies depending on seating and ranges in price from $52.99 to $61.99. The price ranges for children are $26.99 to $31.99. As mentioned, dining plan credits can be used for this show but only for the 9:30 PM showing. Discounts are often available for Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Disney Visa Card Holders.
On to the fun: When you enter Pioneer Hall, the table is set with bread and salad. Metal plates also await you! Then the fabulous show begins! From the time you walk in the door, the Pioneer Hall Players begin singing and dancing. The songs are familiar, leading guests to quickly get wrapped up in all of the fun. The songs and lines are often funny, witty, and corny. Pioneer Hall is loud with laughter and excitement!
Soon after the salads are finished, servers bring the main course. In general, I’m not a beans and BBQ chicken sort of girl, but here I CHOW down. The beans are so very good, we always have to get a second helping. And second helpings are welcomed! The servers will bring you more food or drink at your request. The servers are very quick on their feet and among the best and most seasoned at Walt Disney World.
And, after the meal is complete, the Players choose audience members to help them on stage. My son and my sister have both hit the stage for their Hoop-Dee-Doo debuts! These experiences have to be among our most memorable moments ever. In fact, beside me sits a photo of my son where he flexes his muscles with one of the Players!
So, while I did first visit this Show essentially free through free dining, I have visited it again as a paying customer 2 times since. And it was WORTH every penny!
Contributed by: Natalie Henley (NDM#268) Natalie is the DDL Resort Blogger. She is also the creator of Meet the Magic.
Natalie grew up in Nashville, TN. Married with one son, she lives on a farm. As if this weren’t enough to keep her on her toes, Natalie also works around the clock due to being self-employed .
Natalie often travels to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, giving her a vast knowledge of the Disney Resorts which she shares in her posts on The Disney Driven Life. She loves the research on the resorts and appreciates input for these articles as well.
In recent trips, Natalie has begun making a habit of meeting people while in the parks. This habit inspired her personal website, Meet the Magic, http://meetthemagic.com. This site helps her connect to others as well as hold space for Disney fans to post information about their Disney related sites. Her goal with this venture is to help people to “Meet the Magic” of their choice.
My family did this Dinner show last Nov while visiting WDW and we had a blast! I enjoy the dinner shows becasue to get the combo of food and be entertained at the same time is worth it.
I would love to take my boys (hubby included) to the Hoop-Dee-Doo one day. We are waiting until they are a little older. As a child I went several time. I still remember sitting right up front and the dancers stopping for my father to take a photo. Don’t you know he forgot to take his lens cap off. He was the target of jokes the rest of the night after they called out “Hey buddy, it helps to take the lens cap off!” Ah, the memories.