How is free dining in September? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

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emalone

01-06-2008, 07:22 PM

Help? Trying to decide if free dining is a good thing. How is September crowd level and how is the weather?

FogliaFamily

01-06-2008, 07:42 PM

PrincessTiffany

01-06-2008, 11:35 PM

We went mid September this past year. It was hot (90) and humid. Not much rain and the crowds were very manageable. Lots of the rides were walk on and turn around and walk back on again. On Kali River we could just stay on. The restaurants were crowded. We didn't book until May and at that point our dinners were at 8:00 ish. This time we are booking our ADR's as soon as possible since we are already booked. We'll be looking at scheduling them in March for September....

I'm not sure that they will be offering the free dining again this year. It's up in the air from year to year and is usually announced the end of April.

Anne

Free Dining is already been offered to people in the UK and it has already been offered as a bounceback to all of the people who were at Disney during Free Dining this year. The dates for bounceback for Sept. 2008 are August 30 - September 27. And this years dates should be announced during the first week of April and it will be open for the first 3 days to Disney Visa holders and then to the general public. That being said . . .

We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

It rained at least a little bit every afternoon we were there. On one day, without any warning, no menacing clouds or noticeable wind change, the sky just opened up and poured. It poured so hard, it was like the sky opened up and dumped a bucket of water on your head. There wasn't even time to put our ponchos on. By the time we drug everyone's ponchos out and put them on the rain stopped. We then left for our Ohana ADR looking like someone had just thrown us in the hotel pool - literally socked to the bone.

We did have awesome food on our trip. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Planet Hollywood, 50's Primetime Cafe, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana (best meal we had), and Crystal Palce. We had ADRs for all and always had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table. Saw them turning away walk-ups at all restaurants. Counter service was not too crowded, but we tried to eat early around 11:30 a.m.

I am a faithful fan of the UG and if it weren't for knowing about their touring plans and knowing how to utilize the Fastpasss system the lines would not have been manageable. There was the occasion that you walked up to something in the late afternoon and there was only a 10 or 15 minute wait, but most of the headliners kept 30 minute or more waits. At MK on our last day Space Mountain had a 75 minute wait at 3:30 p.m! Now, to you Christmas week, Easter week, or July 4th people that probably doesn't sound too bad, but we specifically booked these dates for low crowds, and there were not now crowds.

When we left we had every intention of booking the Free Dining bounceback for next September that they were offering, but after the terrible heat and crowds my husband said he would happily pay the $1300 we saved on this trip and put it towards a slower, cooler time to visit.

We have previously been at the end of January into the first part of February and have also been end of November into first of December and those are the times we will be planning our future WDW vacations.

I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.

Colleen27

01-07-2008, 08:55 AM

The crowd levels weren't horrible when we were there for free dining in '05, but they weren't especially light either. We went the last weekend in Spet for a 5 night stay, and ran into more crowds than we expected, particularly at Epcot since it was the first weekend of the F&W festival. Aside from that, the main place I noticed crowds were in the restaurants. We walked on many rides, but waited an hour for counter service lunches!

More than the crowds, what keeps me from returning again at that time of year is the weather. It isn't worth juggling taking the kids out of school and arranging for DH to be off work during his busy season to go in that sort of miserable heat. If we want to spend a week sweltering, we can do it in late August, before the kids go back to school! We had temps in the mid-high 90s with high humidity all week, hotter and stickier than we encountered in August of this year.

But for us, free dining isn't that spectacular a deal compared to other discounts - we went too early in August for free dining this year and saved $75/night with one code, and we're going in January and saving about $80/night with another. Free dining only saves us about $100/night. If you stay at mods or values, free dining is a better deal than you'd ever see with a room code, so it makes more sense to try to take advantage of it.

