Roundup Rodeo BBQ Review – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

When it comes to dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are a few unique experiences choose from.  You can dine at a drive-in movie theatre at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater or you can be ‘scolded’ for not eating your veggies as you turn back time to dine at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe.   But it’s only at Roundup Rodeo BBQ that you get to be one of Andy’s honorary toys from the movie franchise of Toy Story.

Located in the heart of Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this dining experience is fun for everyone.  The theming from Andy’s backyard continues in to this restaurant as you walk in to Andy’s rodeo playset.  While this is not a character dining experience, the meal is full of character!  Once you’re in the dining room you are now the size of a toy surrounded by walls that are “made” from cardboard boxes and full of huge cutouts and pictures of some of your favorite toys!

The attention to detail was so incredible.  As the Disney cast member was showing us to our table I struggled to take it all in because there was so much to see.  From the cardboard cutouts to the huge Bo Peep, Jessie riding on the back of a Trixie pull toy to train station playsets, this western town was overrun with things to look at.

The best part of the theming was “Andy’s coming”.  I sat and watched in awe at how the ENTIRE main dining area committed to being still when Andy was coming.  Watching the kids at their tables doing their very best to stay still and not get ‘caught’ by Andy was one of the highlights of the experience.  I watched a young boy who was probably 6 years old trying NOT to smile and giggle as he ‘hid’ from Andy.  These kids were having a BALL and their smiles were evidence of it.  For Toy Story Fans both young and old, this is everything you could hope for.

The only thing that is a bit weird inside is the lighting – it’s almost got a red or purple hue to it.  I’m not clear what the reasoning is, other than you’re supposed to be inside a bunch of toy boxes so I guess it makes sense it isn’t good lighting, but it doesn’t make the food look as edible in the pictures as it was!

Normally these types of restaurants are more about the theming than the food, but I am happy to say that the food quality did not disappoint!  The food is served family style with everything coming out together and you put it on your plate yourself.  The plates were even well themed as they looked like paper plates!

There were 2 of us and we asked for one of us to have the plant-based option.  That was a bit of a mistake because there was SO MUCH food!  I know they say you can get more of whatever you’d like, but honestly they were almost rolling us out of there.

The first dishes that arrived for us were:

• The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly
• Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad
• Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad

This was the perfect way to start off the meal, but it took all sorts of willpower not to stuff myself with the biscuits!  They were so good and the jelly was delicious.  The watermelon salad was incredibly refreshing and the tomato salad was tasty.  For the starters – we were really happy.

Being seated at a table for 2 we were starting to wonder how they were going to fit anything else on our table, we weren’t about to give up our biscuits or watermelon in case we had room at the end to polish them off.

Somehow – he made it work when then main course came out.

For the meat and plant based meat we had:

From the House-Smoked Items:

• Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs
• Buttercup’s Beef Brisket
• There’s a Sausage in my Boot – Fire-grilled Pork Sausage
• BBQ Chicken – with Style!
• Buckin’ Baked Beans

From Trixie’s Plant-based Trio:

• Combat Carloflower with Harissa Drizzle and Walnut Gremolata
• Scrumptious Bratwurst
• Rip Roarin’ Rib Chop

Then came the side dishes:

• Potato Barrels
• The Claw! Veggie Slaw
• Slinky Doooooooooog’s Mac & Cheese
• Cowpoke Corn on the Cob

Somehow it all managed to ‘fit’ on our table and we started eating.  I tried a bit of everything including the 3 BBQ sauces on the table (they had classic, sweet and spicy).   I honestly didn’t feel that anything needed the sauce other than the chicken.  I found the chicken to be a bit bland when compared to all of the other meat options.  Everything else was tender and flavourful, exactly what you would expect in a good BBQ.  The sides were as good as you would expect, I love potato barrels and struggled not to fill up on those alone.  The mac & cheese was so rich and the slaw was delicious!

The only thing I wasn’t totally crazy about was the corn on the cob.  It’s not that I disliked it, but if I had to be selective about filling up on stuff – I wasn’t wasting stomach space on that one.   I had dessert coming so I needed to be responsible.

For dessert we got to choose one:

• Bo’s Lemon and Blueberry CheesecakeBilly’s Chocolate Silk Pie
• Goat’s Apple Pie
• Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie (Plant Based)
• Cupcake a la Forky

While I normally would be all about the cupcake, Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie was calling my name.  Chocolate mousse and whipped cream – of course I was having it!  And I was very glad I did.  It was the perfect ending to a delicious meal!  Unfortunately with the lighting the pics of it didn’t turn out at all, but trust me – it was good.

Is this Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant a good option for those at Hollywood Studios?  Absolutely!  I would recommend it without hesitation.

As with all Walt Disney World Resort table service restaurants, reservations are recommended.  That being said, sometimes you can get availability that day!  For my visit we arrived at the park and decided to see what restaurants had availability.  I was shocked to see many times open for Roundup Rodeo BBQ and other dining locations in the park.   Also remember if you have any special dietary requirements, be sure to inform the restaurant when you make your reservation and be sure to tell your server.

Woody’s Roundup BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a delicious food, engaging entertainment, and immersive theming.  Whether you’re a die-hard Toy Story fan or simply looking for a fun and memorable dining experience, this is a spot you won’t want to miss. So round up your posse and head on over to Woody’s Roundup BBQ for a rootin’ tootin’ good time!  But don’t plan on riding Slinky Dog Dash right after, give yourself some time to digest!

Are you a Toy Story Fan?  Have you tried this place yet?

If you’d like to explore character dining – check out my review of Topolino’s when I did it solo!