Editor’s Note (Updated 2025):
This post about Portobello and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was originally written in 2011, when we were still dreaming about Disney Vacation Club ownership. Fourteen years later, we’re now proud DVC members at The Cabins at Fort Wilderness. We’ve revisited this story to add current context and reflections, plus a note about what’s changed at Walt Disney World since our first visit.
🍝 What Was Dining at Portobello Like Back in 2011?
One of our favorite dining memories from that trip was lunch at Portobello, an Italian restaurant once located in Downtown Disney, now known or course as Disney Springs. The restaurant closed in 2017 and later reopened as Terralina Crafted Italian, but back then, Portobello offered cozy Tuscan meals with riverfront charm.
After a runDisney race that morning, we headed there in the mid‑afternoon. Even though the dining room wasn’t packed, we waited a little longer than expected. In hindsight, the pause was welcome; it gave Cristina and her mom a chance to relax and talk while I savored the quiet moment (and recovered from the race!).
Our meal opened with fresh‑baked bread and a half‑roasted garlic bulb drenched in olive oil — the kind of appetizer that’s so simple it is perfect.
To keep things light before our big dinner that night, I ordered two appetizers:
- Lightly battered calamari, tender and perfectly seasoned.
- Meatball sliders, flavorful but slightly overshadowed by their large buns.
Cristina’s mozzarella‑stuffed rice balls absolutely stole the show, crispy on the outside, cheesy and comforting inside. Her mom ordered the portobello mushroom with gorgonzola, polenta, and rosemary sauce, which was just as flavorful.
For entrées, Cristina chose gnocchi with pork ragu (though she mainly focused on the gnocchi), and her mom enjoyed a wood‑fired pizza. Prices were reasonable, and service felt friendly, making Portobello one of those classic Disney dining spots that earned a fond place in our hearts even if it no longer exists today.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
The next night, we headed to Fort Wilderness Resort for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. I had always wanted to see this show after hearing about the jokes, music, and legendary buckets of fried chicken.
Before dinner, we met a friend who lives in Orlando and played a round of mini golf. During the game, we decided to give the Hoop-Dee-Doo a try and finally made prepaid reservations. It was a splurge, but we were ready for a fun night.
Hoop-Dee-Doo is one of the longest, if not the longest, running dinner show in America. I don’t think I can trust anyone who has a negative review of it.
🍗 What Kind of Food Do They Serve at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue?
When we arrived at Pioneer Hall, the friendly servers welcomed us and led us to a table waiting with cornbread, honey butter, and a fresh salad. Cristina ordered root beer while Cristina’s friend and I had the included sangria.
The show started almost right away. It was full of lively singing, playful banter, and family-friendly jokes.
The main meal arrived family-style:
- Fried chicken
- Barbecue ribs
- Baked beans, corn, and mashed potatoes
- Cornbread
The ribs were tender and full of flavor. The fried chicken was crispy and satisfying. We finished our first bucket of ribs quickly and asked for another. Dessert was a big helping of strawberry shortcake served as the cast performed their finale.
🎭 Is the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Still Worth It?
It is, especially if you enjoy lighthearted fun and audience participation. Hoop-Dee-Doo feels like a piece of classic Disney history, bringing people together to share laughter and comfort food.
Now that we are Disney Vacation Club owners at The Cabins at Fort Wilderness, this experience feels even more personal. Since the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is part of Fort Wilderness, it is a natural for us to do. We cannot wait to share it with our 7-year-old, who already believes that every silly song and corny joke is part of the magic.
Also, after pizza and Popeye’s red beans, her favorite foods are chicken on the bone (fried or grilled), rib meat (we have to pull it off for her), and cornbread. And I mean, she loves cornbread the way Goldmouth loved it in the movie Life.
We can’t wait to take her in May 2026.
🌟 What Do These Two Meals Mean to Us Today?
Looking back at these 2011 meals reminds us how Disney dining is about more than food. It is about family, laughter, and memories that last long after the vacation ends.
Even though Portobello closed in 2017, that meal will always be part of our Disney story. Now, when we stay at Fort Wilderness as DVC members, those older experiences help us appreciate how much has changed and how much still feels like home.
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