What do we do about Downtown Disney?

[laurietg]

I'm trying to figure out when to go to DD during our week. Can anyone tell me how long we will need there? It will be myself, DH and DD3. We are staying at Asmo. Thanks.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I like to go to DtD ar least 2 or 3 nights during our trip.
Depending on exactly what you want to do- just shop, shop and eat, visit DQ, see a movie, etc.
If you are going just to shop, go towards the end of your trip, then you won't blow your whole souvenir budget too early.

 

[mhingher]

We usually go there for the shopping and a meal. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck's are our favorites! I like going there on our arrival day, since we don't usually go into the parks. We also usually end up there the morning before we leave, to buy any last minute souvenirs, which there always are for me!!

Of course there is the West Side with the movie theater... I just could never justify going to see a movie when I'm in WDW!

 

[scott62]

I believe that it takes about 25 minutes if you are taking the bus from ASMo to downtown Disney. We like to go there for an afternoon on one of our "down days" for lunch and shopping. I have eaten at both Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck's. Both are really good.

 

[Frantasmic]

You MUST visit that really big Disney store. It is great and has everything under the sun.

 

[Leota]

A differing opinion here - I think DTD is skippable. If you are having trouble fitting it in, don't worry - you aren't really missing much.

 

[magicaldisney]

In the original post you were wondering how long you would need at DTD. That really all depends on your child. Will she be in a stroller or walking. Walking will obviously take more time.

DTD Marketplace itself is not incredibly huge, but if you go into the stores and your DD loves to look at toys, you could spend a lot of time there. Marketplace is mainly shopping and eating. Don't know if you were thinking of renting a boat while you were there, that would add on more time.

If you choose to venture past Pleasure Island and over to the West Side, that will also add on more time. West Side is more shopping, eating and entertainment. In my opinion, not worth the walk if she's not in a stroller.

Just trying to give you a general idea of what DTD is all about. Time wise I would give yourself a minimum of two hours (including transportation). Maximum? You could easily spend half a day there if you take your time and enjoy everything that is there and eat lunch or dinner there.

 

[jann1033]

we always go our first night and usually go later for an afternoon or evening. usually we do most of our shopping there since it's "one stop" and the disney store has so much stuff. ( i thought it has every thing disney that is on the property) husband doesn't like to shop( understatement of the century) so we just kind of usually walk through the park shops. here he sits on a bench usually with a treat while i shop for everyone but gbaby( he loves to shop for her)... after 30 yrs you get a system going

 

[lpizzuro123]

We love Downtown Disney and usually go there at the beginning and end of our trip. Great places to eat and shop. Like some have said before, Earl of Sandwich is wonderful, great sandwiches and low in cost. The BIG store is a must do. Your DD can have fun playing in LegoLand. There is also a great toy store and a small carousel and I believe a small train ride. There is also a great pin store and trading location.

I agree as to not buying all your souvenirs at the beginning of your trip - but we also do not wait until the end. We usually buy a tshirt that we like to wear to the park during our trip. There are some great hats and crowns for your princess that she might like to wear while at WDW.

Also, I believe you said it was her birthday trip. Don't know if you know about the birthday buttons they give out at the park for birthdays (basically go to City Hall in MK and guest services in the other parks and let them know it is your DD's birthday and they will give her a Birthday Button - free. They are nice to wear and CM and guests will wish her a Happy Birthday. They also have Birthday Buttons from Downtown Disney. I got all the pins this past May when we went for my 40 something birthday with my boyfriend. I believe they are given out in Downtown Disney near where they take your picture and spray paint tshirts (I think it might be called called Studio M but not sure). Have a great trip.

Linda

 

[eeyore45]

Just a small voice here, but we've 'skipped' dtd - last July, and I hope we can skip it again - I just get so excited in the parks, I dont want to "waste" time "shopping", I can be a shop a holic too!! I love shopping, but I feel I get bogged down with too much "stuff", so I am trying not to buy souveniers, and DTD may be too great a temptation!!! I can window shop online, I googled DTD, and the official Disney site talks about it too - I'm not knocking the eats - ghardelli, earl of sandwich etc...

If it works out, we'll go, but if now, oh well!!

 

[missypie]

I don't think it's a "must" unless you want to do a lot of shopping. Of the store there, I like the huge Disney store, the Disney Christmas store, and the lego store. The Ghiraradelli ice cream place is also pretty neat (print off a half price coupon.)

With a small child, I'd much rather spend an extra 3 hours in Fantasyland than at DTD.

 

[jezebella]

My dd4 loves DTD. We go there about every other weekend just to walk around. We love to go pick up a drink by Captain Jacks (of course, something frozen and fruity), feed the ducks, take DD on train ride and carousel ($2 a turn). We then hit up Basin (I love love love the fizzy balls for DD bathtime), maybe go through the "Big" store (named the World of Disney), and head back down towards legoland so DD can go on the slide about a million times.

Now, it seems that everyone has very extreme opinions about the west side. I love it. Then again, I am a huge music fan and head to the HOB about once a month to catch a concert (was acutally there on Saturday to see Mindless Self Indulgence). DD though, also loves music. So we typically go down and sit outside where they have acoustic players nightly for free. Plop down in the chairs and watch her dance to the music and ppl watch.