CityWalk vs. Downtown Disney

[Sledge]

I love Rising Star, but that's about all I'll go there to do other than the restaurants.

 

[Disneyhead]

CityWalk is better for drinking and clubing. DtD is better for shopping. I'll call it a draw on the dining.

 

[Justin]

I figure this to be a cutthroat thread now that Pleasure Island is gone from our beloved DTD. I would have to choose CW now.

 

[JTWDisneyLovers]

Downtown Disney is by far the best,it's themed so much better than Citywalk.

 

[Disneyhead]

Downtown Disney is by far the best,it's themed so much better than Citywalk.

Themed better? Really? To me the layout of DtD is awful, The old Pleasure Island was like a barrier between the 2 sides of DtD, and the Westside is just plain ugly.

 

[JTWDisneyLovers]

I just dislike Citywalk,and I love walking through DTD.I dunno,call me weird I guess.

 

[ralphoutloud]

I think the general consensus is that DTD is a better place to shop, whereas CW is better to eat, and have a night out.

I agree with that, cause where is there to really shop in CW? Quiet Flight/Tommy Bahama The Universal Store, and like 1 other cool store, and the rest are restaurant giftshops.

DTD is not really close in terms of dining. Bob Marley and Margaritaville win it for CW. I can't believe there was a mini-thing about Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood a few pages back, wow. Both are uninteresting, bland chain restaurants that serve generally the exact same menu, why would they even be in the discussion?

The argument about ease to get to is really void. With CW yes, all the parking garages, looking for a spot, and people movers, I understand. But with Disney, although the parking is fairly close and great, you still have to navigate your way through Disney property if you aren't a local. Same thing to me.

Special shows, BMG probably appeals to a wider crowd than Cirque, and it does for me. HoB is better than Hard Rock Live! though, by miles.

The Result.
CW wins in general. It's more alive at the moment.
If I just wanted to walk around somewhere and browse shops and stuff, DTD takes it.

 

[Beachgurl]

I just dislike Citywalk,and I love walking through DTD.I dunno,call me weird I guess.

I guess I'm weird too. :thumbs:

Aside from the hassle of actually getting there, I HATE the crowd it pulls in.

 

[JTWDisneyLovers]

I don't really like clubs,so that probably have to do with my decision.

 

[kirby_is_kyaan]

I prefer DTD for the Marketplace alone.... shopping is one of the major things to do at Disney.

I think there's a better selection of restaurants at Citywalk, which is nicely compact, though T-Rex Cafe was very good. :

 

[Beachgurl]

Price-wise as far as food is concerned, CityWalk is definitely the way to go. The restaurants at DTD are way overpriced and just eh as far as taste goes.

The Nascar place at CW is actually really good. I refused to eat there for a long time because I thought it would be really redneckish.

 

[Jakemeister]

...The demographic at Citywalk is shifting so that really isn't the excuse it's been in the past. The 3 dollar parking kinda tapers that down. People aren't gonna pay 3 dollars to do nothing and cause issues when they can do that for free at there local mall or DTD for that matter.

 

[Beachgurl]

...The demographic at Citywalk is shifting so that really isn't the excuse it's been in the past. The 3 dollar parking kinda tapers that down. People aren't gonna pay 3 dollars to do nothing and cause issues when they can do that for free at there local mall or DTD for that matter.

Could've fooled me. I haven't noticed a change at all.

 

[kirby_is_kyaan]

I do admit that it's always kinda neat to enter and exit the parks through CityWalk-it's one giant ad for its restaurants.

 

[Disneyhead]

I perfer the entire layout of Universal Orlando Resort, over what WDW has become. I like that everything is within walking distance of each other. UOR is very similar to DLR. I used to like WDW property before they went nuts with all the resorts and condo complexes. Now riding around the place on the busses with all the traffic is like riding around a crowded city and for the most part lost that special relaxing resort feel they used to have. One of the only areas, anywhere on property that still has a relaxing feel is Fort Wilderness.

