Squeezing in DTD?

[TravelinSouth]

We are first timers leaving in just about a week. Of course, we would like to do as much as possible during our 6 day trip, but realizing with two young boys (2 & 4) that taking it slow and enjoying the moments is the better plan for us.

All that being said, I would like to see as much as possible, including DTD. Realistically, how much time (without worrying about the transportation time) does it take to see DTD. We are not huge shoppers, but I would like to get the boys potato head pieces, go to Goofy's Candy Company, and go to the Christmas store.

Like all places at DW, I'm sure DTD is a place you can spend a ton of time, but I'm looking for just enough time to get a flavor of the place and a bit of shopping in.

Thanks.

 

[dreamergirl78]

If you have a day at the AK planned, you could hit up DTD after that park closes. And then you could grab a bite at Wolfgang Puck's or Earl of Sandwich! YUM YUM YUM!!! Then you would still be done fairly early to head back to your resort to swim or call it an early night. We try to eat at Earl at least twice. I LOVE it. If you only want to hit a few shops, you could easily do that in a few hours. I say a few hours because the shops have SO much to look at. Especially the Lego store which is a huge hit for our son. I also do know that many of the resorts have Mr. Potato Head stations as well.
I hope you have a wonderful time!!!

We are first timers leaving in just about a week. Of course, we would like to do as much as possible during our 6 day trip, but realizing with two young boys (2 & 4) that taking it slow and enjoying the moments is the better plan for us.

All that being said, I would like to see as much as possible, including DTD. Realistically, how much time (without worrying about the transportation time) does it take to see DTD. We are not huge shoppers, but I would like to get the boys potato head pieces, go to Goofy's Candy Company, and go to the Christmas store.

Like all places at DW, I'm sure DTD is a place you can spend a ton of time, but I'm looking for just enough time to get a flavor of the place and a bit of shopping in.

Thanks.

 

[ajk912]

What/where is this Mr Potato Head store I keep hearing about? We just got back, and we wandered around DTD for about an hour or two but it was SOOO crowded the night we went we didn't stay long. I wanted to get some pieces there, but I couldn't find any. Do they have better deals on the pieces than the parks do? I was able to get a ton of pieces at Animal Kingdom (I think it was..I saw them in all the parks, really!) but wasn't sure if DTD has a better selection? We got the build-your-own box for $19, which was awesome!

 

[swald91]

Just from our last experience...3 weeks ago...I would never do DTD again. We waited awhile for the bus to just pick us up from the Poly. Some were waiting over an hour!!! There really is nothing special we wanted to see/do there except dinner at Cap't Jack's. Since you want to see something special there-if you have time in your already planned scheduling-do it. We haven't gone there in a few years & it didn't seem to be busy there at all.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I would plan to spend a couple of hours at DTD (anything longer and 2 young boys will go nuts)

To make it as enjoyable as possible, try to go during the week, not on the weekend. Since sooooo many people go to DTD on their day of arrival and/or day they leave, there are a lot of people at DTD on the weekends. Throw in the locals, and it's really crazy

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We tried to do DTD Wednesday night, but due to the horrific thunderstorm ended up turning right around & going back to the bus depot. We ended up going yesterday morning on our way home. It was perfect timing - it wasn't very crowded at all - I specifically wanted to do the Pin Traders, the Christmas Shop, Pooh Shop, Goofy's Candy Shop and the World of Disney store. It was great - we were in & out in a couple of hours. The biggest crowd of course was in World of Disney, but it's so huge. Love watching the little ones in BBB. We normally do DTD on an evening where we can people watch, but found this to be alot more enjoyable!

 

[suzimar57]

what we always do is on AK park day, we'll get there for opening, DH will do a few rides, we'll wander a bit, be back on the bus (in under 2 hours) - then off to DTD, with an ADR at capn jacks for either lunch or dinner - never enough at AK to keep us there longer

 

[Kristina]

What/where is this Mr Potato Head store I keep hearing about? We just got back, and we wandered around DTD for about an hour or two but it was SOOO crowded the night we went we didn't stay long. I wanted to get some pieces there, but I couldn't find any. Do they have better deals on the pieces than the parks do? I was able to get a ton of pieces at Animal Kingdom (I think it was..I saw them in all the parks, really!) but wasn't sure if DTD has a better selection? We got the build-your-own box for $19, which was awesome!

There is no Mr. Potato Head store but there is a huge Mr. Potato Head in front of the Once About a Toy Store in DTD, and inside you can purchase the pieces. I would think that the prices are the same, but I can't be sure. This upcoming trip I'm going to get one for myself however !

 

[DisToday]

I know this isn't what you asked, but I would consider skipping DTD all together. The "flavor" of the place is not existant in my opinion. It feels like a suburban mall and doesn't have that "Disney feel" at all. I can't imagine your boys being even a bit amused by it, and there's just so much better shopping to be had in the parks with better atmosphere. If you do go, enjoy! Just thought I'd put that out there.

 

[ntsammy5]

Its another way Disney has to separate you from your money! Having said that there are a lot of great places to eat there including Rain forest, Raglan, Wolfgang, etc etc. A lot of interesting shops too.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Just from our last experience...3 weeks ago...I would never do DTD again. We waited awhile for the bus to just pick us up from the Poly. Some were waiting over an hour!!! There really is nothing special we wanted to see/do there except dinner at Cap't Jack's. Since you want to see something special there-if you have time in your already planned scheduling-do it. We haven't gone there in a few years & it didn't seem to be busy there at all.

