Two questions about Disney Dining (about character dining at Chef Mickey’s & Artist Point and The Hoop De Doo Revue specifically)

[mp2bill]

I’m currently 66 days out from my trip, so I’m putting on the finishing touches to my dining plans, and I noticed on Disney’s website that for character dining, it says “The Character Dining experience is currently modified at this location.” I called WDW-DINE to get clarification on this modification, but unfortunately, the cast member didn’t have specifics. She was only able to tell me that her friend went to Chef Mickey’s recently and that they were allowing hugging and fist bumps again.

So has anybody been to Chef Mickey’s and/or Storybook Dining recently and can tell me what restrictions (if any meaningful ones) they have?

The second question, about The Hoop De Doo Revue, is regarding their seating plan. I know there are three different categories of seating, and I’m wondering if you actually get to choose your table when you make your reservation, or is it just first come first serve when it comes time to be seated?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyJoe]

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - no, you don't get to choose your seat, just the category.

I wouldn't say that it is precisely first come first serve, because they plan in advance for the different party sizes. For example, for a party of 8 they may push 2 tables of 4 next to each other. In other words, some is pre-arranged based on that night's reservations and party sizes.

 

[nickys]

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - no, you don't get to choose your seat, just the category.

I wouldn't say that it is precisely first come first serve, because they plan in advance for the different party sizes. For example, for a party of 8 they may push 2 tables of 4 next to each other. In other words, some is pre-arranged based on that night's reservations and party sizes.

Also Hoop De Doo seating is done based on when you book. The earliest you book, the better your seat within that category.

So the guests who booked tier 1 the earliest will be at the tables right in front of the stage. The last to book tier 1 will be in the tables at the back of that area.

 

[mp2bill]

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - no, you don't get to choose your seat, just the category.

I wouldn't say that it is precisely first come first serve, because they plan in advance for the different party sizes. For example, for a party of 8 they may push 2 tables of 4 next to each other. In other words, some is pre-arranged based on that night's reservations and party sizes.

Thanks for the response. Any advice on which category is best?

From what I can discern, Category 3 isn’t great because depending on where you are, you can have a really bad angle. Categories 1 & 2, it seems like there’s not a bad seat in the house, but I’ll feel pretty short changed if I’m seated way in the back of Category 1 (even though the price difference isn’t that much).

Also Hoop De Doo seating is done based on when you book. The earliest you book, the better your seat within that category.

So the guests who booked tier 1 the earliest will be at the tables right in front of the stage. The last to book tier 1 will be in the tables at the back of that area.

Ohhhhh, ok, thanks for the clarification. It’s gonna suck, but I’ll be up at 5:30 Eastern to book, so hopefully I’ll get a good spot.

 

[SteveAZee]

I’m currently 66 days out from my trip, so I’m putting on the finishing touches to my dining plans, and I noticed on Disney’s website that for character dining, it says “The Character Dining experience is currently modified at this location.” I called WDW-DINE to get clarification on this modification, but unfortunately, the cast member didn’t have specifics. She was only able to tell me that her friend went to Chef Mickey’s recently and that they were allowing hugging and fist bumps again.

So has anybody been to Chef Mickey’s and/or Storybook Dining recently and can tell me what restrictions (if any meaningful ones) they have?

The second question, about The Hoop De Doo Revue, is regarding their seating plan. I know there are three different categories of seating, and I’m wondering if you actually get to choose your table when you make your reservation, or is it just first come first serve when it comes time to be seated?

Thanks!

A couple of years ago I made reservations at HDD as soon as they were available for the main floor... party of 5. I assume that my timing had something to do with being seated front and center, right next to the stage.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Thanks for the response. Any advice on which category is best?

From what I can discern, Category 3 isn’t great because depending on where you are, you can have a really bad angle. Categories 1 & 2, it seems like there’s not a bad seat in the house, but I’ll feel pretty short changed if I’m seated way in the back of Category 1 (even though the price difference isn’t that much).

Ohhhhh, ok, thanks for the clarification. It’s gonna suck, but I’ll be up at 5:30 Eastern to book, so hopefully I’ll get a good spot.

When we did HDD, we always reserved Category 2 the moment our window opened, and we (sometimes a party of 4, sometimes 6) were always assigned a table on the second floor, toward the back (in other words, a fabulous view, looking straight over the rail toward the stage, and not sideways). I felt like we had a better view than many of the people in Category 1 who were on the floor but further back from the stage, and the performers (granted, this was pre-COVID) came upstairs for some of the interactive numbers, so we didn't feel like we were overly removed from the action.

 

[Chi84]

We were at Storybook Dining in April 2022 and there were no restrictions on the characters interacting with guests. In my opinion, the food was better than many of WDW's signature restaurants. We loved the shared appetizers and desserts, and my salmon dish was creative and cooked properly. The characters come out and dance - very high energy and the restaurant is nicely decorated. We got several pictures of the kids with Snow White and the dwarves, and the evil queen was great.

 

[Po'Rich]

I was just at Story Book, and I didn't notice any restrictions. They were incredibly slow, however. Our reservation was for 5:20 p.m., and we didn't get out of there until 8 p.m.

 

[Po'Rich]

We were at Storybook Dining in April 2022 and there were no restrictions on the characters interacting with guests. In my opinion, the food was better than many of WDW's signature restaurants. We loved the shared appetizers and desserts, and my salmon dish was creative and cooked properly. The characters come out and dance - very high energy and the restaurant is nicely decorated. We got several pictures of the kids with Snow White and the dwarves, and the evil queen was great.

The Evil Queen yelled at me when I asked her to change into a dragon and then asked if she could take someone's voice. It was not the reaction I was expecting, but it was very fitting. My teenage daughter loved that dad got scolded.

 

[RememberWhen]

We’ve done HDD lots of times and have always been happy with our seats, regardless of which category we booked. The seats we liked least were the ones in the balcony closest to the stage, but even those were fun.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Thanks for the response. Any advice on which category is best?

From what I can discern, Category 3 isn’t great because depending on where you are, you can have a really bad angle. Categories 1 & 2, it seems like there’s not a bad seat in the house, but I’ll feel pretty short changed if I’m seated way in the back of Category 1 (even though the price difference isn’t that much).

Ohhhhh, ok, thanks for the clarification. It’s gonna suck, but I’ll be up at 5:30 Eastern to book, so hopefully I’ll get a good spot.

The room isn't THAT big so even the tables at the back have a good view. We were seated to the backish middle on the floor and it was still a great view. I was actually picked to be on stage, and my daughter who was just making her first trip screamed in terror that I was up there.