Downtown Disney question...

[bradpga]

Hi-
We are staying at SSR this March (as some of you know-I'm a newbie with tons of questions). Anyway, can I take my family to DTD for dinner at Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe, etc.. just to eat without purchasing a pass? If not, what is the toll fee?

 

[smsnorthup]

There is no admission required for DTD. You can walk all around, shop, eat at any of the restaurants without a pass. It's alot of fun!!

 

[psu4glory]

no fee......rainforest cafe is decent for dinner.....earl of sandwich is GREAT for lunch!

 

[Glorydaz]

...make that Earl of Sandwich is great anytime! lol .....what fantastic food!! can't wait to go back again...

 

[bradpga]

Why do they sell passes to get in or is this just for Pleasure Island? I've never been-what's the difference? Oh yeah- can we do the lego thing with the kids without a pass?

 

[Showe]

Why do they sell passes to get in or is this just for Pleasure Island? I've never been-what's the difference? Oh yeah- can we do the lego thing with the kids without a pass?

no passes required unless you are going to Pleasure Island for teh nightlife. And then you can walk around down there when the bars/clubs are open.

Lego requires no passes.....

 

[LIFERBABE]

This is actually a pretty good question because alot of people dont visit DTD because they think it requires a pass or you have to be a club goer or big drinker.

I used to think that and then we visited on our 3rd trip and we have been hooked ever since!

If you are staying at SSR and you have little ones, the boat ride is AWESOME! It is especially pretty at night. One night we were on it and we could see Illuminations' high fireworks at Epcot. The boat launch is behind the Food Court. Go out the back door and the dock is down the steps/ramp.

Pushing a stroller is nice too if you decide to walk to DTD. Our favorite part of staying at SSR is all the fun stuff to do across the water at DTD.

There really is alot to do at DTD. There is a guest services there if you need to check on tickets or upgrade tickets which was really useful and the DTD location is not as rushed as the park guest services, where people behind you start breathing all loud when you ask too many questions.


There is Ghiardelli's Ice Cream shop, Goofy's Candy Shop, which my little one insist we stop at each visit for his powdered tube of sugar , Then there is Earl's which is a must do for us each trip and then for the roadtrip home too, Virgin Megastore has a great hands on Video game section and a nice little children's book area with small tables and chairs and a bank of TV's playing the latest childrens DVD movies we call it the Library LOL!. Bongo's walk up window is fun for empanadas which my boys loved and they were only $1.25 each! Great snack to enjoy while walking around. Disney Quest is 5 levels of Video and Interactive games that I cant get Dh and the boys out of. There's a multiplex cinema (AMC) which we ducked into to get out of the rain and purchased tickets to watch Madagascar last summer. Once Upon a Toy, has the Mr. Potato Head stations with exclusive pieces only available at WDW and then there,s Lego Land and the $10 or less shop, that I found some cool bargains in over Christmas. Oh and the dancing fountains! Thats not all there is at DTD, they also have all kinds of marketing events, where they offer games and hands on stuff and pass out promo items and t-shirts etc.

We really have a more "where the day takes us" flow when we are at WDW and the day normally takes us to the pool, the Community Hall/Sports Court, then an evening of fun at DTD and then more swimming at night. We visit the parks, but those days are more structured so we space them out with plenty of relaxing in between. We think of DTD as another park, without the lines

 

[Ellester]

We think of DTD as another park, without the lines

Our family would agree with you. Last Sept. we stayed offsite for a week with DH's parents and didn't go to a single park. We did hit DTD twice, once for the ENTIRE day. My 7yo dd keeps wanted to go back. I think SSR will be perfect for us!

 

[mbhoxsie]

DTD is always a blast... As stated before.. DTD (proper) and the West Side have no admission.. Tons of stores, activities, and stuff to do for the kids.. (My kids love the sprinklers at the entrance..)

Pleasure Island is free to walk through during the day, but at night, they start charging admission. PI is an experience if you haven't done it... DW and I used to hit it up once per trip before the DS & DD came along. Make sure you stay until Midnight for the "New Year's" Celebration.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I might be mistaken, but I don't believe there is a charge to walk around PI anymore. You must purchase admission for the clubs but it is free to walk through.