Hoop Dee Doo Review seats

[Kerriowl]

Is there a big difference in the different tiers of seats? I can see where they are located but does the location or nearness to the stage make a big difference?

 

[OKW Lover]

Not really sure if you can call it a big difference. Over the years we have been in all three categories of seats and enjoyed the show just fine. However, being down on the floor is better than the balcony in my opinion. The "problem" with the balcony seats is not optimal sight lines for the show. Not best, but still viable if the cost is an object.

 

[GrrArrgh]

When I went on September 15th, they had the balcony closed off and everybody who had bought balcony (as we had) was seated on the main floor. And that wasn't even totally full. So, I would either buy category 1 or 3, since if they are still doing whatever they were doing then, you may end up on the bottom floor anyway. We were in the back table that was filled but still fairly close.

 

[Lisa F]

When I went on September 15th, they had the balcony closed off and everybody who had bought balcony (as we had) was seated on the main floor. And that wasn't even totally full. So, I would either buy category 1 or 3, since if they are still doing whatever they were doing then, you may end up on the bottom floor anyway. We were in the back table that was filled but still fairly close.

I think this was during the time period when they were having booking issues. They have since resolved it, hopefully with enough time to actually fill up the shows. Maybe they were doing a mini refurb of the balcony as some were saying they were doing, I don't know. But I would not count on being moved down, that is not the norm.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We prefer category 1 or 2 but really any category is fine. We really enjoy being right at the stage in category 1. Even the tables that are on the main floor, towards the back are great as well. We did the 4pm show on 9/8 and they didn't even have anyone in category 3 upstairs. The place wasn't even half full and everyone was seated on the main floor. I have read from others in the past that when a particular show is not booked, they'll move guests from category 3 to category 2. We were there during a very low crowded week, so I wasn't surprised that the first show wasn't fully booked at all.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

HOOP-DEE-DO-REVIEW TICKET AND SEATING "411":

1) HDDR tables are prioritized in category by WHEN the ressie was made
. . . whether via phone or on-line.
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made in January gets a better table than ressie made in February
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made within 7-days of the show gets Cat-1 leftovers
2) Tables are manually assigned on 8th day before the show date.
3) Last minute ressies are assigned to the next open table in order.
4) There are no requests allowed for tables.
5) The earlier ressies are made, the better table location.
6) Exception: #044 & #045, kept for last minute handicapped guests.
7) Table numbers do have meaning,
. . . EXAMPLE: table #052
. . . 0 = floor-level
. . . 5 = fifth-row-from-front
. . . 2 = second-table-from-left (when facing the stage)
8) Tables may be moved around to accommodate number of guests.
9) Only one family/group is usually seated per table. *
10) Distribution of tables and categories, prior to any combining of tables.
. . . Cat-1 tables are main floor back to row8, they are the best seats
. . . Cat-2 tables are the seven tables in row9 on main floor
. . . Cat-2 tables are the last four on left/right wings
. . . Cat-2 tables are the eight rear balcony tables facing stage
. . . Cat-3 tables are the eight tables on both balcony sides
. . . Cat-2 and Cat-3 tables may have posts in the viewing way **
. . . Cat-3 tables require one-half of the table to turn around to see
11) DDP Credit Use
. . . 4:00pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 6:15pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 8:30pm show = 2TS for Cat-1, Cat-2 and/or Cat-3
12) Ticket Pick-Up:
. . . up to 7-days prior to show date at any Concierge or any Park/DTD Guest Services
. . . within 2-hrs prior to show-time only at HDDR Box Office at Fort Wilderness
. . . box office windows are to the left of Pioneer Hall at FW
.
* There are four large tables for big families. If there are no big families (which seldom happens), they will mix small families of 2-4 to fill the tables. This allows HDDR to maximize the seating, and revenue. If there are more than one group at the table, each group has its own "family style" menu items. I often assign seats for HDDR, and wince when I put folks behind pillars or have the pillars in their line-of-sight.

