Do you do Downtown Disney early or late?

Login to post comments
26 posts / 0 new
admin's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/14/2010
Posts: 2733
Do you do Downtown Disney early or late?

One thing I haven't been able to figure out since Pleasure Island was taken away is whether DTD is more crowded during the day with all the shoppers or at night with all the West Side folks and dining. Anyone have tips on the best time of day to do Downtown Disney?

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

We usually do mid-day at DTD. Generally it's where we go inbetween parks on a low key day. Sometimes, if I can convince Dave to stall leaving, we head down to DTD in the morning before we hit the road. It's always pretty early and crowds are lite.

__________________

mickey Bella


Offline
Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 4703

We've gone at all different times. In my opinion, the changes to Pleasure Island haven't really made much of a difference in the crowd levels one way or another. Still seem to be the same amount of people passing back and forth between the east end and the west end. I personally think late morning and early afternoon are the really good times to go crowd-wise. We always hit DTD the morning we leave for last minute gifts (for me!!) and EoS for lunch.

admin's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/14/2010
Posts: 2733

JeffC wrote:
We've gone at all different times. In my opinion, the changes to Pleasure Island haven't really made much of a difference in the crowd levels one way or another. Still seem to be the same amount of people passing back and forth between the east end and the west end. I personally think late morning and early afternoon are the really good times to go crowd-wise. We always hit DTD the morning we leave for last minute gifts (for me!!) and EoS for lunch.

We always like to hit EoS right when it opens and then laugh at everyone standing in line while we eat. Is that mean?

subvetss's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/30/2009
Posts: 569

Well Jan and I get to DTD at least once sometimes twice a day on every trip to the world. Now that's 4 times a year and an average of 5 days each trip that equates to somewhere around 30 to 40 times a year. We seldom are there on a weekend and very rarely have found it crowded. We go at varying times of the day between about 1PM to 9PM.
Joe

__________________

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

I do agree with Joe..I think weekends vs. weekdays play a big factor as well.

Admin, you're smart..we are always the fools in the line at EoS.......but that's okay..I'll take it.

I may be the only person to say this but personally I was glad to see Pleasure Island go. I had a night there one month after I turned 21 that I would rather forget & not associate with Disney memories....... eek

__________________

mickey Bella


Offline
Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 4703

admin wrote:
JeffC wrote:
We've gone at all different times. In my opinion, the changes to Pleasure Island haven't really made much of a difference in the crowd levels one way or another. Still seem to be the same amount of people passing back and forth between the east end and the west end. I personally think late morning and early afternoon are the really good times to go crowd-wise. We always hit DTD the morning we leave for last minute gifts (for me!!) and EoS for lunch.

We always like to hit EoS right when it opens and then laugh at everyone standing in line while we eat. Is that mean?

Haha! Yes, but we like it laugh

Bella, I'm with you - I don't miss it at all. We tried one night to hit the nightclubs and it was just horrible. We did the comedy club once as well, and I spent the entire time in fear of being called on or heckled by the comedian. I can get that anywhere, so I'd rather do something more Disneyesque than either of those. That being said, we usually end up seeing a movie in DTD at some point during our stays. But that's different.

mmmagic7754's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 10

Depends on when my craving for Earl of Sandwich hits lol!!!

Tony's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/23/2009
Posts: 1260

Usually go the DTD in the evening. Going while the parks are open is a waste of potential ride time.

__________________

I can only please one person per day. Today isn't your day... tomorrow doesn't look good either.

Lizzy_B's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/25/2010
Posts: 3246

During the day, and definitely stay away during the weekend when parking is a headache because we locals are clogging up the place Smile Also, watch for special events...I tried to "run" over to WoD last weekend (Halloween) to get my daughter an accessory for her costume - BIG mistake! Traffic was backed up all the way back to the gate at the Plaza Hotel Blvd. I actually got out and walked, and beat J (hubby), who was driving. sarcastic

__________________

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

How fun must it be to just run over & hit up DTD.

__________________

mickey Bella


Lizzy_B's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/25/2010
Posts: 3246

Bella, it is. Please forgive me if I ever sound blase about the whole thing. It's a huge blessing to live down here, and I never want to take it for granted. I'm originally from WV, so I remember vividly that "living for the FL trip" feeling. But it's great to have these little "mini vacations." We're headed to Epcot today, in fact.

__________________

subvetss's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/30/2009
Posts: 569

Lizzy_B wrote:
Bella, it is. Please forgive me if I ever sound blase about the whole thing. It's a huge blessing to live down here, and I never want to take it for granted. I'm originally from WV, so I remember vividly that "living for the FL trip" feeling. But it's great to have these little "mini vacations." We're headed to Epcot today, in fact.

Lizzy,
I have a very dear friend who lived in St. Cloud and might still. Are you near that town?
Joe

__________________

Lizzy_B's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/25/2010
Posts: 3246

I'm on the other side of Orlando, in a little town called Sanford, right on the St. Johns...away from the theme park tourism and away from the beach tourism. It's a pretty little town, actually...lots of historic homes and a beautiful lake waterfront. We're probably about 50 miles from St. Cloud.

If you ever want to see some of Florida's other beauty (I know...there's so much to be had at WDW that it's hard to leave!) our little area is neat to visit. Blue Springs is also a stone's throw away. In the winter, when the water gets cold, you can see tons of manatees there as they migrate to the warm, clear waters of the springs.

