Don't know where to put this???

[maslex]

I've never been to Downtown Disney. Is this a crime? Am I missing something? We're currently planning a trip for Oct '07 for 7 nights. We've already "tentively" (sp) scheduled what we're doing for those days/nights. My hubby keeps asking if I'd like to go for longer (which is great!!!!) Now I'm thinking of going to DTD, but since I've never been there, I don't know what's involved, how many days we should visit there, wher to eat, can we get there by Disney transportation (we won't have a car), ETC, ETC, ETC!!! There are 4 of us (2 adults and 2 boys who will be 10 and 12) We're also going with another family of 3 with another 12 yr old boy.

What's your take on DTD and where can I read all about it?

 

[angelsmom920]

This is the link to the Downtown Disney Site on the WDW website http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/moreMagicLanding?id=DTDLandingPage

I personally love Downtown Disney as does DH and DD5. It is filled will shops and restaraunts. We like to eat at Rainforest Cafe, although it is pretty pricey for the food. They have a gigantic toy store called Once Upon a Toy and also the Lego Imagination store where the kids can make stuff outside the store (maybe to young for you kids). But outside the Lego store that have really stuff made from Legos including a dragon/serpent in the water, a life size family walking lifesize dogs and other cool stuff. I definately think it is a must see - we have done it either on our first night or on our 'rest' day! Have a great trip!

 

[midwestdee]

I've never been that impressed with DTD. Personally, I like to be in the parks, but that's just me.

 

[metsfan11]

To me, its the kind of thing that you do when you don't have tickets to the park on that specific day. Usually we go on the last day of our trip. So thats why I get somewhat depressed when I go there because when we go there it usually means that we're leaving. Its nice, though. Also, if you are staying on site, you can get free transportation to and from Downtown Disney from sometime in the morning (I think 10?) until 2, thats right 2 AM in the morning!
Have fun!

 

[scrappinmom]

We like DTD, but mainly because I like to do all my shopping in one place! With the ages of your boys maybe DisneyQuest is something they might like? My girls are not into anything remotely lookinglike a video game, so it's not for us. I can take or leave the food...but Rainforest Cafe is cool...but we have one not too far from us, so we go there pretty often. I always choose DTD when we have nothing else to do and don't feel like hanging at the resort.

 

[mickeymousemom]

We really like DtD and try to do one evening there. There are many restaurants and shops to go to and its nice to stroll thru on a calm FL evening. They have a HUGE Virgin records store that we love. Its two story and has a bookstore upstairs. World of Disney is a great place to look for souvenirs for everyone...a big store woth everything Disney you can imagine. The Lego store is also nice, and there's a Toy Store also. There's also a small $10 store and it can be fun for the kids. I like it because I can get something cheap for my toddler and she doesn't know the difference. It's great for kids who have a few dollars of their own to spend. I can't forget the Ghirardelli shop. You can buy chocolates on one side and the other side is an ice cream shop...YUM! If you go to the Ghirardelli website, you can get a coupon(used to anyway) for a free sundae when you buy one. It'll ask where your nearest shop is(pretend you're in Orlando) and they'll email you a coupon for the sundae that you can print out. You don't want to do it until a few weeks before you leave because they expire pretty quickly. There is also a movie theatre and of course, Pleasure Island is right in the middle of it all. You can catch bus transportation from the onsite resorts and POR/FQ has a boat that can take you there(a nice ride in the evening). We just think its a great place to get a good bite of Disney without being in the parks. I do think its best to stay away on weekends because you get more locals then. If you go and don't want to try a TS restaurant, then go to Earl of Sandwich for some great food that's not expensive...and don't forget your ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli!

 

[razamataz]

The last time I went to Disney World was the first time I ever did Downtown Disney. We went the first night we arrived so that we could "get into the Disney Spirit" before we got to the park the next morning.

We thought that it was a very relaxed environment. However, there is plenty to do depending on what you all like to do. Especially if anyone in your party is interested in going to Pleasure Island.

razamataz

 

[awsomedog]

i am very ecited becaus ei got this new pic!

 

[Corinne]

I love Downtown Disney~ the Marketplace side ( I have no interest whatsoever in the Westside ). I like the different shops there including The Art of Disney, Team Mickey (all sports themed, my boys love this store), Summer Sands, Disney's Days of Christmas, and most importantly, the World of Disney! I think you should go, even if it is just for a few hours, it's fun. You can have any purchases you make shipped to your room if you arent checking out the next day. As others have mentioned, there are busses or if you are staying at POR or POFQ, you can take the boat.

 

[torinsmom]

Your kids are just the right age to enjoy Disney Quest! It is a giant virtual arcade that my DS11 thought was just the best! There are some virtual rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Alladin's Magic Carpet, and Virtual Space Mountain. There's a human pinball game, a place where you can learn to draw Disney characters, and my favorite is like a bumper car ride where you also shoot these balls at the other cars.

Then they have a large regular arcdade where everything is included in the price. Even older games for our generation, LOL.

DQ doesn't open until 11:30am, so what we did was went to the shopping part from around 9 until 11am, then were at DQ when they opened. We spent about 5 hours in there and then went back to the hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

If you got plus tickets so that you could do the water parks, DQ is a plus as well.

MY son also enjoyed the Lego Store, Once Upon a Toy, pin store, etc. It was a neat place.

Marsha

 

[KelnRon]

I too love DTD! It is just another part of our Disney trip that I just have to do. We always go in the evening and just walk around and look at all the shops. The whole family loves it! Of course my favorite part is Rainforest Cafe! We will dining there on my next trip for my Bday! Woohoo! It is defianately worth a visit if you have never been there!

 

[byoung]

Shop, shop, shop, eat, eat, eat, enjoyment, enjoyment, enjoyment, fun, fun, fun, that's what DTD is about.

 

[laura001]

I've never been to Downtown Disney. Is this a crime? Am I missing something? We're currently planning a trip for Oct '07 for 7 nights. We've already "tentively" (sp) scheduled what we're doing for those days/nights. My hubby keeps asking if I'd like to go for longer (which is great!!!!) Now I'm thinking of going to DTD, but since I've never been there, I don't know what's involved, how many days we should visit there, wher to eat, can we get there by Disney transportation (we won't have a car), ETC, ETC, ETC!!! There are 4 of us (2 adults and 2 boys who will be 10 and 12) We're also going with another family of 3 with another 12 yr old boy.

What's your take on DTD and where can I read all about it?

DTD is something that you should see if you haven't, lots of shops etc., but nothing too exciting. It is nice to go at night and walk around and then head to Pleasure Island and take in the comedy house.

 

[JPN4265]

We reserve our trip to DTD for the day we first arrive. It's a great time to go, have lunch or dinner and get in the mood. Starting out at mid-day by going to the parks never seems to work.

 

[wdwlvr629]

We always go to DTD on the first and/or last day of our trip. If we have only a partial day and don't want to "waste" an entire day's admission to the theme parks, DTD is the place to go! We love it because there is lots of shopping to be done there and some great eats to (we like the Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant). You can also rent little boats and cruise around. It gets us into the Disney mood without going to the parks!