Downtown Disney appreciation

Texas84

Texas84

Well-Known Member
I'm not a big bowler but we checked out Splitsville a while back. You have to see it. Amazing. It's two stories with bars and places to eat and even a sushi bar. The alleys aren't your usual huge room o' lanes. There are pockets of maybe 4-6 lanes each. I'm sure there are reviews on this site.

But yes, a stop Downtown is a must for us. Last time we got some Wetzel bits and people-watched.
 
dolce20

dolce20

Well-Known Member
Some newbies don't realize there's history there in DTD..back when it wasn't called DTD at all, in the early 70's when the "Shopping Village" or "Village Marketplace" is what it was referred to as..full of twinkly lights on the trees, artsy shops full of unique and many non-Mickey items..back when Fulton's Crab House was known as the Empress Lily Riverboat (named after Walt's wife Lily). The boat was grand inside and contained not one but THREE glorious restaurants, one finer than the other and NOT run by Landry brothers. And yes, Captian Jack's still stood and was the epitome of 80's coolness for middle aged people in their izod collar shirts with popped collars drinking margaritas. Those were the days. Quiet relaxing evenings. Then, PI came out and while Walt was probably rolling in his grave, there were some highlights such as my beloved Adventurer's Club for unique, halarious fun and the Comedy Warehouse where comediennes relied on raw talent over dirty inappropriate jokes.

Where oh where has my DTD gone?
 
Obi Walt Kenobi

Obi Walt Kenobi

Well-Known Member
We start and end our vacation at downtown Disney. So many great places to eat. Our new favorite is T-Rex we also love House of blues, rainforest, Wife and kids love shopping, it's easy to get lost in world of Disney, My kidos love to get there faces painted and ride the carousel and train. Most all the stores are worth a visit there seems to be something for everyone in my family. Me I just like getting a cold beverage and take in all the sights a sound downtown Disney has to offer . Oh yeah if you have never seen La Nouba it really is a must see.
 
Poofiesdream

Poofiesdream

Well-Known Member
I can take it or leave it. I do shop there when we go, but everything there can pretty much be found at the parks that I shop for. I am a very picky eater so not much there I eat.
 
SAV

SAV

Well-Known Member
We stopped last trip on the way to the airport to get some Earl of Sandwich and a set of Mickey ears for the nephews. Before that was a post AK run to shop at the big Disney store. Otherwise, I don't really go there. I'd rather be at the parks.
 
fireworksandfairytales

fireworksandfairytales

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I adore Downtown Disney and try to go at least once a trip.

World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy (I might as well be a five year old) are musts. Also, Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex are two of my favorite places to eat in WDW.
I've seen a couple shows at HoB as well and I thought it was awesome to see some of my favorite artists in concert at my favorite place. :)
 
W

woody98

Active Member
DTD is always a must. We start our trip and end our trip with lunch at Earl. Plus the wife needs to do her yearly stock up at basin and the kids and the World of Disney store. Next trip in Oct plan on trying T-Rex.
 
Bama14

Bama14

Well-Known Member
The first two times I went to Disney I went to DTD for Planet Hollywood (we had the $15 coupons). I thought was just that front row shops that went from DTD to side where Cirque de Soleil was. We never really explored it. My third visit we realized it stretched further back and that there was this wonderful, magical little place called Ghirardelli back there! Garrett was super excited about some legos and of course more Disney stores. We always go to DTD on our first night since we don't have park tickets that day. We'll have appetizers at T-Rex, do some pin shopping, and have ice cream. One day I'm going to actually do the hot air balloon.
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
DTD is always included in our plans, usually we will go twice. We love taking the leisurely trip down river from POFQ. Cirque is always a must do thing. We enjoy all the shops and NEVER come back without making plenty of purchases.
 
Gabe1

Gabe1

Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
I loved and missed the old MarketPlace, pre PI days. Quaint and quiet, no big box Disney Store, Christmas Store with charm, the ity bity grocery/sandwich store, the quiet paths, simple playground, Lunch on the Empress Lilly or Dinner at the Real Chef Mickey's. The place was warm and cuddly, now it is a mega center.

Imaginerding
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HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I'm so mixed on this. I think it's still worth a trip over to DTD, but I don't know if we would be up for doing too much more than 1-2 hrs of window shopping and then a meal somewhere over there. It just feels so different than my times back in the mid 90s heading down from Gainesville to "play" with my friends for a long weekend. I only have vague memories of the area from the late 80s, but I was sad to hear what had happened with the Empress Lily when Levy Restaurants took over. I never got to eat there, but a high school friend ate there at least twice a year--so I always got to hear about it. :rolleyes: I am kind of curious what will happen with it in 2016 since I think Levy signed a 20 year operation contract back in '96...or maybe they've just extended it? Ultimately, we reserve Cirque for trips to Vegas, DH and DD6 are afraid of heights so Flights of Wonder is a no go, the girls aren't really into Disney Quest type things right now, and maybe I've lost my edge :p but I just don't think I could shop all day. Still- it's definitely fun for a few hours. :)
 

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