Hoop Dee Doo Questions

oommggitskait

oommggitskait

Active Member
Original Poster
I searched the boards and found some of my answer, but not all. So here I am asking you all for help, yet again.

Taking a rather large family group to Hoop Dee Doo during Princess Marathon weekend.
We have 6:15 ADRs and from searching the boards I found that the best way to get there from another resort (in our case, POP) is to take bus to MK then boat to FW. Disney of course recommends taking bus in and then taking internal bus to Pioneer Hall but I know better :)
My questions are :
1. How far of a walk is it from the boat dock to Pioneer Hall? Traveling with my future mother in law who doesn't do well on very long walks (yes... I know.... doesn't do long walks and we are taking her to WDW... pray for me). Would we be better off on internal bus in terms of walking distance?
2. I remember the person I spoke to when I made the ADRs mention something about picking up our tickets in advance but I've forgotten the remainder of the info. Can we pick these up at our hotel? If they are picked up at FW can it be at pioneer hall or does it have to be at their main building?
3. I also remember the person from dining telling me we needed to arrive an hour early. I'm assuming this is to allow time for internal shuttle, but am I correct?

Thanks so much , as always!
 
Marijil

Marijil

Well-Known Member
oommggitskait said:
I searched the boards and found some of my answer, but not all. So here I am asking you all for help, yet again.

Taking a rather large family group to Hoop Dee Doo during Princess Marathon weekend.
We have 6:15 ADRs and from searching the boards I found that the best way to get there from another resort (in our case, POP) is to take bus to MK then boat to FW. Disney of course recommends taking bus in and then taking internal bus to Pioneer Hall but I know better :)
My questions are :
1. How far of a walk is it from the boat dock to Pioneer Hall? Traveling with my future mother in law who doesn't do well on very long walks (yes... I know.... doesn't do long walks and we are taking her to WDW... pray for me). Would we be better off on internal bus in terms of walking distance?
2. I remember the person I spoke to when I made the ADRs mention something about picking up our tickets in advance but I've forgotten the remainder of the info. Can we pick these up at our hotel? If they are picked up at FW can it be at pioneer hall or does it have to be at their main building?
3. I also remember the person from dining telling me we needed to arrive an hour early. I'm assuming this is to allow time for internal shuttle, but am I correct?

Thanks so much , as always!
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1. 5 minute walk, very close
2. When you get there, there will be a crowd but an organized one, i think there is a check in station, tell them your name and time and they will send you for photo (if they still do this)the herd you in.... if you are picking up at FW, I'm 99% sure its at Pioneer Hall but not 100%
3. Getting there early is a good idea...there is the photo and then it takes a good amour of time to be seated as there are distinct sections...i last did this in 2010, it was very well run and a great time...enjoy
 
B

buseegal

Active Member
it is a short walk to pioneer hall from boat but there is a short walk from the bus stop also. if I remember correctly that is the second show of the day. they want you early to take you picture that they sell. you will not get in until first show gets out. I would allow extra time in case you just miss the boat to the Fort. you will be standing around waiting to get in and very little seating. I would be more worried about the standing waiting than the walk to the hall. ps I have problems with the standing but can also have problems walking. can not help you about the tickets as we were staying at the Fort when we did Hoop and we had to pick up tickets at the front, not at the hall
 
lilclerk

lilclerk

Well-Known Member
Jessica Meier said:
Definitely seems worth it then. What resort is it nearest other than the campgrounds?
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I'd guess Wilderness Lodge is next. There's a boat that goes between Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and the Contemporary that's really nice. It drops you right behind Pioneer Hall.

I definitely think it's worth it. We've done HDD twice now, going again in September.
 
oommggitskait

oommggitskait

Active Member
Original Poster
Sounds like a very do-able walk for the future MIL. I've already warned everyone we need at least an hour and a half for travel time, so getting there early shouldn't be too big of a deal.
I'll ask at POP when we check in about tickets, but I think we can pick them up at either location.

Thanks everyone.
 
lilclerk

lilclerk

Well-Known Member
oommggitskait said:
Sounds like a very do-able walk for the future MIL. I've already warned everyone we need at least an hour and a half for travel time, so getting there early shouldn't be too big of a deal.
I'll ask at POP when we check in about tickets, but I think we can pick them up at either location.

Thanks everyone.
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Yeah, you can do it at either. When you make the reservation, they'll tell you how far in advance you can pick them up, but I thiiiink it's 7 days. Don't quote me on that, though.
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
1. It's a short walk from the boat dock. The bus stop might be closer, I never measured the exact distance, but it wouldn't be by much. It might be further away. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

2. If you're in a Disney hotel, you can pick up your tickets there. If you lose them or forget them, they can help you with that at Pioneer Hall.

3. They told you to allow 60-90 minutes for transportation because it can take that long. It doesn't always, but it could. This way, you can't whine and complain and moan if you miss half the show because of the transportation...well you can, but they won't have to give you your money back. You were told. :)

4. (You didn't ask this, but I'm answering it anyway, lol) - No, you don't have to line up to go in. Seating is pre-assigned, so being further up in line won't get you a better seat. If your mother-in-law wants to rest on a fence, do it. All those people you see standing in line are doing it for NO REASON. Really. There is no benefit to it at all and no reason to do it. They just don't know they're in line for no reason. :)

5. (Another freebie, lol) You don't have to have your picture taken. Get in the line and get checked in, then get out of line. They'll tell you that you need to stay in line for the pic to hear which side of the hall to line up on, but as I explained in #4, it makes no difference which side you're on - everyone goes through the same doors. And you needn't line up at all. Disney is just flat-out lying to you in an attempt to con you into buying the dumb picture.

It's a great show!! Enjoy!
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
lunchbox1175 said:
While both are true, we have had some enjoyable conversations with complete strangers while waiting in line. Part of the magic of being at Disney.
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Jessica Meier said:
I agree. Lines aren't always horrible. We have had some.of those "This is why we love Disney" moments because of talking to people in line.
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If you enjoy standing in lines for no reason because you can talk to people (or for whatever reason!), by all means, you should do that!

Just letting the OP know that if the mother-in-law wants to rest on a fence, let her. There is no need to stand in line. :)
 
lilclerk

lilclerk

Well-Known Member
The line is also for the photo, which we always skip. So yeah, you don't need to line up.
quirkle said:
As soon as you check into your DIsney hotel go to the concierge and get your tickets. The sooner you get the tickets the better your seats. We did it on 12/23 and check in on 12/19 and we had seats at the stage - crazy!!
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I don't know if this has any bearing on it. The first time we went, I didn't realize you had to get tickets so we ended up picking them up when we got there. We were sat front row center, with our table touching the stage.
 
oommggitskait

oommggitskait

Active Member
Original Poster
luv said:
4. (You didn't ask this, but I'm answering it anyway, lol) - No, you don't have to line up to go in. Seating is pre-assigned, so being further up in line won't get you a better seat. If your mother-in-law wants to rest on a fence, do it. All those people you see standing in line are doing it for NO REASON. Really. There is no benefit to it at all and no reason to do it. They just don't know they're in line for no reason. :)

5. (Another freebie, lol) You don't have to have your picture taken. Get in the line and get checked in, then get out of line. They'll tell you that you need to stay in line for the pic to hear which side of the hall to line up on, but as I explained in #4, it makes no difference which side you're on - everyone goes through the same doors. And you needn't line up at all. Disney is just flat-out lying to you in an attempt to con you into buying the dumb picture.

It's a great show!! Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Love these tips thank you! We don't need and won't purchase a picture. The aforementioned mother in law I'm SURE will take plenty. :banghead:
 

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