Reservations for Hoop-Dee-Doo essential or not?

Fethbone · May 20, 2019

I (and my spouse) will be visiting WDW for the first time as adults -for my spouse the first time ever- at the end of October and will be staying in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness. Since we'll be there anyway, the dinner includes beer and wine, and tbh it looks kind of fun, I was interested in getting a table for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. However, I'm also on the waiting list for Victoria and Albert's for the five nights we are staying, so Murphy's Law dictates the day I book a table for HDDMR will be the day availability opens up for V&A's. So my question is, if I don't pre-pay for a table for HDD, is there still a decent chance I may be able to get seating on short notice?

Barbydoll8 · May 21, 2019

There is always a chance for any restaurant to have availability at short notice. Besides on line, there is a ticket window that you can check to see if there are any open seats BUT you run the risk of there being zero availability. You may have a better chance at an early show than a late one.
Also, your seat preference will be very limited. I read once from a cast member who assigned seating that the earlier you book HDDR, the better the table you get. Most tables have a great view. Some well, not so much.
I would honestly say if it's something you really want to do, you are better off booking. This show typically sells out nightly.

Chickinvic · May 21, 2019

Hoop Dec Doo is well worth it (and the food is awesome). I would make the reservation.

DisneyWishes14 · May 21, 2019

I just looked for availability for tonight for a table of 2 and every single show time is available. I would just wait. If you have flexibility on dates and times and you don't care where you sit, I think chances are pretty good that you'll be able to get tickets for the show.

Chickinvic · May 21, 2019

DisneyWishes14 said:
I just looked for availability for tonight for a table of 2 and every single show time is available. I would just wait. If you have flexibility on dates and times and you don't care where you sit, I think chances are pretty good that you'll be able to get tickets for the show.

Isn't this a relatively slow time though? I think when OP visits may be a much busier time (Halloween, plus the Star Wars stuff). What is the harm in making the reservation?

Fethbone · May 21, 2019

Chickinvic said:
Isn't this a relatively slow time though? I think when OP visits may be a much busier time (Halloween, plus the Star Wars stuff). What is the harm in making the reservation?

You have to pre-pay in full for HDD is the main thing. Unless I can get a refund(?) I don't want to be out like $140 if it ends up that a reservation at V&A's becomes available that day. When I am able to log onto a real PC browser, I guess I will ask the chat support if refunds are an option.

Hopefully · May 21, 2019

Yes. Refunds are an option if canceled, I believe, 48 hours in advance.
I wouldn’t leave it until the last minute to reserve.

DisneyWishes14 · May 21, 2019

Chickinvic said:
Isn't this a relatively slow time though? I think when OP visits may be a much busier time (Halloween, plus the Star Wars stuff). What is the harm in making the reservation?

The harm is, OP is waiting to see if they can get into V&A and, I'm assuming, that would take precedence over HDDR. HDDR is an expensive pre-pay with a cancellation policy. If V&A comes through and they are locked into HDDR, it's not so fun.

According to TP, this week is basically on the same crowd level as the last week of October. Keep in mind, HDDR is not easy to get to. I don't see people dragging themselves away from SWGE to go to HDDR. We've been to HDDR multiple times. The only time I've seen it really crowded was when we went the week before Christmas.

Personally, if my priority was V&A and I wanted to keep my schedule open so I could jump if a reservation opened up, I would not pre-book HDDR. That's just my opinion.

Axel · May 21, 2019

Personally, I've never been to a HDDR show that wasn't a packed house. I've always had advance reservations to guarantee good seating (almost always the front quarter of the floor nearest the stage, though occasionally upper level). I believe the cancellation policy is the same as most other restaurants. Give them notice and you'll get your money back. Otherwise, they'll handle it on a case-by-case basis to determine if you deserve the refund.

louisianab · May 21, 2019

@Fethbone so I'm pretty sure I know you (your username! wanting to go to V&A!) and if I do - we will be there around the same time, lol. I hope you get all the ADRs your heart desires, along with some great Food and Wine action. (you have to have 10 messages to private message so I couldn't message you)

Meldickerson · May 22, 2019

I wouldn't risk it, I would get reservations and cancel if you need to.

Reservations for Hoop-Dee-Doo essential or not?

Fethbone

Earning My Ears

Barbydoll8

Offical Disney Dork

Chickinvic

DIS Veteran

DisneyWishes14

DIS Veteran

Chickinvic

DIS Veteran

Fethbone

Earning My Ears

Hopefully

DIS Veteran

DisneyWishes14

DIS Veteran

Axel

awww, coffee, no.

louisianab

Earning My Ears

Meldickerson

Lover of all things Disney...Especially Mickey

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