Downtown Disney Road Construction

[LJD2143]

I'm sure the construction status changes daily, but I'm just curious as to any recent experiences with getting to and from DTD......

For the first time we are renting a car and staying at Animal Kingdom Villas. I was soooo looking forward to DRIVING to DTD since our past bus experiences have not been so great with this location. With all the current construction going on, is driving now a BAD idea?

We will have the Tables In Wonderland card. Is there still free valet parking with your dining receipt and this card?

TIA!

 

[Grumpy92]

I would not recommend driving. Parking is the problem. If you drive, then valet park. Otherwise I would take the bus. Sadly their is only one bus stop now and it is extremely busy. So I guess the answer is getting to DTD is challenging.

 

[LJD2143]

I would not recommend driving. Parking is the problem. If you drive, then valet park. Otherwise I would take the bus. Sadly their is only one bus stop now and it is extremely busy. So I guess the answer is getting to DTD is challenging.

Thanks!

I just had an idea...would it be possible to drive to one of the Port Orleans resorts and take the boat? Or are there parking restrictions there?

 

[grimley1968]

Thanks!

I just had an idea...would it be possible to drive to one of the Port Orleans resorts and take the boat? Or are there parking restrictions there?

Technically you are supposed to only use resort parking lots if you are going to be at the resort, but I don't know how much this is enforced at the PO resorts, since they're not connected to a park. To be on the safe side, you could bus to POFQ from one of the parks after you're done for the day at the park, then catch the DtD boat from POFQ. This boat to DtD is about the only decent way to get there right now, though.

 

[Grumpy92]

Parking at PO resorts is a very popular alternative that I fear WDW might clamp down on. So be prepared with an option 2 just in case. I know the boats have been extremely crowded as lots of guest have this same idea.

 

[LJD2143]

Where does traffic start to get congested around DTD?

If we are driving from Animal Kingdom Lodge, should we avoid Buena Vista Drive all together? Or is it ok up until Epcot Center Dr?

If we enter at Entrance #5 (far West Side) are we ok - or is it just as bad there too?

On the other hand - if we decide to take the bus, where are the current bus stops located? And what routes do the busses take?

Thanks!

 

[joelkfla]

On the other hand - if we decide to take the bus, where are the current bus stops located? And what routes do the busses take?

Thanks!

I can't answer any of the driving questions, but the only bus depot currently open is the Marketplace, at the east end behind the Christmas Store. All buses now approach and leave via Vacation Club Way past SSR & OKW, completely bypassing the BVD construction. The main issue is that the Marketplace bus loop itself gets congested because there are not enough load zones to have one dedicated to each route, not enough queue space to comfortably handle peak crowds, and (IMHO) because buses tie up the load zones while drivers are being changed.

 

[rwdavis2]

From what I've read and heard on Podcasts, driving is OK if it's during the week and earlier in the day. Don't even consider driving on weekends or evenings. I've seen reports of spending 45 minutes or more looking for parking.

 

[sammielynn]

From what I've read and heard on Podcasts, driving is OK if it's during the week and earlier in the day. Don't even consider driving on weekends or evenings. I've seen reports of spending 45 minutes or more looking for parking.

This is so very true. Go early, during the week if you must.

 

[RysMomma]

We drove this past Friday. We were at dinner at 1900 Park Fare so we drove from the Grand Floridian to DTD. It was a mess. We had to park at Team Disney and walk over-and that was at the West End. It probably was a bit better than taking the busses, but not much. We were staying at POR, but with the storms that they had all week, sometimes the boat was running, other times it wasn't. So we just decided to drive.

 

[joelkfla]

We drove this past Friday. We were at dinner at 1900 Park Fare so we drove from the Grand Floridian to DTD. It was a mess. We had to park at Team Disney and walk over-and that was at the West End. It probably was a bit better than taking the busses, but not much. We were staying at POR, but with the storms that they had all week, sometimes the boat was running, other times it wasn't. So we just decided to drive.

Wasn't there a shuttle bus offered from Team Disney parking?

 

[OlafLuvsWarmHugs]

Thanks for the info.

 

[mdsd8700]

We were in DTD the first week in August on a Sunday night about 6:30. We had priority bowling reservations along with dinner at Splitsville. We have a TIW card so we used Valet Parking, which is near Cirque Du Solei. It was bit crowded getting in but not too bad really. By showing our dinner receipt the valet parking was free. Now it is a bit of hike to the main shopping area downtown which was hindered by all the construction walls but other than that it was an easy experience. My husband called the Valet as we were walking back to the car and it was ready and waiting when we arrived.

I can definitely see how parking and transportation would be difficult, however the TIW card and a receipt from dinner in DTD made everything very smooth and hassle free. Not sure if that is the case all the time when using valet in DTD but for us it worked great.

 

[LJD2143]

We were in DTD the first week in August on a Sunday night about 6:30. We had priority bowling reservations along with dinner at Splitsville. We have a TIW card so we used Valet Parking, which is near Cirque Du Solei. It was bit crowded getting in but not too bad really. By showing our dinner receipt the valet parking was free. Now it is a bit of hike to the main shopping area downtown which was hindered by all the construction walls but other than that it was an easy experience. My husband called the Valet as we were walking back to the car and it was ready and waiting when we arrived.

I can definitely see how parking and transportation would be difficult, however the TIW card and a receipt from dinner in DTD made everything very smooth and hassle free. Not sure if that is the case all the time when using valet in DTD but for us it worked great.

I had heard that valet parking was free with TIW (which we will have) and dining receipt. But is it STILL currently being offered? I thought I read that this perk at DTD was discontinued? Anyone have any recent experiences, within the past week?