kingsrattler Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Hello- I'm going to Orlando in May. We will be staying off at a hotel on International Drive, and mainly focusing on Universal, but thought about going to Downtown Disney for an evening. Is this possible? I know it's advertised as "free" as you don't have to have admission, but do you need to be staying on Disney's properties to visit? If it is possible, does anyone know the cost of parking? I know we have a few Disney "experts" here, so I'm all ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 No. it's free to roam. and you can get on the Disney transportation and ride and walk through the resorts for free as well. You do not have to be staying there. Parking is FREE. just got back from our annual trip a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 what hotel, if you don't mind the question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 Well its actually on Turkey Lake Rd, but I'm staying at Westgate Lakes Resort.. stayed there a couple years ago when we were in Orlando for 3 days, and comfort to price ratio, one of the best places I have stayed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 that's literally right off I-4 isn't it? Definitely visit downtown disney though. Downtown Disney is 100% disney related shops (ie- Once Upon a Toy, etc...)- Pleasure Island, part of the same complex is entertainment and other unrelated shops. But I would definitely hop on the Disney bus transportation and go to the different resorts- you can defininately burn a day doing that... and its all free, except what you spend. A few years ago it was wayyyyy too cold to go to a park, so we spent an entire day at Downtown Disney, going between the different resorts, and riding the monorail between parks, taking the catamaran (water taxi) between epcot and Hollywood Studios, etc... all free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 So true so much free in Orlando, to do around Disney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 A word of advice about the Disney bus system if you're travelling between resorts. You cannot take a Disney bus from one resort to another. You must transfer at either the Transportation and Ticket Center next to the Polynesian, or at Downtown Disney (either Marketplace or West End sides) to get to your resort of choice. Pleasure Island (inbetween the Marketplace and West End) is nothing right now so don't waste your time. The West End is mainly restaurants and is anchored by Cirque Du Soleil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Gabe is right, though there are sometimes several resorts that loop the same line- Boardwalk, Beach Club, Dolphin, and Swan are the same bus., etc... but they don't go to the others. Saratoga Springs and Port Orleans are the same. Contemporary is with Fort Wilderness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Just be patient if you're riding the Disney busses. On peak days, be prepared to wait about 30-45 for the bus to your resort of choice. After midnight, the Downtown Disney Marketplace hub closes and you must go over to the West End to transfer until 2 AM. the TTC basically resembles a ghost town about an hr after the Magic Kingdom closes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 Thanks for the insight everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD Reynolds Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 You can also take a boat from DTD to Port Orleans resort. That's actually my favorite of the moderate resorts, and actually has two different resorts within it, Riverside and Port Orleans. From there you can take a bus to whatever park you want, or ride the boat back to DTD. Keep in mind that DTD is not a park, but a shopping complex. There are lots of good places to eat, and the largest Disney store you will ever see. Also has a Disney Christmas store that is pretty amazing. But yeah, it's shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 If your fiancee or yourself loves Disney and has a shopping problem then you may want to avoid DTD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted March 2, 2012 Author Share Posted March 2, 2012 The idea is to go down late in the afternoon and just enjoy the sights and sounds of Disney, and enjoy a meal. Any restaurants (with avg price for meal) you guys would recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Earl of Sandwiches!!!!!! Hands down my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World resort. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalefan Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Downtown Disney is alive at night. Very alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheater Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 You can also take a boat from DTD to Port Orleans resort. That's actually my favorite of the moderate resorts, and actually has two different resorts within it, Riverside and Port Orleans. From there you can take a bus to whatever park you want, or ride the boat back to DTD. Keep in mind that DTD is not a park, but a shopping complex. There are lots of good places to eat, and the largest Disney store you will ever see. Also has a Disney Christmas store that is pretty amazing. But yeah, it's shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Some of us remember staying at Dixie Landings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLiveTheSmurfRide Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I agree with Earl of Sandwich, if you want a very good sandwich (especially for a very modest price). I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside a few years ago and loved it. Agree that the ferry ride to and from there and Downtown Disney is great. Very relaxing ride, and the resort itself is beautiful. Would be a great place just to walk around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Wolfgang Pucks in the West End has a nice menu with lots of good price points. There is an upstairs dining room there that is more formal. If you like Cuban food, Bongos is there as well. Otherwise, Planet Hollywood and House of Blues are options as well. Your best bet is to go to the Disney World home page, click on DTN and search for places that look good. Most have their menus posted so you can see theofferings and prices beforehand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I have ate at the majority of the Downtown Disney locations and honestly you can not go wrong. Lots of great advice has been given to this point. You need to just decide on your price point and go from there. Look at the downtown menus to see what they offer for the price. http://www.wdwinfo.c...isneydining.cfm Earl of sandwich is an excellent place and you will be happy with that. I would also highly suggest Wolfgang Puck Express which has two location on both ends of the DTD, at the Market Place location it is only an express location, basically the same great food but you order at a counter get your own drink filled then seat yourself, servers bring the food and help with refills and such. Keep in mind that you eat on china plates, silverware and cloth napkins too. I have eaten here and one meal can feed two in most cases. here is their menu and you can see it is a nice place http://www.wdwinfo.c...staurant.ID=181 here is a few few picture from our last visit there. Margherita Pizza - The classic from Naples with mozzarella and parmsan cheeses, tomato, fresh basil, and tomato-basil-garlic sauce. - $12.95 Creme Brulee - Creme brulee - $4.95 Spaghetti & Meatballs - Spaghetti and meatballs. - $12.95 I honestly can not recommend one place over another with out more input, put I can offer you this advice. Do not go to DTD looking for something to eat on a McDonald budget as you will be very disappointed as just a few more dollars you can eat very well and memorable. besides the cheap places like McDonald's have very inflated prices. I see far to many worried about spending too much and settle for expensive cheap food versus great food cheap. Seeking out a couple places before you go will save you time and worry. If you have time do do a boat ride to a resort. If you do want to go from one resort to another the best way to do that is when at one resort get on transportation to go to the closet open park, water park or DTD then grab transportation to the resort of your choice from there. If time is an issue you can always taxi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I'll share one thing that I enjoy doing at Disney - especially on an off day when I'm not visiting parks is to go visit some of their hotels, and you can find some very nice restaurants to eat at while there. Take a walk around the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk. This is a lot more fun to me and gives a better feel for the sights and sounds of Disney than visiting Downtown Disney, which as mentioned above is shopping, shopping, shopping, food, and sometimes a little entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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