pleasure island/downtown disney

[jackie101]

I am going on a business trip w/ hubby to Orlando. we are staying at a hotel at the airport and have 1 free day. Is pleasure island free? We are trying to decide if it is worth it to rent a car for a day and go. What is there to do?
thanks

 

[disney*mom*82]

Yes, Downtown Disney is free! There are several places to eat at, lots of shopping, candy stores, etc. There is the Flights of Wonder (the huge hot air balloon type attraction where it will take you up very high, it is pretty cheap) usually some kind of entertainment is going on at DTD. I reccomend eating at Raglan Roads for a TS meal or Wolf Gang Puck Cafe for a QS. Also the friend candy bars at Cooks of Dublin are soo good, (and so bad for you!) If you have time to kill, I suggest taking on the of the boats to one of the resorts and back from DTD, preferably POR, this is our favorite resort. The boat ride, is so nice and relaxing and gives you a neat look at several different resort areas and a PGA golf course. (this would be free)

 

[Scurvy]

The access to shopping and dining at Downtown Disney and most of the things that are left on Pleasure Island are free. There are usually a couple of street musicians out in the evening. The clubs on Pleasure Island have all closed, and the only other real entertainment that is left is the AMC theater, House of Blues (which sometimes has concerts) or Disneyquest. Well, and also a tethered hot air balloon. None of those are free, though. If you want shopping or dining, DTD isn't bad. If you are looking for shopping and dining along with dancing, karaoke and concerts at Hard Rock Live, Universal City Walk is a better choice. There's also a new Improv somewhere in town if you like comedy- maybe at Pointe Orlando.

 

[smileycrissy]

May I offer a suggestion? You should check out Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk. I think the cover is $10 per person but you will have a fantastic time!

 

[ChisJo]

May I offer a suggestion? You should check out Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk. I think the cover is $10 per person but you will have a fantastic time!

I second this....this place is great!

 

[DOOM1001]

Pleasure Island is basically a shell of what it used to be,literally, as currently many of the buildings of the old clubs are being demolished.Pleasure Island is basically being transformed into Hyperion Wharf: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...perion-wharf-among-plans-for-downtown-disney/

So as you see Pleasure Island is basically a thing of the past but the whole Downtown Disney complex is definitely worth a visit with many stores,restaurants,entertainment acts and venues like Disneyquest,Cirque Du Soleil and the Characters in Flight balloon.If you are looking more into clubs then yes Citywalk at Universal will be a better choice at night.Parking at DTD is free,at Citywalk you're basically paying theme park parking as it is the same parking garage as the theme parks $15,but if you go from 6-10pm it's $3 and I think free after 10pm.Pointe Orlando has a few restaurants and clubs but I notice it dies out pretty early.

 

[DarleneW]

May I offer a suggestion? You should check out Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk. I think the cover is $10 per person but you will have a fantastic time!

This definitely gets my vote too. My DH and I and if friends are with us go everytime we are at WDW. We have the best time

 

[swilshire]

I would probably rent a car one day just to get to the Disney outlet stores, but that's just me. I can't imagine spending a free day hanging out at the airport.

You could buy Disney park tickets, non-expiring, and spend one day in the parks. Then you'd have tickets for your next trip.

If you don't want to do the Disney stuff, you could drive over to the beach (in either direction) for a day.

Sheila

 

[jackie101]

Thanks everyone....still have not decided . Going to look into city walk