Why does anyone go to DTD?

[Figment632]

I haven't in three years and the only reason I will go next week is because I'm staying at Saratoga Springs!

 

[sweetdana]

I like the WOD store, my dd6 loves the Lego store..and my DH needs the Ghirardelli store.
We also like the shows sometimes, the margaritas by the water, the 10$ of less store, the water Mickey splash thing, and Rex. Earl of a sand. was my fav place for a while, but in Dec it stunk.. we will see in Aug if it makes the list of agains.. or not agains.

We go once on each trip longer than 5 days.

We could live without it, but do esp enjoy the walk when staying at SSR/ or boat from FQ. IT is less nuts, when you go in busy season that the parks.

 

[WildabouttheMouse]

I like going to Downtown Disney... It is an experience. Plus Ghirardelli yum...

My family enjoys DTD we decompress from the parks, walk around, eat and always stop at Ghirardelli's for some of the best ice cream. We always plan some time there everytime we go to WDW.

 

[OldsDr]

I don't understand the World of Disney store as a reason to go downtown. The shops on Main st. in MK are exacly the same. the layout is a line instead of a block, but they have departmentalised just like world of disney. and of course sell the exact same stuff.

 

[Oglet]

If you build it they will come.

Disney built it and people flock to it.

 

[nytimez]

I don't understand the World of Disney store as a reason to go downtown. The shops on Main st. in MK are exacly the same. the layout is a line instead of a block, but they have departmentalised just like world of disney. and of course sell the exact same stuff.

I get it -- it actually makes sense in many ways and is one of the better ideas at DTD even if it's not much of an idea. It allows you to buy theme park merch without using a theme park entry (or the hassle of going into the theme park). Also good place to pick up something last minute on your way out... etc.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I get it -- it actually makes sense in many ways and is one of the better ideas at DTD even if it's not much of an idea. It allows you to buy theme park merch without using a theme park entry (or the hassle of going into the theme park). Also good place to pick up something last minute on your way out... etc.

Yeah...but you could also do the same thing at the airport.

I have no problem with the world of disney...or any of the other 1000 giftshops for that matter...

what i DO have a problem with is that their merchandising has gone totally cheap and interchangeable over the last 20 years...especially the last 10.

Only EPCOT has any variety...and even that is getting a little sketchy.

And that's their stupid chinese plants and their stupid chinese trade deals and their stupid chinese parks...nothing more.

oh yeah...and the ridiculous profit margin on crappy grade merchandise that basically constitutes the sole reason that WDW operates anymore...that one slipped my mind.

 

[Oglet]

Yeah...but you could also do the same thing at the airport.

I have no problem with the world of disney...or any of the other 1000 giftshops for that matter...

what i DO have a problem with is that their merchandising has gone totally cheap and interchangeable over the last 20 years...especially the last 10.

Only EPCOT has any variety...and even that is getting a little sketchy.

And that's their stupid chinese plants and their stupid chinese trade deals and their stupid chinese parks...nothing more.

oh yeah...and the ridiculous profit margin on crappy grade merchandise that basically constitutes the sole reason that WDW operates anymore...that one slipped my mind.

They were smart with Shanghai, everything is going to be locally made.

 

[fireflymedic]

that dang ballon got me there. I realy dont like going as it all costs so much money. and I already have park tickets

 

[Jason71]

On a more meta level, the impression I get from many nights at DTD (in reverse order):

(5) part of a tour group that got a deal at Planet Hollywood,

(4) going to T-Rex or BBB (and yes, it's almost always one or the other if they came to DtD specifically for something),

(3) expect to find clubs or some sort of nightlife (yes, even 3 years after PI closed),

(2) going to AMC or Cirque and walk around before/after,

(1) on property or in Orlando but don't want to waste a ticket on a half day in the park, or bought a 5-day ticket for a 7-day vacation.

 

[tjkraz]

Well, I can only speak for myself and the couple dozen family members / guests we have accompanied over the years. We have never visited DTD for Planet Hollywood, AMC, Cirque, T-Rex or night clubs. We've always had park tickets for our entire length of stay. (Who buys a 5 day pass for 7 days? The differential cost is only a couple dollars.)

