DTD? Worth it or not?

[stobaugh6]

We will be at WDW in 15 days. Yeah!!! My kids want to go to DTD at some point during our 7 days. I've been reading about all the construction and it sounds like a hassle. Is DTD worth it? Thanks!

Heather

 

[Reddog1134]

Driving there may be a hassle. If you are taking a bus it's probably not so bad.

 

[lynch34]

Big time no.

 

[DisneyGuy758]

Bussing it would be your best bet for sure. It's a beast of its own there. Check what's there and see if there is anything you can live without seeing.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd agree with the others that suggest taking a bus there.

 

[Planogirl]

We both drove and used a bus and I found both of them to be a hassle. We parked in the new garage which was nice one you got inside. The problem is that the streets around the place get ridiculously backed up and it gets worse later in the day. Our problem with the bus ride was our bus waiting in a line to get into the bus drop off area. That also took way longer than normal and we were standing so the bus going and stopping while we were standing was its own ride to say the least.

 

[Flamingeaux]

We usually go to AK on Tuesdays and finish up and leave around 3:00PM. After a quick shower and rest we head out to DTD taking the bus. We grab a quick bite and DW & DD do some shopping. After a disastrous visit to DTD on a Saturday we swore off going there on a weekend.

 

[ellie05]

Just be prepare for a lot of construction going on, regardless if you take the bus or not.

 

[HM]

What do they expect/want to do at DTD? Do they want a meal there? Are they wanting to do souvenier shopping? Just looking around? Going to DisneyQuest? It really depends on what your expectations are for your time there.

We visited just for lunch a few weeks ago before we started our Univeral/IOA trip. My DD wanted to go to TRex. We had to wait through a few light cycles before we got into the parking area and then were routed through the area to the new parking deck. But, that deck is a long way from the Marketplace and so we had a long walk through the rest of the area to get there. Then there was a huge line (we didn't have reservations). But, we were able to bypass that problem by eating at the bar (which was empty when we got there). We enjoyed our meal and seeing the restaurant, saw a lot of construction and lots of people, but didn't do much else before leaving. I think once you deal with the getting there part, its fine to go shopping or eat a meal. It was interesting to see all the changes and the huge hole that use to be the parking lot.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Ugh, I would wait till everything is settled out before going there. A lot of their merch is available in other ways at different resorts or shops in the parks. Things like the Orange Bird glassware or adventureland/fantasyland plates are at Poly or in parks. Lego stuff is available online at lego - if you are a lego collector, call the store beforehand to make sure the set you want is there and they will set it aside. If you are dead set about going there, take a bus and be prepared to wait.

 

[ajwolfe]

Personally I would wait until the construction settles. We usually make at least one trip down there during our stays, but we wouldn't have to. We just usually end up having a meal there and doing a bit of shopping. I will say it was super easy to ride the boat down from POR and back, instead of dealing with a bus or driving ourselves.

 

[livinginthecornfield]

We went in February and it wasn't too bad. We went for an ADR at fulton's at 5pm and it wasn't very crowded. If you're into souvenir shopping, then I'd definitely go.... By the time we were done dinner around 7pm, it was BUSY!!! It was time to get out of there despite all the fun shops I would've liked to have gone in. The wait for the bus was long (not people, just time-wise).

 

[bookgirl]

I prefer to do any shopping at DTD instead of the parks. I just get it all at once and then use my Visa Discount (10% off sales over $50). This means I don't have to waste park time shopping and I don't have to use package pickup or carry stuff around.

There are also items at the boutiques not found in the parks.

There are some nice restaurants as well as occasional entertainment on the water stage.

I probably only spend a few hours there but it's a nice break.

I often plan to hit a park in the morning, then grab a bus back to POR/POFQ then use their boat to the DTD area. It's a nice slow scenic ride and you can always stop and get some beignets at POFQ. After I shop I just grab a bus back to my home resort.

I've been during the construction and with a boat or bus you're fine. I have also driven around there in the construction quite a bit (in July and Oct) and while not great it's not awful either (albeit I was not trying to park at DTD while driving in the area).

The actual construction in DTD is an inconvenience but not a determent.

 

[Mamapapa]

What about cabs? If we hit DTD on departure day and catch a cab back to AoA, how much time should I allow for that? Are cabs plentiful? Are they in an area easy to get to with the construction?

 

[OKW Lover]

What about cabs? If we hit DTD on departure day and catch a cab back to AoA, how much time should I allow for that? Are cabs plentiful? Are they in an area easy to get to with the construction?

Cabs have to deal with the same traffic as everybody else so it won't be any faster, just perhaps not as stressful. And yes, cabs are plentiful.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Last year in November, it was the first time I ever skipped DTD the whole trip and I was fine with it because of the construction. I will go one night this upcoming trip. But I would not mind skipping it again, so I guess my answer is no lol.

 

[branfam]

My DH and I were at WDW 3/1-3/8 for a hotel only trip. We didn't visit the parks. We went to DTD 4 times. 2 by bus and 2 by car. I wouldn't skip it. The bus took A LONG TIME to get there so that is why we drove the last 2 times. We parked in the garage once and in a regular lot once. It was worth it just to go to Earl of Sandwich! We also did some good shopping and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. We are pretty laid back. We don't mind walking and don't usually freak out about long bus rides. It was worth it. Even if we had gone to parks, it would have been worth it because of the EOS. It's a favorite.

 

[Disney93]

We always budget time for DTD. We spend time shopping and taking in the sights. I enjoy Earl Of Sandwich and the Rainforest Café. We drove once and took the bus another time. Taking the bus was easier but we were there in early December so we had all the local shoppers to deal with.

 

[capegirl]

I prefer to do any shopping at DTD instead of the parks. I just get it all at once and then use my Visa Discount (10% off sales over $50). This means I don't have to waste park time shopping and I don't have to use package pickup or carry stuff around.

There are also items at the boutiques not found in the parks.

There are some nice restaurants as well as occasional entertainment on the water stage.

I probably only spend a few hours there but it's a nice break.

I often plan to hit a park in the morning, then grab a bus back to POR/POFQ then use their boat to the DTD area. It's a nice slow scenic ride and you can always stop and get some beignets at POFQ. After I shop I just grab a bus back to my home resort.

I've been during the construction and with a boat or bus you're fine. I have also driven around there in the construction quite a bit (in July and Oct) and while not great it's not awful either (albeit I was not trying to park at DTD while driving in the area).

The actual construction in DTD is an inconvenience but not a determent.

I never thought about taking the bus to POR, and then the boat to DTD. This is a great tip that I may need to press into service. At least we could avoid some of the traffic congestion.
By the way, I would so be stopping by POFQ for those beignets!
I love to shop, so I would not be a happy camper if I could not go to DTD.

 

[sdomino11]

Everyone keeps saying to wait till construction slows down to go back to DTD. But when us that?