Time to head on over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, where Disney fans of all ages are welcome to join in the nightly dinner show held at Pioneer Hall. That’s right… join us as we break down our most recent visit on December 31, 2022 (the last show of 2022!) at the ever-so-popular Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
The Lone Dinner Show
During pre-COVID days, Walt Disney World Resort Guests had the opportunity to enjoy two dinner shows. Sadly, Disney announced has closed Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to make way for a new Polynesian Disney Vacation Club Tower of Resort hotel rooms.
While the Spirit of Aloha luau is greatly missed, we were thankful that Disney would keep its long-standing dinner show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
What to Expect
Hoop-Dee-Doo is a two-hour wild west-themed dining experience available with reservations nightly at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. With three shows each evening at 4:00 pm, 6:15 pm, and 8:30 pm, the Disney experience offers both a vast menu as well as paramount entertainment.
Several talented performers sing and dance while interacting with the crowd for a high-spirited, music and comedy-filled evening. Furthermore, the home-cooked-style food makes for a filling meal. Eating, singing along, clapping, stomping feet, and laughing are all to be expected at Hoop-Dee-Doo.
Curious about what to wear? This dinner show is family-friendly, so don’t expect an intimate dining experience. Dress comfortably in regular Disney Park attire.
The Talented Cast
While Guests chow down on the delicious dinner, Pioneer Hall Players (a talented pianist and guitarist), provides excellent western-style music. The Cast of six characters fills the stage with music, dancing, and storytelling. Just check out the video clip below:
The stars include Jim Handy, Flora Long, Claire De Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, and Six Bits Slocum. The characters interact wonderfully with one another with song and comedy, with the fan favorite typically being the extra silly Six Bits Slocum.
The show is family-friendly, but during our most recent visit, the Cast did share a “Jack-Ass” joke that fell flat in front of the G-rated crowd.
Atmosphere and Seating
Pioneer Hall, the large stage room that holds Hoop-Dee-Doo, gives off the wild west, rustic vibe with its stunning woodwork and charm. The hall is especially beautiful during the holidays as Disney decorates the room with holiday décor.
While Pioneer Hall is a beauty, it’s important to note seating does get tight. There are three categories for seating. The closer a party is to the stage, the higher the price point for the meal.
We’re thankful Hoop-Dee-Doo does offer swivel chairs for ease of watching the Cast as they move around and interact with the dinner Guests. That said, Disney doesn’t hold back on squeezing in as many people as possible.
Unfortunately, with seats very close to each other, you can expect to be well acquainted with your neighboring tables as the tables and chairs are extremely close.
All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Food
Skillets arrive at the table holding home-cooked food, including:
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- Hoop Salad
- House-made Cornbread
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Cowboy Beans
- Crispy-fried Chicken
- Smoked Barbecued Pork
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cornbread-crusted Macaroni and Cheese
- Strawberry Shortcake
Our top picks are cornbread, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. Unfortunately, we aren’t sure if it’s because we attended the latest show, but the chicken and barbecued pork were not as exceptional as we have enjoyed them in the past. There was a lack of seasoning, and more of the party didn’t want seconds.
Hoop-Dee-Doo is so proud of its famous Strawberry Shortcake dessert that it incorporates it into a song on stage. And yes, thankfully, it’s as delicious as ever!
Drinks (with a Limit)
All the usual Coca-Cola non-alcoholic selections are available, as well as sweetened and unsweetened iced tea, apple juice, milk, chocolate milk, Twinings hot tea, and Joffrey’s coffee.
For Guests 21 years and older, alcoholic beverages, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Bud Light, Yuengling Larger Draft Beer, and a Red or White Sangria, are available.
Unlike we’ve experienced in the past, Hoop-Dee-Doo now makes it clear each Guest is only permitted two alcoholic beverages.
Guests can additionally purchase The Giddy Up Cocktail (includes vodka) and selections from the Local Craft Beer list. There is also a Specialty Character Drink in a souvenir cup available for an upcharge for children.
Servers
We’ve dined at Hoop-Dee-Doo just under ten times now with different-sized parties of family and friends. Typically, the service is excellent. The Cast Members are eager to refill drinks and ask Guests if they would like more of particular menu items.
Unfortunately, on our recent visit, while the server was friendly, he seemed overwhelmed, and we were left without drink refills or replenished food. We couldn’t help but wonder if another server called out and the dinner was short on wait staff for the evening, with how overwhelmed the servers seemed to be.
It was unusual, and we hope not a permanent change for the Hoop-Dee-Doo service. Additionally, the pre-COVID norm of servers dancing along with the Strawberry Shortcake is no longer a thing, or at least it didn’t happen on the evening we dined.
Pricing and Discount
As mentioned previously, there are three seating categories. The closer a Category is to the stage, the more the experience will cost per person.
- Category 1: $74 (ages 10+), $44 (ages 3-9)
- Category 2: $69 (ages 10+), $40 (ages 3-9)
- Category 3: $66 (ages 10+), $39 (ages 3-9)
Prices include tax and an 18% gratuity. Personally, we prefer to be right in the action and highly recommend Category 1 seating if possible.
While we learned Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is currently not offering a Disney Vacation Club discount, they are offering an Annual Passholder discount which provides 10% off the bill total.
How to Get There
Not staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness? No worries!
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Guests can transfer from any Disney theme park to Disney’s Fort Wilderness via bus. Once arriving via bus at Fort Wilderness, an internal bus will take Guests to Pioneer Hall. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park or many of its surrounding Magic Kingdom Park Resort Hotels can also take boat transportation to Fort Wilderness, with close boat access to Pioneer Hall.
Additionally, Guests driving a personal vehicle can park at the front of Disney’s Fort Wilderness and take an internal bus shuttle to Pioneer Hall. After the dinner show ends, Guests will be bused back to the main entrance at Fort Wilderness.
Overall Pros
Basing this review on the most recent visit, the last show of 2022, we would say the entertainment cast was the most impressive piece of Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Stunning voices, high-spirit attitudes, and an obvious eagerness to help the dinner Guests have a great time were well worth the money.
Additionally, the musicians were excellent, and the heavenly strawberry shortcake and cornbread were dining highlights.
Overall Cons
The seating felt extra tight this time around in Category 1. It may have been our location, but even our neighboring table joked about just how close we all were to one another.
And while it pains us to say it, most of the food was amiss, and the service was lacking. Again, we’ve dined at Hoop-Dee-Doo many times and hope this was just a rough, out-of-the-ordinary evening.
We’ll Be Back!
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We’ll be back to enjoy Hoop Dee Doo Revue soon. Despite the cons, we still highly recommend the dinner show for first-time and repeat Walt Disney World Resort Guests. It’s an experience that really brings the family together… plus you can’t help but smile and laugh along with the fun.
Make Reservations
Ready to make reservations for Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue? Be sure to visit Walt Disney World Resort’s website 60 days in advance of your desired day of dining to make a reservation for one of the nightly shows. Take note that payment is due when making the reservation. Happy dining, Disney fans!
