is an afternoon enough to spend at downtown disney?

[julieannbabe]

i am going to florida for a week in september.

i went to downtown disney in march this year but it was all too brief - only two or three hours.

i would like to go again in september but i would obviously like to spend longer there.

would an afternoon be long enough - to have a nice walk and see everything without rushing? or is a day needed?

thanks,

julie

 

[jkovick]

Depends. Are you going to Disney Quest also, or just pretty much shopping? If you are mainly going for the shopping an afternoon will probably be fine. (DD is less crowded during the day than at night) If you are doing to do Disney Quest or have a leisurely sit down meal it might not be. Have a good trip.

 

[mcnuss]

IMHO, it's more than enough! DD is just a big mall!

 

[luvaladdin]

I have to agree with jkovick. I am not into shopping, at Disney or anywhere else, so I was less than impressed. I had heard so much about the big World of Disney store (not sure of exact name) and I didn't think it was so great. My kids played with the legos and got wet in the jumping water spouts. We went once and I really have no desire to go back. So, it just depends on what you want to do there.

 

[beattyfamily]

IMHO, that's plenty of time. It's just shopping and eating.

We usually go at night when the parks are closed (we go off season). We shop and eat. That is usually where i get my souveniers with my Disney Club 10% discount.

We don't do Disney Quest. If you do, then that alone would be a couple of hours.

 

[orrnluvswdw]

This is one of our favorite places at WDW! We just got back from 11 nights at WDW! We stayed at POR just so we could boat to downtown. The boat ride is sooooo nice & relaxing. The boat captains are a wonderful wealth of information. In the evenings, we'd boat down for dessert at Ghiradelli's (ice cream place). Our party was mostly 5 people with a few nights having 7 folks. We'd get a thing called an earthquake = you get to pick 8 scoops of ice cream & 8 different sauces/topping & then they top it off with lots of cherries, 4-5 choc. dipping strawberry's, a whole can of whipped cream & nuts/sprinkles to your liking = all for $20.00. We enjoyed eating at the gourmet pantry. They have soups, salads & sandwiches made to order there. It's also a good place for desserts - all kinds, cookies, cheesecakes, brownies, candies, fudges, & the list goes on.... They also have gourmet coffee & hot chocolate - ask for a sample, they're more than happy to give you one (the sample cup is large for a sample).

I took my nephews & parents on this trip & my sister & her hubby joined us for a few days there. Downtown was everybody's favorite thing to do. So much to do down there. My dad liked to sit & "people watch". The women liked to shop & the kids liked to play. You could go there & spend as much or as little as you wanted to. They have fireworks nightly - nice display! It's nice to also sit on the deck by Captain Jacks with a Pina Colada in hand & watch everything You can also rent mouse boats & pontoons down there.

 

[filequit]

Well as some of you know i was in the same party as OR, and Downtown Disney for me was awesome! I loved Disney Quest (spent about 5 hours playing) , Ghirardellis was a lot of fun, and the shops were fun to go to. Often times we didn't make it past the Marketplace.

 

[poohraedopey]

For me yes an afternoon is plenty. I am also not a shopper. I walked over form our hotel (we stayed at the courtyard) with hubby he went on to dsiney quest (he got to DQ as it was opening for the day so whatever tiem that was?) I shopped for a little while grabbed a snack and was back in my room by 1 at the latest. Hubby wasnt back from Quest for several more ours. Then we wnet back down at night for a n 8 ocklock meal at RFC.

 

[Julia M]

Julie,

I think everyone has summed it up pretty well.......if you are not a "shopper", an afternoon is plenty of time. If you like to poke in and out of shops, looking at everything (whether or not you buy) you might want to allow more time, especially if you want to eat there.

Our family took the boat from PO, walked around and came back. I had a nice time, but my kids were so-so (although they liked the loego area).

Personally, I'll just shop at a Disney Store at home. But for those who don't have that option, DD may hold more appeal.

Julia

 

[dsnycrzy]

Question

Does anyone know if the "Eartquake" at Ghiradelli that orrnluvswdw described is simalar to Beaches and Creams "Kitchen sink"?

Either way it sound delicious

 

[filequit]

Originally posted by dsnycrzy
Question

Does anyone know if the "Eartquake" at Ghiradelli that orrnluvswdw described is simalar to Beaches and Creams "Kitchen sink"?

Either way it sound delicious

Yes it is similar.

 

[disneychrista]

I guess it depends on what you plan to do while at DTD. If you just want to window shop as you stroll from end to end, an afternoon would be fine. If you are going to eat, going into shops, maybe spend time at DQ, then you are looking at an entire day. Also don't forget, that you could maximize the day by going to DTD after the parks close.

 

[tazz]

Kids & I love to shop while DH gets a margaritta or 2 and people watches. Lots of fun. We can easily spend 4 hours in DQ at a time too.

 

[tdean29]

I think eveyone here is right. If your a Disney Shopaholic, like myself, you can spend the whole day there. Its a nice change of pace from the parks. My daughter loved the lego store!! And DQ is absoultely terrific!! And we like Studio M too! We plan to get a family portriat there this year. We were too rushed at MK last year when we had our picture with Mickey! So if you like to shop or even people watch, you can make a day of it!!

Tracy