Is DTD too crazy right now?

[robndani]

We skipped it on our trip last month because it still seems so construction-y! We're going again in January and I wanted to go, but don't want to deal with all the trouble. We're staying at BLT and I've read that the buses to DTD aren't that great from there.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We're staying at BLT and I've read that the buses to DTD aren't that great from there.

Regardless of which resort, the buses to/from DTD are generally the least "swift" of all the bus routes at WDW.

 

[Boo Bear]

Oh man this is the second post I've read about DTD construction. Anyone know approx how much a taxi would cost from AoA to DTD?

 

[Sarahgraci]

I was at DTD last Tuesday. The bus service to/from AoA was great. I don't do anything at DTD other than the Marketplace area. The construction was almost a total non-issue for that area. There are walls around the lake, and you can see work being down elsewhere, but it wasn't even remotely close to the doom and gloom I was dreading. The other parts might be bad, but the shops and restaurants in the Marketplace area were perfectly fine.

 

[maxiesmom]

Oh man this is the second post I've read about DTD construction. Anyone know approx how much a taxi would cost from AoA to DTD?

We took a taxi from the Sports, which is farther out, and it was around $20. The construction is pretty horrific.

 

[Boo Bear]

I was at DTD last Tuesday. The bus service to/from AoA was great. I don't do anything at DTD other than the Marketplace area. The construction was almost a total non-issue for that area. There are walls around the lake, and you can see work being down elsewhere, but it wasn't even remotely close to the doom and gloom I was dreading. The other parts might be bad, but the shops and restaurants in the Marketplace area were perfectly fine.

I'm glad the bus service was great. I'm an only parent struggling to make ends meet and I've been saving for this trip since I found out I was pregnant. Any little bit that can be saved is helpful. I can afford a taxi if it's a must, but it sounds like I'll be able to utilize the bus service to and from AoA just fine. Thanks!

We took a taxi from the Sports, which is farther out, and it was around $20. The construction is pretty horrific.

Thanks for the info!

 

[chelseabun76]

We're planning on heading there one day after AK, we have a pretty big window in which to get there, so we'll be taking the bus. If you have any reservations there I would give yourself lots of time to be safe....

 

[maxiesmom]

We're planning on heading there one day after AK, we have a pretty big window in which to get there, so we'll be taking the bus. If you have any reservations there I would give yourself lots of time to be safe....

If you are heading to the West Side, be aware that that bus stop is not being used. You will be dropped off by the Marketplace, and have a bit of a hike if you are going towards the House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, or any of the shops on that end.

 

[Robo]

We're planning on heading there one day after AK, we have a pretty big window in which to get there, so we'll be taking the bus. If you have any reservations there I would give yourself lots of time to be safe....

You didn't mention it, so just in case...

You can't take a Disney bus to DTD directly from any theme park.
You must go to a resort first, then go to DTD.

 

[Boo Bear]

We're planning on heading there one day after AK, we have a pretty big window in which to get there, so we'll be taking the bus. If you have any reservations there I would give yourself lots of time to be safe....

If you are heading to the West Side, be aware that that bus stop is not being used. You will be dropped off by the Marketplace, and have a bit of a hike if you are going towards the House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, or any of the shops on that end.

Given all of the feedback on multiple threads today, I was able to change my ADR from 5:45-7:15. I land at MCO at 2:40. Better safe than sorry... especially since my DS3 already knows we're eating at the dinosaur restaurant.

 

[chelseabun76]

You didn't mention it, so just in case...

You can't take a Disney bus to DTD directly from any theme park.
You must go to a resort first, then go to DTD.

Yup, sorry, forgot to mention we are going back to our hotel to change first (AoA). We are leaving AK before 3 and we don't have dinner reservations at Raglan Road until after 7

 

[robndani]

It wasn't even so much the transportation I was concerned about as the overall mess once you get there.

 

[maxiesmom]

It wasn't even so much the transportation I was concerned about as the overall mess once you get there.

It is really not that big of a mess to look at. Disney has scrim walls up everywhere, and CMs with lighted wands directing foot traffic.

 

[Mikie]

I wasn't planning on DTD because of the construction, but my family wanted to go, so we did. Bus from grand floridian where we had eaten, was a great - few people, short wait. Stopped at Marketplace (as stated, the only functioning bus stop right now) shopped at all the marketplace shops - other than some construction walls, there was no impact here. Shops were all crowded and busy. Bus back to Pop Century was as usual for us (just missed one, short wait for next one, bus filled to standing room only & a short ride back "home")

 

[alisigns]

We're planning to go on arrival day for dinner and some evening shopping. That will be on Nov 20th and I just heard yesterday that the new parking garage is opening floors 1, 4 and 6 on that same day. Should alleviate some traffic and parking woes.

 

[JennyDrake]

Friends there right now drove over and said it was a total MESS! Could not find any place to park . Gave up and returned to resort.

 

[JZCubed]

We skipped it on our trip last month because it still seems so construction-y! We're going again in January and I wanted to go, but don't want to deal with all the trouble. We're staying at BLT and I've read that the buses to DTD aren't that great from there.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

We stay at Bay Lake and have never had any experience waiting too long for any buses from here.

We visited DTD last April and found it to be quite crowded, but manageable with a toddler in stroller, the two evenings we were there (and we were NOT there on a weekend). Getting a cocktail at House of Blues after Cirque took a few minutes, but none of the other shops caused us to wait....until we arrived back at Ghiradelli - it was packed.

However, since April, what were once two bus loading areas have been reduced to one. Had that been the case for us in April, I'm not sure we would have walked back over to Ghiradelli.

So my advice is - try to go to DTD before nighttime and certainly not on a Friday and/or Saturday night when local Floridians add to the crowd. This would be the same advice I would offer for Food & Wine in Epcot too.

And for the record, even with the crowds from last April, we have made the choice to go to Cirque again.....but I'm gonna' have the Ghiradelli ice cream long before the show.

 

[Zhaan]

Which resort has the best bus transportation to DTD? It seems like no matter which one I go to after a park to move to DTD, I end up waiting forever. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Which resort has the best bus transportation to DTD? It seems like no matter which one I go to after a park to move to DTD, I end up waiting forever. Thanks!

That is exactly my point in my earlier post.

No matter which resort, you'll likely have slower bus service between DTD than from anywhere else.

If someone perceives "good" service, it is usually a matter of individual perception, unique timing, and luck-of-the-draw.

AND... getting TO Downtown Disney on the bus is usually much easier than getting BACK to the resort on the bus.

 

[SoarinSC]

Took the bus from AoA and back and never had any issues with wait times. If you want to save a walk from west side all the way back to the marketplace...just take a water taxi over. The landing and bus depot are close together.