Hoop Dee Doo

Memorable Dining Experience

Welcome to those of you joining me from Mommy Mouseketeer and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Today on our Magical Blogorail, we are talking about our most memorable Disney meal.  So, what should constitute a “memorable” dining experience?  The food, the atmosphere, the company your with, a special occasion, or the entertainment?  I flipped-flopped on my pick several times because I’ve had great food at one place, but enjoyed another meal because of the atmosphere; and I’ve had memorable dining experiences with special people and enjoyed great entertainment at another.  After thinking on a while, I decided to go the entertainment route and pick The Hoop Dee Doo Revue as my most memorable Disney meal.  Now if you’ve been to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue or HDDR (shorten in Disney vernacular), you know what I mean.  The show is like no other on Disney World property, save for the long retired Diamond Horseshoe Revue.  Billed as “an old-fashioned dinner show that includes foot-stompin' music, nostalgic comedy and an all-you-care-to-eat dinner”, the HDDR is the longest running show at Disney World.  I dare anyone to not leave the show without a smile on their face.  It’s corny, silly and fun!

Pioneer Hall

The HDDR takes place in Pioneer Hall at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, just a short boat ride from the Magic Kingdom.  The show opened in 1974 and has run almost continuously since, making it one of the longest running musicals in America theatre history.  The show itself is a Frontier theme vaudeville-style dinner show full of singing, dancing and comedy routines.  Pioneer Hall has a stage at the front of the room, with tables on floor level with additional tables in a balcony that overlook the main floor.  Food service includes an all-you-can-eat salad, ribs, fried chicken, assorted sides and strawberry shortcake served family style at your table in metal buckets which are plopped down in front of you when you least expect it.  Unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea, milk, beer, wine and sangria are also included.  For the kids that may not like ribs and chicken, typically Disney child-friendly food is available for the asking.

Metal plates, bowls & buckets

It's as big as her head!

HDDR performers

The show consists of the three female and three male character performers: Six Bits Slocum and Dolly Drew (comic relief), Jim Handy and Flora Long (the singers), and Johnny Ringo and Claire de Lune (the dancers).  The entertainers interact with the audience throughout the show, and even serve dessert at the close of the show while singing the Strawberry Shortcake song!

The Hoop Dee Doo is memorable because for me it embodies all things “Disney” - great showmanship in a family friendly format.  The characters are memorable (who can't forget the giggle?), the jokes (while corny) are funny, the actors are talented, and the laughter is contagious.  I’ve seen the show 5 or 6 times, as a kid and an adult, and it never changes but is still just as good as the first time.

For the first time guest, I would recommend the HDDR only if you have time.  The show runs close to 2 hours and with travel time; you can expect it to burn an entire evening.  Have an Advanced Dining Reservation and plan accordingly, but give it a try sometime.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Black this month. We will be back Tuesday, October 9th with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney news, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.


Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ The Disney Point
2nd Stop ~ Return to Disney
3rd Stop ~ Mandas Disney Blog
4th Stop ~ Mommy Mouseketeer
Final Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad