Halloween in the Wilderness 2015 Trip Report Index! (And here is the Pre-Trip Report!)



Day 6 - Fine, Fancy, Fun
Kona Cafe (TS Breakfast) | Silver Creek Springs | Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (Dinnershow)
October 28th, 2015

Today started off very rainy, and was pencilled in as a shopping day, which was quite handy! But before all that, we got in the car to head to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for our breakfast reservation at Kona Cafe. It was so nice to visit the Polynesian today after our Disney Vacation Club purchase the day before, as the Poly is now our home resort, and I admit to having a few tears in my eyes!

It was also the first time we’ve seen the new lobby at the Polynesian. The last time we came, they were in the process of taking down the old waterfall (such a shame, it was stunning, and is what made me want to stay at the Poly one day), and there were hoardings everywhere. Whilst the new lobby doesn’t have the waterfall any more, it was nice for it to feel open and spacious (with the fake walls it was so claustrophobic), and I love the giant Tiki statue in the middle. I also love the waterfalls outside, as well as all the lush greenery and plants both inside and out. The huge glass orbs that hang above are also very cool. Oh, and the big chairs are so comfy! A must for a Disney lobby, as we found ourselves really enjoying spending some down time in the lobby at Wilderness Lodge, where the sofas there are awesome.


We went upstairs to check in at Kona Cafe, but found that it was very busy, and had to wait 30 minutes for our table to be available. We were given a buzzer to alert us to when our table was ready, and had a wander in the shop upstairs, and then found some seats to wait it out. The rain was pouring down by now, so we couldn’t even go outside for a nose about, well, we could have, but I don’t like getting soaked!


Eventually the buzzer went off, and I said “excuse me” to the person blocking my exit out of where I was sitting. Seemingly putting them out of moving their legs more than a few inches was too much hassle for them, so as I squeezed past, I managed to wallop my leg against the chair – nice bruise from that – thanks man!


My notes from this breakfast was that the service was very slow, and slack, but that the food was delicious. I remember feeling like our server just couldn’t be bothered, and it really marred what could have been a nice experience. I know that Tonga Toast is one of the best breakfasts at Walt Disney World, and it was delish, but the service that went alongside it, wasn’t so great.


When it comes to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan for breakfast at a table service restaurant you are entitled to one entrée, and one non-alcoholic beverage per person (usually refillable) for one credit per person.

Entrées…

Me: Tonga Toast – Banana-Stuffed Sourdough French Toast rolled in Cinnamon Sugar and served with a Strawberry Compote and your choice of Ham, Bacon, or Sausage ($12.99)

Him: Pumpkin Pancakes (seasonal special) – with Maple Pecan Butter and your choice of Bacon, Ham or sausage ($9.99)

The Boy: Big Kahuna – French Toast, Pancakes topped with Pineapple Sauce and Macadamia Nut Butter, Eggs, Home-fried Potatoes, Ham, Bacon and Sausage ($11.99)

For drinks it looks like Liam had a coke, I had a pineapple juice, and Steve had a pot of coffee. As far as the dining plan is concerned, you get least value from it at a table service breakfast.


We were given condiments to share – whipped butter, ketchup, syrup and strawberry compote, which were placed on the table before we received our breakfast plates. I can see why Tonga Toast is popular – it was lush! But so much food! You could share a portion of this. Similarly Liam’s Big Kahuna breakfast is called that for a reason – he couldn’t finish it off, so Steve and I shared what he didn’t have (specifically the eggs, as he doesn’t like those). Steve’s pancakes were good – not so much pumpkin flavour, but more the spices that go with, which is the usual case with pumpkin flavoured things.


We were not given the option to put the tip on our Magic Bands as we usually did, so just left $10 on the table for our server, as it was the smallest amount of cash we had on us. The service wasn’t worth a tip, in our personal opinion, but it is what it is. It wouldn’t put us off going back though, and it’s likely Steve and I will have breakfast here at least once when we go on holiday to Walt Disney World in September for my birthday.

After breakfast, we wandered into the big store downstairs – Boutiki, bought a few things, and then decided to do a loop on the monorail, since it was still raining, and we hoped it would rain out before walking back to the car to drive off and do some shopping.


