Any advice for Downtown Disney?

[Ann S]

Hello all,

I'm looking for all tips about DTD. I will be there on Monday 9/10/12. I have 4 pm dinner reservations at T-Rex. Besides all the shopping and walking, is there anything else I can do from DTD to make the most of my day? i.e. water taxis, boat rides, seeing other hotels, or must see sights or activitIes?

New here on the site and new to WDW. Arriving in Sept. for 12 days!

Ann~

 

[ImagineerDude]

Hello all,

I'm looking for all tips about DTD. I will be there on Monday 9/10/12. I have 4 pm dinner reservations at T-Rex. Besides all the shopping and walking, is there anything else I can do from DTD to make the most of my day? i.e. water taxis, boat rides, seeing other hotels, or must see sights or activitIes?

New here on the site and new to WDW. Arriving in Sept. for 12 days!

Ann~

Well, I love the giant Disney Store. Check out the rainforest cafe refurb and post some pics! Characters in Flight is gone, but there is also AMC Movie theater (not too exciting), the Harley Davidson store (I'm not a motorcycle person but taking pictures on them are fun), Cirque Du Solei (spell check) and Disney Quest (depending on your budget). You could also rent boats and ride around on the water and past the Lego dragon. Ooh! The giant Lego creations are must sees! I like the funny magnet store, Goofys Candy Co, and the Christmas store. Overall, there aren't many "OMG I HAVE TO DO THIS OR I WILL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE" things to do at Downtown, but it is fun and a different experience from your everyday outlet

 

[Ann S]

Well, I love the giant Disney Store. Check out the rainforest cafe refurb and post some pics! Characters in Flight is gone, but there is also AMC Movie theater (not too exciting), the Harley Davidson store (I'm not a motorcycle person but taking pictures on them are fun), Cirque Du Solei (spell check) and Disney Quest (depending on your budget). You could also rent boats and ride around on the water and past the Lego dragon. Ooh! The giant Lego creations are must sees! I like the funny magnet store, Goofys Candy Co, and the Christmas store. Overall, there aren't many "OMG I HAVE TO DO THIS OR I WILL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE" things to do at Downtown, but it is fun and a different experience from your everyday outlet

lol..that is funny. Ok, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks

 

[nngrendel]

Overall, there aren't many"OMG I HAVE TO DO THIS OR I WILL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE" things to do at Downtown, but it is fun and a different experience from your everyday outlet

Ragland Road. I rest my case.

 

[luv]

I'm not a big fan of taking time out to go see other resorts, but if it's your thing you can take a boat and visit the Port Orleans resorts.

Check out the stores before you go to see which ones most appeal to you. My favorites are...

- Basin - soaps - you can get a bar of clear soap with colored Mickey heads in it, as well as other kinds...but the bars are big and dont fit many soap dishes so may or may not want to buy one of theirs. There are also bath balls and tester stuff.

- Tren-D - cute clothes and Dooney purses

- the pin store - pins

- there is an art store over by the movies (I forget the name) that has a lot of funky stuff. I have yet to buy anything there, but may one day. I love to browse in there.

World of Disney is THE store to hit, of course. And, like I said, do some research before you go to see what stores you think would interest you.

If you go into the Ghiradelli store, they'll give you a free little piece of chocolate (the individually wrapped ones), but it's a terrible place to buy candy bars. They're about 1/3 the cost at Publix.

I like T-Rex and Raglan Road best, but Rainforest Cafe is fine. I hear good things about Portabellos but have never been there. Earl of Sandwich is good for a quick bite IF the line isn't long.

 

[Redsky89]

There's a small stand across from the big Disney store where they sell frozen lemonade and soft pretzels. It's a little tradition of mine to get those two things every time I go there cause its so good. The colossal Disney store is fun to look around in. The Disney art store is really neat to. I didn't give ya any fresh ideas really but that's what I enjoy there.

 

[ImagineerDude]

Ragland Road. I rest my case.

Hmm I'll have to FINALLY try this on my next trip

 

[Ann S]

Ragland Road. I rest my case.

wait...what's Ragland Road??

