How much time to spend in DTD

[Lucy6]

We leave in 10 days for our first trip to WDW. It will be me, dh,dd5 and ds9. We arrive at 11:00, so I figure we should be out of the airport and settled into POFQ(weather we can check in early or not,we'll just plan to leave our bags and go)by approx. 1:00PM.?. We planned on taking the boat down to DTD for the afternoon. But I am now wondering how much time we will want to spend there. We are not going to DQ, and now I understand that LEGO is basically closed for refurbishment. I am wondering if I should try for a character dinner in the evening at maybe Chef Mickey's? Or go to check out the boardwalk, maybe get dinner there. We don't want to be out too late, want to get a good night's sleep to be ready for EE at MK in the AM. How much time do you all spend in DTD with children???

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

If you're not going to do DQ (and the lego stuff is closed)- that basically just leaves shopping and eating there unless you did Cirque Du Soleil or saw a movie while there? So I'd probably book a PS at Chef Mickeys like you said- or plan on going to the boardwalk and eating there. I think that's a good idea- but then my family is not one that wants to walk around looking in shops. LOL I have to do that part of DTD on my OWN. LOL

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We enjoy going down there and could spend quite a bit of time. I don't think I would be able to stay there more than a couple hours ( so i don't think your kids will want to)
I would say to go down to DTD and walk around some , shop etc.... then go back to your room and get ready for dinner.... head over to Chef Mickey's. Great for a first night! If you have time and you are not tired you could do the monorail loop after dinner. Very fun for a first night

 

[TheIncredibles]

You'll be tempted to spend money at DTD - not to say thats a reason to miss it, just be prepared. Giradelli's Ice Cream shop is there as well as Once upon a Toy, Disney Days of Christmas, a large Pin Trading area (about $7 per pin, might be fun to collect), and a few other "fun" places and photo op areas.

Good idea for a character dinner early into your trip-breaks the ice for children; they will be seeing many characters.

Careful not to overdo yourself first day though-that will linger with you the whole trip!

 

[mhingher]

We're leaving in 19 days!!! Our flight arrives in Orlando at about 10:15am, so we're figuring to be settled in (or atleast dropping off our luggage) by 12 or so. We are planning on either walking around DTD or doing some resort hopping, and then we made PS for Chef Mickey's for 6:10pm. DTD is mostly shopping, which I definitely don't have a problem doing! I'm sure after dinner we'll just do some wandering, we don't want to stay out too late b/c I want to be in the MK first thing the next am!!!

Have a great time!!!!

Melissa

 

[benedicttw]

I think you have a good plan. Do DTD for a few hours and the Chef Mickey dinner. I would take the loop on the monorail just to get the excitement going. I would also spend a little time at POFQ to get to know the area and see what there is to do there. Have a great time!!

 

[Lucy6]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go ahead and make the reservation for dinner at Chef Mickey's. I can always cancel it once I'm there if the day seems too long or if we are really enjoying downtown, right?

 

[Lucy6]

I just called to make a PS for Chef Mickey's on our arrival day, and the earliest seating they had was 9:00! I guess we will go with plan B.