I think I just waxed poetic! It's apt to happen...sorry about that Smile

__________________

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

I don't think I could live in Orlando..it's too busy for me..I would love to like in Cocoa or Cocoa Beach..I love it there!

Of course--I do love Orlando because they have a magical magical place..called Super Target....I almost fell down in the aisle, dug a hole & moved in when I saw that place.

__________________

mickey Bella


Tony's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/23/2009
Posts: 1260

We usually fly into Sanford. It's a great little airport and seems very efficient.

__________________

I can only please one person per day. Today isn't your day... tomorrow doesn't look good either.

Lizzy_B's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/25/2010
Posts: 3246

Here I go, responding to multiple people again!

Bella, check out Seminole County on a trip sometime if you've got time to spare (I know - hahahahhahaha.) But seriously - we joke that if it weren't for the media, we'd never know we live so close to such a huge tourist destination. We bump up against the east side of Orlando, miles away from the hubbub...of course, it's just down the road anytime we want it, and we're a straight shot out Route 46 to Titusville, and just a little southwest of Daytona. AND - a SuperTarget 5 miles from my house!!! (Plenty of deals to be had in my neighborhood right now Smile )

Tony - I know, right? One of our best kept secrets that we'd love to get out there! Allegiant just moved all of there flights back to Sanford. They dallied with OIA, but got so many customer complaints that they're back here now. Drive through town the next time you're around. Lovely waterfront.

__________________

JustCar's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/24/2010
Posts: 1042

Once the expansion is done, we will be there in the evening/night. A Tron themed nightclub would be amazing. Can I get a WHUT WHUT

__________________

Oct 2009 POP
Sept 2011 POP
Oct 2013 Coronado
May 2014 AKL , Magic, AoA Girlie Trip
Oct 2014 CBR Pirate Room Girlie Trip
Nov 2014 DCL Fantasy 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Girlie Trip, POR Royal Guest Suite, GF Concierge
August 2015 DCL Magic 7 Night Mediterranean
October 2015 DL Grand Californian, DCL Wonder Panama Canal

https://www.facebook.com/MsBubbles
https://www.facebook.com/MVTRavel

Brad's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

JustCar wrote:
Once the expansion is done, we will be there in the evening/night. A Tron themed nightclub would be amazing. Can I get a WHUT WHUT

Tron themed night club? Have I not been paying attention?

JustCar's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/24/2010
Posts: 1042

Brad wrote:
JustCar wrote:
Once the expansion is done, we will be there in the evening/night. A Tron themed nightclub would be amazing. Can I get a WHUT WHUT

Tron themed night club? Have I not been paying attention?

it's just wishful thinking on my part but Disney is where wishes come true right?

__________________

Oct 2009 POP
Sept 2011 POP
Oct 2013 Coronado
May 2014 AKL , Magic, AoA Girlie Trip
Oct 2014 CBR Pirate Room Girlie Trip
Nov 2014 DCL Fantasy 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Girlie Trip, POR Royal Guest Suite, GF Concierge
August 2015 DCL Magic 7 Night Mediterranean
October 2015 DL Grand Californian, DCL Wonder Panama Canal

https://www.facebook.com/MsBubbles
https://www.facebook.com/MVTRavel

Lizzy_B's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/25/2010
Posts: 3246

Let's hope the Powers that Be are reading our little forum today! Because I'm pretty sure that they don't even know exactly what Hyperion Wharf is going to completely be.

__________________

JustCar's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/24/2010
Posts: 1042

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Can you imagine, Who's up for Disney Dancing...........

__________________

Oct 2009 POP
Sept 2011 POP
Oct 2013 Coronado
May 2014 AKL , Magic, AoA Girlie Trip
Oct 2014 CBR Pirate Room Girlie Trip
Nov 2014 DCL Fantasy 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Girlie Trip, POR Royal Guest Suite, GF Concierge
August 2015 DCL Magic 7 Night Mediterranean
October 2015 DL Grand Californian, DCL Wonder Panama Canal

https://www.facebook.com/MsBubbles
https://www.facebook.com/MVTRavel

Bella's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/11/2010
Posts: 3886

Haha a Tron themed club would be cool!

We have a kid...so we'll probably be their early. Surprisingly enough he puts a whole damper on the doing out thing...but we were always there early even when we didn't have a kid.

__________________

mickey Bella


Mase's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/02/2011
Posts: 5438

We always go there early and eat at T-Rex for lunch. Its my sons favorite place to eat. Plus it always seems less crowded in the morning, and when were done with lunch it seems to always pick up.

__________________

- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

dsoup's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

Mase wrote:
We always go there early and eat at T-Rex for lunch. Its my sons favorite place to eat. Plus it always seems less crowded in the morning, and when were done with lunch it seems to always pick up.

Plus it gives you time to recover your hearing before evening shows! laugh

Mase's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/02/2011
Posts: 5438

dsoup wrote:
Mase wrote:
We always go there early and eat at T-Rex for lunch. Its my sons favorite place to eat. Plus it always seems less crowded in the morning, and when were done with lunch it seems to always pick up.

Plus it gives you time to recover your hearing before evening shows! laugh

laugh clapping

__________________

- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]