Downtown Disney Advice

[Tia1977]

1st trip to WDW, going 1st 2wks of June (no choice bc of school); so I've dug in hard for my planning this past year. Me, hubs, 12yr DD. Nailing down touring plans now that dining reserved. Coming up blank for the day we have planned for DTD. Quest & balloon ride; that's it so far (Since Circ will be gone by then. No interest in the replacement). Two questions:

1) Any DTD suggestions geared to adults w/a tween?

2) Best and/or most fun place to eat?

3) Most fun resort to tour & get a snack / gift shop. Since we're staying off property, I haven't researched resorts in depth. I'm not even sure which ones you can take a boat to from DTD. lol

 

[disneydude365]

in DTD my favorite restaurants are Planet hollywood its really fun themed, and rain forest cafe. as for actives? try the shops like co-op its fun to browses and see what all they do, days till christmas a christmas store thats open 365 days a year, and disney quest a virtual/arcade area its really fun with rides you can create then ride them in a simulator!

as for best resort to explore? try the contemporary 4th floor from the main building has some great stuff in there

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

If you are looking more for activities than shopping in DTD, there is Splitsville (bowling) and the movie theatre. There are also great lego sculptures throughout DTD. We always enjoy strolling around and looking at those. Plus sometimes there is entertainment. We have seen dance groups, jugglers, etc. That seems to be mostly weekends.

 

[DizzneyDi]

DTD offers some great dining options. I'd skip the chain restaurants like Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex, and try either Raglan Road, which offers both table service and quick service as well as great Irish music and dancers in the evening, or Wolfgang Puck Express, which is widely considered the best quick serve in all of WDW. There are 2 locations in DTD but the one on the Marketplace end is the better one--more seating, and last time I looked at menus, more food choices as well. And be sure to save room for dessert at Ghirardelli's, home of the most amazing ice cream treats in the World!

You can travel by boat to Old Key West and both Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside. I've stayed at all 3 places and think they're among the nicest to tour. There is also a separate boat that services Saratoga Springs Resort, also lovely but very spread out, and at least in my opinion not as nicely themed as the other 3.

 

[dhdozier]

My group loves to eat at TRex. I don't think there is another anywhere else to visit so it is a must! As far as boat rides, I know Saratoga Springs resort is a boat ride across from Downtown DIsney and that isn't one that I would make a special trip to. Your plans of Quest, balloon ride, and a meal would be a whole days worth with my family. Quest is phenomenal and you will easily spend 4 hours or more there enjoying it (my gamer of 13 MUST visit each trip to Orlando). I believe it opens at 11am so you have time to walk around the shops and could eat lunch before going in. One more mention: Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is there too - any interest with daughter? My 15 year old daughter is excitedly planning a trip with her 5 yr old cousin - they service customers of all ages. Have fun!

 

[DisLee]

1st trip to WDW, going 1st 2wks of June (no choice bc of school); so I've dug in hard for my planning this past year. Me, hubs, 12yr DD. Nailing down touring plans now that dining reserved. Coming up blank for the day we have planned for DTD. Quest & balloon ride; that's it so far (Since Circ will be gone by then. No interest in the replacement). Two questions:

1) Any DTD suggestions geared to adults w/a tween?

2) Best and/or most fun place to eat?

3) Most fun resort to tour & get a snack / gift shop. Since we're staying off property, I haven't researched resorts in depth. I'm not even sure which ones you can take a boat to from DTD. lol

1. Bowling or a movie

2. T-rex

3. Riverside

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you so much to all of you! Wonderful suggestions...sweet to take your time to help me!

 

[Hopefully]

1st trip to WDW, going 1st 2wks of June (no choice bc of school); so I've dug in hard for my planning this past year. Me, hubs, 12yr DD. Nailing down touring plans now that dining reserved. Coming up blank for the day we have planned for DTD. Quest & balloon ride; that's it so far (Since Circ will be gone by then. No interest in the replacement). Two questions:

1) Any DTD suggestions geared to adults w/a tween?

