Downtown Disney?

[tellnotails]

Is this worth the trip from the fort?

 

[serenitygr]

I think it depends on what you are looking for in entertainment when you go. We've gone twice- we have 4 kids under the age of 12- we go to see the Lego store, go to T-Rex, and try to do the helium balloon ride. (both times it was NOT working) There is tons of shopping and eating places there, and lots of entertainment/restaurants for the over 21 age group, but not so much for kids) All in all- if you've never been there it might be worth it to see for yourself- then you'll know!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

tellnotails, good to see you(back).

Nope,,, not worth it,,unless of course ya wanna,,then it could be worth your while,,less'n it ain't in which case I wouldn't bother.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd avoid Fri, Sat and Sun. Also take the bus, DO NOT DRIVE. They have alot of the parking lot closed down. Looks like they are adding a parking garage to DTD.

 

[armdave]

We both vote a huge yes. The Village is great and we always have a fun time there.
What we sometimes do is go to Port Orleans or Riverside and take the boat to the Village just for a nice relaxing ride

 

[TwinkleKS]

I usually go the last night to buy souvenirs. That way I don't spend the park time with the kids looking for toys, etc. they know they get something on the last day when we go to the big store.

 

[North of Mouse]

We both vote a huge yes. The Village is great and we always have a fun time there.
What we sometimes do is go to Port Orleans or Riverside and take the boat to the Village just for a nice relaxing ride

This is what we do also, except we go to Port Orleans French Quarter and get beignets and coffee first! Not as good as in NOLA, but close enough when your hungry for them!

 

[JETS70]

Getting souvenirs at Downtown Disney later in the trip is a good idea. Our kids always made trips through the gift shops at the parks but we didn't want to have to bother with lugging around packages. I know you can send them back to the resort to be picked up the next day but it seemed the kids wanted to look and wait before buying to make sure they got what they wanted and this usually took us up to late in the trip. We always tried to make a DD evening to shop and eat at one of the restaurants such as T Rex or Rainforest Café'. The boat ride from one of the Port Orleans resorts is definitely relaxing, easier than finding a parking spot and most times not as crowded as the bus. A trip to DD is worth the time.

 

[jbrostek]

Love Raglan Road so we got there every year. Actually did the dine in theater at AMC, food was reasonable (taste and price) drinks and seating where awesome. We saw Saving Mr. Banks and enjoyed the movie a lot in that setting.

 

[articfox676]

The expansion of DTD will be on going for a couple years in stages. Parking garages, exit/entrance ramps from highways. DTD will be twice the size it is now.

You will be best off to ride the bus or be there when they open.

We always have to do Lego, Christmas store, buy pins for the GDs.

 

[bama_ed]

We like going to DTD for a half day.

Two things now for us:

1) the World of Disney store has anything you might want Disney-related. If they don't have it, you don't want it.

2) the Christmas store has a sewing embroidery service so anything like a hat/jacket/etc that you want a sewn/stitched/embroidered word sewn on it can be left there to be done. (They will even deliver the next day to the Fort if you have the time). Even if you bought it in any other store if you want something embroidered they will do it. We bought some bride-and-groom Mickey ear hats for my Mom and Dad for their 50th anniversary and they came out FABULOUS.

Oh and I forgot to mention that the Earl of Sandwich store offers 10% off with a AAA card and it's a great lunch.

Bama Ed

 

[loislane]

We like to go at least once. Wolfgang Puck Express pizza is a must-do for our kids, and the youngest *needs* to visit the Lego store. He saves up money to spend there every time.

We tend to go in the morning and finish up after lunch - much less crowded. We only went at night once and I couldn't stand walking around in the huge mobs of people. Was worried we were going to lose the youngest.

 

[PPink]

We always stop by there to check all the stores and have Ice-cream. Traditionaly we pack up almost everything exept the tent the last night and then have diner at Bongos (Mojitos are fantastic) and kids pick their "dessert" in the Goofy Candy Store.

 

[massmickeypal]

Worth it
We go to Ragland Road, shopping, Disney Quest and love long afternoon lunches - like getting dinner but paying for lunch,