We have ressie's at Capt. Jacks next Saturday....is it worth it? This is our first time at DTD so I'm not familiar with anything there. Know we want to hit toy store, Christmas shop and the Leggo store. After those few and dinner....we'll make it an early night with that being our first day.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I know this isn't what you asked, but I would consider skipping DTD all together. The "flavor" of the place is not existant in my opinion. It feels like a suburban mall and doesn't have that "Disney feel" at all. I can't imagine your boys being even a bit amused by it, and there's just so much better shopping to be had in the parks with better atmosphere. If you do go, enjoy! Just thought I'd put that out there.

I've got to agree. You really can't discount the travel time if you are using Disney busses it can easily take an hour to get back to your resort. DTD is the place I worry about loosing my kids at the most.

You can find Potato Head parts elsewhere. Christmas ornaments are elsewhere too. Goofy's Candyshop is fun but the waits can be a LOT longer than a 2 & 4 would be happy with.

Have a very magical 1st trip!

 

[Gabkatt]

If you have a day at the AK planned, you could hit up DTD after that park closes. And then you could grab a bite at Wolfgang Puck's or Earl of Sandwich! YUM YUM YUM!!! Then you would still be done fairly early to head back to your resort to swim or call it an early night. We try to eat at Earl at least twice. I LOVE it. If you only want to hit a few shops, you could easily do that in a few hours. I say a few hours because the shops have SO much to look at. Especially the Lego store which is a huge hit for our son. I also do know that many of the resorts have Mr. Potato Head stations as well.
I hope you have a wonderful time!!!

Diddo...We plan at least an evening every trip and I have to say, it's rather enjoyable just strolling the shops and having some ice cream after the sun sets at DTD! If you can work it out try and go during the week, the weekends are very busy!

 

[fortheboys]

As the mom of a 2 and 4 year old as well, on the day we do AK, it ends up being an early day - we are usually done around 1 (esp.if you go on an early entry day) becuase you can't ride the major attractions with little ones (unless you baby swap). We head back to the resort for naps/rest and get to DTD ahead of the dinner crowd. If you have a car, DRIVE, or use the boat option if available from your resort. There is plenty to keep the kids occupied. My son loved playing in the tubs outside the lego store, and there is a train ride and merry go round (costs $2 or $3 OOP), but mostly my son (who was 3 last time we went) loved the ambiance - there is alot to see. We had great fun touring the toy stores, with the "NO BUYING" rule firmly in place, and my son loved getting his picture with the character statues of buzz and the skeleton (like you find in MK etc), the massive lego creations and watching all the people. Give yourself about 2 hours to tour the area, maybe more if your a shopper and the kids are patient. And my understanding is that the ice cream shop there, Giradellis, makes a decent sundae!

 

[ajk912]

I know this isn't what you asked, but I would consider skipping DTD all together. The "flavor" of the place is not existant in my opinion. It feels like a suburban mall and doesn't have that "Disney feel" at all. I can't imagine your boys being even a bit amused by it, and there's just so much better shopping to be had in the parks with better atmosphere. If you do go, enjoy! Just thought I'd put that out there.

I agree, it definitely was a culture shock once we arrived at DTD. It didn't feel like Disney at all. I even told DH, hold on to the kids tight..it's very crowded and it's not like we can call for Disney security if one gets lost, and have them close down the exits or whatever. (Not that we let them roam freely or anything, but I do feel more comfortable in the parks!)

 

[amylovesdisney]

We've been to DTD with our children at various ages. Until our children had their own money to spend, it was a waste of time for us. Very busy stores. Large crowds and we've been at all times during the week and during the year. Boils down to a shopping trip. It's amazing how selective the kids become with purchases when they have to use the money they have earned and saved!

If you do a day of AK, it makes for a very tiring adventure to add DTD at the end of the day. You've spent a lot of walking/stroller time at the park, and by the end of the day, we are pooped. The restaurants are fine but often, very crowded, with a long bus ride to top off the day. The parking lot can be very crowded too so finding a spot for your vehicle is tough.

BUT if shopping is your family's thing, go for it. After all, it is vacation!

 

[jennykay]

You can find Potato Head parts elsewhere. Christmas ornaments are elsewhere too. Goofy's Candyshop is fun but the waits can be a LOT longer than a 2 & 4 would be happy with.

Have a very magical 1st trip!

I haven't been to DTD so I don't know how it compares, but we ate at Spoodles at the Boardwalk (which we loved, btw) and next door there was Seashore Sweets - really cool candy shop. My kids loved it!

 

[honeybee8200]

Ok, kind of along the same lines, I saw to avoid DTD on weekends, but what is some good days to visit? Mornings? Evenings?

 

[suzimar57]

any weekday, when the stores first open would be best - no crowds to deal with, you can shop without being overwhelmed with people - makes a big difference, to stroll along an almost empty DTD early in the morning!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I have a question for those that goes to DTD: We've been going to WDW every year since 2006. And we are going again in April 2009. But I've never been to DTD. My thinking is this:

We have great malls in Atlanta. We have two DS's (8 and 10) that isn't too keen on going to malls. So why would we go to DTD?