FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

Even adventurers like Wally require occasional refreshment and revelry, and so our daring but always dashing hero decides to break from danger and wander to Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness in quest of beans, BBQ, and hoop-dee-doo.

- by Walter Octavius March, April 4 2011

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KUNGALOOSH!

How are you, my fellow explorers? I have been waiting for you to come by today, as I am hungry and thought we'd go for a bite.

I'm thinking some place with fresh bread, tossed salad, baked beans, home-style fried chicken, smoked BBQ pork ribs, and corn on the cob. Then we'll climax with some delicious strawberry shortcake. What do you say to that? Sounds good, doesn't it?

I know just the place, and the best part is that we'll get a dinner show, too.

Come along!

We're bound for Pioneer Hall at the Fort Wilderness Campground, and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!

Wally Sets Sail for His Supper

We'll take a boat from the Contemporary Resort to Fort Wilderness. Did you know that the Contemporary and Polynesian Resorts were the only hotels on Disney property when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971? They were going to add a few other resorts around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, such as a Thai-inspired Asian resort, a Persian-style resort, and a Venetian resort.

As we ferry across Bay Lake to the campground, we'll pass by what used to be called Discovery Island, a wildlife refuge that Disney once offered as a guest experience. They bought the small 11 acre island in 1965 when they were buying land for Disney World.

click an image to expand:

Six Bits Slocum Entertains the Crowd

Six Bits Slocum Ain't Getting Lucky Tonight

The Pioneer Hall Players

I was there before Disney purchased it, though.

Once, at the Adventurers Club, I struck up a conversation with Delmar Nicholson, the original owner of the island who called it Idle Bay Isle and who had lived there for 20 years with his wife and pet crane.

Upon his invitation, I spent a lovely evening at his home on Idle Bay Isle. My return to the mainland, however, did not proceed so smoothly. As I started rowing away from the Isle, I heard something slide into the water from a near bank, and then shortly I noticed an ominous shape floating just under the water's surface.

The shadowy figure was longer than my little row boat, and I had a feeling it was much toothier, too. As it came up along side of me, two huge nostrils breached the surface. Thinking quickly, I grabbed my pack (an explorer never travels without one) and rummaged through with lightning speed. I grabbed a flare, which I carried for emergencies, and cracked it open, shoving one end into the beast's savage snout.

Not knowing what hit him, the creature surfaced, revealing itself as a monstrous and now quite agitated alligator. I shoved my extra oar into the beast's mouth, fending it off and giving myself enough time to paddle for the mainland, which I reached in record time.

Wally Sits Down for the Show

Ah, what perfect timing! Here we are at the Fort Wilderness dock. It's a short walk to Pioneer Hall and our dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. The Revue has been performed at Disney World for over 35 years, three times nightly, and in that time it has changed little; it's still a rip-roaring good time. Of course, since you're with me, we can walk right in even though we've arrived rather late. It's one of the advantages of wandering with Wally. Let's take our seats and prepare for the show!

Your first time here? You're in for quite the treat. The Revue is an old time, Wild West Show that features singing, dancing, and vaudeville type comedy. The troupe that performs this raucous dinner show is known as the Pioneer Hall Players. Their members include Claire de Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, Six Bits Slocum, Flora Long, and Jim Handy. They perform different skits and sing early American standards. And they just might ask you to join them! They do that from time to time....

I used to date Claire de Lune, you know. We met long ago in St Louis. I was...

Oh, sorry, the music has begun. Remind me to finish that story at another time. And look: here come our salads! I am famished and cannot wait for chicken and ribs. Oh bully, here come the performers, too.

Ah, Claire de Lune looks as beautiful as ever. I especially enjoy that Six Bits fella - he makes me laugh. And the food, quite good, wouldn't you say?

What a great show. I love heading over here from time to time for a good old-fashioned Hoop-Dee-Doo! While they are on their break, I think I'll catch up with Claire, if I can. I'll meet you back at the resort. Don't wait up...

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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