Downtown Disney - Is there any reason to go?

[DisneyFamily123]

In 2011, there were musical bands outside at night. We saw the Cirque La Nouba show and had dinner at T-Rex. Fun night. But now, I hear there is a lot of construction. We don't want to shop. Disney Quest and Splittsville do not interest us. And I have no burning desire to return to T-Rex. We have Irish restaurants with entertainment at home. Did I just answer my own question about any reason to go to Downtown Disney? The only reason I'm thinking about it is because there are boats from our resort to there. Anything new there?

 

[chapie1968]

If you do not have a specific reason for going there, STAY AWAY. It is a disaster area, especially on weekends. However to be fair, the biggest nightmare is the PARKING and usual traffic. Having a launch to get you there alleviates a big part of the problem of going there.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Honestly, I just go there to shop for souvenirs, so since you're not interested in that, unless there's a restaurant there you really want to try, I wouldn't bother!

 

[supergoofy]

For us its shopping, eating and this trip Quest.

Since you are not interested I would say skip it

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Thanks. When at Disney, I prefer to skip things I can do at home. I've always imagined Downtown Disney at night to be a place for eating, drinking, fun for locals and guests who do not want to spend an evening in a park. For me, not having been to WDW in 2 years, the parks are where I want to be... especially with some new things for us (Fantasyland and hopefully 7D mine train), the new test track, and Star Wars Weekend. I think we will have plenty to do for only a 6 night trip. In the past, we stayed 9-10 nights so there was more extra time for something like Downtown Disney.

 

[dachsie]

I usually go to DTD on arrival day. I spend a few hours walking around, shopping, whatever and then start hitting the parks the next day. Having said that, the one thing I want to do there is the Characters in Flight Balloon ride. It was grounded most of last week because of wind but I want to do that one day.

 

[Chickkypoo]

We like to spend at least part of a day checking out the stores. If we're there for a week, it gives us some down time from the parks.

We love hitting Earl of Sandwich, Goofy's Candy Company, The Art of Disney and the store with all the kitchen items.

 

[kathy884]

It's really crowded high season, and I'm not into shopping. We only go if we have Cirque tickets, as that's where the venue to see the show is.

 

[Harlon]

I'm a musician myself, so I enjoy going for the live music. I'll grab a few beers and just walk and stop at each entertainer for a bit. That being said we normally select one of the Port Orleans resorts and just ride the boat over, which we also enjoy. If I had to deal with parking - no. Every trip it seems like there's one night where the whole family is tired and crashes early. Last trip on that night I rode the boat to DTD by myself and had a great time just walking around and enjoying the music.

 

[Shaden]

We always spend some time in DTD, we like it, cool things to shop for, we always hit the Christmas store, and a few other places, you will find stuff you wont in other places .... and well, most importantly ...

EARL OF SANDWICH !!!! Actually one of the best meals in all of WDW ... fantastic !

 

[wyurm]

In 2011, there were musical bands outside at night. We saw the Cirque La Nouba show and had dinner at T-Rex. Fun night. But now, I hear there is a lot of construction. We don't want to shop. Disney Quest and Splittsville do not interest us. And I have no burning desire to return to T-Rex. We have Irish restaurants with entertainment at home. Did I just answer my own question about any reason to go to Downtown Disney? The only reason I'm thinking about it is because there are boats from our resort to there. Anything new there?

Yes. You just defined all the reasons to go to DTD and then said those are things you are not interested in. I would say stay away from DTD unless you decide to take in la Nouba again or see a movie, etc... Just because your resort has boats to DTD is not reason enough to visit it.

 

[mlktwins]

EARL OF SANDWICH !!!! Actually one of the best meals in all of WDW ... fantastic !

Totally agree. We are going our next trip (in a few weeks) mainly for this and to pick up new laynards for pin trading. Also, the Lego store since my boys are finally into Legos. That's pretty much it for us.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I go nowadays for the shopping. I always get my Disney Christmas ornaments there. In the past, I would go in the evening so I could go to the Adventurer's Club. That was always a fun place to hang out. I'm sorry it closed down years ago.

This year we will have a family with us, who has never been to WDW. They have 2 sons so I'm sure we will be spending a lot of time in Lego Land. And, I'd like to, at least see, what Splitsville looks like on the inside.

TC

 

[sarkell]

Honestly, I just go there to shop for souvenirs, so since you're not interested in that, unless there's a restaurant there you really want to try, I wouldn't bother!

This is why we're not going this trip. We only have 5 days & just dd6 & I. When we take a longer trip we can visit it. It's all about her this trip.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I'm a musician myself, so I enjoy going for the live music. I'll grab a few beers and just walk and stop at each entertainer for a bit. That being said we normally select one of the Port Orleans resorts and just ride the boat over, which we also enjoy. If I had to deal with parking - no. Every trip it seems like there's one night where the whole family is tired and crashes early. Last trip on that night I rode the boat to DTD by myself and had a great time just walking around and enjoying the music.

That's one thing we enjoyed -- the musicians outside. There was a really good band playing on an outdoor stage when we were last there. I could see us going there for dinner one evening and then back to the resort for a swim and call it an early night so we can make an early rope drop the next morning. ---- 25-30 minute boat ride to relax, dinner, some music, 25-30 minutes back on the boat, a swim in the pool, then to bed early. I know DS8 wants to go to T-Rex again. I'll save this idea for one of our last evenings and skip it if we find ourselves wanting more park time.

 

[csmith041177]

I have never been to DD. it is just hard to justify for me to take valuable time we could be using at the parks to go to DD.

 

[gailinroch]

I haven't gotten over Captain Jacks closing . It was always a must do, ever since DD opened. I loved sitting by the windows, looking at the water and enjoying the peel and eat shrimp. That was our main reason for going to DD.

Although for our next trip, if there's a rainy day, I'd like to try the movie theater where you can have lunch while watching the movie.

 

[Art 1]

My reason for going is lunch at WPE.

 

[Micca]

We really like looking at Disney merch. While we visit nearly every retail shop in the parks and the major resorts, we usually find something at DTD we didn't see anywhere else on property. And of course there's Ghiardelli

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We really like looking at Disney merch. While we visit nearly every retail shop in the parks and the major resorts, we usually find something at DTD we didn't see anywhere else on property. And of course there's Ghiardelli

Ghiardelli is so awesome, must do for us also. We always go to Disney Quest and I love the Christmas shop-I have to have my ornament(s) every year.

I also love the Art of Disney.