Downtown Disney -- Beware

[fairyprincess88]

Irish, you're funny. But seriously, whether DTD is a pleasant diversion or an annoyance to one might depend on the length of your trip. I tend to stay 11-12 days, so for me and my family, it's a nice diversion from the parks... a way to stroll through some air conditioned stores, eat some food, and not be on a schedule. I find it to be relatively pleasant. I can imagine, however, if I were staying less than 8 days, that I would not want to sacrifice the time for it.

I kind of get where Irish is coming from in some ways. Like her I'm from NYC and there is not much in DTD that we don't have here at home. We have the huge fancy Disney Store, Earl of Sandwich, Cirque, high end eateries ect. So DTD doesn't really have anything special worth the trip whereas to some visitors to Disney they don't have these places at home. I do visit every couple of trips if I have downtime from the parks with nothing to do but it is certainly not something I'd go out of my way for, especially when I can just walk a few blocks every day for the same things.

 

[hakepb]

I'm also curious about the parking situation. I'm sure the garage isn't too bad-- you should see the garages at my University. Now that's a nightmare

My most recent trip was at the All-Star music and let me tell you something. That bus ride was almost 45 minutes long! The ride home wasn't nearly as long. Hm. Just he took the scenic route then.

Is the lot by the huge world of disney store still open? That's where we used to park when we drove. In June we're staying off-site and will have to drive instead. Is the garage the only place to park in now? I want to be as close as possible to the World of Disney store area.

I think, right now there is a Cirque side garage, lot and parking across the street by Team Disney

Unless you are driving a Caterpillar machine, I do not recall any current parking near the World of Disney (as they are making your lot another garage)

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/05/09/downtown-disney-construction-update-may-2015/

 

[lllGurulll]

So wait... you are saying that parking at DTD still requires a shuttle? Should I not bother renting a car for the trip then? I don't want to park so far away that I still need a shuttle to get there. DTD and the water parks were the only real reasons I was planning to rent a car.

 

[CAS239]

So wait... you are saying that parking at DTD still requires a shuttle? Should I not bother renting a car for the trip then? I don't want to park so far away that I still need a shuttle to get there. DTD and the water parks were the only real reasons I was planning to rent a car.

There's no need for any type of shuttle. You don't have to park far away.

Parking garage, lot behind Cirque, or across the street (I never park across the street).

If one wants to be as close as possible to the World of Disney store, then parking across the street near it would probably be the closest.

For the parking garage or lot by Cirque you can take the boat across the water, walk about 5 min, or take the bridge across the lake depending where you wan to go

 

[Alessandra Gabriel]

We spent our last evening which was our only non park day at Downtown Disney. We took the bus from our resort- The Contemporary. Im not the biggest fan of DTD but I figured it would be our best spot for dinner choices instead of having to eat QS at Contempo Cafe. The bus ride was a little on the longer side because it also stops at Wilderness Lodge, but the drop off is right by the Rainforest Cafe, so it was pretty convenient. Since we were there last, which was this past November, they have completed a pedestrian bridge, which was quite nice! It helped to ease up some congestion issues. We ate at Portobello, which was not that great, but it was the only place that wasnt mobbed with people and that could take us without a ressie. DTD was definitely packed with people, stores were crowded and walking from one place to another was aggravating because of all the congestion, but I went there already prepared with this and knew it wouldnt be a low key evening--afterall its May, the beginning of summer and high tourist season. If you are looking for a calm and relaxing evening or day, dont go there, especially now or anytime soon. If you do go, just prepare yourself so you are not disappointed when you get there.

 

[MrsDuck]

We visited DTD 2x over Memorial Day weekend. Had no trouble parking in the garage at 10am. In fact, it was much nicer than the the typical chaos of old DTD parking.

No complaints on our end. Yeah, it's busy. And, yes, there is construction but it's still worth a visit, IMO.

 

[Jack Frost]

I've heard about problems with parking for quite some time now, among other things due to the construction. I haven't been to DTD in years now, but I could imagine it being a mess with everything going on now. I'm heading back in July so I might skip it this time around if it really is that bad.