After our breakfast at Kona Cafe, and a loop on the Monorail, we drove back to Wilderness Lodge to drop Liam off – he didn’t want to come shopping with us. So Steve and I headed out, I didn’t buy too much from shops offsite this year, other than some magazines, and a few cooking ingredients that we can’t buy here in the UK.

There was still some Halloween bits and bobs in the shops – mainly candy and cake! It would seem late August is the best for Halloween stuff in craft shops in the USA – by October, it’s shifting to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We returned home and since the rain had cleared up, went for a dip in the Silver Creek Springs Pool. Of course, we first had to drop all our stuff up to our room, and found that Mousekeeping had left us our first towel critter! We think it was a bunny, or maybe a bird – what do you think?! These are not always left – depends on the Mousekeeper who services your room. We got them quite a few times, which was very cool, and a sweet touch!


Down to the pool – we found that at the closest end of our floor’s corridor was a staircase that if you walked down took you outside and a short walk from the Silver Creeks Spring Pool, which was very handy!

We splashed about, went on the slide, and generally had a fun couple hours in the pool. We heard the Fire Rock Geyser going off behind the trees – I just managed to catch the top of the spout of water. It’s sad, but we didn’t once actually get to see it go off from the little walkway nearby – something to do for sure on another trip!


After pool time, we went up to our room to shower and get ready to head over to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds for the dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.

We loved this dinner show when we saw it in 2014, and looked forward to seeing it again. The show is performed in The Pioneer Hall, which is in the Settlement area. You have to catch a bus from the Outpost parking lot, so make sure you plan your timings accordingly. Alternatively, you can catch a boat to Fort Wilderness from Wilderness Lodge, so ideal if you are staying at that resort. There is also a bus from Wilderness Lodge which goes directly to the Settlement (which we didn’t realise, until we drove, parked, and caught a bus from the Outpost). However you decide to get there, allow time for transfers etc. If using Disney transport alone, it’s advised to allow 1½ hours!


We must have arrived super early this time around, as the previous show was still going on! With the diners then exiting, and new ones wanting to go in, it was a bit of a disorganised sea of people outside. so do hold onto little ones’ hands if you find yourself in this situation. You have to line up to get given a ticket which indicates which table you’ll be seated at. Once you have that, they then call people in – those that are sitting down on the stage floor area, and those sitting at tables in the balcony area. You can also have your photo taken if you like, by a Disney PhotoPass photographer.


When it was time to go into Pioneer Hall, we found that we were at a table, right down at the front (well, 2nd row back), centre stage, which was very cool. The menu was the same as last year (and is probably the same from year to year). But the fried chicken at Hoop-Dee-Doo is good, and so is the corn bread and mashed potatoes!

When it comes to the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan and dinner shows, which are table service, served family-style, you are entitled to the full meal – appetizer, entrée and dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and also some alcoholic beverages (age 21+) for 2 credit per person. Tip is included in the price.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Menu

Appetizers: Tossed salad and corn bread

Entrees: Crispy fried chicken, smoked barbecued pork ribs, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, cowboy beans


Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake

Beverages: a selection of soft and alcoholic drinks including: Coca-Cola, Sprite, Root Beer, Iced Tea, Milk, Wine and Beer.


The food is served in little metal buckets which I thought was awesome, and as I said before, the fried chicken is so good! It is all you care to eat, so we were offered more when our waiter saw the empty buckets. Don’t be shy at requesting more if this doesn’t happen.

The food is served just before the show starts, but they do continue to replenish drinks and food (if you wish, see above) during the show.


Dessert is brought out with quite a show – the players sing about strawberry shortcake, then the servers appear on stage with trays of the dessert to dish out to guests. The strawberry shortcake is lush!


I’ve uploaded the videos from 2014’s performance, as we didn’t video it in 2015 – since we had already done so the year before. The cast members were the same, apart from 2 of the men, I don’t know which character is which, but here are their names in the show: Claire de Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, Six Bits Slocum, Flora Long and Jim Handy; so two of those guys!


