Downtown Disney or Boardwalk and how to get there

[jomass]

We are looking to spend a few hours one evening bumming around one of the Disney areas on one of our early park exit days. I always get the two confused between Disney Boardwalk and Downtown Disney. Which one has more to do and see? I don’t think we care about dining out so much, so that would be more of a munchy snack thing. I believe that there is more at DD. If so, what’s the best way to get there with all of the construction? I think I read about parking at a resort and taking a water taxi over or something.

 

[FreddyMercury]

Downtown Disney most definitely has more to do and I find it to be much more accessible. I haven't been there with all of the new construction, but there is a ton of shopping, a hot air balloon (kinda) experience, live music, and lots of quick service eateries. You can take a bus there from the resorts. Or if you wanna park at Saratoga Springs, then yea you can take a boat or just walk over. As far as the Boardwalk is concerned, I personally love the look and feel, but there isn't that much to do. Mostly just restaurants. However, if you leave Epcot through the International Gateway, the Boardwalk is only a short walk away.

 

[WEDWDW]

For DTD,I usually do a Park in the AM for a while and then take a Port-Orleans Riverside bus from the Park and then take the boat from POR to DTD and then reverse the route when through at DTD-the boat ride is really fun!

(Not a whole lot to do on The Boardwalk.)

 

[Belle61513]

DTD is fine, but I really enjoy The Boardwalk.

I don't know the ages of your party, but if you have adults (no kids) I would recommend it over DTD. We enjoy having a drink at the bar in the Boardwalk hotel, then a nice dinner at Flying Fish (but there are other options if you're looking for something less formal like ESPN and Big River Grill) before taking a nice stroll on the boardwalk (they have street performers, etc) and heading to JellyRolls to listen to some fun dueling piano action. The Boardwalk is a quick walk out the back gates (International Gateway) of EPCOT by France/England. So, it makes perfect sense to end a day at EPCOT there.

 

[mom2rtk]

Are there any street performers during the day? We're eating at Cape May on our last morning before heading for the airport that afternoon and hoped to spend some time in that area.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

There are not any street performers during the day just evening hours.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

DTD definitely has more to do and see. I haven't been since all the construction started. I like Broadwalk because it's quiet. That is pretty easy to get to if you are at Epcot (walk) or Studios (water taxi).

 

[mom2rtk]

There are not any street performers during the day just evening hours.

Thanks for the info!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Thanks for the info!

You are welcome!

 

[WEDWDW]

There are not any street performers during the day just evening hours.

Also,I "think" they are only there Thursday,Friday,Saturday.

 

[jomass]

We have a 4 year old with us so I think I’ll opt for DD. The Boardwalk is all coming back to me now. That would be my adult only choice now that I think of it.
We will be going back to the condo to have dinner after the parks that day. So, seeing that we’ll be coming from our offsite non-Disney resort, will it be a problem to park at POR and take the boat over? I actually would like to spend a few minutes checking out the POR for a possible return someday.

 

[WEDWDW]

We have a 4 year old with us so I think I’ll opt for DD. The Boardwalk is all coming back to me now. That would be my adult only choice now that I think of it.
We will be going back to the condo to have dinner after the parks that day. So, seeing that we’ll be coming from our offsite non-Disney resort, will it be a problem to park at POR and take the boat over? I actually would like to spend a few minutes checking out the POR for a possible return someday.

Guests are not "supposed" to Park at a Resort unless visiting or dining at THAT Resort.

You could ask the POR Parking Lot Guards about it and see what they say.

 

[jomass]

I think I’ll be able to live with myself for the minor faux pas, considering that I will be visiting their property to spend my money on their food, their services and their merchandise. I consider it fair trade for the minor inconvenience of dealing with their renovation/expansion project. Besides, we’ll be hard pressed to pass on some Cajun sampling while we’re there.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are looking to spend a few hours one evening bumming around one of the Disney areas on one of our early park exit days. I always get the two confused between Disney Boardwalk and Downtown Disney. Which one has more to do and see? I don’t think we care about dining out so much, so that would be more of a munchy snack thing. I believe that there is more at DD. If so, what’s the best way to get there with all of the construction? I think I read about parking at a resort and taking a water taxi over or something.

DTD is the nicest, has more shops, etc. Were just there and the construction wasn't an issue at all for us - took the bus there (we 'never' drive) stayed in the Market Place area, walked over the new Causeway and had a great time.

 

[Rose77]

We have a 4 year old with us so I think I’ll opt for DD. The Boardwalk is all coming back to me now. That would be my adult only choice now that I think of it.
We will be going back to the condo to have dinner after the parks that day. So, seeing that we’ll be coming from our offsite non-Disney resort, will it be a problem to park at POR and take the boat over? I actually would like to spend a few minutes checking out the POR for a possible return someday.

I actually emailed Disney and asked this exact question. (We want to look around POR because we are considering staying there in the future, and I wanted to know if it would be okay to visit and look around and then take a boat to DTD.) Here's the response I got from Disney:

"If you will be staying offsite and plan on visiting a Disney resort, such as Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, you would want to visit Guest Services and register as a Day Guest. To get from Disney's Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney, you would then take the Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney Marketplace"

So, per Disney customer service, this is okay to do.

 

[jomass]

I actually emailed Disney and asked this exact question. (We want to look around POR because we are considering staying there in the future, and I wanted to know if it would be okay to visit and look around and then take a boat to DTD.) Here's the response I got from Disney:

"If you will be staying offsite and plan on visiting a Disney resort, such as Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, you would want to visit Guest Services and register as a Day Guest. To get from Disney's Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney, you would then take the Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney Marketplace"

So, per Disney customer service, this is okay to do.

Very cool, thanks so much!

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow. We're staying at POR this summer. I sure hope we don't have any parking issues.

 

[WEDWDW]

Wow. We're staying at POR this summer. I sure hope we don't have any parking issues.

I think once word gets out about this new Policy,MANY Guests are going to park at POR for DTD access because of the construction issues at DTD.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think once word gets out about this new Policy,MANY Guests are going to park at POR for DTD access because of the construction issues at DTD.

I'm actually glad I read about that here. If I have any issue with parking, I won't hesitate to file a complaint.

 

[WEDWDW]

I actually emailed Disney and asked this exact question. (We want to look around POR because we are considering staying there in the future, and I wanted to know if it would be okay to visit and look around and then take a boat to DTD.) Here's the response I got from Disney:

"If you will be staying offsite and plan on visiting a Disney resort, such as Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, you would want to visit Guest Services and register as a Day Guest. To get from Disney's Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney, you would then take the Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney Marketplace"

So, per Disney customer service, this is okay to do.

There is some thinking in the Thread below that you may only get the traditional 3 hour Parking Pass so be sure to let POR know you will need longer than that.

It would be awfully hard to tour POR,go down the mighty Sassagoula to DTD,tour DTD and get back up the Sassagoula in 3 hours.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/park-contemporary-for-magic-kingdom-access.3398737/#post-53420775