MissMichelle

01-07-2008, 09:56 AM

I have been there 2 years in a row for free dining and I will keep taking advantage of the low crowd levels that time of year ;) It WAS hot as other posters mentioned but we just happened to enjoy it. We got to the parks early, did what we needed, went to the resort to swim for 2 hours, showered and went back to the parks in the evening for dinner...Worked PERFECT :)

beroh2253

01-07-2008, 11:11 AM

emalone

01-07-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. If we go our children are adult prices, so it would save us about $$1200 to $$1400. That's alot for us and we could also stay at a value and get 2 rooms and only pay about $$2200 for the entire trip. We have 4 days of water park tickets left, so we will only get a 5 day ticket. To me $2200 for 5 adults, 2 rooms, food, and tickets is good for Disney for a 6 or 7 night stay. We just got back Jan 5th 2008 and we had 4 good days and 2 days that it was so cold I almost thought I was going to die. The waits were 90min to 120min long. I think we could take the heat better if the crowds were not so bad. It was so crowded we almost could not walk. We have a guest assistance card for my 11 year old son who has a heart problem and seizures. We still had to wait 30 to 45 min. If it were not for the guest card, he would not be able to do maybe 2 or 3 rides allday. He gets very tired and we have to take our time no matter how hot or cold. I just don't like to take them out of school. We never have, but we are really thinking about just trying free dining just 1 time. Whoever has more input, please let me know. Thanks so much.

pooch

01-07-2008, 07:51 PM

and going back this Sept. Yes, its hot but lines are short (15min average last year). There are plenty of places to get out of the heat or the rain if necessary & free food is da bomb!!

firsttimer2007

01-07-2008, 09:28 PM

We went 9/1/07 to 9/8/07

It was HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!

But we had the best time. Little to no wait most of the time. The first weekend was kind of busy but not to bad. After all it was a holiday.

We opened and closed the park almost everyday.

It was GREAT!!

Although, I'm not sure DDP is worth all that much this year. How many of us would really eat that many TS meals if they were not included. And now you have to pay the tip.

I think if we come back this year we will rent a condo or home. Eat a big breakfast and then snack all day at the park with a big dinner when we are done outside of the park.

Anyway the food and wine festival brings in the crowds but they are not to bad then either.

PortieOwner

01-07-2008, 09:43 PM

It's not the heat, it's the humidity, which is horrible. It is not possible for our family to tour all day in that weather. The idea of going again in Sept. gives me pause, especially if the Sept. deal is "not totally free dining". You also risk hurricanes that time of year.

I'd bring 3 shirts per day, and 2 pairs of underwear and socks per day.

jessrose18

01-10-2008, 03:38 PM

emalone

01-10-2008, 05:48 PM

Anytime you can get something free in life is worth it to me. I don't like the heat, but $$1400 worth of free food and low crowds is worth trying for one time. We have always been when the wait times are 60 min to 120 min. Sometimes its so crowded that you can't even walk. This time when we went after christmas a lady with a big stroller ran into me and boy did that hurt. I know things happen like that, but boy oh boy was it packed. We had a hard time walking in the parks the entire time we were there. The thing I worry about most is taking my 3 children out of school. I'm a sub teacher where all 3 kids will be next year and I love and have a good relationship with most of the teachers. They will only miss 4 days with it being labor day week. Twins will be in 6th grade and daughter in 8th grade. Our kids never miss school unless they are really sick. So far this year twins have only missed 1 day and 7th grader has not missed at all. Our school will be starting later this year. Somewhere around August 18th or the 25th. We have been starting back August 4th or 6th. I think I had rather start later, because it is so hot in Atlanta Ga. So see we are use to the heat. So surely by the 2nd or 3rd week of school they won't be too busy yet. Just hoping for free dining.

GC&S

01-10-2008, 06:02 PM

I was so excited for free dining...now i'm worried. I knew it was going to be hot, but I am now worried it will be unbearable. Last year we went in May and I loved the weather I didn't go in May this year for free dining. Hope I don't regret it!!! Do you guys think free dining is worth it for the weather drawbacks? I also know it rains a little everyday, does it rain all day or just a little shower? Thanks for any suggestions!

We have always went in Sept or Oct. Last year we were there the third week of Sept and it rained almost everyday - somedays just lightly, a couple days, major downpours (with lightening). The year before it didn't rain at all during our trip. The humidity can get bad, but everything is air conditioned (usually to the point of being too cold). When we have went for free dining, we usually go at the end of the free dining period. I think that Sept is getting more crowded but not like the time we went in March. Last year, I don't think we ever waited more than 10-15 minutes for anything. One day, MK was pratically deserted. We walked onto several rides with no waiting.