Hoop-Dee-Doo is a Wild West dancing, singing and zany vaudeville comedy show. It’s full of good show tunes, slapstick and corny jokes, and you can’t help but clap your hands and stamp your feet! The show is about two hours long, but it really doesn’t feel like it, in fact, we were quite disappointed when it was all over! There is some audience participation towards the end. I’m not sure how they pick people out, and the players, do come out into the audience from time to time. At the end of the show, washboard “instruments” are handed out per table, which you can use a spoon to play along with. Great fun!


After the show ended, we caught the bus back to the Outpost – it was then that we noticed a bus going directly back to Wilderness Lodge… so knew for a next time (for when we has lunch at Trails End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness a few days later). But we had to go back to get our car, so had to wait for the correct bus. Fort Wilderness is general is pretty dark at night, with just the minimal amount of street lighting, so keep an eye on younger children, and watch for things like the kerb.

Back at our resort, we hung out in the lobby for a bit, before heading up to bed. Tomorrow is our first time on this trip to Magic Kingdom!



Read about the day before:
Day 5 - Welcome Home:
Disney Vacation Club Open House Tour & Purchase | Whispering Canyon Cafe (TS Lunch) | Cape May Cafe (TSB Dinner)

Read about the day after:
Day 7 - Hey Mickey:
1900 Park Fare (Character Buffet Breakfast) | Magic Kingdom | Casey's Corner (CS Lunch) | California Grill (Signature Dining) | HalloWishes

Read ALL the days!

That tonga toast looks amazing 😋 You all manage to pick such fab food! We had poor service a few times in Disney but I figure I am on holiday's and I refuse to let anyone spoil it for me. Thankfully those issues are few and far between 😊 Hoop Dee Doo looks brilliant - it totally screams Disney Fun! Thanks again for another great day.

Great pictures of your new home resort! I miss the waterfall too.

Great review of HDD, I'd go every year if I could, it's so much fun and I absolutely love Fort Wilderness.

I was umming and arring about keeping our planned ADR for Hoop-dee-doo after reading a few negative reviews, but i'm so pleased to read positive one! It makes be feel a bit more confident now that we've decided to keep it.

I love your towel critter. So cute. He/she looks like a little glow worm with wings!

Thanks for sharing

It was so lush - but HUGE! We have had some poor service experiences, only one has put us off completely (Hollywood & Vine) others we would give a chance. thing is with service, it can just depend on who you get on the day. HDD is fab! Love it!


That waterfall was so pretty! But the new lobby is lovely too - lots of space (but very noisy! )


If anyone says anything negative about the show itself, I'd be surprised - unless you're a complete misery who doesn't like to laugh and be entertained! The show is wonderful - really upbeat, funny, engaging, and unique. The food is not gourmet cuisine - but there isn't anything "wrong" with the food - I see it as us enjoying some back home barbecue whilst watching a show!

Aww, yeah, he does look like one of those!

Such a lovely day, excellent photos once again! I love the pictures of the lobby at Wilderness Lodge, we never got the chance to visit it last time but hoping for an ADR at Whispering Canyon on this trip.

Glad you enjoyed Hoop-De-Doo, I just didn't enjoy it at all, we felt the food was very mediocre for 2TS credits, probably a lot to do with the fact that Im not a lover of meat on the bone

The lobby at WL is AMAZING - re-writing my trip report here reminds me how gorgeous that resort was.

The food is a bit mediocre for the 2 credits - but I don't think that's what you're paying for at this one. Although, not really enjoying meat on the bone won't help - it's all fried chicken and ribs

Your new home looks stunning. Bet visiting The Polynesian for the first time after becoming DVC members was a very special moment

The Hoop De Doo show looks great fun, shame there is no menu choice though, my hubby & kids are very fussy eaters

So happy this report is back! You always have the best pictures. Tonga toast looks delicious 😋 The Poly looks beautiful.

It really was! Such disbelief we had actually done it! Even more awesome when we stayed there in 2016 (trippie to follow! )

I think all the dinner shows are set menus unfortunately

Thank you for reading! It is yummy - but HUGE!