2) Best and/or most fun place to eat?

3) Most fun resort to tour & get a snack / gift shop. Since we're staying off property, I haven't researched resorts in depth. I'm not even sure which ones you can take a boat to from DTD. lol

Where is Cirque going??? When????

 

[bushdianee]

A word of caution on the balloon ride, I've been trying to ride it on my last 3 visits-all within the first 2 weeks of June and have yet to make it. If there is any wind or rain it will be grounded. I tried 2-3 times each visit. Hoping for success this year but prepared to not ride again as we are going June 2-10.

 

[strawberrylilacs]

You would be surprised how much time you could spend at Quest. There is also the AMC theatre that has a meal while the movie is playing.

What I would do and am planning again in February on our first night here, if you are at DWD Wednesday thru Sunday would see Yehaa Bob Jackson. Take the boat to Riverside. He has a FREE show those days at 8 or 8:30 p.m.(?) then another a hour and a half later. It is at the River Roost lounge in the main building. Your whole family (we are 3 generations) will have some of the most fun you will have during your stay at WDW. He is a singer, writer, piano player that has everyone participating. You will leave with your jaws hurting from smiling and laughing so much. It is a lounge but it the show is definitely family. You can get some great food and drinks while watching. Come 1/2 hour before because the love is great but the venue is small. Check out his Yeehaa Bob internet site. And I'm betting you will find lots of good reviews from people on the DIS.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

1st trip to WDW, going 1st 2wks of June (no choice bc of school); so I've dug in hard for my planning this past year. Me, hubs, 12yr DD. Nailing down touring plans now that dining reserved. Coming up blank for the day we have planned for DTD. Quest & balloon ride; that's it so far (Since Circ will be gone by then. No interest in the replacement). Two questions:

1) Any DTD suggestions geared to adults w/a tween?

2) Best and/or most fun place to eat?

3) Most fun resort to tour & get a snack / gift shop. Since we're staying off property, I haven't researched resorts in depth. I'm not even sure which ones you can take a boat to from DTD. lol

That's rich right there.

Darn bus drivers at it again, I guess.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Where is Cirque going??? Nowhere.When???? Ever.

This.

 

[Squirlz]

Bongos is awful. Don't eat there. We spent a little bit of time at Quest. Buzz Lightyear was no fun. My Wife's vehicle simply did not work. Mine got jammed up against another one and we just bumped into each other the whole time. The attendants didn't care at all.

Virtual Space Mountain looked cool but Sum Of All Thrills is much better. VSM really shows its age with the ride video you can purchase. It's VHS!!

Pirates was fun and the arcade games too. I wouldn't pay to visit there though. We had a voucher with our package.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

See? That's why they make chocolate and vanilla. We happen to love Bongos.

 

[spiderann]

Where is Cirque going??? When????

i was just wondering the same thing! i was planning to go when i'm there 1st week of june. i guess that's why there are no tix available after may??

 

[brown1990]

Hello,

I would suggest making reservations, it always seemed even in off season to be hard finding a table unless you just do quick service at an awkward time of day! I wish you luck!!!

 

[JulieWent]

DS, who is now 19, has loved Raglan Road almost since it opened. He also suggested stopping at Goofy's Candy Company. (We just returned from a trip, and he made a special effort to go buy himself a candied apple there.)

He also has always loved DisneyQuest. (When he was younger, he spent a lot of hours playing classic video games there.)

He was kind of bleh about Cirque. (My husband and I loved it, but he felt it was just "okay.") He did love Blue Man Group at Universal, though.

 

[Tia1977]

I've been reading that Circ is only playing thru March 2015 & another performing group is taking it's place. Is that not true? We've been so disappointed, was looking 4ward to it.

 

[Hopefully]

This.

Thanks Wilson Flyer.