Why does anyone go to DTD?

[Peter Pirate 2]

I do not understand the appeal of this place, especially since the demise of PI. But what is it that appeals to anyone that they would actually have to travel to get to?

I understand DTD at DL and City Walk at Universal as they're both right there (and both great, IMO), but DTD at WDW is just a boatload of the same ole, same ole crappola. What is the appeal and how is Disney maintaining the crowds?

 

[Disco]

I do not understand the appeal of this place, especially since the demise of PI. But what is it that appeals to anyone that they would actually have to travel to get to?

I understand DTD at DL and City Walk at Universal as they're both right there (and both great, IMO), but DTD at WDW is just a boatload of the same ole, same ole crappola. What is the appeal and how is Disney maintaining the crowds?

DTD at DL is great? At least WDW has Disney Quest and even La Nuba. Otherwise they are both overpriced shopping districts. I'll have to check out City Walk one of these days.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

DTD at DL is great? At least WDW has Disney Quest and even La Nuba. Otherwise they are both overpriced shopping districts. I'll have to check out City Walk one of these days.

Yeah, it's great. It's a glorified shopping area to be sure but it's the gateway to the parks so rather than an empty walk, it's a pretty, functional mall. It's a nice stroll and there are some nice dining options. Besides, the DTD DL area isn't a separate destination, it's a built in destination that you can either stop at or pass through..

 

[ASteelersMidget]

I go For WGP express, Giradhelli, The large Store (I believe it's called world of disney) and The large pin shop. Oh and Goofy's Candy Shop

 

[CaptainAlex]

When I attended the Star Wars Celebration (Convention) last summer my party went down to DTD on that Saturday night for dinner. I hadn’t been to "Disney" in 17 years up until that point and it was fun to get a taste of the WDW complex. We walked around a bunch and took the boat launch from one end of DTD to the other.

We ate dinner at T-Rex and I bought some gifts for my kids at Once Upon a Toy.

I was sad to see the closed up portion of PI though. I have many great memories of dancing and stuff at the Beach Club and 8 Trax!

Anyways DTD was lots of fun that one evening. It brought back many good memories and really helped push up our planned WDW trip we are about to take by 2 years.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Alex, regarding your location handle, I thought I'd relay an interesting aside, my daughter was born in Key West and has lived in the Keys her whole life and is leaving for St. Bonaventure for college in two weeks! Don't worry though she has seen snow once.

 

[tjkraz]

...but DTD at WDW is just a boatload of the same ole, same ole crappola. What is the appeal and how is Disney maintaining the crowds?

Other than World of Disney, that's really not true. Sure there is the pin stand, toy store, sports store and others which carry a lot of Disney stuff but if you're looking for something in particular--or want the best selection--much easier to go to DTD rather than scouring MouseGear, Emporium, etc.

There are also dozens of unique shops and restaurants. It's not just T-Rex and Planet Hollywood--there are some decent restaurants. LEGO store, Cirque, Ridemakerz, DisneyQuest, Basin, Little Miss Matched. D Street is apparently popular among those who collect Vinylmation.

WDW has added street musicians reminiscent of DL. Improved the atmosphere.

Maybe not your thing but there is much to do at DTD that Middle America doesn't have a block away from their homes.

I don't go to DTD as much as I used to. Ironically the main reason is because every time I visit, it's even more crowded than the last. 3-4 years ago when my son was big into LEGOs, I could always find a parking spot in the lot immediately adjacent to the LEGO store. That's right around the area where the Marketplace and PI meet.

Last three times I've been there (spread over 2010 and 2011) I had to park all the way down in the West Side lot EVERY TIME. One was an afternoon visit and two were very early evening (4-5pm) on a weekday and the lots were jam packed. I don't even go into World of Disney anymore because it's literally elbow-to-elbow.

I'm well aware that many folks miss the AC and prefer City Walk, but by all appearances DTD as busy as it's ever been.

 

[MJMcBride]

I like the World of Disney , the Lego store, my wife loves the cooking store

the house of blues is good

 

[Pikezh638]

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

 

[nytimez]

I rarely go to DTD anymore... I will this year as my daughter really wants to eat at T-Rex (God help me). While there, I may try Characters in Flight.

Unless HOB has an act I want to see, or if I need to quickly buy some Christmas presents in secret or something, I simply don't go there.

 

[CaptainAlex]

Alex, regarding your location handle, I thought I'd relay an interesting aside, my daughter was born in Key West and has lived in the Keys her whole life and is leaving for St. Bonaventure for college in two weeks! Don't worry though she has seen snow once.

Now that's something else. Tell her that winter is the best 8 months of the year up in Western NY!!!!

 

[patsal]

Alex, regarding your location handle, I thought I'd relay an interesting aside, my daughter was born in Key West and has lived in the Keys her whole life and is leaving for St. Bonaventure for college in two weeks! Don't worry though she has seen snow once.

Bonnies oh St. Bonnies...Oh the memories! I hope she has as much fun as I did!

 

[ASteelersMidget]

Now that's something else. Tell her that winter is the best 8 months of the year up in Western NY!!!!

Up here in Western New York we have 2, Yes 2 seasons. Winter and Construction.

In all seriousness though it's true................

 

[firecracker725]

My family went the night we arrived because we weren't up for a park, yet we wanted to be "at Disney". We had a delicious meal at WPE, ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the Legos, and had a nice boat ride. It was quite nice.

 

[Disneyman_10]

My family went the night we arrived because we weren't up for a park, yet we wanted to be "at Disney". We had a delicious meal at WPE, ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the Legos, and had a nice boat ride. It was quite nice.

As you said, I love going there to be at Disney. Plus, there some merchandise there that you can't find in the parks.

 

[Golf4food]

I go For WGP express, Giradhelli, The large Store (I believe it's called world of disney) and The large pin shop. Oh and Goofy's Candy Shop

You forgot Earl of Sandwich - best sandwiches anywhere and since the Orlando location is the closest to us, we have to go at least once. And the Christmas shop is fun.

 

[ASteelersMidget]

You forgot Earl of Sandwich - best sandwiches anywhere and since the Orlando location is the closest to us, we have to go at least once. And the Christmas shop is fun.

I didn't forget it. I don't like the sandwiches there, so i didn't mention it. Also, as I don't celebrate X-mas the shop doesn't mean much to me.

 

[Lewisc]

I do not understand the appeal of this place, especially since the demise of PI. But what is it that appeals to anyone that they would actually have to travel to get to?

I understand DTD at DL and City Walk at Universal as they're both right there (and both great, IMO), but DTD at WDW is just a boatload of the same ole, same ole crappola. What is the appeal and how is Disney maintaining the crowds?

Last trip I was staying offsite. I had a number of old tickets and didn't know how many days were left. I also had a couple of PI tickets which I wanted to turn in for a refund.

I went to guest services in DTD.

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

Bongos! Cuban sandwiches are impossible to find where we live so it's well worth the trek over to Bongo's for some Cubans and Media Noches...but other than that it really didn't do much for me either....

 

[KeroKero]

Although we are saddend that PI is no longer in existance, we still enjoy going to DTD. World of Disney is an amazing store that I could honestly spend hours in looking at merchandise and of course making purchases. Also, I'm a die hard milkshake person so we always stop at Ghirardelli!! We usually only go in the evenings or a night we're not at a park, we like the atmosphere and the window shopping.