Going Downtom
Last week I got an email from a reader who said they usually spend LotuSphere nights in "downtown Disney". I laughed when I read it. Now, I know this is probably wrong, but the term downtown always has me conjuring images of crack-whores, abandoned warehouses and drive-by shootings - a place you'd avoid at night. The term "downtown Disney" seemed like an oxymoron to me. Then I checked the map of Walt Disney World® and realised that Downtown Disney® does in fact exist. Not only that but it's a registered trademark! Something tells me I'm in for a corporate merchandising nightmare next week. Two days in and I'll be shouting "I'm a celebrity get me out of here..." *
Yesterday I booked myself in to this hotel, which, coincidentally, is in the Downtown Disney® area. It took me about two hours to find a hotel. Mainly because I have no idea where Walt Disney World® is in relation to Orlando and what kind of scale the whole thing is on. Hopefully I can walk to the venue from the hotel.
If my detective skills serve me right, I think the venue is somewhere near that big golf ball thing, in Epcot® . A friend tells me the Resort® is "massive"™. Can somebody translate the scale of this map? Can I walk it there?
* Please note: I don't really see myself as a celebrity! This was a tongue-in-cheek joke.
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Jake,
You will find it a little far to walk I think. But you will be able to get a bus from Downtown Disney to the Dolphin. I think there is also a water taxi as well although I have never done that.
Matt
Thanks Matt. The bus it is then. Maybe see you there. Going to need some Brits to talk to, just so I don't have to repeat everything twice.
There's always bus services, and it's the hotel desk that's usually the best place to ask.
Last time I was there one of the hotel staff gave me a lift to Downtown Disney in his "Stick Shift" Jeep!!
Something worth noting: On this side of the pond, "Downtown" usually refers to a city's business district, rather than its run-down neighborhoods (which get a variety of other colorful names). So, "Downtown Disney" works in Orlando. But, you wouldn't see that in Europe.
Jake,
As Matt said its too far to walk,probably about 4-5 miles. There are free Disney buses from Downtown Disney to Dolphin/Swan although some go via Magic Kingdom and take ages. In past years there have been free LotusShere buses from some of the downtown Disney hotels which are a much better bet.
Swan and Dolphin hotels are between MGM studios and the Epcot Golfball - on the map above they are on the left hand shore of the smaller lake between Epcot and MGM
First night and last night parties are excellent. Eveyone one seems head to "Pleasure Island" at Downtown Disney on tuesday after blagging your way into an exhibitors hospitality drinks party or two.
Word of warning - workng on the booths is really hard work. i did it at the last European Lotusphere and its tough... especially if you want to juggle working on the booth and attending the technical sessions.
have a good time - unfortunatley I can't get there this year .
Cheers
Martin
Orlando is a wonderful city if you get to Orlando. Looks like your going to be caged with the rest of the tourists. I was in Orlando last autumn for COMMON and made it in to "Downtown Orlando" to visit the fine folks at City Hall. Also a Lotus Notes/Domino customer.
That whole Disney area is like a little country of it's own. Probably with a GDP higher than Canada's!!!
I know that it costs more than it should, but staying at one of the hotels on site is so much easier than staying somewhere else. I've done it both ways and being able to go right up and crash in your room just for a few minutes is invaluable. Otherwise you have to catch a bus and work your way back to your room (which really defeats the purpose). Fortunately I've got a boss that thinks the same way.
Make sure you go to "Pleasure Island" as Martin mentioned, one price gets you into several bars, each with it's own style, my fav is the adventurers club. The downtown disney part is for the most part shops but there are several great places to eat, try the house of blues, they have a sandwich called the Elwood but it should be called the Jake. Jake ate chicken, Elwood was dry white toast. The Elwood is blackened chicken breast with garlic mayo, and they have some great bands. If you only go to one park try Islands of Adventure, best rides, followed by MGM. Not sure where the Wednesday party is this year, some are hinting at IOA. Anyway, have fun, wish I were going.
The best place to stay, if you are at lotusphere is, disney dolphin, swan or yatch and beach. Simply 'cos the conference is held at the same 3 hotels. However, its pricy. I've statyed once at Dolphin and twice in "all star sports" ( its the cheapest inside disney ) which needs a shuttle to dolphin.
The walk is too far and the shuttles but for mornings and evenings are once every half hour. So, if you want to get to your room and back its simply not possible. I liked when I stayed at Dolphin. I could go take a half hour nap in the room and come back fresh. Its very tiring walking from one corner to other to attend the sessions and I usually dont miss any time slots. Not even the BOFs ( birds of feather ).
Btw, Jake, you need to show up at the BOFs. Who knows, Lotus might decide to give one of your own.
Jake,
If you join my crew and I for a night on the piss, there will likely be a place to crash with us. We're at the Yacht & Beach.
When discussing Disney®, one should be very careful with trademarks®. I believe® you will find that Orlando®, venue® and conjuring® are also registered....
Just to put things in scale, Jake, the "map" you've posted above covers several square miles.
Take a look at this Mapquest map: {Link}
You'll see the airport (red star) is south of Orlando itself. Disney is the grey blob to the west containing Buena Vista and Bay Lake. Yes, they own all of that, and most of it is not yet developed.
I'm hoping to attend LotusSphere this year, but I don't think it's going to happen. Our CFO is crunching the revenue numbers right now to see if I can go. If I get the chance, I'll try to track you down.
I've stayed at the Grosvenor in the past, when it was an "official" Lotusphere hotel. Then travel was easy-- the free Lotusphere shuttle buses stopped right at the hotel and took you to/from the main LS hotels (Dolphin/Swan).
For that past two years, I have stayed at the Port Orlean's Resort Riverside, which is a lot cheaper than the Dolphin/Swan, but still on the Lotusphere shuttle bus route.
As was mentioned, you can probably catch a DisneyWorld shuttle bus from Grosvenor to the Dolphin, but the trip may not be as direct.
I would agree that you're going to have to really want a work-out to hike it from there. Would be great if one had a bike though.
And the sheer scale of DisneyWorld is something that has to be experienced. Last time I was there, the DisneyWorld park encompassed 43 square miles! In fact, the "Magic Kingdom" park alone is itself bigger than the entire DisneyLand park (in California).
Anyways, hope to see you there!
Jake,
We stayed in the hotel right next door to you last year, and this is what we did.
In the morning, take a cab to the conference ( Dolphin/Swan ). Starting sometime later in the morning, Disney busses run from all hotels to Downtown Disney. They are free, and they run way into the night ( past midnight I think ). You can grab the Disney Bus at Dolphin or Swan ( or Boardwalk etc. ) and its first stop is across the street from your hotel.
It couldn't be easier. It worked so well last year, that we are doing it all over again this year!
Walt Disney World is like a city - the size of Greater Manchester or something. You need a car to get from place to place, or you need buses.
Disney has something like the fouth largest navy in the world - just to move people through it's waterways.
When you on Disney property they maintain the roads, they run the phone company, they run the power, the even raise their own taxes.
They even have the theoretically right to build their own power station.
In short, they don't call it Disney World for no reason - it's bigger and run like a small country.
The Grosvenor resort is not bad, last time I was there they were restoring it. The Wyndham next door is an awesome hotel. In the future check www.hotwired.com and choose downtown disney area to save big bucks on a room. I stayed at the Wyndham for 78 a night using that service saving $100 per night. Enjoy Lotusphere it is always a blast.