**********************************************************************​

HOOP-DEE-DO-REVIEW CAT-3 SEATING:
1) Cat-3 isn't bad, if
. . . you don't mind turning around - one half of seats face away from stage
. . . you might have a pillar in your way - five posts per side
. . . your kids are tall enough - short kids might have railing in the way of eyesight
. . . you don't mind climbing stairs to your seat - not handicapped accessible
2) Some people don't mind Cat-3.
. . . entertainers still visit the upstairs
. . . the food is not cold
. . . they like viewing down on the stage

Let's face it, whether HDDR, Broadway, or your local live theater, the expensive seats (eg. Cat-1 at HDDR) are ALWAYS the best. Sure, some like the balcony at HDDR, but Cat-1 is still the best.

 

[ashers1119]

HOOP-DEE-DO-REVIEW TICKET AND SEATING "411":

1) HDDR tables are prioritized in category by WHEN the ressie was made
. . . whether via phone or on-line.
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made in January gets a better table than ressie made in February
. . . example: a Cat-1 ressie made within 7-days of the show gets Cat-1 leftovers
2) Tables are manually assigned on 8th day before the show date.
3) Last minute ressies are assigned to the next open table in order.
4) There are no requests allowed for tables.
5) The earlier ressies are made, the better table location.
6) Exception: #044 & #045, kept for last minute handicapped guests.
7) Table numbers do have meaning,
. . . EXAMPLE: table #052
. . . 0 = floor-level
. . . 5 = fifth-row-from-front
. . . 2 = second-table-from-left (when facing the stage)
8) Tables may be moved around to accommodate number of guests.
9) Only one family/group is usually seated per table. *
10) Distribution of tables and categories, prior to any combining of tables.
. . . Cat-1 tables are main floor back to row8, they are the best seats
. . . Cat-2 tables are the seven tables in row9 on main floor
. . . Cat-2 tables are the last four on left/right wings
. . . Cat-2 tables are the eight rear balcony tables facing stage
. . . Cat-3 tables are the eight tables on both balcony sides
. . . Cat-2 and Cat-3 tables may have posts in the viewing way **
. . . Cat-3 tables require one-half of the table to turn around to see
11) DDP Credit Use
. . . 4:00pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 6:15pm show = 2TS for Cat-2 and/or Cat-3, no Cat-1 using DDP credits
. . . 8:30pm show = 2TS for Cat-1, Cat-2 and/or Cat-3
12) Ticket Pick-Up:
. . . up to 7-days prior to show date at any Concierge or any Park/DTD Guest Services
. . . within 2-hrs prior to show-time only at HDDR Box Office at Fort Wilderness
. . . box office windows are to the left of Pioneer Hall at FW
.
* There are four large tables for big families. If there are no big families (which seldom happens), they will mix small families of 2-4 to fill the tables. This allows HDDR to maximize the seating, and revenue. If there are more than one group at the table, each group has its own "family style" menu items. I often assign seats for HDDR, and wince when I put folks behind pillars or have the pillars in their line-of-sight.

**********************************************************************​

HOOP-DEE-DO-REVIEW CAT-3 SEATING:
1) Cat-3 isn't bad, if
. . . you don't mind turning around - one half of seats face away from stage
. . . you might have a pillar in your way - five posts per side
. . . your kids are tall enough - short kids might have railing in the way of eyesight
. . . you don't mind climbing stairs to your seat - not handicapped accessible
2) Some people don't mind Cat-3.
. . . entertainers still visit the upstairs
. . . the food is not cold
. . . they like viewing down on the stage

Let's face it, whether HDDR, Broadway, or your local live theater, the expensive seats (eg. Cat-1 at HDDR) are ALWAYS the best. Sure, some like the balcony at HDDR, but Cat-1 is still the best.

Really helpful info! Normally we reserve dining 180 days outs, but we were in the midst of a move and I wasn't quite as on the ball as normal, I'll be interested to see how that plays out in where our seats are this trip.

 

[Evil dr pork chop]

We had trouble getting there and ended up being last guests to arrive, they gave our preferred tier away and we sat on the balcony dead center next to the spot light....I thought the seats were incredible, you won't get picked for anything but you get a great view of everything from up there

 

[supersnoop]

Does the show routinely sell out? When we were there in July, there was nobody in the balcony during the late show.

 

[Evil dr pork chop]

Does the show routinely sell out? When we were there in July, there was nobody in the balcony during the late show.

My show was in January it was the later if the two shows

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Does the show routinely sell out?

1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Sometimes.
4) All depends upon the date and time.
5) Usually "slow" months come nowhere close to selling out, but one never knows.

 

[cutigerlady]

We have sat in Cat 2 and Cat 3. Our Cat 2 table was bar height, so you can easily see over the people in front of you. However, my kids prefer Cat 3. They like watching from the balcony.

 

[phillymummer]

I have been to HDDR only once in my adult life and we sat in Cat 3. I liked it. My DD and I sat along the railing and I really didn't mind turning around to watch the show. The seats swiveled so it was not uncomfortable. I thought they were great seats and the performers came up there anyway. If I went again I would probably save some money and sit up there again.

 

[Corbinator]

Explain "ticket pickup" to me. If we are staying onsite at AoA and take the boat over from MK that day, don't our magic bands count? We reserved Cat 1 for 4pm the first day our ressies opened and its in MDE. We need tickets to enter?

 

[kingpinpearce]

Explain "ticket pickup" to me. If we are staying onsite at AoA and take the boat over from MK that day, don't our magic bands count? We reserved Cat 1 for 4pm the first day our ressies opened and its in MDE. We need tickets to enter?

As I was made to understand it by the person I talked to at Dining when I made my 180 day ressie, there are physical tickets for this particular show that you need to pick up prior. When we go in March, we're staying at Ft. Wilderness Cabins so it's no big deal for us, but if you can get tickets at Park Guest Services at MK, great. Otherwise, just plan on getting to the ticket office at Pioneer Hall early enough to get your tickets. I don't know if they scan magic bands to give you your tickets, but you do need a physical ticket to get into the hall itself, per Dining. Hope that helps!

 

[Corbinator]

As I was made to understand it by the person I talked to at Dining when I made my 180 day ressie, there are physical tickets for this particular show that you need to pick up prior. When we go in March, we're staying at Ft. Wilderness Cabins so it's no big deal for us, but if you can get tickets at Park Guest Services at MK, great. Otherwise, just plan on getting to the ticket office at Pioneer Hall early enough to get your tickets. I don't know if they scan magic bands to give you your tickets, but you do need a physical ticket to get into the hall itself, per Dining. Hope that helps!

Thank you!!! That was helpful. This is the first time I recognized seeing something about tickets. I'll make sure we do it correctly. I already know we have to leave in plenty of time to get to Fort Wilderness.

 

[amomma23]

Thank you!!! That was helpful. This is the first time I recognized seeing something about tickets. I'll make sure we do it correctly. I already know we have to leave in plenty of time to get to Fort Wilderness.

You can pick up your tickets at the concierge at any on-site hotel... No need to go to guest services at MK.

 

[dpswift]

As I was made to understand it by the person I talked to at Dining when I made my 180 day ressie, there are physical tickets for this particular show that you need to pick up prior. When we go in March, we're staying at Ft. Wilderness Cabins so it's no big deal for us, but if you can get tickets at Park Guest Services at MK, great. Otherwise, just plan on getting to the ticket office at Pioneer Hall early enough to get your tickets. I don't know if they scan magic bands to give you your tickets, but you do need a physical ticket to get into the hall itself, per Dining. Hope that helps!

Maybe it was unusual but when we were there last year I made a point of getting copies of our tickets ahead of time to find out that I was in the minority.

As far as seating. We were only able to book category 3, I was ok with that until I saw the seats. You are actually sitting right by the railing with your back to the stage. The seats swing around to see the stage

 

[kingpinpearce]

You can pick up your tickets at the concierge at any on-site hotel... No need to go to guest services at MK.

Except the person asking the question stated she was going to be in MK and taking the boat to Fort Wilderness. Yes, she could get them at AoA before she leaves for the park that day, but I was responding to her posted location, so she's not making a special trip.

 

[gorkt]

Rusty is right on. I have always booked cat 1 (since they started doing categories) first thing on my 180 day ADR, and always get a table in the first two rows. I am curious what happens for my november trip because of the booking issues. I ended up booking when I got a reminder using the Touring plans finder, but I have no way of knowing how long it was available for before I booked it.

I had a balcony seat on my honeymoon trip back in 1995, and I think it is actually a great seat for couples or anyone who wants a bit more laid back experience.