A Parent’s Review: The Foot-Stomping Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
For 50 years, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has been entertaining guests at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The lively dinner show takes place at the resort’s Pioneer Hall and features a rousing family-friendly round of singing, dancing, clapping, slapstick comedy, and audience participation.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is a family-style seated meal that takes place three times a day – 4:00 pm, 6:15 pm, and 8:30 pm. All meals are a flat rate and includes unlimited food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
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What’s great is that you don’t need to be a resort guest to make reservations! Whether you’re planning a trip to stay on property or want something fun to do while you’re visiting the area, it’s definitely a fun dining option that parents and kids will both love.
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While the show is performed regularly at Fort Wilderness, it can book up quickly, so I was thrilled when Disney recently invited us to check it out! From the entertainment to the food, we were able to see why it’s so popular.
The Atmosphere at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
First impressions are everything, and when you step into Pioneer Hall, you’re immediately transported to the old west. The large, two-story frontier-style room with its stage front and center is warm and inviting. The room is filled with rustic woodwork, clever decor, and each table is donned with red and white checkered tablecloths.
One thing we loved were the swivel seats. Not just an advantage for guests seated facing away from the stage, it also comes in handy no matter where you’re sitting since the cast makes its rounds through the audience during the show.
The stage is bright and colorful with two musicians – a piano player and banjo player – sitting in front. We were seated in the center of the main floor however, we noticed there really are no bad views of the stage throughout the venue.
Tips:
- The closer to the stage you sit, the more expensive the meal will be.
- Tables are placed a little close together and dinners typically sell out, so if you need a highchair or other seating assistance, please let them know ahead of time.
The Entertainment at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
The big draw to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review is of course, the entertainment. The Pioneer Hall Players are made up of two musicians and six cast members – Flora Long, Jim Handy, Claire De Lune, Six Bits Slocum, Johnny Ringo, and Dolly Drew.
All the characters are donned in colorful western style outfits and make their grand entrance from the back of the venue (told you those swivel chairs would come in handy!). Once on stage, they begin their series of family-friendly singing, dancing, and storytelling. Each character has their own distinct personality, though we noticed the slapstick Six Bits Slocum being a fan favorite among most of kids.
While the cast mainly stays on stage, there were several instances when they made their way through the audience to sing and dance with the crowd. There is also a special musical number where they ask for volunteers (kids AND adults) to come up on stage.
There were a few audience participation numbers (be prepared to yell “YEE-HAW” a few times), and a fun interactive experience at the end. Tables are given old-style washboards and spoons so guests can “play” them along with the final number. Bonus – if you have a little one who loves to be in the spotlight, kids that are playing the washboard can get up and parade around the venue with members of the cast!
The Food at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
We were advised to show up hungry, advice I was very glad we took. The food is served all-you-can-eat family-style and consists of:
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Hoop Salad
- House-Made Cornbread
- Crispy-Fried Chicken
- Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs
- Cornbread-dusted Macaroni and Cheese
- Cowboy Beans
- Mashed Potatoes
Don’t fret it if you run out of anything – waiters will come around and replenish anything that’s empty, including the drinks. In addition to food, guests 21 and up can enjoy unlimited red and white sangria, beer, and wine. There is also unlimited soft drinks and iced tea.
Although it’s hard not to fill up on dinner, you definitely need to make room for dessert. We heard they were known for their Strawberry Shortcake, and after one bite, realized why. The shortcake is served in a skillet with fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and the creamiest homemade whipped cream. Even my pickiest eater gave it a thumbs up!
Note: It’s not advertised on the menu, but they will accommodate allergies if you ask them as soon as you get there. You can also request plant-based options.
Overall, we enjoyed the food and appreciated the kid-friendly fare. The fried chicken and macaroni and cheese were our favorites, and it was hard not to fill up on the fresh cornbread they put out before dinner.
How Much Does the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue Cost?
As I mentioned earlier, dinner is a flat rate however, the cost varies depending on where you sit. The closer to the stage, the higher the price.
- Category 1 (Main Floor): $74 ages 10 and up/$44 ages 3-9
- Category 2 (Balcony Center): $69 ages 10 and up/$40 ages 3-9
- Category 3 (Balcony Sides): $66 ages 10 and up/$39 ages 3-9
If you prefer the balcony area but don’t want to miss out on audience interaction, don’t worry – you won’t! At certain times throughout the show, cast members also made their way upstairs.
Although dinner and select drinks are included in the flat rate price, there are a few specialty beers and a craft cocktail that you can add on for an additional cost, as well as a non-alcoholic Specialty Character Drink.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is included in the Disney Dining Plan and Annual Passholders receive a 10% discount.
Details and Info
Overall, we loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and so did the kids! The food was tasty, the red and white sangrias were refreshing, and we all loved the entertainment.
We highly recommend making a reservation if you’ve been curious to see what it’s all about or if you’re looking for a unique dining experience while staying at Fort Wilderness or just visiting the Disney area. And like we were advised, we’ll advise you too – make sure you show up HUNGRY!
Location:
Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness
4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Hours:
4:00 pm, 6:15 pm, and 8:30 pm. Be sure to check the calendar for available days.
Be sure to get there 30 minutes prior to dinner. The show begins 20 minutes after seating takes place and runs for about 2 hours.
Transportation:
From within Fort Wilderness, you can catch the resort bus at multiple stops throughout the resort. Car parking is not allowed, but they do have ample golf cart parking available in front of Pioneer Hall.
There is no direct route from other Disney Resorts to Fort Wilderness so please allow for sufficient travel and transfer time. Contact Guest Services at your resort for specific route info.
If taking your own vehicle, park at the entrance to Fort Wilderness and please allow 30 minutes for bus transportation from the parking lot to Pioneer Hall.
If you are traveling from Magic Kingdom, there is a bus and a ferry that will take you directly from the park to Fort Wilderness.
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This is an honest review based on a hosted visit from Disney Vacation Club. All pictures are courtesy of Brie Gorecki.