I think if you prepare for the humidity (take extra clothing to change maybe once during the day) and take breaks (go swimming) you'll be fine. Don't forget to pack some ponchos! We will always go Sept/Oct. Hopefully with free dining as well.

eemmie1

01-10-2008, 06:19 PM

I went the 14th thru the 22nd of September. The restaurants were crowded but we knew that and planned appropriately. The weather on the other hand was HOT! It was 85 and humid when we left our room at 7:AM. I would go if the weather doesn't bother you. The longest we waited for any ride was 20 min. Most were only 10 minutes. I will go back in November next time to try and get cooler weather with low crowds.

caracap

01-10-2008, 07:42 PM

We went from 9//22-9/27, and hope to go back this year for FD. It was hot, but IMO, not unbearable. I was traveling with my 1,2 & 3 year old, so I had my hands full, and never felt like the heat was too much. It was also nice to know I could dress them in tanks & shorts and they were set for the day & or night. No sweaters or pants needed. Also, if you got wet, it felt good & you dried quick:thumbsup2

It was a lot busier on the weekends, way busier than I ever anticipated. I will not book a weekend again. The weekdays were 0-15 minute waits for all rides except for the popular ones (Soarin, Space etc...)

The restaraunts were busy, but who cares if you have your ADR's!? And, the less popular one were taking walk up's!

jessrose18

01-10-2008, 10:01 PM

HALEYSMOMMOM

01-11-2008, 12:02 PM

Free Dining is already been offered to people in the UK and it has already been offered as a bounceback to all of the people who were at Disney during Free Dining this year. The dates for bounceback for Sept. 2008 are August 30 - September 27. And this years dates should be announced during the first week of April and it will be open for the first 3 days to Disney Visa holders and then to the general public. That being said . . .

.

Ok so. we are booked in sept at the POR. I have a disney Visa, but my dad is planning a GG for extended family and it is on his cc. How do you think we should manage that to take advantage of those first 3 days that it is offered to DIsney Visa holders? Thanks!

PrincessTiffany

01-11-2008, 12:31 PM

Ok so. we are booked in sept at the POR. I have a disney Visa, but my dad is planning a GG for extended family and it is on his cc. How do you think we should manage that to take advantage of those first 3 days that it is offered to DIsney Visa holders? Thanks!

Well, the morning that the dates are announced you will need to call Disney and try to apply the Free Dining Code. Last year though, some people had to cancel and rebook their packages because the resort they were originally booked at was already booked up from the previous bounceback or the resort had not opened any blocks for Free Dining. There was a lot of discussion about this on the Free Dining Mega Thread last April. They will NOT automatically apply the code. You will have to call them.

HALEYSMOMMOM

01-11-2008, 12:49 PM

ok, I know we will have to call, but can I call during the first 3 days and get it applied-having a DV- even though my dad has booked the reservation, and he does not have a DV? Thanks for your help!

jessrose18

01-11-2008, 02:27 PM

If I remember correctly didn't Disney also offer that you could book the free dining plan from their official website the day the offer went live? Did anyone try this or did everybody call in?

PrincessTiffany

01-11-2008, 04:00 PM

ok, I know we will have to call, but can I call during the first 3 days and get it applied-having a DV- even though my dad has booked the reservation, and he does not have a DV? Thanks for your help!

I believe that the person who made the reservation has to call with their card. But I may be wrong. I hope someone else here on the Dis will confirm that.

PrincessTiffany

01-11-2008, 04:03 PM

If I remember correctly didn't Disney also offer that you could book the free dining plan from their official website the day the offer went live? Did anyone try this or did everybody call in?

No you could not immediately make the reservation on line and get the Free Dining discount. It was at least a week or maybe longer before you could book on the WDW site and would show that you received the Free Dining Discount. Those first couple of days there were people who literally waited on the phone lines for hours to book the Free Dining code.

TexasBelle

01-11-2008, 04:37 PM

We had a blast in September. It was Hot, but we live in West Texas, heat doesn't bother me very much... and it did rain everyday, usually in West Texs it doesn't rain very much but this past summer it rained alot..:thumbsup2 So we enjoyed the rain but wished it wouldn't have been there when we were there. But better then a hurricance. We also had plans to attend the opening night of MNSSHP, 09/14/07, and it down poured for over an hour, so we missed the parade and Wishes. (We went back to BoardWalk)

I waited to late to make ADR's, so we didn't get to eat at California Grill or other fancy places, I was pretty mad at myself for that, so make your ADR's ASAP. We did eat at Liberty Tree Tavern, YUM, Yacht Man's YUMMY YUMMY, Sci-Fi Theater that was okay, but most of the time we just had walk ups.

