Yeeehaw! A word you may hear yelled each evening as you walk past Pioneer Hall at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. So, what’s all the excitement about inside? Guests inside Pioneer Hall are treated to the most popular dinner show at Walt Disney World. The Hoop Dee Doo Revue is considered one of the longest running musicals in American theater history. Not only should you appreciate the history of the show, but also the great actors and actresses who bring you great entertainment along the way.
Pioneer Hall, which was created and built around 1974 held a great deal of Davey Crockett memorabilia. At the time the restaurant and dinner venue inside was called Crockett’s Tavern. A few years later, Disney World Imagineers made some modifications to Pioneer Hall so a dinner show could be held inside. The Hoop Dee Doo Revue was staged and produced months later. Although there have been a few minor modifications to the show over the years it’s kept the same theme and plot guests have enjoyed since the beginning.
The Hoop Dee Doo Revue consists of two main elements; an interactive stage show mixed with some good down home, country style food for guests to enjoy. The entire experience alternates between show scenes and breaks in between so guests can enjoy their food.
The Show
The show consists of six main actors and actresses and the audience. It does get a bit interactive at times with the talent roaming around the audience and visiting guests throughout the performance. The actors and actresses sing, dance, and provide some slapstick comedy along the way.
The show is broken-up into different scenes with each scene providing a different skit focusing on one of the different characters. Other scenes include interactive elements with the audience. Be prepared to hoop-it-up at the end of the show with napkin waving and washboard scrubbing. It’s all designed to bring the show to a climatic close.
Be sure to enjoy the music during the show. For those guests who grew up around the 1940s and 1950s you’re sure to recognize some of the songs from back then. The most recognizable song; ‘Hoop Dee Doo’ was first performed by Perry Como back in 1950. This is the song you may hear most guests singing as they walk out of Pioneer Hall.
The Food
Ah yes! What would a dinner show be without food, and the Hoop Dee Doo Revue delivers quite a bit of it. The food format for the ‘Hoop Dee Doo Revue’ is all you care to eat. However, the food it brought out to you by a server. Once the food is gone you can ask for more. When you enter Pioneer Hall and you are seated your table already has cornbread, butter and a tossed salad waiting for you. As usual, soft drinks, tea, and coffee are included. If you prefer an alcoholic beverage Bud Light draft and select wines are included with the cost of your meal.
Once you’ve completed your cornbread and salad starters, and after the opening show scene your server will bring out the main foods. Included in the main foods are selections like fried chicken, pork ribs, mashed potatoes, and baked beans. The food is served in buckets and silver pans to give you a down home, country feeling.
After a few more show scenes you are presented with dessert. Consistent with the theme of the show you are served strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. A dessert you may find served in the country, but a fan favorite no matter where you go.
Other Information
Pioneer Hall is a somewhat large venue for Disney dining standards with most seating on the bottom floor and limited seating high around the hall. The bottom-line is you still need to make an advanced dining reservation (ADR) to make sure you can get a table for your family. The show does sell out most evenings.
The show is performed 3 times each evening at 5:00PM, 7:15PM, and 9:30PM. Make sure to choose the best show time that suits your family and touring schedule. The entire show lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The cost of this dinner show is on the expensive side so make sure to get there early. Seating is based on when you check-in at Pioneer Hall, the size of your party, and the category you booked when you made the ADR. Discounts for the dinner show are possible. Be sure to ask when you make your ADR if there is a discount available. Also, the Disney Dining Plan is accepted. You will be charged 2 table service credits for category 2 and 3 seating. You can only use the dining plan for category 1 tables for the 9:30PM show.
Category 1
Adults 10 and over – $61.99 includes tax and gratuity
Children 3-9 – $31.99 includes tax and gratuity Infants
Category 2
Adults 10 and over – $56.99 includes tax and gratuity
Children 3-9 – $27.99 includes tax and gratuity Infants
Category 3
Adults 10 and over – $52.99 includes tax and gratuity
Children 3-9 – $26.99 includes tax and gratuity
Children 2 and under are admitted free.
Be sure to research where each seating category is in conjunction with the stage. It makes a big difference in your enjoyment of the show. My personal recommendation is to reserve a category 2 table for better viewing of the show and enjoyment of the interactive elements.
The best way to get to Pioneer Hall is to take a boat over to Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground from the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, or Magic Kingdom. Once you leave the boat Pioneer Hall is only steps away from the boat dock. If you drive or take a bus to Ft. Wilderness you will have to catch internal bus transportation to the Settlement Depot and walk from there. The boat is a much quicker and relaxing way to get to the dinner show.
Attending the Hoop Dee Doo Revue isn’t something you should try every time you visit Walt Disney World, but it is one of those experiences you need to do at least once. If you find your family really enjoys it you should certainly give it another try down the dusty old trail a few years later. Like any other experience at Disney world it depends on your family’s taste and personal enjoyment. Either way, the Hoop Dee Doo Revue is another great entertainment option of the many you can experience at the Walt Disney World resort.
Related Links: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hoop-de-doo-musical-revue/
Next Up: Deluxe resort hopping series; a visit to Disney World’s flagship resort