Savoring the Magic: REVIEW of Roundup Rodeo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time? Embark on a culinary journey in the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Roundup Rodeo promises an immersive dining experience that transports visitors to the Wild West. This review delves into the flavors, ambiance, and overall dining adventure as one of Andy’s toys in this Toy Story themed restaurant. Join us as we uncover the highlights and lowlights of this dining experience.

Roundup Rodeo Location

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo is in Toy Story Land inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The restaurant is right next to the Slinky Dog and Toy Story Mania attractions. You can get your picture with the larger-than-life Woody and then head straight on in the restaurant.

We recently dined here for dinner during the week, and it was packed. I highly recommend getting a dining reservation for this experience.

The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner.

Roundup Rodeo Atmosphere

Entering Roundup Rodeo is truly like stepping into the world of Toy Story. The charm of the movie is meticulously recreated, from the life-sized toys to the barn doors. Authenticity is paramount, and the immersive design instantly captivates diners, making them feel like they’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem in the heart of Hollywood Studios.

Seating is arranged to provide great views of the surrounding area, allowing guests to soak in the atmosphere while savoring their meals. Throughout your meal you might here the famous lines of “Andy is coming” over the loudspeakers. When this happens, everyone freezes and gets quiet until Andy leaves his toys to go do something else. Even the cast members get into it and help make this feature extra magical.

Roundup Rodeo Menu

The restaurant is all barbecue themed. I personally love barbecue and was very excited to try all the options! The meal is served family-style with a bread service, salad, entrée, and dessert.

I have two food allergies and as always, they were very accommodating. The entrée platter comes as-is avoiding the top 9 allergens. This was awesome! For the rest of the courses, our server was great to work with and I had lots of options to choose from.

The bread that they brought out was the typical allergy friendly rolls that is served at Disney restaurants. If you don’t have an allergy, you will start with Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly.

Our server then came to take our meal orders. Since everything is served family-style, you pick items for the table and can request as many refills as you’d like.

We ordered the meat entree platter and then selected four sides. We chose “The Claw! Veggie Slaw”, Potato Barrels, “Buckin Baked Beans” and Potato Salad.

The full menu can be found HERE.

In my opinion, the meat entrée was good – my favorite were the ribs. However, all the sides were average. I think you can get much better barbecue at other locations in Disney.

For dessert, the only allergy friendly option was “Gruff’s Peach Strawberry Pie”. I did not like this very much and ended up not eating it (shocking!).

However, I have heard great reviews about “Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie” and the “Cupcake à la Forky”.

Restaurant Theming

The best part about the Roundup Rodeo dining experience is the theming of the entire restaurant. The décor and the atmosphere truly make you feel like you are one of Andy’s toys.

We did notice that it can be rather loud in the restaurant, especially if you go at peak dining times. The tables are arranged very close to each other which can make conversation difficult. There are also many instances where they play different scenes over the loudspeakers, which can add to the chaos.

While it is fun to feel as if you are immersed in the story, if you have members of your party who struggle with sensory overload, this could be a difficult dining option. This was quite a contrast from our most recent Disney dining experience with A Culinary Journey Through History: Dining at Liberty Tree Tavern

Roundup Rodeo Tips:

1. Make Reservations in Advance: Roundup Rodeo is a popular dining destination, and reservations are highly recommended. Disney’s dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, so plan accordingly to secure your preferred dining time. If you don’t get a reservation far in advance, always check during the 48 hours before your desired dining time. We had luck securing our reservation by picking up a last minute slot that someone had cancelled.
2. Arrive Early or Stay Late: Opt for an early or late dining time to avoid peak hours. This not only ensures a more relaxed dining experience but also provides an opportunity to explore the park with fewer crowds. We had an 8:10pm reservation and by the time we were finished eating, the crowds had been reduced. This provides an opportunity for better pictures!
3. Try the Signature Dishes: Roundup Rodeo has some standout dishes that are available to try if barbecue isn’t your preference. You’ll have the choice between Salmon or a Plant Based Trio Platter.
4. Engage with Cast Members: The staff at Roundup Rodeo, known as cast members, are passionate about creating a magical experience. Feel free to engage with them, ask for recommendations, and let them enhance your dining adventure.
5. Indulge in Handcrafted Beverages: The drink menu at Roundup Rodeo is “on-theme” as the food menu. Explore handcrafted cocktails, local craft beers, and unique non-alcoholic options to complement your meal. The “Snake Eye Margarita” and “Grown-Ups Peanut Butter and Jelly” are particularly noteworthy.

Overview

Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Woody’s Roundup Rodeo provides the unique opportunity to step into the world of Toy Story. You will find yourself immersed in Andy’s world as you reminisce on childhood memories.

This dining experience is something you must try at least once. While the food is average for a Disney restaurant, the theming and décor is top-notch. Enjoy your meal as you savor the magic of this premium experience.

This post is all about my review of Roundup Rodeo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you are looking for other dining options in Hollywood Studios, check out my review of 50s Prime Time Cafe Gluten Free Review