Squeezing in DTD?

[dreamergirl78]

I guess we have gotten lucky, because when we have gone the crowds have not been that bad. Bottom line is: you know your kids best. If they enjoy toy shopping, they will like DTD! In fact when we go my son asks how many times we get to go to DTD. He adores the Lego store a lot. Plus the build your own light sabre station, all of the "boy" stuff to look at, Goofy's, and the Pooh store. For us it is a must do. Plus I like their CS options.

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!)

DTD has great security. Last year we were there and this little girl got lost. Ryan saw the Mom freaking out and asked her what was wrong then went to a manager to get help. Ryan volunteered to help look for this little girl. He spent over an hour with the CMs looking for her. They ended up finding her. They were VERY on top of monotoring exits, etc. I was able to hear their conversations and they were very very proficient! So it all ended up fine and because of Ry's help the manager gave him an Honorary Citizen badge to wear. So while I understand how you feel more comfortable in the parks, the staff at DTD are so good at dealing with this sort of thing too.

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?

YES! If they like Legos, the Lego store is so awesome. Plus the light sabre station, and all of the cool pirate stuff. Mine is 10 and loves it! Plan to visit for a few hours and if it isn't everything you hoped it would be you don't ever have to go back!

 

[amylovesdisney]

Without a doubt - during the week, during the day. I agree with a prev. poster that the most perfect time is right at opening time. You practically have the place to yourselves.

It's not just the outdoor areas that get crowded - it's also inside the most popular stores. When we were at DTD in Feb 2006, the clothes racks were so close together that I recall thinking, "Gee, I'm glad my stroller days are past me." Obviously, it could be different now.

If you are up for an early lunch, it would be an ideal time to check out the fav places too.

 

[Stitchfans]

We have yet been able to get to DTD. We always plan on going there for our first day since we don't want to "waste" a day on our hopper passes. Every trip so far the airlines, which ever one we flew with never got us there when we were suppose to be there. I am crossing my fingers all goes well in March and we get there on time so we can make it to DTD.

 

[TravelinSouth]

I truly appreciate everyone's opinions on this subject. I think after reading everyone's experiences, I have put DTD on the "I'd like to go there if it fits into our schedule" list. Since it's our first time going, I'm not sure how long parks will take us. So, if we have time we'll go, but if the kids would rather swim or sleep, we'll do that too.

Thank you for helping me realize that if we don't make it to DTD, it will still be a magical trip!

 

[ransom]

Transportation time to/from DTD will kill your schedule, IMO.

As far as how much time you might spend there, if you're not big shoppers (neither are we), you might spend a couple of hours there.

But in 2006, travel to/from took 4 hours, including (lots of) time waiting for busses!

 

[ChristusG]

Wow, I cant believe that people are saying DTD doesnt feel "Disney-ish" and to skip it. We love DTD!! Heck, my kids probably love DTD as much as the parks LOL!

I agree that the least crowded time to visit is during the day, in the morning hours. However, we love being there at night. We like the lights, strolling around in the night air, etc. I feel that it is very "Disney-ish". There's Disney stuff everywhere LOL!

Our kids love it because of the fountains mostly. Bring an extra pair of clothes for your kids, and a towel. They are at the perfect age and they'll absolultely LOVE playing in the fountains. My kids could stay there for hours. But they also love the train ride and carousel....sure, nothing compared to the rides in the park, but kids are easily entertained LOL. They also love shopping for a toy, eating at the Rainforest Cafe, checking out Goofy's Candy Company, and seeing the Lego creations at the Lego Store.

If you are a first timer and want to see everything, I'd allow about 3 or 4 hours. If you just want to browse, two hours should be good. We have been so many times that we usually just stroll around for an hour or two.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Transportation time to/from DTD will kill your schedule, IMO.

As far as how much time you might spend there, if you're not big shoppers (neither are we), you might spend a couple of hours there.

But in 2006, travel to/from took 4 hours, including (lots of) time waiting for busses!

We had no issues with transportation to DTD from AKL, our issue was waiting 40 minutes in a thunderstorm for a bus to come get us & return us to AKL on Wednesday of last week.

 

[ransom]

We had no issues with transportation to DTD from AKL, our issue was waiting 40 minutes in a thunderstorm for a bus to come get us & return us to AKL on Wednesday of last week.

Yikes! 40 minutes in a thunderstorm!

Come to think of it, waiting for that bus to come get us was agonizing (we were going back to WL).

