Downtown Disney -- Beware

[charlielinda3]

We just returned from three days at Disney and spent our last morning at Downtown Disney. I had read posts that Downtown Disney was a "mess" and hard to park at. It thought to myself -- sure -- I know what to do. I've been there a thousand times. I'll go early and there will be no problem. We have certain traditions for our last day but . . . it's not going to happen again at Downtown Disney.

Beware! Whatever you have heard from others about the traffic and trouble parking -- please believe them. We were there at 9:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning in May and by the time we found parking, took a shuttle, took a boat and walked it was 10:15 before we even made it there. I have always loved running in to Downtown Disney to design a tee-shirt, stop at World of Disney and have an ice sundae but . . . no more. Next time I'll purchase a tee-shirt on line, shop at any Disney store or order on line and eat ice cream somewhere else. I was told "it will be better soon" -- no it won't -- they are building huge garages and I hate garages. They are making stores much larger which is great if you want large stores. I always loved Downtown Disney just the way it was. We were told conflicting information if the garages would charge for parking or not -- we were told that the garages will not be owned by Disney also.

We have always loved spending our last morning at Downtown Disney and will definitely not be returning for a few years if ever. If there is something you really have to have from Downtown Disney try to find it somewhere else. Having said that we had a great two days at the MK and Epcot. Beware and believe folks when they tell you Downtown Disney is a mess and we were there on a quite day early in the morning. I can't imagine in the afternoon or evening!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm probably late but I just saw the article on wdwinfo.com with the new additions they announced. So I imagine it'll probably get worse before it gets better?? But who knows.

I've personally never been a huge fan of Downtown Disney. Last time we were there was in 2008. I'm not a big souvenior collector so the shopping part never grabbed me. We did DQ once and it was just ok. I do miss the ice cream sundae but we will be staying at the BC so plan on doing B&C and hoping to do Plaza for our ice cream fix.

I was thinking of going down to try WPE and to make some treats at Goofy's on our next trip but I think we will pass. Between the article I just read and now this post I think I'm content not going yet.

 

[Robo]

Aren't all the major problems and delays due to the current major construction going on?

 

[inspectorgadget]

Where did you park? You had to take a shuttle and a boat? Did you park in the new deck? I thought it was a mess last fall and that the new deck would help. It's worse than last year?

 

[Lilylogan]

Yeah I hope it gets better once all the construction is done but I fear it will still be really crowded. I hate going there in the evenings when you can't even walk through the mobs of people.

 

[JennyDrake]

HANDS DOWN the *BEST* way to access DTD is to take WDW bus to Saratoga Springs, get off at COngress and walk to DTD. It was PAINLESS and easy; I did this just 2 weeks ago.

In contrast, in March a friend and I tried driving. I swear we parked in Kansas. Street crossings were not super clear and frankly I felt rather unsafe dodging traffic. NO WAY would I try that after sunset. We went another day via WDW bus all the way to DTD and the buss route took 45 minutes one way AFTER we got on the bus.

 

[BrianL]

It is bad traffic wise, but it's only because of the construction. We parked at a satellite lot but it was an easy walk and they had crossing guards. We couldn't exactly figure out how to get into the garage. We also parked on a different day, earlier though, behind the Cirque theater where there is still a good sized parking lot. It was rather pleasant in the morning, thought he evening crowds were stifling (because half the area is completely blocked. I think once it is all finished it will be fine, but that's a ways off.

 

[jennib5426]

I agree DTD is a nightmare now. We were there in April went at 9:30am to go to Lego store and it was awful. Only 1 parking garage open at this point and it is past Planet Hollywood on West Side. Had to walk for at least 7-10 minutes to get to Lego store and it was hot. Parking at night is next to impossible unless you want to pay $20 for valet. There is no parking near the big Disney store or Earl of Sandwich or Christmas shop. They said there was a boat from west side to Rain Forest Café side but we couldn't find it.
We are going back in June for a week and there is no way I am going back to DTD.

 

[inspectorgadget]

I am so sad to hear this! My kids love DTD, especially the Lego store. We're going in September. Will it be the same then? Any suggestions how to get there if I'm staying offsite, since driving is such a nightmare?

 

[JennyDrake]

I am so sad to hear this! My kids love DTD, especially the Lego store. We're going in September. Will it be the same then? Any suggestions how to get there if I'm staying offsite, since driving is such a nightmare?

If you are staying off site, park at the park of your choice and take bus from park to Saratoga Springs. That's what we did.

 

[inspectorgadget]

If you are staying off site, park at the park of your choice and take bus from park to Saratoga Springs. That's what we did.

So you paid to park at one of the parks? And then took a bus to Saratoga springs? Is there any way to not have to pay to park?

 

[Robo]

So you paid to park at one of the parks? And then took a bus to Saratoga springs? Is there any way to not have to pay to park?

If you want to go to DTD in the daytime, you could park at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (it's free to park,) and board the Saratoga Springs bus.

Just be mindful of the closing time of the Water Parks so you won't miss getting back to your car.

 

[AllyBri]

We go often to DD and always park in the garage, love coming back to the cool car especially in this heat.
will never understand why people refuse to park the garage.
Lots of CMs around, plenty of spaces and well lit.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

You could also take a bus to Port Orleans and take the ferry over.

 

[inspectorgadget]

We go often to DD and always park in the garage, love coming back to the cool car especially in this heat.
will never understand why people refuse to park the garage.
Lots of CMs around, plenty of spaces and well lit.

How far is the garage from everything? Is it well marked to be able to find the garage? And is it free to park in garage?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Remember DTD is the *free* Disney Park to some that don't want to spend money on MK, AK, epcot or HS. Crowds can be large because it's free.

 

[bumbershoot]

How far is the garage from everything? Is it well marked to be able to find the garage? And is it free to park in garage?

Not far, free, and we found it last January without any sort of problems whatsoever.

Getting OUT of the garage was a bit funky since it was still under construction and had some "exit" signs pointing the wrong way, but we worked it out eventually.

 

[Tod&CopperFan]

We well be there toward the end of Sept and have an ADR at Raglan Road on a Friday night. Yikes! Now I am rethinking that. However we are staying at POR and I planned to take the ferry to DTD. What is the construction predicted to be like in the fall?

 

[Disfan1968]

Aren't all the major problems and delays due to the current major construction going on?

This. I think it's been pretty well advertised that this place will be a mess for at least another year. I think it's currently best for people who will be able to boat up there from the upriver resorts. Otherwise, yup, it's gonna be rough. Personally, I am fine with bigger stores and the re-work of DTD. It needed it in my eyes. I can't wait to see it all done.

 

[CAS239]

DTD is not THAT bad. Sure construction sucks, but you can't have improvements and change without heavy construction.

The traffic normally gets bad on the weekend, so we try to avoid it then. Other than that, it's easy to navigate and the parking garage is amazing. Super easy to find plenty of spots and it's not a far walk from everything. It'll be even nicer when the second garage is done