On June 30, 1974 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical launched bringing a high-energy dinner show to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The foot-stompin’ hand-clappin’ musical lured in thousands during it temporary run that included six young actors and endless buckets of fried chicken and wings.
“Hoop-Dee-Doo was upbeat, and guests came for the corny jokes, good food and lots of fun,” said Forrest Bahruth, Show Director, Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment and the original choreographer for the dinner show. “Forty years later, the heart is still in it, the energy is still there.”
As the show’s first successful summer ended, Disney knew the show would become a hit and quickly began auditioning for a full-time cast. On September 5, 1974, Hoop-Dee-Doo became a permanent show and today, it is one of the country’s longest-running dinner shows and has held more than 37,000 performances with more than 10.5 million guests having seen the energetic show.
A lot may have changed in the 40 years since Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical opened but the heart of the show has never changed. Guests can still enjoy good-old American family-friendly fun and loads of finger-lickin’ good food. “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue exemplifies everything that Disney stands for,” said show director Tom Vazzana. “It’s interactive fun for families and stellar entertainment – six performers put on a show that’s 90 minutes of pure enjoyment.”
The food at Hoop-Dee-Doo also hasn’t changed much in the past 40 years. In fact, there has only been one change in the past 40 years – the strawberry shortcake for dessert. When the show opened in 1974 it served apple pie but changed to shortcake just five years later.
Today, the waiters and waitresses, who are all a part of the show, still serve up the fried chicken and mouthwatering ribs along with corn, mashed potatoes and baked beans. Since it is all-you-can-eat, the chefs prep 120 pounds of corn, 400 pounds of potatoes, 30 gallons of baked beans and 15 gallons of strawberries and 12 gallons of whipped cream each and every day for the musical!
To see one of the country’s longest-running dinner shows, and eat your fill of fried chicken, ribs and strawberry shortcake and celebrate Hoop-Dee-Doo’s 40th anniversary look for discounted Walt Disney World tickets right here on Best of Orlando.
Orlando, FL -- 09/02/14
By: Jena Pugh |