We're staying offsite (courtesy of DH's work - since it's a work trip for him). Will we be able just go and park and walk up to the DTD restaurants like we can at WDW?
Yep, they do not require park admission. Downtown Disney is actually closer to the parks than @ WDW. It borders and/or is in between them, walking distance. I believe there is also a parking lot for those businesses.
The first 3 hours parking are free at Downtown Disney
A validation from one of the restaurants or the movie theater will get you another 2 hours
After that you would have to pay for parking -
But no problem checking out Downtown Disney or the hotels - no park admission needed.
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