Parking for Dining at Downtown Disney

[CraftyOtt]

How bad is the parking at Downtown Disney when trying to get there for a dining reservation? I am helping a family with their dining plans, and they will be at Sea World one day and would like to go to Wolfgang Puck's Cafe for dinner that evening. Will the parking be horrible? They are staying at the Poly, but they plan on being at Sea World all day (it's one of their favorite parks) and may not have time to get back to the Poly and take the buses to get to their reservation on time. Any opinions?

On a side note: I'm leaning towards advising them to save their TS credit for a departure day breakfast buffet so they won't have to worry about this reservation, but they are on the dining plan and they want to maximize the $$ value of their meals. They already have ADRs for Boma, Kouzzina, and Ohana for their other "non park" days. They really want to try Wolgang's place. Any opinion about this restaurant is also welcome!

Thanks!

 

[webray]

How bad is the parking at Downtown Disney when trying to get there for a dining reservation? I am helping a family with their dining plans, and they will be at Sea World one day
Thanks!

Not worth the trouble to go to DTD after Sea World. Food in Sea World is very good. They should just enjoy dinner at Sea World.

 

[OhThePain]

If they have their hearts set on wolfgang Puck's then I don't think the parking is so awful they should avoid it. If they are looking to get top value out of their TS credits, breakfust buffets are not the way to go. They usually only cost between $20-$25. To get top value for a TS credit to make the DDP an actual savings, opposed to something that is just makes life easier, the meal really should cost $30+. But if they have to settle on a breakfast buffet on their departure morning, it isn't the end of the world.

 

[Disneymama5816]

I did not see when they are traveling, so I will cover both bases. During Spring Break, DTD can be horrific to park, but the buses are just as bad. Personally, I would still go, but leave plenty of time to park (1/2 hour). During off-peak times, parking is still tight, but usually you can find a spot. Earlier is usually better in both situations (ie: 5pm).

 

[CraftyOtt]

Thank you so much for the replies! They are not going during Spring Break thankfully...they'll be down the first week in March. They do have a rest day the next day, and I also thought about Wolfgang's Cafe for lunch on that day. But their Kouzzina ADR is for that evening and 2 TS meals in one day may be too much. Also, there's that maximizing the $$ for the DP issue (lunches are less expensive).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Since Wolfgang Puck's Cafe is located in Downtown Disney West Side, I find their parking lot to be less busy compared to the one at Marketplace and Pleasure Island.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

West side parking isn't as bad as the marketplace side. But if it's a weekend, the entire DTD area is a madhouse of people.

If they see signs that say "lot full'...go in anyway. We always find a place even when it says that.

Still don't understand why they changed the parking lots. We never had a problem parking until they UPDATED the lots. some of the areas, you can barely turn the corners as you look for a place.

 

[Kaleigh]

Parking is no problem whatsoever. We eat at Wolfgang's Cafe almost everytime we go and feel that it is a fair deal for a dining credit. The desserts are very good, and the macademia nut chicken is sublime. Also, they are usually pretty easy to get into, so if you are early or late for your ressie, it doesn't really matter.