Hoop-Dee-Doo Cancelled: Disney Disappoints Guests After Axing 51-Year-Old Show

For some Walt Disney World visitors, an evening at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is more than a dinner reservation — it’s a trip into one of the resort’s most enduring traditions.

Yet on Thursday night, guests arrived expecting a lively, two-hour spectacle of music, dancing, and comedy, only to find the curtain staying firmly down.

The abrupt cancellation cut short plans for fans of Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue – a show that has been entertaining audiences for more than half a century (with the exception of the two years Hoop-Dee-Doo was paused for COVID-19).

Introduced in 1974, it blends vaudeville-style humor, interactive moments, and a family-style feast of fried chicken, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and strawberry shortcake. For guests over 21, you can also look forward to unlimited draft beer, wine, and sangria.

Housed inside Pioneer Hall, the production is performed multiple times a day and has become one of the longest-running musicals in the United States. Tickets range from $70 to $78 per adult depending on seating, and $40 to $45 per child. More than 12 million guests are estimated to have attended since the show’s debut. Its longevity is all the more remarkable given that it was first conceived as a temporary summer program.

A Sudden Change of Plans

On August 14, the show’s final performance — scheduled for 8:30 p.m. — was canceled without prior notice. Earlier showings at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. reportedly went ahead as planned.

“We checked in for the show around 8.15 with no indication the show was going to be cancelled,” one guest shared on Reddit. “We went to line up at 8.30 and then found out the show wasn’t happening. Super disappointed as we wouldn’t have traveled to Fort Wilderness for the show if this was the case.”

Disney attributed the decision to “technical difficulties.” While some speculated there may have been other reasons, others noted the explanation was plausible. “Audio being wonky, instruments crapping out, or a key light breaking,” another guest commented. “Technical issues isn’t an unlikely reason and if anything, the fact that they announced it so late makes me think it probably was just some sort of unfortunate issue with a technical component.”

It remains unclear if upcoming performances will proceed as scheduled. However, today’s shows are still showing availability for both 4 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. today. Disney has not issued an update.

Recent Operational Disruptions

Though Disney maintains a reputation for operational precision, occasional disruptions do occur. This week alone saw another snag — a crash in the resort’s dining reservations system. The problem arose as guests rushed to secure tables at The Beak and Barrel – Magic Kingdom’s incoming Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, complete with plenty of rum – ahead of its August 29 debut.

The company has postponed bookings to August 18, posting a tongue-in-cheek message on its website: “Arrgh! Too many pirates tried to pillage at The Beak and Barrel. Thank you for yer patience. Come back for the treasure ye seek when reservations set sail the week of August 18, 2025.”

In July, Disney temporarily closed portions of Disney’s Hollywood Studios due to unspecified circumstances. The shutdown impacted major attractions, including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Star Tours. Crews were later seen pressure washing near the Indiana Jones theater and Oasis Canteen, suggesting cleanup work was involved.

Back in 2023, Disney was also forced to close sections of Magic Kingdom after a bear was spotted in Frontierland. The wild animal was reportedly in a tree near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, but was fortunately removed from the park and freed without incident. A bear was previously also spotted at Fort Wilderness.

For longtime Disney fans, the sudden loss of a Hoop-Dee-Doo performance is a rare disappointment. But for those familiar with the show’s history, one unexpected night off may be a small hiccup in a 51-year legacy that has already outlasted most of the resort’s entertainment offerings.

Have you ever attended Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue?