When the highly themed Toy Story Land opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2018, Andy’s backyard literally came to life. Guests shrunk down to the size of a toy and immediately fell in love with the highly immersive theme and headliner attractions such as Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania became instant classics.
One thing that was noticeably missing when Toy Story Land opened was a sit-down restaurant venue. With the quick-service venue, Woody’s Lunchbox, in high demand, Walt Disney World soon announced that a new full-service restaurant would open in Toy Story Land – and the toys rejoiced!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo has now officially opened! I was excited to be one of the first “toys” welcomed to the fun, new restaurant.
Roundup Rodeo Entrance
Roundup Rodeo Theming
The theming of Roundup Rodeo is exactly what you’d expect in Toy Story Land. It’s an extension of Andy’s backyard where he’s set up a series of playsets of his favorite toys and cardboard cutouts. It’s lively, colorful, vibrant and exciting!
Main lobby waiting room
Seating area in lobby
Toys gotta go, too!
The immersion of the story begins in the waiting area from the moment you enter. When families with young children are called to check in for their table assignment, the kiddos are given the opportunity to ride a stick pony to the table. Yes, adults can also do this as well. I may or may not have chosen to do so.
Cast Member Hostess Christina demonstrates how to ride a stick pony
Guests are seated in one of two main dining rooms. The first is themed more to Jessie and second is themed to Bo Beep. Both have a completely different vibe, but I’d note that either is equally fun (I was seated in the Jessie’s room). The theming is carried down even to the tables and chairs in each section.
Bo Beep Dining Room
Jessie’s Dining Room
Roundup Rodeo Menu
Once seated, you’ll find your place settings already at the table. Dinner plates look like old-fashioned paper plates you might find at a family picnic.
Dinner consists of four courses.
Bread service: The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits with Sweet Pepper Jelly
The biscuits were soft and buttery, but not flaky. The sweet pepper jelly was the sleeper hit of the night. Sweet, tangy with a little zing. The perfect accompaniment to the buttery biscuits. We asked for more. And more. Be careful here, though – you don’t want to fill up on the biscuits with so much more to come (they’re that good)!
That sweet pepper jelly, though!
Get a Wiggle on your Greens!
The appetizer course consists of three salads.
- Rootin’ Tootin Tomato Salad – Cucumbers, Pickled Red Onion, White Balsamic Vinaigrette (Plant-based)
- Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad – Apples, Dried Cranberries, Pumpkin Seeds, Green Goddess Dressing
- Wheezy’s Watermelon Salad – Fresh-torn Mint (Plant-based)
Salad trio
While nothing fancy, all three of the salads fit perfectly into a backyard barbecue theme. The tomatoes and cucumbers in the Rootin’ Tootin salad were especially ripe, flavorful and delicious. The watermelon in Weezy’s salad was especially fresh and sweet with just the right amount of mint to accompany it. And the apples Rex’s Romaine and Kale helped cut some of the bitterness of the greens. We easily finished the salads off and wanted to ask for more!
Round Up Some Chow for the Main Course
For the main course, you’ll choose one of the following (guests may choose both based on dietary requirements). We went with all the meats – keep in mind you can ask for more. And more. And even more.
- Enjoy a Platter of all the Following 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! - Trixie’s Plant-based Trio (Vegetarian)
Combat Carloflower with Harissa Drizzle and Walnut Gremolata | Scrumptious Bratwurst | Rip Roarin’ Rib Chop
All the meats
The ribs were not tender and weren’t “fall off the bone” caliber, but they were flavorful. If I’m honest, they weren’t my personal favorite and seemed to have more bone than meat, which was just a little too tough for my liking. The brisket was fairly lean and savory – a solid offering and we asked for an additional serving. The sausage was the big hit for me – so much that I asked for another serving of this as well. Great flavor, tender and juicy. The chicken was on the bone, and the smoking process gives it a pink color even though it’s thoroughly cooked. It’s delicious with a very smoky taste.
You’re provided with three different sauces to accompany your main course. Classic, which is more of a traditional Carolina vinegar based barbecue sauce. Hot reminded me more of a Louisiana style hot sauce (although I didn’t consider it to be very spicy). It was my least favorite just due to the taste. And my personal favorite, Sweet. It really wasn’t tremendously sweet, but had a more robust flavor. It worked best with all of the meat selections.
Pick a sauce!
Reach for the Sides!
Along with the Round Up Some Chow course, you’ll be able to select four side dishes from the following choices.
- Mean Old Potato Salad
- Homestyle Red-skinned Potatoes
- The Married Spuds – Loaded Potato Barrels
- Veggie Slaw – (Plant-based)
- Force Field Fried Pickles
- Campfire-roasted Vegetables – (Plant-based)
- Slinky Doooooooooog’s Mac & Cheese
- Buckin’ Baked Beans – (Plant-based)
- Cowpoke Corn on the Cob
- Grilled Street Corn
Although, you’re limited to four sides, you may be able to ask for one or more of the other sides once you finish off your first round. We chose The Married Spuds, Force Field Fried Pickels, Campfire Roasted Vegetables and Slinky Doooooooooog’s Mac & Cheese.
Reach for the sides!
The Married Spuds were exactly what we were expecting: loaded tater tots. The longer they sat, the less crispy they became, but they were good. The fried pickles consisted of spears that had been battered and fried. So delicious! I loved the roasted veggies as well which consisted of broccoli, zucchini and peppers with a little spicy kick. The veggies were done just right – tender yet not overcooked. And while I was most looking forward to the Mac & Cheese it was the biggest disappointment of the night. Watery and tasteless, I took just a couple of bites and would not choose to order it again.
Our server did offer us more of the other sides and the only one were were interested in was the Buckin’ Baked Beans. Our server warned us that the beans were plant based with pulled jackfruit substituting for pulled pork. We decided to order them anyway. Like the Mac & Cheese, I was not a fan. Bland and the jackfruit just didn’t work. I’d love to see more traditional baked beans offered in a future menu update.
Chuckwagon Desserts
- Bo’s Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake
- Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie
- Goat’s Apple Pie
- Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie – (Plant-based)
- Cupcake à la Forky – For Lil’ Riders, Gooey Chocolate Cake, Graham Cracker, Buttercream, Sugar Cookie
Save room for dessert!
Save room for dessert! But note, you’ll pick only one of the offerings and they are small bites – just enough! Our server did offer us the opportunity to sample all five (toys that ask nicely might have this same opportunity). I was most interested in the lemon and blueberry cheesecake, but found that the flavors conflicted and only took one bite. The chocolate silk pie was solid as was the peach-strawberry pie (perfect for a backyard barbecue). But the big hit? Cupcake à la Forky! Very gooey chocolate cake with a buttery sugar cookie in the shape of Forky! Not just for kiddos!
Beverages
Roundup Rodeo does offer fountain drinks and teas included in the all you care to eat price. For an additional cost, some specialty non-alcoholic beverages are offered (teas, lemonade, smoothies). And for grown up toys, the venue does have a large selection of grown-up drinks such as beers, hard ciders and wines.
Is Roundup Rodeo worth it?
Lots of fun happens at Rodeo Roundup. Be sure to have a sharp ear! Sometimes you’ll hear Andy coming and everyone has 3 seconds to freeze in place until he passes. Many guests and servers take the warning seriously enough to strike funny poses.
FREEZE! Andy’s coming!
And another silly added touch – just try to sign your credit card statement with the gigantic pen that is provided (don’t worry, they provide a small pen for those toys who need it)!
The big pen is mighty large at Roundup Rodeo!
We had a rootin’ tootin’ blast at Roundup Rodeo! Overall the food was good (and let’s face it, backyard barbecue isn’t ever a 5 star experience no matter what). The theming, the family friendly atmosphere, the immersion into the storyline of Andy’s backyard all make this restaurant a solid choice and a perfect fit into Toy Story Land.
Don’t forget that dining reservations are accepted and strongly encouraged to dine at Roundup Rodeo. Your travel counselor at The Magic For Less Travel is always happy to assist with all of the heavy lifting of your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, including making all of your dining arrangements. Reach out for a vacation quote today!
