Howdy Partners!
We want to share with you our recent experience from Opening Day at the ALL NEW Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Since we were visiting on opening day, a few kinks are still being worked out. The Rootin’ and Tootin’ (restrooms) were not yet open and Andy’s giant belt buckle out front was so freshly shellacked that the smell took over the entire waiting area. When you first step inside the dining venue you’ll find a giant sheriff star, a nod to Woody himself. Younger guests may also be given stick ponies to ride to their table! Upon moving into the main dining area you’ll find yourself surrounded by creations straight from Andy’s imagination like a Western town and train station. The restaurant is divided into two sides, one featuring a giant Jessie display, and the other featuring a larger-than-life Bo Peep. Little details like the brightly colored tables, “paper” plates, and fun paper straws really add to the overall vibe of this new offering.
Of course we had to test out a few of the cocktails, for work purposes From the Grown-Up Drink menu we started with the Grown Up PB & J and the Rattler Rum Punch, we later moved on to a round of Snake Eye Margaritas. The younger buckaroo’s in our party ordered the Partysaurus Rex, complete with gummy worm garnish. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the cocktails we tried, the adult PB & J being a highlight.
Your meal starts with The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly. This is served alongside 3 salads: Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad, Rex’s Romaine & Kale Salad, and Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad
We enjoyed the biscuits, they were a little dry but the red pepper jelly complimented them well and was not too spicy. I appreciate the fact that there was some variation in the salads offered. Our kids enjoyed the tomato and watermelon salads, while us adults munched on the more traditional romaine and kale salad.
Next up you’re served a massive platter of smoked meats. This includes Evil Dr Smoked Ribs, Buttercup’s Beef Brisket, There’s a Sausage In My Boot, and BBQ Chicken with Style! Plant based options are available upon request as is Cedar Plank Saloon Salmon. We are huge BBG lovers, and my husband makes some pretty mean BBQ at home but we were pleasantly surprised by the food itself, everything was very tasty. I was too concentrated on the side dishes that I didn’t get to try the ribs before they were snatched up, but judging by the amount of sauce on my happy littles ones faces they seemed to be delicious.
Now about those sides…from the Reach For The Sides section you are able to choose 4 side dishes from a list of 8. We choose the following: Slinky Doooooooog Mac & Cheese, Buckin’ Baked Beans, Cowpoke Corn on the Cob, and Force Field Friend Pickles. This all amounted to a huge table full of food! We enjoyed all of the sides, the Mac & Cheese was good but I would remove the goldfish topping next time. The Cowpoke Corn was street corn style and we really enjoyed this elevated version of traditional corn on the cob.
To be honest we were so stuffed by the time we had finished out main course and sides that we barely had room for dessert. The dessert menu offers mini pies in a jar, and each guest is able to select one. The Cupcake a la Forky is available for lil’ riders, and is a must do for a photo op. We tried one of each dessert and the chocolate silk pie seemed to be a favorite around the table.
Overall we were very happy with the dining experience here. As for the overall ambiance and feel of this venue it’s important to note that this is NOT a character meal. Throughout your dining experience you’ll hear announcements such as Partysaurus Rex coming over the loud speaker, we felt these were a little confusing as many of the children in the restaurant seemed to start looking for a character to appear during these times. Then the big moment when they announced Andy was coming and everyone in the restaurant froze into toy form. This seemed to fall a little flat for us and missed the mark.
I would be more than willing to pay a little more if this could be a character experience…hint, hint Disney! While this will not be a dining venue we return to again and again, we like having a new sit down option in Hollywood Studios. Overall I think Toy Story fans will really enjoy this new heavily themed offering in Toy Story Land!
-Kristen Buckshire: Travel Ease Owner
