Do you do Downtown Disney early or late?

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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?

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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.

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mickey Bella


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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.

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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?

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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

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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

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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.

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

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

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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

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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

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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.

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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

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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