Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the most recent restaurant at Walt Disney World, positioned inside Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. We’ve already shared the meals menu, backstory, ADR information, and just about the whole lot else it’s essential to find out about this all you’ll be able to eat, family-style eating at DHS.
For those that are new to the Roundup Rodeo BBQ scene, we’ll rapidly carry you in control with the necessities. The concept right here is that Andy has constructed a restaurant consisting of Woody’s Roundup toys and different playthings. To create the restaurant, he lower and taped cardboard containers collectively to create a brand new rodeo area.
While some items are western-themed, Andy actually simply used no matter he had laying round–it’s a broad assortment of toys assembled to create a enjoyable, colourful mashup-atmosphere. Now that the creation is full, Andy and all of his toys are inviting visitors to take part within the enjoyable of a yard barbecue.
That’s how Walt Disney World has described the restaurant, leading to some (comprehensible) confusion amongst followers. To be abundantly clear, Toy Story Roundup Rodeo Restaurant is NOT a personality eating expertise. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and friends proceed doing meet & greets round Toy Story Land and NOT at this restaurant.
Speaking of issues that it isn’t, that is NOT Pizza Planet from the Toy Story films. So what IS Roundup Rodeo Restaurant? Well, principally if Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania had a child, and it was a BBQ restaurant. That makes excellent sense…proper?! Okay, most likely not. Hence this look contained in the restaurant, on the meals, and so forth.
One factor to notice up entrance is that this go to to Roundup Rodeo BBQ got here in the course of the media occasion for TRON Lightcycle Run. I used to be invited by Walt Disney World to take a sneak peek on the inside of the restaurant, together with the meals & drinks served at Roundup Rodeo BBQ. This sort of factor is at all times completely different from the precise expertise of regular visitors, so this shouldn’t be misconstrued as a overview.
To that finish, I’ll solely offer opinions concerning the inherent parts of Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and largely withhold particular ideas on the whole lot else. Stay tuned for an precise dish-by-dish Toy Story Roundup Rodeo Restaurant Review as soon as Sarah and I dine there as paying visitors subsequent month.
Upon coming into the restaurant, there’s a small ready space together with the check-in counter.
There’s not a ton of area in right here–it’s really fairly just like the opposite desk service eating places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Meaning which you can count on to be hovering round outdoors with a crowd of different visitors anxiously awaiting notifications that their tables are prepared.
In the opposite route, there’s a spot to have a, and I quote, “rootin’ tootin’ good time.”
Well, I suppose at the very least a type of phrases is correct. Perhaps extra relying upon what brings you pleasure. (While I is probably not the goal age demographic for this restaurant, I definitely am in the case of maturity stage!)
Entering the principle eating space at Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ, we first discover the Jessie and Trixie room.
These aren’t technically distinct eating rooms–it’s all one large area–nevertheless it’s damaged up fairly properly with obstacles and the seating association.
The different aspect options Bo Peep and her sheep.
The means the eating room is subdivided works surprisingly nicely. Not solely are there these massive icons with hooked up cubicles, however there’s rather a lot happening in the course of the room and across the periphery.
None of the partitions are merely flat, and even the cardboard cutouts are surrounded by dimensional objects. This provides the eating room loads of depth and texture, making it really feel substantial.
You really really feel such as you’re immersed in one in every of Andy’s playsets, and I’d argue that Roundup Rodeo BBQ accomplishes this higher than wherever else in Toy Story Land. It’s like the sport portion of Toy Story Mania in tactile, dimensional kind.
Perhaps that is partly a matter of tremendous low expectations on my half, however the eating rooms in Roundup Rodeo BBQ are far nicer than what I had envisioned. I used to be principally anticipating the whole lot of the area to be just like the wall above, however that’s most undoubtedly not the case.
To be certain, nothing right here is on par with the massive three of themed eating at DHS (Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood Brown Derby), nevertheless it’s surprisingly good for what it’s.
My large concern, knowledgeable by previous experiences with very mediocre Toy Story “themed” eating areas, was that this could really feel like a windowless warehouse with decorations affixed to the partitions. And I suppose if you wish to cut back this to its lowest kind, that is kind of what it’s. But you would additionally diminish different DHS eating in comparable methods, in case you had been so inclined.
What separates Roundup Rodeo BBQ from different Toy Story choices, and this consists of a few of these on this land, is the best way it stuffs its area with a mix of flats and dimensional objects. Everything is brimming with element, and no floor is wasted. It’s not the top of themed design, nevertheless it completely nails the Toy Story aesthetic. For what it’s, that is about pretty much as good because it will get.
There can even be a quasi-show side to Roundup Rodeo BBQ, with a wide range of prompts performed as overhead bulletins. The principal one in every of these is bound to be the warning that everybody must freeze as a result of “Andy’s Coming!”
This is a enjoyable one, though it provides me flashbacks to one of the vital annoying and disruptive city legends that went viral within the early days of social media. It’s amusing that Disney has flipped the script on this one, and is making visitors the topic of the warning.
