Hoop De Doo or Ohana?

[bkahrens]

Here is the deal, we will be going to WDW in Jan for DD's 8th bday. Anyway, no DDP but we will be doing a big meal to celebrate her bday day. I'm betting we'll be at MK for that day (her favorite park) and I was thinking either HDD or possibly Ohana's. We've never been to either and she is a picky eater so I'll need to ask for something special for her I'm sure. HDD sounds like it could be a fun entertainment experience but at Ohana we stay close, the kids can do the hula hoop etc. and we can see wishes from the window or beach. Help???? By the way, we've done lots of character dining in the past so I was looking for something different this time.

[PhilHarHarMagic]

We did both last year - at the time my DD was 11 - she had a great time at HDD. We all laughed a lot. She's a picky eater - but she loved the cornbread and the fried chicken (legs only for her).

Ohana was not her style so much with coconut races, etc - she was a little "old" for that.

You might consider Whispering Canyon - aside from family style dining, you can order from the menu. The organized activities aren't that much different than Ohana, but with a western theme. There is always something going on that is fun...

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

My DD will be turning 10 on our May trip, and she choose HDD for her birthday dinner (and we told her she could pick anywhere!)

We've seen HDD before and it is a really fun evening. The food is good (fried chicken, ribs, salad, bread...they brought DD mac & cheese too), and you'll laugh like crazy!

I've never been on Ohana's, so I can't compare for you, but I can tell you that we love HDD, and it would be a great choice!

[Maleficent's Dad]

My kids are 9 and 7 now. They'd choose HDDR over O'hana's any time.

I know O'hana's gets rave reviews here on Intercot, but we haven't had the experiences that everyone else here seems to have had. We'll try O'hana's again some day, I'm sure, but for now, we avoid it.

Keep in mind, you're comparing a dinner show to a dinner experience. At the HDDR, you're paying for the show - and it is a funny, corny, Disney-style show. It's pricey nowadays, especially for the food you get, but it's really the entertainment you're paying for.

At O'hana's, there is entertainment, but it's not a "show" so-to-speak. It's more like a unique meal with some extras thrown in.

I just point this out because it's difficult to compare the two - they're really two totally different experiences!

[bkahrens]

Thanks for the input. It's such a long way away we keep changing our thinking but we'll nail something down as we get closer I'm sure.

[Momof5]

My daughter is turning 15 this year and she wants HDD for her her birthday. We love both HDD and Ohana and we'll be at Ohana the next night.

We're on the dining plan so we've booked the 9:30 HDD. Does anyone here think we run the risk of the show being a little more racey because of the later hour?

[Natazu]

They're both fun for the kids but the food at
'Ohana is much better... cheaper too.

[Hull-onian]

I think HDD would be great for your family. We are going for the first time ever. I think with the kids and all, it is going to be a lot of fun. I have been to Ohana's, it is pleasant, but not the same experience as HDD. Also, you must make your ressies 180 days in advance. Call at seven a.m. and you pay with your credit card right away. It is pricey, but worth it.

[#1donaldfan]

We've done Ohana's and it was just ok......the food was pretty good and the kid interaction was ok.....not over the top, so I hesitate in suggesting it.

HDDR.......never done it, read some good things on it....???

Why not have HER, read about both, show her some pics of both...then let her choose....that way she'll feel a part of the planning and get to pick her Bday eatery !! ??

[princessjojo]

I can't compare them completely since we've never done HDD, but knowing that HDD is a dinner SHOW, it will be lots of fun and laughter involved, but a little more expensive. At 'Ohana, you can I'm thinking, personalize it a little and let your waitstaff know it's her birthday. When they have the kids activities, they can incorporate a Happy Birthday acknowledgement into it maybe. I don't know really, but I would think it would be easier there than at HDD. Either way, I think her birthday will be great and you can't go wrong.

[Jared]

They're both fun for the kids but the food at
'Ohana is much better... cheaper too.

I agree with Jym as usual. 'Ohana is one of my favorite restaurants, and my family really did not enjoy the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue.

[RocknRoller94]

I've never been to the Hoop-dee-doo, but I do know that it serves "bottomless" Fried Chicken and other "homemades". At Ohana, your waiter (or waitress) is your "cousin", and you can eat pineapple, steak, and other Hawaiian fair. Both meals are "all you can eat".

[Natazu]

I've never been to the Hoop-dee-doo, but I do know that it serves "bottomless" Fried Chicken and other "homemades". At Ohana, your waiter (or waitress) is your "cousin", and you can eat pineapple, steak, and other Hawaiian fair. Both meals are "all you can eat".

One side note. At HDD, it's more like "all you can eat as long as we continue to serve that course and when the show's over, there's the door".