 

[Beachgurl]

Hmm. I haven't run into any traffic on WDW property.

And riding on the Disney buses is fun! It makes me feel like I'm on vacation!

I feel completely opposite of you. I like the fact that the WDW property is so big and kind of separated from the rest of Kissimmee/Orlando. It really makes me feel like I'm in another place. I've never been to DL, but Jason was always telling me he didn't like the fact that you could walk across the street and be off-property. When I go to DL I want to feel like I'm in another world... I don't want to look down while I'm on a high ride and see the city of Anaheim.

 

[Disneyhead]

The first time I went to WDW there were 3 resorts (They Poly, The Contmporary, and Fort Wilderness). There were only 2 on prop transportation options (monorail and Ferry/ Launches). It was like no where on earth. It was my definition of Disney Magic. And I loved when they built EPCOT with the long Monorail trip out to it. But I was stunned when they started building resorts with BUS service. How very magical. I am not sure why they didn't put the moderates next to the existing EPCOT monorail line.
And as far as the DLR set-up, I wasn't refering to leaving the property, just that with 2 kids, one in a stroller and all the luggage that entails, I was SO glad that we could load up the stroller in the room, take the elevator to the lobby and walk to the parks without haveing to deal with busses. We have stayed at The Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel and both are an easy walk through DtD to the parks. Very similar to URO. It makes it very easy to return to the room for a dip in the pool or a nap for the kids. Leaving the MK and trying to get to the All-Stars for a 2 hour break just isn't a realistic option.
But as far as DtD goes, I think that getting rid of PI is a plus. And I wish they could get moving with the redevelopment. I have heard that there is no plan to do anything until at least Sept. That means that guests have to slough through a ghostown between Eastside/Westside for the whole summer.

 

[kirby_is_kyaan]

Well, you have to remember there was such a huge chunk of land purchased that it would be pointless for them to not build stuff.

If you want a similar feel, dyates, just go to the Epcot resort area. It was so great to walk from the Yacht Club and all the way around the Boardwalk, taking your time (as opposed to the "shop, shop, shop" mentality of DTD) and enjoying the sights until you get back. Then the next day, just walk to Epcot-you ge dumped between France and England, and it is incredibly calming if you get there close to park opening.

Anyhoo, I prefer DTD because there's lots more to do. Sure, I'll be happy with just a meal and maybe the restaurant shop, but with DTD you can check out all the great shops as well-basically, it practically warrants its own evening. (I'm using this on the assumption that you don't or can't go to any CityWalk clubs) Pleasure Island wasn't really what I thought of when I would think 'Downtown Disney', instead I would think about the shopping and dining. I had no stake in that area (though it came as a bit of a surprise at first), and the only thing the Disney community cared about was the loss of the Adventurer's Club. If I wanted to spend the night there doing something besides shopping and dining, I would rather go to DisneyQuest (despite what people say) or Cirque du Soleil (if I was willing to pay the price-hey, it's Disney!).

/rant?

 

[Disneyhead]

Oh, I didn't expect them to NOT build anything. They bought the vast amount of property to have 1. a buffer zone. Because Walt Disney HATED the neon crapfest that is Harbour Blvd. in Anaheim. 2. and expansion room.
And I know I sound so negitive sometimes. But I really do like most of what was been added to Disney property. But they way they have expanded the place since 1984 has really made it less special than it used to be.

 

[kirby_is_kyaan]

I actually used to really love that. I would be in one hotel, and think to myself, "I wish I was in this other hotel". That means there's just so much in Disney that I couldn't possibly take it all in during the short weekend trips I usually take (and I'm actually guilty of trying to do too much in a day), rather than any complaints about the hotel. That is what I define as the "resort feel", and part of why I initially fell in love with Disney over Universal (though I did feel the "resort feel" at UO as well).

Yep, that's the generation gap.