There are a bunch of different audio and visible gags, together with ones which can be to be decided. For instance, there are pastime horses on the host stand (for ??? when seating visitors) and outsized pencils for when the checks arrive (a comedic second to take the sting out of issues). There can even be spontaneous visitor cavalcades by means of the restaurant, which ought to precisely like character eating expertise (minus the characters) supplementary leisure.
Between this and the entire Easter Eggs within the backgrounds, Roundup Rodeo BBQ must be a reasonably attention-grabbing restaurant. Loads of effort and thought was clearly put into this location; it’s not merely a fast and phoned-in solution to broaden Toy Story Land and cash-in on the enchantment of the Pixar franchise. (Well, it wouldn’t have been “quick” regardless given the precise development timeline, however that appeared like a chance again when this was initially introduced and was presupposed to open in 2020.)
We had been additionally suggested that there are plans to introduce seasonal parts into the expertise for Halloween and Christmas, however the how of that wasn’t actually defined. I keep in mind listening to the identical factor means again within the day for Toy Story Mania, and that largely has not occurred. Given that Toy Story Land has barely embellished for the final a number of vacation seasons, I’m not holding my breath.
Nevertheless, the distinct impression was on condition that Roundup Rodeo BBQ will evolve over time. Even although it would NOT be character eating (yet one more reminder for anybody who continues to be confused on this level), Roundup Rodeo BBQ ought to entertain children in comparable methods and supply hilarity and hijinks. I’m inclined to imagine this, however I believe it will happen organically and on the initiative of the Cast Members at Roundup Rodeo BBQ. If they’re given the area to get artistic and have enjoyable, I feel there’s loads of untapped potential for the present element to the Toy Story restaurant.
Above is a have a look at your entire meals unfold for Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ. One factor to notice right here is that you’re not really restricted to the variety of sides you’ll be able to order (as beforehand indicated by Walt Disney World). That’s solely true for spherical one–after that, you’re free to make further or different picks.
Here are pictures of every particular person merchandise:
Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant is an all-you-care-to-enjoy, family-style restaurant. It is priced at $45 for adults and $25 for youths, and (say the road, Bart!) it doesn’t characteristic characters.
Previously, our prediction was that Roundup Rodeo BBQ could be on par with or akin to a barely “elevated” model of Regal Eagle’s Distinctly Patriotic Smokehouse: A Salute to All Foods, But Mostly Barbecued Meats. Time will inform if that finally ends up being the case, however our revised expectation is that it’ll be extra on par with the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Signature Skillets at Whispering Canyon Cafe.
For reference, the Signature Skillets at Whispering Canyon Cafe every value $38 and embrace about 8 gadgets, however not dessert. (Or characters.) Dessert at Whispering Canyon Cafe is one other $8-9, nevertheless it’s additionally arguably higher.
However, the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu is extra strong and affords higher selection in the case of sides and entrees, and I can’t think about many visitors are going to save lots of room for dessert at both restaurant. (I’ve carried out the Whispering Canyon Cafe skillets extra instances than I can rely, and the variety of instances I’ve ordered dessert afterwards is 0.)
Suffice to say, if we’re ranging from a baseline of the Signature Skillets at Whispering Canyon Cafe and assuming that these are definitely worth the cash, the same conclusion can seemingly be reached at Roundup Rodeo BBQ. The worth premium isn’t that nice for an in-park restaurant with a extra expansive menu and mental property from a beloved Pixar movie (however not the walk-around characters!).
Ultimately, the comparability to Whispering Canyon Cafe might be an apt one throughout for Roundup Rodeo BBQ. The environment, in addition to the sense of play must be like a Toy Storified model of that, and one that may solely evolve and get higher over time. That’s very true if park administration provides Cast Members the latitude to assist form this restaurant and its character into one thing enjoyable. Historically, Hollywood Studios has carried out precisely that, which is why it’s residence to a few of the finest themed eating and most pleasant character meals.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what occurs with Roundup Rodeo BBQ. I used to be pleasantly shocked by this Toy Story restaurant, and although it’s not what I personally wished to see (Pizza Planet) and received’t be my first, second, third, or fourth selection for eating at DHS, that’s not an indictment of this location–it’s extra about private desire and priorities. To the opposite, Roundup Rodeo BBQ appears to be like higher than I anticipated, and like an precise worthy addition to the DHS eating panorama.
Again, Whispering Canyon Cafe is an effective comparability by way of its model and (culinary) substance. Perhaps it’s much more apt to name this Toy Story Mania: The Restaurant. With that comparability, there’s the plain–each are Toy Story and use the identical visible model. I’d take {that a} step additional and say that this will probably be widespread in exactly the identical means as Toy Story Mania was when it first opened. Despite me not pondering that journey is/was in the identical thematic league because the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, it’s simple to see why it’s so widespread with so many Walt Disney World visitors. Exact similar concept with Roundup Rodeo BBQ compared to the superstars of eating at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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Your Thoughts
What do you consider the addition of a desk service restaurant to Toy Story Land? How does the barbecue menu look to you? Excited to dine at Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant? Thoughts on its themed design and particulars? Think that is going to be a pleasing shock, or a letdown as in comparison with different exquisitely Imagineered eating places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Do you agree or disagree with our ideas? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!