(photo Courtesy Disney)
Well, maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised. With the pandemic seemingly on track to get worse before we’re out of the dark forest, live entertainment in tight spaces seems like a faded memory. And now WDW is releasing the cast members of its Hoop Dee Doo dinner show in Fort Wilderness. This feels almost as bad is if Animal Kingdom no longer had a Lion King show. Or Star Wars had no Jedi Training Academy.
Oh wait . . .
These cuts, temporary or not, may be prudent and necessary, but this one stinks like the north end of a south-bound goat.
Yep, the layoffs at Hoop Dee Doo, America’s longest running dinner show, has struck a particularly sour note on DisTwitter. After all, it opened on June 30, 1974, and is the stuff of our childhood memories. The nostalgia so thick you could butter it like cornbread.
Some think this decision borders on blasphemy.
You don’t close Hoop Dee Doo Revue.
You.
Just.
Don’t.
Do.
That.— WDW Tales Podcast (@WDWTales) October 28, 2020
Massive, terrible layoffs at Walt Disney World tonight.
Whole shows axed: Finding Nemo, Fest. of Lion King, Hoop-de-Doo, Beauty and the Beast, citizens of Main Street, others… people who performed for 20+ years, gone.
It will never be the same again.https://t.co/0MkrP8vyJd
— Jason Cochran (@JasCochran) October 28, 2020
Others note that the timing is particularly unmagical.
Some perspective. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review was one of America’s longest running shows, and an icon to one of the 3 original WDW Hotels. Running for 46 years, closing just before the 50th stings. Heart goes out to all the cast and crews from today’s sad news 💔 pic.twitter.com/OEV5CLSfeR
— Sam Carter (@Cartarsauce) October 28, 2020
And we all hope it will be back someday.
This one hurts the most. I have so many delightful memories of Hoop Dee Doo over the years. I hope the show returns when conditions are safer. https://t.co/1vmPZ2JtKs
— Lauren: now with 50% more opinions! (@inkandpaintdept) October 28, 2020
I guess we’ll have to make our own Pioneer Hall Salad for a while.
One of my favorite moments from Hoop Dee Doo. Gosh I love mac and cheese and Dolly Drew 🥺 pic.twitter.com/EglSxkT7Me
— sarah 🔪 (@lilbabymoana) October 28, 2020
It’s even become the stuff of politics.
So long story short, vote Donald Trump out of office. Vote for anyone who blocked a substantial COVID relief bill to be removed. Vote for anyone who thinks COVID isn’t a big deal to get kicked to the curb. Because we need change at the top so we can enjoy Hoop Dee Doo again.
— The Churro Blog (@TheChurroBlog) October 28, 2020
Will this be another one of those things about Fort Wilderness that we’ll have to explain to our grandchildren, like River Country and Melvin the Moose?
Pretty devastated by the news of the WDW layoffs yesterday. Particularly, the Festival of the Lion King and Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue were/are family favorites and I hope Disney can find a way to bring the magic back soon pic.twitter.com/KbzCSRybXS
— The DCL Dude Podcast (@theDCLdude) October 28, 2020
Hmmmm, maybe we should rebuild a larger pavilion to replace Mickey’s Backyard BBQ?
Hoop-Dee-Doo can’t likely be performed safely inside. But why not an outdoor venue at Fort Wilderness? There may be ways to make the experience safe. And Streetmosphere with masks. The pandemic is ongoing so why not come up with creative solutions.
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) October 28, 2020
And to the cast, crew and servers at Hoop Dee Doo, thank you for the unforgettable memories. It was you who made the real magic. We hope to see you again.
Oh bother. I was really sad when MBYBBQ went by the way of the bulldozer. HDDR was on our reservation for 2020 (poof). We planned on getting an ADR for our make-up trip for 2021. So many shows, not just the FW shows up in smoke. Hoping for some pixie dust to undo these changes.