 

[Ann S]

I'm not a big fan of taking time out to go see other resorts, but if it's your thing you can take a boat and visit the Port Orleans resorts.

Check out the stores before you go to see which ones most appeal to you. My favorites are...

- Basin - soaps - you can get a bar of clear soap with colored Mickey heads in it, as well as other kinds...but the bars are big and dont fit many soap dishes so may or may not want to buy one of theirs. There are also bath balls and tester stuff.

- Tren-D - cute clothes and Dooney purses

- the pin store - pins

- there is an art store over by the movies (I forget the name) that has a lot of funky stuff. I have yet to buy anything there, but may one day. I love to browse in there.

World of Disney is THE store to hit, of course. And, like I said, do some research before you go to see what stores you think would interest you.

If you go into the Ghiradelli store, they'll give you a free little piece of chocolate (the individually wrapped ones), but it's a terrible place to buy candy bars. They're about 1/3 the cost at Publix.

I like T-Rex and Raglan Road best, but Rainforest Cafe is fine. I hear good things about Portabellos but have never been there. Earl of Sandwich is good for a quick bite IF the line isn't long.

Thanks..great info. I'm jotting it all.

 

[Ann S]

.....and Disney Quest.

Is Disney Quest a must do? My son is almost 13, loves gaming. But, we've been to a lot of game restaurant etc..

Anna~

 

[luv]

.....and Disney Quest.

Is Disney Quest a must do? My son is almost 13, loves gaming. But, we've been to a lot of game restaurant etc..

Anna~

I always call DisneyQuest "five floors of hell"...but that is from my viewpoint. It five floors that are dimly lit with video game crap and noise. The walls are rounded and have these weird, curved angular things that jut out to form halls. It is as annoying and alien a feeling as I'd like to have at WDW. Lights flashing, kids zipping around. It's a feaking nightmare, as far as I'm concerned.

For a 12yo kid into gaming, it is heaven. Kids immediately get the surroundings and find their way around quickly. They love it. If you take a 12yo who is into video games there, it will probably be the far and away #1 Highlight of his trip.

I left mine there after about an hour so I could shop. I said I'd be back in an hour, but was late and so worried about it. I got back to the Car Driving game and was waved off. Those car driving game kids sit down and they don't get up. And they take no prisoners! They came to play! They knock each other off the road and they all have a blast. I asked if it would be okay for me to leave again for two hours and got a very distracted, "Yeah. okay!"

When my son was his age, he wanted to be a pro ball player or a pizza delivery guy when he grew up. He occasionally said engineering because he figured then he could be one of the guys who blows up (implodes) buildings. After visiting DQ, he decided he wanted to work there when he grew up. All that other stuff was tossed out the window. And that went on for quite a while.

He just finished college and has decided to go to law school. Looking at costs, I brought up the old idea of working at DQ. He chuckled and said - he is 22 now, btw - that it would be great, but it wouldn't pay very well. (Still, it would be great.)

My nephews went at ages 10 and 12 and also rated it as the best thing Disney has. The older one, who loved Test Track and rode it six times said, "Test Track was good, but...". The younger one said that he didn't want to choose between Dinosaur and DQ, but DQ was his favorite. I told sis that we should just send them in, but she had to see what I was talking about for herself. We were there for maybe 45 minutes before she said, "Get me the {*+% out of here."

Going to DQ is the best thing you could give that kid, IMO. If you love your child enough to enter that hell, that is.

 

[Ann S]

I always call DisneyQuest "five floors of hell"...but that is from my viewpoint. It five floors that are dimly lit with video game crap and noise. The walls are rounded and have these weird, curved angular things that jut out to form halls. It is as annoying and alien a feeling as I'd like to have at WDW. Lights flashing, kids zipping around. It's a feaking nightmare, as far as I'm concerned.

For a 12yo kid into gaming, it is heaven. Kids immediately get the surroundings and find their way around quickly. They love it. If you take a 12yo who is into video games there, it will probably be the far and away #1 Highlight of his trip.

