What is best way to get from GF to DTD?

[ConnieB]

We have Afternoon Tea at GF and then want to go to DTD....but everything I'm reading is that parking at DTD is insane, so how else can we get there while leaving the car at GF? Time estimates would also be appreciated, lol. THANK YOU!

 

[kmb584]

We have Afternoon Tea at GF and then want to go to DTD....but everything I'm reading is that parking at DTD is insane, so how else can we get there while leaving the car at GF? Time estimates would also be appreciated, lol. THANK YOU!

You would need to valet your car at the Grand and then take the designated DTD bus.

 

[2Tiggies]

DTD buses are far less frequent than the regular park buses and the only way to get there aside from a resort bus or driving is a taxi, but return fare may justify you to valet your car at GF. I would build in at least 45 minutes plus, each way for DTD. You'll need to weigh up the lesser of the evils in the options but whatever you choose there is going to be a trade off either in time or in cost. It is probably more time and cost effective to just take the car, unless you are quite relaxed about getting to and from DTD and have allowed plenty of time for that in your day.

 

[ConnieB]

Ok, 45 minutes was a bit longer than I expected. I was thinking it would be about the same as getting to a park, just a different route.

Can anyone give some hints then on parking DTD? For 45 minutes each way that would be 90 minutes of wandering around looking for a parking spot, lol. Before the construction I can remember times we had to wander mid-day for 15-20 minutes, so I was thinking a 15 minute bus ride was only double the time and no frustration....but 90 minutes? Ain't nothing at DTD I want that badly, lol.

Is there parking that is perhaps a short walk away? I seem to recall that a few months ago they had the "free valet for TIW" that was putting cars across the street or something. I know the valet is no longer offered to TIW, but is the lot across the street now open for parking? A short walk would be less annoying than going round and round looking for an open spot, lol.

Thanks!

 

[Spanky]

Maybe move your car to Port Orleans and catch the boat to DTD? If you don't have to pay to park you may find parking at MK lot, take tram to TTC and then Monorail to GF is another option rather than paying to valet at GF. This would make less walking for the entire family. I would just drop off everyone at GF and go park in the free GF lot - it is across the street so it is a good walk back but that would be the fastest route for free. Parking at DTD does sound like a big nightmare so I really don't have any advise except go to DTD early in the day and then go to the tea party that afternoon. The boards have said you can find parking spaces before 11 am.

 

[dvcHammer]

taxi - fastest and not too expensive.

my preffered way to save time

alternate, go to POR or better yet OKW and take the free boat, while you wait at OKW stop in at the Gurgling Suitcase to pass the time

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would, and have taken, a cab. Works great, fast, not too costly.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Taxi for sure.

If you don't want to spring for the taxi, take the bus. It will take you quite a while to get there and back though. If you have a 3 hour parking limit you would have problems. If they give you a parking time (I assume you are not staying there) and you want to park there all day you would need to consider valet parking.

I know the valet is no longer offered to TIW

I believe it still is.

But you have to present a receipt that says you ate there. It will have a time on it. If that time is several hours after the meal, they may charge you.

 

[houseofduck]

I think 45 minutes is being optimistic. It took us at least an hour each way between the two earlier this month using the bus.

 

[Pleglech]

GF to DTD by bus is about as pleasant of an experience as getting hit by a bus.

Drive or take a cab if time is a priority.

 

[Donnainnj]

Take the car. We went to DTD the week before Easter this year and while it wasn't easy to get a space, it didn't take that much time. We followed someone who was leaving and got their space. We parked in the lot on the West Side, behind Disney Quest.
Donna

 

[AmyB2006]

I agree. Cab for sure would be quickest. DTD parking is INSANE! And that's being generous. I was just there on Sunday. I wasn't aware of how bad it was before we decided to drive ourselves. Big mistake.

If you can spare the time, a bus will get you there. Sometimes they're 20 minutes, sometimes it's longer.

 

[lighteningqueen]

Which resort will take you by boat to DTD.. I will be at DHS first day so after they close want to go to DTD. I cannot remember if there is a bus from DHS or go to Epcot get on Monorail and then where?? I used to know all this but 2 1/2 years I am like being new again???? I will not do Taxi and we fly in so no trans.

