Downtown Disney Appreciation Thread

[MickeyMantleMouse]

Sometimes I don't think Downtown Disney gets the love it deserves because it isn't a Theme Park.

I'm from north Tampa and live only about 45 minutes away - and I must admit that I enjoy visiting DTD as much, if not more than any of the parks (well, except Epcot, that's sits alone IMO).

If I want to:
- Kick back lakeside with a margarita
- Party it up on a Saturday night at PI
- Grab a bite to eat at the inexpensive but awesome Earl of Sandwich
- Get some delicious seafood at Cap'n Jack's
- Take a date to Ghirardelli
- Get that unbelievable tea tree soap at The Basin
- Kick back with a book and coffee upstairs at Virgin Megastore
- Or just walk around all day and people watch

It can be so relaxing or exciting; there's something for literally everyone. So what do you like best about DTD? Can you spend as much time there as I do an not get sick of it? Let's hear the love for Downtown!

 

[laurabelle]

Sure I'll join you...my family loves DTD too! I don't think we've ever not gone at least once a trip.
My kids can shop til they drop there like no place else (thankfully with their own allowance $!) at World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy, Pin Traders, the stationary shop... Art of Disney is fun to window shop through. We've fallen for House of Blues, and have to eat there every trip now. The kids love, love, love the new Goofy's Candy Co. where you make your own candy creations, did that 2x and they can't wait to do it again! The magnet store, the movie memorabilia, Candy cauldron.... I've never been to PI, so I can't comment on that, but I agree about getting a margarita and a lakeside table, lovely! Love going through The Basin... sharing yummy Ghirardelli sundaes, mmmm... I'm sure I'll think of more!

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

Oh that's right, House of Blues is awesome too, I forgot to mention that before. Been to a couple good concerts there as well.

 

[Feralpeg]

I visit DTD as least 4 or 5 times a week. We also eat at Earl of Sandwhich on a regular basis. I love to pick DD up for school and run over to DTD so we can split a banana split at Ghiradelia. I love to walk through the West Side in the evening and watch all of the tourists!

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

I wish I lived close enough to go to DTD almost every night, but I'm just barely out of range for that. I'm there at least once or twice a week, though.

I LOVE the Marketplace at night. It's SUCH an awesome atmosphere. It's hard to describe in words... relaxing, romantic, cool, festive...

And you're right about the Earl. It's so friggin good, yet it's one of the most affordable disney restaurants on property. A $4.95 sandwich or salad? How can you beat that, nevermind the fact that it's Disney?

 

[momandseandodisney]

The kids love, love, love the new Goofy's Candy Co. where you make your own candy creations, did that 2x and they can't wait to do it again!

What is that? Sounds interesting tell me more!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I'd like to join this thread and add the wonderfully funny Adventurer's Club and late late shows at the Comedy Warehouse to the list of great things to do there.

Of course, I will second the "Take a date to Ghirardelli" motion!

 

[MainStreetFan]

And we thought we were the only ones to go to DTD and have a sundae while we sit and people watch!! Glad we have some other like minded people out there. Love to just walk thru the shops, night after night. Can't get enough of the bath bombs or soaps from Basin. Right on, sitting on the balcony at Virgin Mega Store. And don't forget all the great places at PI.

 

[MainStreetFan]

What is that? Sounds interesting tell me more!

Downtown Disney is a shopping, eating and entertainmen area on the property. It has 3 sections. Eastside, Westside and Pleasure Island. Be sure to check it out on your next visit.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

H and i looove DTD we go every night after the parks close during our vacay. It's so fun and mellow at night. It's a great way to cap off the day!

 

[LittleDino]

You all sound like experts on DTD! I'm going to visit it for the first time in two weeks. I think I'm more interested in the shopping than the restaurants. What shops do you recommend seeing? Are there any places there that are time wasters and I should avoid? TIA!

 

[Horizons16]

Ill join you too. DTD is a nice break from the parks sometimes.

 

[Skroops]

Okay, I agree, DTD IS a must see. It even has free live entertainment sometimes! Considering that I am a shop-0-holic, I totally feel right at home. We are looking forward to our next visit when the parents are here with us to babysit the baby and we can hit PI, the other half, and play the adult way!

Just to mention that I am of the scrapbooker generation, and I LOVE the DTD store full of scrapbooking supplies!

 

[laurabelle]

Quote:
Originally Posted by laurabelle
The kids love, love, love the new Goofy's Candy Co. where you make your own candy creations, did that 2x and they can't wait to do it again!

momandseandodisney: What is that? Sounds interesting tell me more!

This is one of my kids' favorite memories (they're giving me the details!)

You fill out a paper and hand it to the CM behind the counter who makes your treat right in front of you.

Choose a treat: 3 pretzel rods, a rice krispie Mickey, giant oreo fudge filled (vanilla, chocolate or peanut butter) gingerbread, or 3-4 marshmallows on a stick.

Then you choose the toppings, dipped in milk chocolate, white chocolate, lots of candies, crushed Reese's cups, Butterfingers, mini white chocolate chips, sprinkles, M&Ms, nuts. No limits!

To finish it off, you can get chocolate, white chocolate or carmel drizzled on top.

The CM pops it in the fridge for a few seconds to cool.

Then the CM gets on the microphone and announces your name and what you created! The stuff my kids came up with was crazy and they ate off their creations for days! The kids got a big kick out of it and have decided when they grow up and go into the college program this is where they want to work! (not a bad gig! IMHO)

 

[Jockaroo]

Another DTD lover checking in. DTD is typically our first night tradition. We've been in the car for 10-12 hours and it is heaven to just stand and wander about. We feel too drained to do a park that evening, so we get into our Disney spirit at DTD. We typically do pizza at Wolfgang Puck Express, but now I really am wanting to try Earl of Sandwich--it was open last time we went but very crowded. It sounds worth the wait though.

I predict we will be spending a lot of time here during our Oct. trip since we are staying off-site and won't be doing EMH in the evenings.

 

[momandseandodisney]

sounds yummy

 

[laurabelle]

Oh yeah... we love the Christmas Shop too! Lego store with the giant imaginative creations outside (though I miss the snoozing tourist!) Fun stuff for really little ones: pop fountains to play in, train, carousel. I can think of tons to do at DTD...

 

[athenna]

Great thread!
Love DTD!
And now that I own at SSR, I can just walk there whenever the mood hits

 

[Feralpeg]

When you visit DTD, look for my sister the CM. She will either be at Pooh Corner or Days Of Christmas. Her name is Georgia and it says she is from Kansas City. Tell her Feralpeg sent you!

 

[slo]

I'll be a part of this thread.

We kick off every vacation, every year at DTD. We spend our first night there shopping and having ice cream - we love it!!!!! I get a lot of X-mas shopping done there and it's just the best!!

Anyone remember when it was called "The Disney Village"? DH and I still call it the "The Village" we just haven't been able to convert ourselves to calling it DTD unless we are speaking about it with other people.