 

[ntsammy5]

Sadly, transportation to/from DTD stinks big time - we always drive! I love shopping at DTD though. It is truly unique - but I love Raglan Road, Rainforest and Fulton too. I normally abhor shopping too

 

[carelo]

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.

We love Cap'n Jacks and we eat there just about every trip. I've seen some posts saying they noticed a musty smell in one part of the restaurant, but either my smeller doesn't work or we've been lucky enough to never sit in that section. Anyway we've always had a good experienced there.

 

[kkproulx]

I'm so glad that thread started, it's making me second guess my day now, but I do have a question IF I decide to keep my itinerary the same..... We have a 2pm ressie at Wolfgang Puck's and we are planning on walking around for a couple hours before going to Cirque Du Soleil.

If we take a cab how long is the trip from YC to DTD vs. taking the bus? Also, are there certain places at DTD where the buses drop and pick up? Getting there is going to have more of a time limit than getting back, but I just thought I'd ask. TIA!!

 

[NaplesRI]

I havent been to Downtown Disney in so many years, I am sure it is differnt now.

However, we must find a way to get there on our trip, as we have sold grandson on the fact that they have the biggest Disney store in the world, and that is the only place he can buy things.
This was our effort to eliminate the need to stop in every shop at the parks while he looks at toys.

I wonder if it will work?

 

[Ducky4Disney]

If we take a cab how long is the trip from YC to DTD vs. taking the bus? Also, are there certain places at DTD where the buses drop and pick up? Getting there is going to have more of a time limit than getting back, but I just thought I'd ask. TIA!!

Not sure what the cab ride will be like, probably not more than 15 mintues to
DTD (if that).

The buses drop off in 2 places - the Marketplace which is at the beginning of DTD (near the Rainforest Cafe and Christmas shop) and Pleasure Island near the middle of DTD (near Planet Hollywood and the AMC theater).

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that second bus stop, I'm having a pregnant moment and doubting my info.

D4D

 

[mpls_mm]

We go to DTD at least once. It's nice for the morning we leave and the evening we get there. I haven't ever been there when it is crowded, maybe I am just lucky? Besides Goofys, there is the under $10 store. The kids get great stuff to do on the way back, there are sometimes shows and group dancing for the kids, Legoplace where the kids can play, the xmas place where we get a new ornament for our tree, the Harley store where I get gifts to bring back for the men in my life, my list goes on and on. I usually have to drag the kids out. I love Ghiradellis, Wolfgang and Earl of Sandwich. Last year my son made his own light saber and got a special pin, my daughter got the My Little Pony Box. We shopped and shopped and I found great stuff on sale everywhere. We also get lots of cute pictures. One year we did a trip when my son wasn't feeling well, and we did great with movies and downtown Disney and the hotel pool until he felt better and we could hit the parks. (He gets croup every year and the climate change knocks him for a loop the first day or two)

 

[Linaka]

DTD is a lot of fun but can get pretty crowded. My kids and myself love pin trading so if it is crowded we don't mind. But you need to stay together because its easy to get seperated with all the excitement.

 

[Linaka]

DTD is a lot of fun but can get pretty crowded. My kids and myself love pin trading so if it is crowded we don't mind. But you need to stay together because its easy to get seperated with all the excitement.

 

[schwoomp]

... Last year my son made his own light saber and got a special pin, my daughter got the My Little Pony Box...

May I ask what the My Little Pony Box is? I just read about the light saber yesterday and know my son would love this. Wondering if my daughter might like this box.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We can take or leave DTD. I buy Christmas things at the Christmas store in MK, and for a 6 day trip, I would rather focus on the parks. There are nice shops there, but when I'm at WDW, I want to be in the parks.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We can take or leave DTD. I buy Christmas things at the Christmas store in MK, and for a 6 day trip, I would rather focus on the parks. There are nice shops there, but when I'm at WDW, I want to be in the parks.

I also agree with the folks who said the transportation stinks to and from DTD - we've always had to wait a long time for a bus to get back to our hotel.

 

[hotdogmj71]

I also agree with the folks who said the transportation stinks to and from DTD - we've always had to wait a long time for a bus to get back to our hotel.

One reason we stay at the DTD resort area is the boat transportation to DTD. It is a nice peaceful ride, & great after a hectic day at the parks.

Our 1st stop after we check in at the resort is an early dinner at WPE. (2 more days !!!!) My son loves the build your own lightsaber section & the life size Buzz.

There are also some great street performers - jugglers, acrobats, singers - that make it a lot of fun, especially at Christmas time. If you like the impromptu shows at HS, you should enjoy these also.

Have fun!