Is it worth going to DTD?

[Gator]

I'm just curious what everyone thinks about DTD these days. I remember eating at Rainforest Cafe on our first trip, and we hit World of Disney the first 3 trips. But since then, I just don't feel the need to take time away from the parks or relaxing at the resort to go down there. Seems I can find everything I want at all the other shops around WDW. Plus, there really isn't a great pull from any other shop or restaurant for us to return.

What do you think? Do you go downtown anymore, and if you do, what gets you down there?

[CMCTxMom]

I'm interested too... There are a few shops (WOD, the Christmas and kitchen stores...) that I would like to see, but I'm planning family trips in January and in June and can't decide where (or IF) to sacrifice park (or swim) time for DTD...

[Strmchsr]

We usually go once. My kids love the lego store, Ragland Rd is great to eat at, and we enjoy the kitchen store, the sports store, the Christmas store, and Art of Disney. While there are some items from those stores elsewhere, that's the biggest concentration and they have unique items in those places we usually don't see elsewhere in the parks.

[Quadstriker]

The following list is the reasons it's worthwhile for me to go to Downtown Disney.

1. Raglan on Sunday nights for real live Irish music played by Johnny and Justin.




That's it.

[Maleficent_vf]

We try to save most of our souvenir shopping for the DTD visit, so we typically go on one of our last days. The "shopping day" usually starts later, with a nice table service breakfast. The bulk of the day is at DTD and the evening we head to MK or Epcot for the evening fireworks.

We do a lot of window shopping in the parks throughout our visit (but not much buying) so we usually have a good idea what's out there and you can find most of it at WoD - though there have been a few times we had to make a quick run back to a park because the "must have" wasn't available anywhere else.

[Janmac]

We used to plan one shopping trip near the end of our stay but in the last 3 or 4 trips we've been once. We don't do as much shopping as we used to. And, somehow, the closing of Pleasure Island kinda took away our interest in going over to DD.

One trip to DD was for the opening of a Harry Potter movie that coincided with our arrival day. While everyone else went to see that movie (no clue which it was) DH and I went to Walmart for some stuff. This was maybe in 2004.

We must have gone twice to DD that trip because we also went to Disney Quest one mid-day for a few hours. The early teens in our group had a good time but no one ever asked to go back.

Another planned trip - eventually - is for Cirque de Soleil. And there is Splitsville which might require a look see at some point.

Jan

[taleasoldastime]

I love DTD because I am a girl and I am a shopaholic. I can look at the same souvenirs over and over and not get bored. I also just like "kanoodling" and then taking a lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express.
If youre not a shopaholic girl like me I can see why you would not be into it.

[mrte62]

The following list is the reasons it's worthwhile for me to go to Downtown Disney.

1. Raglan on Sunday nights for real live Irish music played by Johnny and Justin.




That's it.

I have and will drink to that.

[Dsnygirl]

It's a not-to-be-missed spot for us... we love the ambiance, the variety of stores, and the food! Can't miss WoD, LOVE that store (although my budget doesn't... ) Oh, and the strawberry margaritas on the boardwalk... and a ride up in the balloon, esp. at sunset, is a must!! Such a great, beautiful view! So yes, it's a must-do for us...

[steamboat willy]

We plan a stop at DTD as part of our trip. We also enjoyed the AC...Kongalush!

Now we still enjoy an evening meal at Rainforest Cafe'...We love the Adventure. Last year and our last free CS was at Wolfgang Pucks EXPRESS on our check-out day. One of the best we ate. Right up there with The Pepper Market.

We enjoy a FREE night time stroll around "The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village", YES I'm dating myself.

We usually have a free day anyway!

40 DAYS.

[DonaldDuckUSA]

I used to hate DTD for two reasons.

1. If I spend a lot of money on tickets, I want to get my ticket money's worth. I'd rather be in the parks.

2. It's all shops and some restaurants and I wasn't interested in spending EVEN MORE money. Not to mention I've never really been a fan of Disney merchandise and I thought the non-disney stuff was WAY overpriced.

Recently, however, we're on our second year of annual passes and we've done A LOT at the parks. We probably won't renew so we're trying to slow down and experience the things we never do.

Also, I have learned to really enjoy window shopping.

So these are things you might want to consider. If you only have three days for four theme parks (or something like that), my vote is no. Spend your time where you get the most bang for your buck.

If you're staying for like, a week, then I think it's probably a good way to spend a relaxing day just walkin' around. Seein' the sights, and such.

It's also a FAR less hectic way to spend an afternoon than in an hour and a half line for a ride. Not to mention all the shops have air conditioning, which allows you to escape the heat as you go.

[Ellasdad]

We usually go at the end of our trip. The kids decide what t-shirts/souvenirs they want and we pick them up from WOD because it tends to be a bit cheaper and we don't have to waste park time standing in line to buy something.