Car or boat to Downtown Disney on a Saturday night??

[decembergirl71]

We have reservations at T-Rex at 6:00 on a Saturday night in August. I've heard that the parking at Downtown Disney is pretty chaotic on the weekends and especially at dinner. Should I drive to Downtown Disney? Or I was considering driving to Port Orleans Riverside and taking the boat to DTD. Would that be better? Thanks!

 

[Flynnismine]

The boat ride from POR is such a relaxing and wonderful way to arrive at DD.
We only waited a few minutes for a boat both coming and going. My vote is to enjoy a relaxing boat ride and take in the sites along the way.

 

[cranbiz]

Are you staying at POR? If so, take the boat. If you are staying at another WDW resort, take the bus. If you are off site, drive.

Until the construction is done, driving is not the best option but if you are not a resort guest at POR, you should not be parking there if you are not using the amenities of the resort proper. (like the restaurant)

 

[decembergirl71]

I only thought of POR because we have a reservation for a carriage ride after dinner. I thought it would probably be acceptable to park there and go to dinner before the carriage ride as the entire thing would still take less than the 3 hours Disney allows for parking when visiting other resorts.

 

[cranbiz]

Then in your case, that is perfectly acceptable. You are using the amenities of the resort.

Head on over to POR, hop on the boat to DTD for dinner and come on back for your carriage ride. POR does have plenty of parking and your car won't affect the resort guests.

 

[wdwrich]

I only thought of POR because we have a reservation for a carriage ride after dinner. I thought it would probably be acceptable to park there and go to dinner before the carriage ride as the entire thing would still take less than the 3 hours Disney allows for parking when visiting other resorts.

You'll be fine parking at POR for the scenario you described. However, I might be a bit concerned about the timing. I see that you have a 6pm ADR at T-Rex, but what time is your carriage ride? I hope you have enough time to dine and travel back to POR in time.

 

[decembergirl71]

The carriage ride is at 8:00 but they said to be there at 7:45. I figured we would show up at T-Rex a little early. I made the reservation directly through T-Rex plus I have a Landry's Select card so they usually get us in immediately after we show up. I've heard the boat takes about 20 minutes so it seemed like we would have enough time to get back to POR.

 

[wdwrich]

Figuring an hour or more for dinner, then walk to the boat dock, perhaps wait for 10 minutes or so for a boat, then 20 minutes on the boat might still be cutting it a bit close. Hopefully everything will work in your favor and you get to your carriage ride without any delays.