 

[ConnieB]

Maybe move your car to Port Orleans and catch the boat to DTD? If you don't have to pay to park you may find parking at MK lot, take tram to TTC and then Monorail to GF is another option rather than paying to valet at GF. This would make less walking for the entire family. I would just drop off everyone at GF and go park in the free GF lot - it is across the street so it is a good walk back but that would be the fastest route for free. Parking at DTD does sound like a big nightmare so I really don't have any advise except go to DTD early in the day and then go to the tea party that afternoon. The boards have said you can find parking spaces before 11 am.

Can you park at POR if you're NOT staying there (or staying on site anywhere?)? I have an AP and TIW. If I can park free there, then taking the boat to DTD sounds like a good choice, probably won't be the 45 minutes on an icky bus from GF!

Valet parking at GF is free with the TIW, I think only for 3 hours though, so we wouldn't do that and go to DTD. But we've parked in the free GF before and it's an easy walk. It appears that the getting to DTD is the tough/long part.

 

[ConnieB]

I believe it still is.

But you have to present a receipt that says you ate there. It will have a time on it. If that time is several hours after the meal, they may charge you.

I wrote to TIW earlier this month and asked about the Valet TIW parking at DTD. Here was the response I got:

Thank you for the message, unfortunately members do not receive complimentary valet parking at Downtown Disney any longer, that was only offered as a test program. However you do still receive complimentary valet parking at resort locations.

Thank you and have a nice weekend.

Tables in Wonderland​

 

[msb578]

Which resort will take you by boat to DTD.. I will be at DHS first day so after they close want to go to DTD. I cannot remember if there is a bus from DHS or go to Epcot get on Monorail and then where?? I used to know all this but 2 1/2 years I am like being new again???? I will not do Taxi and we fly in so no trans.

You could either:

1) Walk/Boat from DHS to an Epcot Resort- Swan/Dolphin will be the closest one. At the Resort, board a bus to DTD.

2) Take a bus from DHS to a DTD Resort (Port Orleans, SSR, or OKW). Then board a boat to DTD.

The only way to get to DTD on Disney Transportation is from a Resort.

 

[wdwrich]

You could either:

1) Walk/Boat from DHS to an Epcot Resort- Swan/Dolphin will be the closest one. At the Resort, board a bus to DTD.

Actually, the Beach Club is the closest resort to EPCOT's International Gateway entrance, followed by the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk. Swan/Dolphin are the furthest from that park entrance as far as the walkable EPCOT resorts go.

 

[ConnieB]

You could either:

1) Walk/Boat from DHS to an Epcot Resort- Swan/Dolphin will be the closest one. At the Resort, board a bus to DTD.

2) Take a bus from DHS to a DTD Resort (Port Orleans, SSR, or OKW). Then board a boat to DTD.

The only way to get to DTD on Disney Transportation is from a Resort.

So it is a shorter bus ride from POR to DTD than it would be from GF to DTD?

Also, is parking at POR free (I have AP and TIW).

Thanks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's no monorail that goes to DTD.

You can get a boat from 4 resorts - Port Orleans RS or FQ, Old Key West, or Saratoga Springs.

Everyplace else, it's a bus.

There is no Disney transportation offered directly between any theme park and DTD. If you want to go from a theme park to DTD, you will need to transfer at a resort.

Walk/Boat from DHS to an Epcot Resort- Swan/Dolphin will be the closest one. At the Resort, board a bus to DTD.

Here is something to watch for from the Epcot resorts. The DTD line includes all 5 resorts - Swan, Dolphin, Yacht, Beach and Boardwalk in that order. If you go to Swan to board the bus, you'll have to ride through the other 4 resorts before the bus departs to DTD. It's an easy walk from the Swan to the Boardwalk for a shorter bus ride. However, if you go to the Boardwalk, there may be no seats for you on the bus if it's busy.

It's the same thing coming back - add a stop at Typhoon Lagoon if it is open. This is one reason that the DTD transportation seems to take forever.

 

[msb578]

Actually, the Beach Club is the closest resort to EPCOT's International Gateway entrance, followed by the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk. Swan/Dolphin are the furthest from that park entrance as far as the walkable EPCOT resorts go.

I thought the PP would be coming from DHS though.

But, someone else also pointed out the potential crowding problem on the DTD bus... true, true