Where to Eat (and Watch a Show): Dinner at Disney's Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

June 9, 2015, 7:36 PM · Walt Disney World offers many unique experiences in addition to its famous attractions. Once you’ve explored the parks and worked up an appetite, you can find some “good ol’ family fun” at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The show offers plenty of flavorsome food and enjoyable entertainment for the young and young at heart.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

Your experience begins by booking a reservation on the official WDW website or by calling +1-407-WDW-DINE. You can book your reservation up to 180 days in advance, so call as soon as possible to ensure a seat. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue offers three seating categories and the prices vary depending on your proximity to the stage, from $67.99 to $58.99 for adults and $36.99 to $32.99 for children ages 3 to 9. Category 1 is closest to the stage and offers a clear view of the hilarious hijinks. Categories 2 and 3 are farther back and/or upstairs; however, you can still see the stage and performers. The seating in all of the categories doesn’t offer much in the way of personal space, especially upstairs where you’ll find a series of long tables. There’s no need to worry if you’re far from the stage as the cast frequently ventures into the audience to interact with guests.

Give yourself adequate time to travel to Fort Wilderness on the night of the show. You can reach the resort via car, bus, or boat (from certain resorts, the Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center). There are usually three shows per night and each one lasts approximately two hours. Plan to arrival at least 30-40 minutes early so you can check-in at the host stand next to Pioneer Hall. You will take a family picture while you wait for your table, as well as take some time to visit the nearby shops and horse barn. When it’s time for the show, a cast member rings the dinner bell and announces “come and get it” as they open the doors. The seating process went smoothly and everyone was seated quickly.

The meal is served family style and starts with salad, cornbread, and butter, which are already on the table when you arrive. A variety of unlimited beverages, including beer, wine, and sangria, are included with dinner. You can also purchase other items such as bottled water and margaritas. Shortly after being seated, the band fires up the banjo and piano and the stars of the show make their energetic entrance. Claire de Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, Six Bits Slocum, Flora Long, and Jim Handy take the stage and introduce each other. As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of audience participation, so the show isn’t for those looking for a quiet dinner. However, it’s all in good fun as they sing several numbers and finish the first part of the show with a musical introduction to the main course.

The food is also noteworthy. Offerings include all-you-can-eat fried chicken and smoked BBQ pork ribs, baked beans, mashed potatoes, and a seasonal vegetable (on the day we visited, it was buttery corn kernels). The server was also accommodating with bringing a big bowl of macaroni and cheese for our toddler. We found everything fresh and delicious. The chicken was moist and flavorful and the rib meat melted off the bones. The mashed potatoes were loaded with butter and the baked beans featured pork. In between bites, the cast performs several musical numbers. During the penultimate performance, they’re joined by the servers as they enthusiastically introduce dessert – strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream and surrounded with strawberries. During dessert, the cast also asks if anyone in the audience is celebrating a special occasion and they aren’t shy about adding a playful spin to the details.

Audience participation

After the celebrations, the cast selects four volunteers from the audience to take part in the finale, which is a rousing rendition of The Ballad of Davy Crockett. I don’t want to give away any spoilers; however, I will recommend that families and/or friends of the volunteers have their cameras ready to capture the moment. There is also a stream of bear-centric humor that brings about some groaning and eye-rolling.

Overall, the show is an enjoyable experience that is worth the price. So come on down and clap your hands, stomp your feet, and shout hooray for Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue!

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Replies (8)

June 9, 2015 at 9:25 PM · I have seen the show at least a couple of times. Fun show, good food, what more could you ask for?
June 10, 2015 at 4:54 AM · YES! THAT Show is the BEST you can do at Disney Orlando! Even if you are on a Budget travel as I DO IT! Best after a day at animal Kingdom as they close early in Low Season.

Wont more Food Choices? Ask at Entrance for the Fish Option! You still can ask for samples of the other Food.

Their WILL be more Food on your table INCREDIBLE FAST SERFED as you can eat. Only Downside: No Dogy Bags...

June 10, 2015 at 8:33 AM · This show gets mixed review on the Disney fan sites, just like the Poly Luau. Some people LOVE it while other find it mediocre. I've always been of the mindset that it takes a big chunk of time out of a day (2-3 hours), so if you're going to do it, you should do so on an evening where the park you're in closes earlier. I've also heard mixed reviews of the food and the actual "unlimited" nature of it. I have read stories where guests have reported servers that deliberately don't come back to tables that need refills during the show even if guests still need/want more food. Guests have been told, "I'll get you after this number", but after the number the server takes 5-10 minutes to come back and by that time the kitchen has shifted to dessert.
June 10, 2015 at 9:04 AM · I don't recommend the show. The cost is high for a show that is mediocre, loud, crass, and rather amateur. Low in production value. Food isn't that great. If you have money to burn, certainly spend it. You won't miss out if you do.
June 10, 2015 at 10:31 AM · These restaraunt reviews always make my mouth water! I'm literally eating a sandwhich as I'm typing this!
June 10, 2015 at 11:56 AM · Anon Mouse: Each to his own, but could you be any more negative?
June 10, 2015 at 12:37 PM · Most certainly. IF you want a refund, ask for it before mid-way through the show. This means 45 minutes. In another 45 minutes (90 minutes total), the show is over and they will ask for you to leave. The show is so clockwork, it is hard to keep up and enjoy.

I asked for my refund. By the time they processed it, the show was over and I noticed the restaurant was empty. They didn't want to give me a full refund since they said I ate the food. So I asked for half back. Good enough for me.

June 10, 2015 at 7:14 PM · I disagree completely with Anon Mouse. I have always found the food to be delicious and plentiful, the show to be simple, yet entertaining and well-executed, and the atmosphere to be jovial and energetic. Perhaps it's just not your taste, and that's fine, but for me and my family, this is a must do on every trip.

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