Downtown Disney for those on a budget

[abmitch01]

we are staying isn POR Riverside and there is a boat to DTD. We have the quick serve meal plan so I don't want to spend a bunch of money on a DTD restaurant. DD and I are pretty frugal when it comes to shopping, unlikely to buy a lot of souvenirs. Is it worth walking around and taking the boat ride? or is it just expensive stores?

 

[kymom99]

One of the best things about POR is its access to DTD. There are some really good counter service options there as well. Earl of Sandwich is very popular. I have yet to try Wolfgang Puck Express, but it gets great reviews as well. I would definitely go. There are some pretty cool lego sculptures to see. The setting is nice and if you go early in the day, it isn't too crowded.

 

[worm761]

we are staying isn POR Riverside and there is a boat to DTD. We have the quick serve meal plan so I don't want to spend a bunch of money on a DTD restaurant. DD and I are pretty frugal when it comes to shopping, unlikely to buy a lot of souvenirs. Is it worth walking around and taking the boat ride? or is it just expensive stores?

There is a lot to see there. While it is mostly shops, it is also just as well themed as the parks and resorts. Lots of little details. Plus, the shops are fun to browse in! Even if you buy nothing it is worth going just to look around.

 

[ateam79828592]

some of our favorite qs restaurants are at DTD. Wolfgang Puck Express is our overall #1. We also likes the Cookes of Dublin.

 

[Couchy]

lots of live outdoor music throughout downtown disney that is free

 

[abmitch01]

thanks!

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

We usually go to Wolfgang Puck Express at least twice each trip! It is the best quick service at Disney! You have to go!

 

[jedijill]

Wolfgang Puck Express is one of the best values on property on the QS plan. There is lots to see and do without spending much money at all.

Jill in CO

 

[abmitch01]

you can use the quick dining plan at DTD?

 

[RitaE]

I'm actually not a fan of most the the shops at Downtown Disney. We just aren't much in the way of shoppers or window shoppers. We hardly ever buy much in the way of souvenirs on our vacations.

But we usually make a trip there for a couple of hours each vacation - usually enjoy a restaurant and go to the Lego Store. And --- I kind of like the boat rides too.

 

[ktate82]

Wolfgang Puck Cafe is amazing and accepts the QS dining plan. We enjoy eating there and walking around. We sometimes don't buy anything. When we went without kids, we spent a Saturday night just taking everything in. Reglan Road has a bar where you could sit and have a drink while listening and watching the Irish band and dancers. I don't know if they are on every night or just Saturdays, but it was awesome.

 

[TravelMommy]

When we did the QS Dining Plan many years ago, we used credits at WPE twice that trip and go back to eat there every trip. QS prices and TS food! Save room for ice cream at Ghirardelli, best ice cream on the property! Fun to walk around and window shop. World of Disney store is fun. Have a great trip. DTD is a must do for us every trip.

 

[kiki02]

When we did the QS Dining Plan many years ago, we used credits at WPE twice that trip and go back to eat there every trip. QS prices and TS food! Save room for ice cream at Ghirardelli, best ice cream on the property! Fun to walk around and window shop. World of Disney store is fun. Have a great trip. DTD is a must do for us every trip.

Meh - hard to go there and not spend money. it's shopping, eating or drinking.

 

[pinoke]

We had fun there! We had THE BEST ICE CREAM EVER at Ghiradelli's and sat outside enjoying the live music/dancing. We did let our son choose some Lego figures and he also picked a pearl/ necklace for his Grandmother's birthday, but it's fun without shopping. Now- without eating- I would say no.

 

[abmitch01]

maybe we'll go to Wolfgang's the first day while we're waiting for our room and luggage to be ready. the only souvenir I buy every year is a Christmas tree ornament but it's usually something from the Disney outlet that may not even be an ornament and we fashion it into one. We're just not big souvenir people, DD is 15 and would much prefer the outlets to Disney items.

 

[seasheller]

We also used the counter service meal at Earl of Sandwich a few years back. Now we don't get the dining plan, but always eat at Earl of Sandwich whenever we can. Don't let the long lines scare you - it moves very fast. They also give a AAA discount.

 

[tinkerone]

stop into the Ghirardelli candy side of their store. there is a cm there that hands out free chocolate squares. its always a different flavor, very yummy. if we are there anyways we have to stop in and get the treat.
also, i'll second (or third) the vote for Earl of Sandwich. awesome food.

 

[AnnaS]

Wolfgang Puck Express - we make at least two stops here each trip. We treat ourselves to Ghiradelli's ice cream once a trip. We love to look, browse, stop and enjoy the entertainment. Have tried other restaurants and done the Character Balloon Flight. You can do as much or as little as you want here.

We have not shopped in a long time but will probably start again once our first grandchild arrives soon.

 

[leebee]

OP, we are like you; not too many souvenirs- if any at all- and if we are spending the money, we'd rather go to the outlet stores. We go to DTD sometimes, but not too often. It's a LOT of overpriced stores. I like World of Disney because they have a decent selection of home-related stuff; my only souvenir for myself ever is a $5 plastic cutting board that has mickey heads in neon colors- but otherwise it's all pretty much the same stuff that you'll find in the parks. Sometimes there are bands or choral groups singing in the outdoor arena, but I think that's seasonally-influenced, and with the construction going on, I'm not sure what's happening in that area. Ghirardelli makes good ice cream and chocolate, but the free samples are the same Ghirardelli squares that you can buy in the grocery store.

I REALLY liked the boat ride (can't remember where we took it from… either POFQ or OKW), thought, and Wolfgang Puck Express (counter service) has GREAT food. IF you have time to kill, take the boat over and have lunch; if nothing else, you'll be able to say you went to DTD… pretty soon, it won't exist at all, as it's being reconstructed as Disney Springs!

 

[Marionnette]

you can use the quick dining plan at DTD?

There's a list of all QS restaurants on the official Disney website. You can view the brochure here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/m...altDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2014QuickService.pdf

Lots of locations in DtD where you can use your credits. Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich are probably the best value for your credits.

ETA: Don't forget to pick up your complimentary Planet Hollywood souvenir. There should be a voucher for it in your MYW package. I think that it was a PH key chain the last time we had a package.