Venting, and Downtown Disney Area Is The Pits

[DevilsDandruff]

This has been the most trying spring break/easter trip we have ever had. Its not even close. Even with rope drop everything is a hassle. Do not go anywhere near DTD, any time of day. The expense, the hassles, the crowds, the miserable castmembers -- I don't know if I can do this again. For now, you should avoid Buena Vista Drive at all costs. DHS and in some ways Epcot feel like Disney is playing a joke on their customers. Disney was once able to mask the corporate in a way that was magical...now it bashes you in the face at every turn.

I've been to WDW at xmas a dozen times. i have been on spring break a dozen times. I know from busy. This is just sad.

 

[Keels]

I'm sorry. What happened???

 

[Jadyreen1282]

When we stopped in for dinner at DTD over the holidays it was mad too but hey, it's Disney at a busy time of year. You went during spring break! You want low crowds hit it with us in September!

That construction is what is making DTD miserable. It'll be done in a year.

 

[larryz]

Disney was once able to mask the corporate in a way that was magical...

Remember: you can't spell Abracadabra without ABC.

 

[mullysisters]

Last May I went to DTD (never my favourite place) and dis-liked it so much, I dodged into the movie theatres and saw Captain America. It was the most fun I've had at DTD. Not even going this years trip.

 

[Dentam]

We went around Easter years ago and vowed NEVER again. Now we're planning for September - the crowds just take so much of the fun out of everything.

 

[geenerbell]

DTD is the one and only place we encountered large crowds last weekend. It was mayhem! We walked from Marketplace to AMC on the Westside and it was shoulder to shoulder the whole way. And don't get me started on the bus stops to the resorts! Oh Nellie!! That said I thought the Crowds at the parks were much lighter that expected. We did MK on Good Friday, EP on Saturday and DHS on Sunday.

 

[dbramer]

Remember, DS (or DTD) draws all the non-park folk who want a taste of Disney and with so many new things opening, it is going to be crowded. When Boathouse opens, it will be even more crowded.

 

[DevilsDandruff]

Today was a better day, but gosh darn it i pine for the old days when things were just simpler. love you guys!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Man downtown Disney was that bad? I'm going the first week of May as the crowds should be more manageable.

 

[North of Mouse]

This has been the most trying spring break/easter trip we have ever had. Its not even close. Even with rope drop everything is a hassle. Do not go anywhere near DTD, any time of day. The expense, the hassles, the crowds, the miserable castmembers -- I don't know if I can do this again. For now, you should avoid Buena Vista Drive at all costs. DHS and in some ways Epcot feel like Disney is playing a joke on their customers. Disney was once able to mask the corporate in a way that was magical...now it bashes you in the face at every turn.

I've been to WDW at xmas a dozen times. i have been on spring break a dozen times. I know from busy. This is just sad.

We were there a few weeks ago and didn't find DTD bad at all (of course it wasn't a holiday either). We never drive there, always take the bus, much easier. We kept to the Market Place area along with the newly opened Causeway, and had a great time. The construction didn't affect us at all.

Too bad your trip wasn't relaxing for you, but holidays are really a stressful time to go to Disney IMO - have no desire to be there at those times.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Yeah I mean I guess I can see why people would want to go to Holidays at Disney but it sounds like anything BUT fun...

 

[Texas Mickey]

We have been there when it's busy. We have been there when it's slow. Either way we like it. We take the boat from POFQ - No traffic hassles.

 

[mickeyway]

Are there are park buses that run from downtown Disney or just resorts? I wanted to go from MK to downtown Disney then to HS. I was hoping not to have to go back to the resort before heading to the second park.

 

[ejdmomma]

We took the boat from POR last week...no traffic problems. We also went early afternoon and left after dinner. It was mildly crowded when we got there and really starting to get really busy when we left. I really think the time of day really matters. We have been there later in the day and vowed to never do that again! On that trip we took the bus from our resort and the traffic was so bad. The normal 20 minute ride was more like 45 minutes. Not fun with tired cranky kids at the end of the night.

 

[sharonabe]

Are there are park buses that run from downtown Disney or just resorts? I wanted to go from MK to downtown Disney then to HS. I was hoping not to have to go back to the resort before heading to the second park.

No, there are no direct buses from parks to/from DTD. From MK, you should be able to get one from the TTC or just walk over to Contemporary and get one there. From DTD, you'll need to head to a resort first. My choice would be one of the EP resorts. You can then either walk or boat over to DHS. Either way, it's going to take you at least an hour to get from DTD to HS.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Returning to DHS via the Epcot resorts, get off the bus at the Swan. That will be the first stop (possibly after Typhoon Lagoon). Do not ride all the way around to Boardwalk.

DTD is under construction and should be better when it's finished. But as for the crowds, yes it's crowded now and it's going to be more crowded on holidays. It'll likely be more crowded even after Disney Springs is completed because more people will want to take a look at it. considering what some of those new restaurants will cost, they may not hang around or go back very often.

 

[loves to dive]

I have found early in the morning when everything just opens up is the best time for me to go. No crowds and you can take it slow. Don't get me started on the buses though, I've never had a bus ride to or from DTD that didn't take at least a hour and that is not including the 30 min wait at the bus stop at DTD. There are many trips I just don't even go there, I don't mind the crowds but getting to and from is such a hassle.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Are there are park buses that run from downtown Disney or just resorts? I wanted to go from MK to downtown Disney then to HS. I was hoping not to have to go back to the resort before heading to the second park.

You can walk over to Saratoga Springs and hop on a park bus there. The Congress Park bus stop is the closest to DTD. You could also take the boat to Port Orleans and get a bus from there, though that will take longer.

 

[mickeyway]

This sounds like the best idea. I will walk over to sarasota springs and grab the bus there to HS. thanks

You can walk over to Saratoga Springs and hop on a park bus there. The Congress Park bus stop is the closest to DTD. You could also take the boat to Port Orleans and get a bus from there, though that will take longer.