We visit DTD to shop, browse, dine or otherwise unwind from the theme parks. No great mystery to it. I've gone to DTD specifically for restaurants like Wolfgang Puck's, House of Blues, Raglan Road and Earl of Sandwich. I've gone to visit the LEGO store or Team Mickey (think that's what it's called.) The toy store, fine art store and D-Street are occasional destinations. I've even been to DisneyQuest a few times and there are always several hundred others in the place.

I don't know what percentage of visitors assigning to these groupings but seeing how the crowds have grown over the past 4-5 years, I can't buy into the idea that it's all being driven by 2-3 restaurants, a movie theater and a 15-year old performance show.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

The words:

World of Disney

I love shopping! DTD is one of my favorite places to go on our trip. I also like the Christmas store, and Ghiradelli. I don't get into bars, so I just enjoy all the shops. Believe it or not, my DH also enjoys going to DTD.

 

[zorro77]

Many reason to go DT Disney. One i like to smoke Cigar's so going to Fuego's is a most stop on each trip. We will walk from OKW a couple of times to just take in the walk and a sandwich at the Earl is a winner. Shopping is not as important but usually everyone wants to go at least once into all the stores and that may take a couple of trips. Could take in a movie if we have bad weather one day. I think if you are a regular as we are and spend about 4 plus weeks a year at OKW then DT Disney is something we will always do. Their is music to take in for a a few minutes if you wish and again people watching is always a must.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

My DW and DD really enjoyed the store with all the artwork, and also Tren-D(I think thats the name). Most of that stuff was not available in Disney.
IMHO the OP was very inaccurate in the description of "same old stuff" Lots of it is only available there, or you might find it in a few select stores throughout the WDW Resort.

 

[DizCaptain]

The words:

World of Disney

I love shopping! DTD is one of my favorite places to go on our trip. I also like the Christmas store, and Ghiradelli. I don't get into bars, so I just enjoy all the shops. Believe it or not, my DH also enjoys going to DTD.

Same thing for my family. We go to DTD for World of Disney, T-Rex, Ghiradelli, Xmas Store, Once Upon A Toy, Lego Store, (Im a huge kid at heart haha), and sometimes Magic Masters. We've seen a movie once or twice while staying at Saratoga since it was a rainy day, but we don't ever have a plan to see one.

 

[tmgandolph]

I don't understand the World of Disney store as a reason to go downtown. The shops on Main st. in MK are exacly the same. the layout is a line instead of a block, but they have departmentalised just like world of disney. and of course sell the exact same stuff.

One reason is that AP holders get 10% off at WoD. Granted the Disney Visa has the same 10% discount and used at more locations, but it has a $50 minimum purchase. Saving 10% isn't a reason to go there by itself by any means but sometimes for me can be an added draw.

 

[G8RFAN]

Simply for us it is Quest. My son loves it and we tend to cap off at least half of our evenings there. Wolfagang Pucks and Bongos are also great dining destinations for us as well.

 

[arthuruscg]

I have been there once and don't need to go again.
Although, it would be a nice place to walk around in on your day of araival if DME would take you directly to DTD. Other wise, it is not worth the 1.5hr buss round trip. Yes, 1.5hr round trip. 30 min wait at all star movies and 1 hr wait to ride the buss back to the resort.

 

[njmom47]

For me, it's one word: Basin! I love this shop. And to me, DTD is a place to sit, relax, get ice cream, and people-watch which I would not do in the parks (I am the one who makes my family gogogo when we're in the parks). We did go to DQ on our 2001 trip and the kids enjoyed it.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

DTD is always the first stop for our family. We travel from the west coast so we always land around dinner time. We're too tired to go into the parks in the late evening, and besides, we don't want to waste a whole day's ticket for just a couple of hours. So we hit DTD. It puts us in the spirit with all of the music and the store lights. We always hit Ghirardelli, have dinner somewhere, check out World of Disney store to see what's new, check out the Lego store, get a new pin at the pin shop, etc. I could go on and on. Needless to say, our family really enjoys DTD.

Funny enough, we don't like DTD at Disneyland. I don't care for the top 40 music they play there. I can listen to that anywhere. When I got to Disney, I want to hear Disney music. The street musicians make it feel like you're hanging out at a club or bar somewhere. Again, I can do that anywhere. I don't want to experience that at Disney. It seems the whole spirit of DTD in California is geared for a different demographic than WDW.