After an absence of over two years, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has finally returned to Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World, and the Unofficial Guide was at Pioneer Hall on reopening day to bring you this look at the long-awaited revival of the fan-favorite dinner show.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is the longest-running show at Walt Disney World and a nostalgic favorite for many families. If you’ve ever thought Country Bear Jamboree would benefit from free-flowing barbecue, beer, and wine, this is the show for you.
During the downtime, the Pioneer Hall theater received some much-needed sprucing up, with new brightly painted backdrops, patriotic bunting, and brilliant lighting. The largely plot-free script itself received some very minor tweaks to the dialogue and music that only the most dedicated repeat patrons will probably notice. It’s still filled with corny puns, slapstick humor, and down-home dance numbers certain to get your feet stomping.
To learn more about the changes to the show and food, check out these interviews I recorded with the director and chef for our friends at Attractions Magazine:
The biggest changes at Hoop-Dee-Doo were in the menu. The all-you-can-eat food itself is still pretty good—Hoop-Dee-Doo shares a kitchen with local favorite Trail’s End Restaurant—and you can’t complain about the portion sizes because you can always order another helping.
Creamy coleslaw and wonderful fresh-baked cornbread are already on the tables as guests arrive.
All meals include unlimited drinks, and adults can enjoy bottomless wine, sangria, or (our pick) Yuengling draft beer, served in mason jars.
Canned craft beers and specialty cocktails can also be purchased before or during the performance.
Hoop-Dee-Doo’s featured entrées are fried chicken and pork ribs, now served in a cast iron-style skillet instead of the famous former buckets. The chicken is good, though it doesn’t beat Mrs. Knotts’ birds, and you’ll want to slather some barbecue sauce on the dry-rub ribs.
Newly added to the menu is a rich, home-style macaroni and cheese.
Plant-based options have also received a big upgrade, and we actually like the vegan platter—featuring BBQ jackfruit, savory sausage, crispy cauliflower, and addictive garlicky green beans—even better than the signature meats.
Don’t forget about dessert! The strawberry shortcake is worth singing about, and although the “cake” in the vegan version is too dense, the fruit sauce and “cream” are delicious.
Audience participation is an important part of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, which includes sing-alongs, hand-clapping, and a finale where you may find yourself onstage.
Actors frequently depart the stage to roam the crowd, and even pop up on the balcony, so you’re sure to be immersed in the show wherever you sit.
Give special consideration to transportation when planning your evening at Fort Wilderness, as it’ll take some time to get there and back. There is no parking at Pioneer Hall, which is accessible only by boat (the Magic Kingdom and the loop between Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary) and the Fort Wilderness internal bus system. After the show, resort buses at the Pioneer Hall stop will take you back to your resort. The fastest option may be to take a Disney Minnie Van, which will drop you off as close as possible to the venue.
Like other Disney restaurant reservations, when you make a reservation for Hoop-Dee-Doo, you’ll receive a confirmation number and be told to pick up your tickets at the Guest Relations desk at a Disney hotel. Unlike regular Advance Dining Reservations, your seating times for dinner shows are guaranteed. Unless you cancel your tickets at least 48 hours before your reservation time, your credit card will still be charged the full amount. Dinner-show reservations can be made 60 days in advance; book online or call ☎407-939-3463.
It’s worth noting that obtaining reservations for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a trick of the first order. If you can’t get reservations and want to see a show, call ☎407-939-3463 at 9 a.m. each morning while you’re at Disney World to make a same-day reservation. There are two to three performances (depending on the show) each night, and for all showings combined, only 3–24 people total will be admitted with same-day reservations. If that fails, arrive at the show 45 minutes before showtime (early and late shows are your best bets) and put your name on the standby list. If someone with reservations fails to show, you may be admitted.
For all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, or to plan your family’s trip to Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
