Downtown Disney Disclaimer showed up today

[techtony]

I noticed today while checking My Disney Experience website that under the Downtown Disney section (we have reservations at Ragland Road the first night), that they posted this in my itinerary: (this was not there yesterday)

Downtown Disney® Area

For Guests arriving in their own vehicles, please follow the signs to available parking–which may be located across the street from the Downtown Disney area. We suggest arriving at least 60 minutes in advance of all reservations and planned activities.

Learn more about current Downtown Disney parking options.

Interesting that they put that up. I am curious if they did that when the first Parking Garage was being built?

 

[Cee]

Yes, I understand parking is an adventure at DTD these days. That's why we stay at SSR so we can walk!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Yes, I understand parking is an adventure at DTD these days. That's why we stay at SSR so we can walk!

We also enjoy DTD and stay at POFQ. The boat to DTD is a relaxing and enjoyable ride The walkway (fairly new I believe) developed from SSR and boat dock at Marketplace is beautiful.

 

[cjparker0110]

My parents stopped by DTD about a month ago and said it was a mess. They were just in the area visiting family so they drove over. I'm sure it's not bad if you're using Disney Transportation.

 

[subtchr]

My parents stopped by DTD about a month ago and said it was a mess. They were just in the area visiting family so they drove over. I'm sure it's not bad if you're using Disney Transportation.

While it is "not bad" using Disney transportation, the usual infrequent and crowded buses at night still happen, and the buses seem to take a roundabout route to the Marketplace stop, so allow PLENTY of time.

I have had groups at WDW the past two weeks, first at Pop and this past week at ASMu. During the day, the trip to DTD from Pop wasn't bad, but I had part of my group attending La Nouba this past Wednesday, and the drive from ASMu at 7:00 took 45 minutes. That does NOT include waiting for the bus, that is the actual drive. Between the traffic and the route they now take, it's not a quick trip.

I had warned them that to get to La Nouba they would have to walk all the way through DTD (this group were not experienced WDW visitors, so I didn't want to get into the possibilities of taking a bus to SSR or any other options!).

You can start to see how cool Disney Springs is going to be, but it sure is a pain during these transition years!

 

[Michaelasmom2]

What will it look like in middle October?

 

[Applemomma]

We used Disney Transportation to get to DTD two weeks ago over the supper hour and it took over 25 minutes to get from where the gps sets off the "Welcome to Downtown Disney" spiel to the actual bus stop, a distance of about 400 feet. The line up of buses was at least 8 deep waiting to unload. Looked to me like they all take the same route into DTD because of the construction. So if you are using the bus give yourself extra extra time!

 

[wisblue]

We used Disney Transportation to get to DTD two weeks ago over the supper hour and it took over 25 minutes to get from where the gps sets off the "Welcome to Downtown Disney" spiel to the actual bus stop, a distance of about 400 feet. The line up of buses was at least 8 deep waiting to unload. Looked to me like they all take the same route into DTD because of the construction. So if you are using the bus give yourself extra extra time!

Was that the night of the accident in which a bus went into one of the parking curbs?

Bus congestion at DTD can be pretty bad, but according to the reports that night was exceptionally bad.

 

[Applemomma]

Was that the night of the accident in which a bus went into one of the parking curbs?

Bus congestion at DTD can be pretty bad, but according to the reports that night was exceptionally bad.

Hmmm. I hadn't heard anything about an accident. To the best of my recollection (Disney days all run together) it was Monday, March 16th around 7:00. There did seem to be a ton of "management" around the bus area so it would make sense! Hope no one was hurt!

 

[wisblue]

Hmmm. I hadn't heard anything about an accident. To the best of my recollection (Disney days all run together) it was Monday, March 16th around 7:00. There did seem to be a ton of "management" around the bus area so it would make sense! Hope no one was hurt!

The incident I saw reported here was earlier in the month. Nobody was hurt in that one.

 

[Disneyfriend]

When is this supposed to be completed (or mostly completed), does anybody know?

 

[tscrapper]

Where can you catch boats to DTD? That seems much simpler than driving.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

It's been bad to drive to DTD for quite a while now. For our Dec. 2013 trip we ended up parking in the team Disney lot across the street.

You can catch boats from POR or POFQ.

 

[Bluegrrl]

If you are at port orleans or Saratoga or even the new treetop dvc they have boats. We will park at portfq, eat at food court and boat to dtd.

 

[daisyx3]

Oh, that's a bummer about the busses. I asked DS if he wanted a souvenir from our trip next week and he wants House of Blues playing cards (he had a deck and lost them). Of course that is about as far from the bus stop as you can get! Sometimes it might be less stressful to just get a taxi!
Daisyx3

 

[TravelingTotMom]

We went to DTD last Friday night, and it was horrible. The parking garage was the only place to park immediately beside DTD (the other parking areas were completely closed off), and the garage was full, so they weren't even letting other cars in. We ended up having to park across the street in the Disney casting/corporate building lots and walk across the streets. It took us forever though b/c we kept trying to see if there was anywhere else to turn into DTD, and with all of the construction, traffic was a mess.

We are going back to Disney in May, but after that ordeal, DH made me promise we won't go back to DTD until everything is done. I think a boat or a bus would still be okay - but don't drive there in a car!

 

[sweetnjmom]

Thanks for the heads up. We are staying off property so no buses to DTD. My husband wants to go there one night (after our AK day) and I'm not sure it's a really good idea.

Good thing HE is driving! And I have a temporary handicap placard due to a hip injury so walking long distances won't be too good for me. (And yes I know I'll be walking a lot at the parks, but I mean in addition.)

 

[WEDWDW]

I love the Sassagoula River "cruise" to/from POR,so that has always been my preferred route to DTD-no DTD buses for me unless I stay late and the POR boats have stopped for the day.

 

[capegirl]

Considering the major traffic hassle, would it be worth it to hop on a POR bus from the TTC or one of the parks to take the boat to DTD?

 

[sweetpea29488]

We are staying at Pop and always go to DTD at least once. We always take the bus from Pop and we always go during the week in the evening. I'm wondering if we should try other transportation or just allow more time and stick with the bus?