Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical "Review"

Location: Fort Wilderness
Type: Dinner Show
Rating: 5 Stars

Haha...see what I did there?

Horrible attempts at word play.

The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a family tradition and a must do for me. I'm actually not the biggest fan of the food, but it's a personal preference thing not because of the quality.

This is a family-style all you can eat food situation. You can also have your choice of drink including beer and sangria.

Plus, it's a muscial dinner show with tons of corny humor.

The show follows the Pioneer Hall Players which is made up of three "couples". They sing, dance, and interact with the audience. It's very funny and it still gets me even though I've seen the show almost 10 times. My favorite parts are when the cast comes off stage and jokes with the crowd.

It's definitely a bunch of campy and corny humor. Kid's will like it because the jokes are accessible. This style is definitely my things, but everytime I see the show the audience is lovoing it. So, it's not just me.

The food is fried chicken and ribs with some sides. Usually there's cornbread with honey butter, baked beans, corn, and mashed potatoes. Then, there's strawberry shortcake for dessert.

I don't like fried chicken and ribs, but my family usually likes it. I love the cornbread. This last trip I think I ate a whole loaf by myself. The mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious. Last time the corn looked wierd but tasted fine.

Obviously I like carbs.

Normally, the strawberry shortcake is a favorite, but not this last trip. It was kind of dray and underwhelming.

The waitstaff is always great. They are also funny and full of puns. I love that they keep the show alive and carry the theming even when the cast is gone.

Yes, this is kind of pricey, but I think it's worth it. You get good food and a wonderful show. It always makes me happy and I wish I could be one of the Pioneer Hall Players. Dream job.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Crystal Palace Lunch Review

Location: Magic Kingdom
Type: Table Service (Buffet)
Rating: 5 Stars

On this most recent trip, I had lunch at the Crystal Palace. It was a Sunday and our reservations were at 1:30 PM. I have eaten here before but not in a few trips and only for breakfast. So, it was sort of a new experience. And I was traveling with my dad and stepmom.

We checked in just before 1:30 and were seated in about 10 minutes. It was crowded, but they were cranking people through.

Our waiter (I wish I could remember his name) was amazing. He was friendly and fast, but would talk to the people at his tables. Maybe he was from up north because he had a very New York frantic energy about him. Being from the north that doesn't bother me at all. My only complaint-he kept bringing me sweet tea. I know it's a weird thing to complain about. And it's not really a complaint at all. He would bring me a new tea whenever I was like half-way done. I just ended up drinking a lot more than I normally would.

The food was delicious and definitely seasoned. The broccoli I had was very garlicky and the mashed potatoes had a lot of pepper. It wasn't too much for me, but it was pretty aggressive.

I got the ziti with meatballs from the kids' buffet and I loved it-especially the meatballs. The salad bar was diverse and also delicious. I got the caesar salad and Mediterranean salad.

Typically, I don't eat a lot of meat just because I don't really like the taste. But my parents partook of the meat carving stations. They got several kinds (sorry I don't remember which ones) but they raved about them.

For the most part, the dessert was good. The brownie was kind of dry so I only had one bite. Such a disappointment. The key lime pie and sugar-free raspberry tart were OK and would have been better if they were chilled. But the cheesecake was amazing. I am a cheesecake person, but normally it's so rich that I can't eat a lot. This was perfect. The flavors blended well and weren't too heavy or rich. I wanted to eat another piece when I finished.

Now, onto the characters. I'm not a huge character interaction person. I'm just awkward because I don't know what to do. At Crystal Palace, you meet Winnie the Pooh and friends. So, there was Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. Just like the waitstaff they got around fast but gave time to the people and kids who wanted to do more. Tigger is always a crazy one to meet and this was no exception.

The character handlers were also great. They took pictures for you and would take several. I also saw a couple do things to make the kids smile in their pictures.

I really enjoyed my time at The Crystal Palace. The characters were entertaining and the food was delicious. Now don't get me wrong, it is expensive. You can find good food for a lower price, but if you are willing to spend the money I recommend it.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Day 9, Part 3: Now, it's time to say good-bye

It was around 11 and we needed lunch so we headed to Columbia Harbor House. We've never eaten here before because we aren't really fish people-especially my dad and I.

So, I got chicken nuggets and an Arnold Palmer slushie. I was also feeling a little crazy so I got the chocolate cake. I'm really a wild lady!

We heard that it's good to sit upstairs and people watch so that's what we did. The food was very good and it was a nice, cool, and quiet in there. The slush was good but could've used more tea.

Then it was time to mosey on out of Magic Kingdom. Good-Bye and See you soon-hopefully.

Denise wanted to stop at the Grand Floridian to do some shaping so we took a boat there. .I really just sat down and caught up on my trip notes. I was tired and really needed a nap. It was really hot and humid which I think I took out my energy.

Magical Express was picking us up around 2:10. We rested at the Poly in the lobby for about an hour. I took some last-minute pictures.

2397, 3311, 3314, 3320, 

My dad talked to the DVC guy about the new Wilderness Lodge DVVC and he said that they were doing tours of the Poly bungalows.

Unfortunately, the next one was at 2 so we couldn't go. If only we knew earlier in the week. It would have been nice to see them in person.

Our Magical Express was on time. I took a nap-finally-so it felt like we were at MCO in no time.

We learned we were TSA pre-checked so going through security was a breeze. It's always nice to get that but especially at MCO. And we were settled at our gate by 3:30.

I was sad to be leaving, but it was a great trip and I wasn't as sad as I normally would be.

Steps walked: 12,797
Miles Travvelled: 7.23

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Day 9, Part 2: More Adorable Costumes

Big Thunder was a total walk-on. They were even sending trains out that weren't full.

After the last wildest ride in the wilderness we redeemed our Haunted Mansion fastpasses.

We made a quick stop at the best bathrooms ever! Then it was off to Tomorrowland. On our way we saw an older couple dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert. It was Halloween so I'm sure that's why and they were adorable.

Buzz was only a ten-minute wait so we rode stand-by instead of using our fastpasses. It was a good ride and I did well. Although, I am a little sad I never made galactic hero this trip.

Our Space Mountain fastpasses were ready. I offered to ride up front which I probably wouldn't have done if I knew it would be the very front. but we did get the best ride photo of the trip-hopefully I can find it.

Then, it was time for our very last ride: the TTA. We don't have a tradition for this kind of thing, but this was a nice attraction to finish with. It's always enjoyable and relaxing.

Up next: Now, it's time to say good-bye

Day 9, Part 1: The Last Day

We were up around 7:30 and got around which included last minute packing and weighing of bags. I spent some time relaxing on the balcony. It was quiet and peaceful. Around 8:30 it was time to say good-bye to the Poly. We stopped at airline check-in to drop off our bags and picked up our boarding passes. This is one of my favorite free things Disney provides.

Then we rode a boat to the Magic Kingdom. Since it was after 9 most of the crowds were already in the park and we got through the gate easily.

Last night we made our Fastpass plus reservations. We hadn't earlier because we didn't know what our plans would be. We were able to get Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Buzz.

First, we wanted to enjoy Big Thunder one last time. On the way, the trolley show came by. I love the show, but the sun was pointing toward us.

There were two little girls dressed like the trolley dancers and after the show, they ran up to the performers who proceeded to walk right down the middle of Mainstreet with them. It was adorable and total #LifeGoals.

Up next: More Adorable Outfits