I left mine there after about an hour so I could shop. I said I'd be back in an hour, but was late and so worried about it. I got back to the Car Driving game and was waved off. Those car driving game kids sit down and they don't get up. And they take no prisoners! They came to play! They knock each other off the road and they all have a blast. I asked if it would be okay for me to leave again for two hours and got a very distracted, "Yeah. okay!"

When my son was his age, he wanted to be a pro ball player or a pizza delivery guy when he grew up. He occasionally said engineering because he figured then he could be one of the guys who blows up (implodes) buildings. After visiting DQ, he decided he wanted to work there when he grew up. All that other stuff was tossed out the window. And that went on for quite a while.

He just finished college and has decided to go to law school. Looking at costs, I brought up the old idea of working at DQ. He chuckled and said - he is 22 now, btw - that it would be great, but it wouldn't pay very well. (Still, it would be great.)

My nephews went at ages 10 and 12 and also rated it as the best thing Disney has. The older one, who loved Test Track and rode it six times said, "Test Track was good, but...". The younger one said that he didn't want to choose between Dinosaur and DQ, but DQ was his favorite. I told sis that we should just send them in, but she had to see what I was talking about for herself. We were there for maybe 45 minutes before she said, "Get me the {*+% out of here."

Going to DQ is the best thing you could give that kid, IMO. If you love your child enough to enter that hell, that is.

Oh my, that was funny....DQ..is on the list. Thanks for the article.

 

[nngrendel]

Hmm I'll have to FINALLY try this on my next trip

I am going for my first time this Sept. However I was there but didn't eat this past July and just from browsing the menu and browsing the restaurant I can already tell I am going to love this place. Pretty sure I will not have a poor review when I come back.

wait...what's Ragland Road??

Sorry. Raglan Road. Fingers keep hitting the "D" when I type this.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/raglan-road-irish-pub-and-restaurant/

 

[Mikester71]

DisneyQuest is a MUST if your son is into video games, for sure. My family usually does DQ the first night we get there as it is included with the Waterparks and More option on our tickets, and that is usually good enough for us. Although last trip, I think we hit it up again later on in the trip when it was raining out one night. All in all, we all enjoy spending and hour or two there each trip.

Ghiradelli is a favourite of ours for a night time treat while doing some shopping in DTD. The ice cream cones and milkshakes are to die for!! They may be a bit pricey, but WELL worth it in our opinion!Nothing beats sitting on a bench with an ice cream cone from Ghiradelli's, people watching on a warm, March evening in Florida! Especially when we left snow and cold behind back up in Canada!

Can't go wrong with any of the major shops or stores in DTD, really. Like everyone said, the big Disney Store is definitely worth a visit or two during your stay!

 

[Mickey_777]

Take a couple of hours to soak in the World of Disney store and purchase some cool stuff. I'd skip dessert at T-Rex and head over to Ghirardelli for some of thier rediculously tasty offerings. The Nob Hill Chill is my absolute favorite. Then just walk around and enjoy the vibe. There's tons of great shops there. The Christmas store is fantastic as well if you celebrate.

 

[Vader2112]

If you are traveling with any small children they have a Carosel and a small train ride. It costs $2.00 per child to ride. Walk around and explore it is more fun.
Christmas store
World of Disney
Create your own T-Shirt Shop
Art of Disney which usually has a live demonstration.
Street performers and maybe even small concert or show on the waterfront stage.
Grab a Wetzel's Pretzel or Ice Cream from Ghiradelli.
My fav restaurants are :
Raglan Road The bread Pudding is simply to die for.
Potobello Italian pretty good for central Florida
The kids get a kick out of Raiforrest and T-Rex

 

[real mad hatter]

Ok,here's my hidden QS gem."Cookes of Dublin" and here's my TS gem." House of Blues " here's my " no way Jose " Disneyquest" here's my way of stocking up your beer," Hess" a supermarket opp " Planet Hollywood" here's my favourite shop for souvineers " World of Disney" and don't miss "Basin " for those awesome soaps & bombs.Enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[RoyWalley]

Enjoy it !! Watch people and relax. Enjoy the best ice cream or coffee drink in the world (just my opinion) at Ghiraidelli's. As a family we love going to downtown Disney.