Downtown Disney

[bruser48]

I have been to Disney World but never to Downtown Disney. Can some one tell me what is there and things to do there? Is it a place that can be done in a few hours?

 

[siskaren]

It's stores and restaurants. You can definitely do it in a few hours.

 

[lubob]

I highly recommend downtown disney there is so much going on in downtown . I would say at least put 3 hours aside to see everything . Besides magic kingdom downtown disney my second favorite thing to do in disney. Different types of bands and shows play at various times. The restaurant choices are so many with each one a different theme. Highly recommend Ghirardelli ice cream shop for dessert!!! Shopping is great there too . Have fun !!!!!

 

[Lucius Best]

I have been to Disney World but never to Downtown Disney. Can some one tell me what is there and things to do there? Is it a place that can be done in a few hours?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-springs/

Like previous poster said, restaurants and shops. It's probably our fourteenth favorite thing to do in WDW. It's been a few years since we've been, because there has been so much construction going on there. There were a couple of restaurants we liked (Portobello and Earl of Sandwich). We also only went if we had rented a car, because the buses used to take forever, but parking has been difficult too with the construction. A couple of hours was always more than enough for us, but we will check it out again when the new restaurants are all finished.

 

[Alesia]

I think it's worth checking out if you're going to dinner at Raglan Road or seeing La Nouba (both of which I highly recommend.) Otherwise, I could take it or leave it. It's basically a glorified outdoor shopping mall, so if that appeals to you, then go for it.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Note that it will be super busy on the weekends, as you do not need tickets, so a lot of locals will go there, as if it were a regular mall. Last time I went, it was the end of February (slow time for disney), and rained all day long (remember, outdoor mall). 3+ hour waits for any restaurant. And shopping became more difficult (but not as bad as in park during the peak holiday).

Our flight got canceled, so we ended up going back on a weekday. We basically owned the place. Hardly a soul. Traffic picked up late afternoon/early evening, but then I remembered what many park guests do. You see, Animal Kingdom tends to close early, so many people hop a bus and spend the rest of their day at the marketplace.

Now then, my advice, go here on your first day. By the time we landed, and checked in to our hotel, it was noon. Don't wanna waste a park day on something like that. I was able to shop all the disney merchandise. When it came time to go to the parks, I didn't feel compelled to waste time shopping there, as the Disney marketplace pretty much had the same things. There were a few items that were unique to the parks, but that just meant that I mostly just walked into each store, and then back out, just to confirm whether or not it was something I had already seen. Shopping for such things is a big part for me, so I didn't feel like I was missing out when we tried to cram as much activities as we tried to. This saved a lot of park time for us.

 

[siskaren]

Now then, my advice, go here on your first day. By the time we landed, and checked in to our hotel, it was noon. Don't wanna waste a park day on something like that.

I disagree with this. I always arrive around noon, and after dumping my stuff in my room and eating lunch, I head off to a park - usually Epcot. There's plenty of time to spend at a park when you arrive at your hotel at noon.

 

[Lucius Best]

I disagree with this. I always arrive around noon, and after dumping my stuff in my room and eating lunch, I head off to a park - usually Epcot. There's plenty of time to spend at a park when you arrive at your hotel at noon.

Absolutely. One of the main benefits of FP+ is being able to hit a park in afternoon on arrival day with 3 FP reserved.

 

[siskaren]

And I don't mean to suggest that I don't go to DTD at all; I just don't see it as something to do on the first day, at least not when I get there early enough to get a decent amount of park time in. I typically do it on the day I go to AK since it's usually only open until 5:00 when I go (I have dinner at Boma first). I'll also go on a day when I've gone to the MK when it closes early for a party.

 

[Pkltm]

We go on the first day, but we typically don't land until 2:30 is so not at the resort until 3:30-4ish, we hit the pool and then DTD/DS, scope out shopping and eat.

 

[lubob]

Great first day plan going to downtown disney relax shop have dinner walk around listen to music. Then hit the parks in the morning!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We usually go to DTD our first day too. We are staying at POR so just take the boat down to DTD. Our plan this time is to go bowling at Splitsville & eat lunch there & then shop til dinner time. Then eat dinner, enjoy the entertainment on the stage & relax. A snack at ghiradelli is always on our list. There's tons of stuff to do there and a lot of new things opening almost weekly.

 

[greyslay3r]

bowling is great there!

 

[migel]

Definitely plan to visit at least once. While construction is ongoing, the new parking garage makes it ultra easy to park and step right out into Pleasure Island. I love the freedom and openness of DD (now called Disney Springs), you can buy a beer and walk around freely. I recommend hopping on the Sassagoula riverboat for a free ride to Port Orleans resort. We've stayed at Orleans previously, but I still enjoy the ride, and walking around the resort, they have a great general store, and the cafeteria is a nice place to grab a snack. The port Orleans ride will add at least an hour or two to the visit. Earl of sandwich has fantastic food, ghiradellis is also a must. T. rex restaurant is fun, if you are there right around noon time, you can often get seated without a reservation. Also, the largest disney store anywhere!

 

[grandmomhop]

We're planning to go there our first day. Arrival at MCO is almost 3pm, so figured we'll go there, eat dinner at T Rex and then get some shopping done.