 

[palavra]

I am local and have been to DTD several times this year. The parking is much better now than last fall. Also, the walkways are wider , and there are fewer walls now. I love DTD and do not think of it as a big mall. There is great Disney music playing throughout DTD, inside as well as outdoors. There are many choices for entertainment from bowling, movies, and amusement ride for the kids to the outdoor amphitheater near the water. Anyone can take a boat ride over to other resorts to walk around as well. Since it is still free, I think it is one of the best deals on Disney property

 

[michsig]

You say you hate garages, but these garages will help alleviate the parking situation. I love Downtown Disney. I was there in September, and even with the crowds and construction, I still made the best of it.

 

[morrison2951]

Just back from SWW and we stay offsite. DTD parking can be a pain but what we did is parked in the Casting Lot just across the street from the entrance.

I didn't know that we were allowed to park there, but it's a large lot and they let me in, and I didn't get towed so yay for me! Ha ha ha

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

Was planning on skipping DTD altogether because of construction, but with Boathouse and Morimoto opening before our trip in Oct, I'm now considering it. Do you think it's worth the hassle for first-timers, 3 generations trip? Staying off-site, this would be our restaurant plan for last night (non-park) and having B&C ressie earlier in the day (11:30am). Thanks for your input!

 

[mamattorney]

Is there an overhead image of what DTD looks like at this time (for parking purposes, where to turn off the road for valet, flat lot, garage)? This thread is a bit unnerving. We've got a reservation at T-Rex for dinner on a Friday night that I don't want to miss.

 

[morrison2951]

Not sure about any overhead image of DTD, but you'll have a great time at T-Rex!

 

[DrivenByDisney]

We live in Dr. Phillips (just up the street from Disney) and we always park at the Buena Vista Palace and just walk across the street to DTD. They have a pretty big lot (free) and it's across the street from the Marketplace end of DTD. No big deal and it beats heading to the garage end, for now.

The garage is pretty cool and will get better as construction moves along. They have screens showing you which levels are full or have spaces available and which spaces are available to park.

Yes. It is busy on weekends but it's always been like that and even with the new lane expansions and garages, it will still be busy on weekends. It is a little packed right now due to the expansions, etc. Just roll with it (if you can) and try and enjoy yourself.

We went bowling at Splitsville on Saturday night. Parked at the above stated. Walked to Splitsville and were bowling within 20 minutes of parking. Not all that bad to me.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Is there an overhead image of what DTD looks like at this time (for parking purposes, where to turn off the road for valet, flat lot, garage)? This thread is a bit unnerving. We've got a reservation at T-Rex for dinner on a Friday night that I don't want to miss.

Threw this together really quickly from Google Earth

 

[Grumpy92]

My wife has had a knee replacement. Is there anywhere I can drop her off other than parking garage? Last year I was able to drop her off at World of Disney store while I parked. Can I still drop her off and pick her up there?

I think you are going to have a difficult time finding a place to drop her off. Possibly over by Cirque du Soleil would be the best spot. Everything else is torn up. I understand, to bring my Dad I have to do the same thing.

 

[mamattorney]

Through this together really quickly from Google Earth

This is perfect - thanks for taking the time to do it!

 

[DisMama5]

So I'm confused are the busses for onsite guests not available to go to dtd now? We always take the bus to the side where rainforest is. We typically stay on that side, farthest we venture is Trex. We will be there in November.

 

[Alessandra Gabriel]

The busses will take you to DTD. I was just there, took the bus from Contemporary on Saturday. It dropped us off right at Rainforest Cafe.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

So I'm confused are the busses for onsite guests not available to go to dtd now? We always take the bus to the side where rainforest is. We typically stay on that side, farthest we venture is Trex. We will be there in November.

Yes. The buses for on site guests ARE running to DTD. They are stacked up all day it seems on the Marketplace side closest to Rain Forrest Cafe.