Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue Turns 40
September 5, 2014
Today marks the 40th anniversary of a Walt Disney World favorite: "The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue" at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort.
It is the one and only show to regularly play at the resort's then-newly-opened Pioneer Hall
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It was a dinner show by design. The Polynesian's Luau was so popular it turned guests away nearly every night.
As I understand it, The original original show was put together in a couple of months-- mostly by college students who were interns. That debuted June 14th, 1974 as "The Pioneer Hall Show" to six tables full of guests: 1 for each member of the cast. It was only supposed to run for a few weeks during summer. But eventually it caught on -- and the permanent show officially debuted on September 5, 1974. Disney says it is the longest running musical in the history of American theater.
There have been very few changes to the show over the years. It still features Claire de Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, Six Bits Slocum, Flora Long and Jim Handy and their western style vaudeville show.
The only major rewrite came In 2011, when someone realized the original the theme song was based on a song by Perry Como. The only other big chance swapped a song and a desert. 1979, the "Apple Pie Hoedown" gavre way to the "Strawberry Short Cake Walk" - which is still used to this day.
The fried chicken, pork ribs, mashed potatoes, corn and beans plus beer, wine and sangria remain all you can eat.
Disney estimates it barbecues up more than 800 pounds of ribs a night
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue presents three shows nightly, seven days a week, at 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The price ranges from $57 to $67 for adults, depending on where you sit. Children's prices start at $30.
Click here for more information or to make reservations.
To celebrate the 40th, Disney just posted a video of the first-ever reunion of the original cast. I've posted that below.
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