twodogs
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2012
- Messages
- 3,703
I have been to WDW the last two years with my family and stayed at BLT. We have never made it over to DTD. Currently, I am in Orlando for work, and only had tonight (Saturday) to try to visit DTD due to my schedule here. I wanted to get my girls a little something from World of Disney, but I was very scared about the traffic and parking based on reports here on the Dis of 45 minute searches for parking, with the weekend nights sounding the worst. Since this was my only change to go (I live in Dallas), I decided to try anyway.
I have a rental car, and left JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes at 7:06PM. I arrived in my parking place in the Casting parking lot (thank you to OP on the Dis for suggesting this lot) at 7:22PM!! I took I-4 and approached DTD from the south end of Buena Vista. I went by the Team parking lot based on info on the Dis, though they were directing people there. The lines to turn left into the close-in DTD lots and valet area were long, but I turned the other way in the Casting lot. I was able to find a place just a few rows in, no problem. There were many open places. This is at nearly 7:30PM, on a Saturday, so I was feeling very lucky!!
Had a great time wondering around the shops without my kiddos asking for everything in the store, ate at Wolfgang Puck's Express (?) and enjoyed the whole thing. Having never been to DTD, I guess I wasn't as apppauled at the construction walls as some have been, since I do not know what it looked like before. Great energy there tonight and lots of fun. Quick walk back to my car and on my way back to hotel. I do think it is easier to walk without the kids, but honestly my kids would have had no trouble walking from the Casting lot. If you are mobility impaired, it would be a bit far. You are on sidewalks the entire way, so would have been no problem if pushing a stroller.
So, so glad I went and thanks to the OPs for the great tips on parking!!!
I have a rental car, and left JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes at 7:06PM. I arrived in my parking place in the Casting parking lot (thank you to OP on the Dis for suggesting this lot) at 7:22PM!! I took I-4 and approached DTD from the south end of Buena Vista. I went by the Team parking lot based on info on the Dis, though they were directing people there. The lines to turn left into the close-in DTD lots and valet area were long, but I turned the other way in the Casting lot. I was able to find a place just a few rows in, no problem. There were many open places. This is at nearly 7:30PM, on a Saturday, so I was feeling very lucky!!
Had a great time wondering around the shops without my kiddos asking for everything in the store, ate at Wolfgang Puck's Express (?) and enjoyed the whole thing. Having never been to DTD, I guess I wasn't as apppauled at the construction walls as some have been, since I do not know what it looked like before. Great energy there tonight and lots of fun. Quick walk back to my car and on my way back to hotel. I do think it is easier to walk without the kids, but honestly my kids would have had no trouble walking from the Casting lot. If you are mobility impaired, it would be a bit far. You are on sidewalks the entire way, so would have been no problem if pushing a stroller.
So, so glad I went and thanks to the OPs for the great tips on parking!!!
