Located at the outdoor pavilion at the Settlement in Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, this all-you-can-eat Barbecue is one of our favorite places on property to enjoy some great BBQ and listen to country music, do some line dancing and watch the kids meet and greet their favorite characters. The menu is just like your own BBQ at home, Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, ribs, chicken, and corn on the cob, beans, watermelon, and potato salad. Also you can enjoy cornbread, cold slaw, macaroni and cheese and all the Disney ice cream novelties you see in the parks, including our favorite, Mickey's premium ice cream bars! There is of course all the beer, wine, ice tea and lemonade you can drink.

Your hosts of this "Hoe-Down" are Sarsaparilla Sal and Tumbleweed as they entertain you with some great county music and line dancing. There are fancy rope twirling demonstrations, singing and of course, the characters, Mickey, Minnie and the rest. You can do all the clapping and shouting here you want, or just sit around the stage and watch. This is one buffet where you can really let loose!

The food is very good, in fact it's better than I could make at my own grill. The only complaint if you want to call it that is in the beginning of the BBQ, the lines are very long with everyone filling their plates, but if you have a little patience, they will thin out quickly. Because the pavilion is usually booked up, the food does not stay out long and is constantly replenished, so it's always hot. My favorite is the BBQ pork ribs, the meat comes right off the bones and the sauce used is just right. The chicken is very good and both breast and dark meat abounds. All in all, the food is typical BBQ and done well.

Some tips. The show starts at 6:30pm and it's advised to arrive at least a half hour earlier. One reason, the stage is in the center of the pavilion and seating is on long wooden picnic tables, and the ones at either end of the area will not offer a good view of the goings-on. Also for folks with kids, the characters Cowboy Mickey and Minnie, Chip and Dale and Goofy will come out to meet and greet before the show, but during the show due to the size of the crowds, they may get to every table. So before the show is the best time to line up and try to get an autograph. The show itself is high energy with great guest interaction, where you can get up and line dance, slow dance or sing with the band. For the kids, the characters will dance with you as a group or if you are lucky, you might get a dance with Mickey himself.

Some of the drawbacks are that there is no private seating. It is a first come, first serve for the tables so you will be dining with strangers. This does not bother me, but remember it's a character buffet and there will be lots of kids around so expect the noise level high. Also depending on where you sit, you have to wind you way around tables and people to get to the food. And since it is in an outdoor covered pavilion, there is no air conditioning and if one of our famous Florida thunderstorms hits, you might get a little wet if seated on the perimeter. And beware of one thing, if you love those Mickey Premium ice cream bars in the parks, you can have your fill of them here. My big mistake first time here, was downing three of them before I ate my regular meal, they are so good! But now I wait till I finish eating to enjoy them.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ is $44.99 ages 10 and up with tax and gratuities included and $26.99 ages 3 to 9. When you book the BBQ, full payment is required and if you cancel 48 hours in advance you will get a refund. Mickey's BBQ is from March 6th to December 30th on Thursday s and Saturdays. Also take note that a Holiday Seasonal surcharge will be added from March 16th to the 30th, $48.99 ages 10 and up and $28.99 ages 3 to 9. It accepts the Disney Dining plan, but not the Disney Dining experience. Reservations suggested and always check during holiday seasons if the surcharge will apply.