I didn't think the parks were very crowded, you can check out my trip report to see what the crowd's looked like. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1596478
We have only been twice and the first time was in July/Aug. So we thought the parks were pretty empty. We did hit a holiday for people that lived in the North is was Rosh Hashanah, and so alot of New Yorker's were there on a fall break...

The longest wait for any ride was 1 hour for Soain, but that was on the boards that you see when you get into Epcot, we only waited 30 minutes. We wait 40 for Dinousour in AK. But other then that 15 minutes or more. EE we walk on.... No wait. of course it's a long walk but no wait. We hit MK on a Monday, and that morning we walk on to Peter Pan, Snow White, Small World and all the other rides in Fantasyland. We walk on to Space Mountain, came off and went right back on and rode the other side.

We plan to go back Sept. 19 - 26th. Hopefully well get the Disney Dinning Plan, waiting patiently for the dates to come out, we didn't do the bounce back at the time it was offered. Hopefully not as much rain and maybe less people because Rosh Hashanah is on the last week in September and we're going the week before.

Good Luck
Texasbelle

jennie31708

01-11-2008, 07:33 PM

We got incredibly lucky when we booked last year. I was actually calling to book our trip for min October 2007, and the wonderful reservationist, Dante, I spoke to said, "Wow, I wish I could convince you to change the dates of your trip. If you book your trip to spend your first night 9/22, you'll get the free dining plan." I honestly had never heard of it, but he spent a great deal of time explaining it to me, and convinced me to change our whole vacation around. It was the best decision I've ever made. The weather was got... but not unbearable. It rained a little biit every day, but that helped to break the humidity. And going with the dining plan was the best, the food was wonderful. I'm patiently waiting for it to be offered again. I'm a little upset that I wasn't offered the bounce back when we were there in September, because we would have booked it right there before we checked out!

KatMark

01-11-2008, 10:14 PM

I know they haven't even announced '08 dates yet, but i am trying to get my dates and resorts ready. I know it fills up fast! Has anyone ever had trouble getting into the dates or resort they wanted when trying to book free dining the day it becomes available to the public? Just wondering how many backup itinerarys I should have in place. We want to go the last day possible for 8 nights at pop or music resort.

We did not think we were going to be able to afford to go last year and then my husband started umping a LOT of baseball games and told me to see what kind of price. I contacted the service we always use in MAY and she informed me we could get the CSR with free dining for the days we planned--which were September 1 - 9. We grabbed it and were also able to get all of our requested ADR's, including LeCellier, except for Whispering Canyon which we had wanted to try. We will try that one this year.

wildeoscar

01-12-2008, 05:40 AM

restaurants full, the parks not so much... and it is still amazon hot every day.

jessrose18

01-12-2008, 08:37 AM

TexasBelle

01-12-2008, 11:16 AM

Texasbelle- I loved your trip report well done! Your right the crowds looked light. How come you didn't get asked to do the bounceback? Is it only for certain people? Thanks for the tip about the holiday crowd also!pirate:

The Bounceback was offered to us, we just choose not to accept at that time. You have to make your decission before your trip ends. I also love my Travel Agent, she has done a wonderful job on booking our trips and the bounceback is done through Disney. I also don't think the bounceback are for certain people, I think they were offered to everyone.

Thanks for reading my trip report is was soooo much fun. Again the crowds were minimal. But make sure you get your ADR's early. I'm already ready for 180 days out to make my reservations.
Good Luck!
Texasbelle:donald:

jessrose18

01-12-2008, 01:50 PM

I have been reading posts for days, you guys got me so nervous I am going to go open my Disney Visa right away! Don't want to chance it. Thanks for all of the advice.

annie1995

01-12-2008, 01:54 PM

Yup, it was very hot!!!! But I love the heat!!! It also rained every afternoon. but it wasn't a total washout. Just don't leave without your ponchos, even if it looks clear. We made that mistake. And I thought it was quite busy, compared to the first time we had free dining in September 2005. But we are going back this September for a re do trip.. All our kids came down really sick on our 5th day, so we came home early. WE missed soooo much, we need to go back LOL!!! I think its totally worth it to go and save 1500 bucks for meals!

jessrose18

01-16-2008, 05:41 PM

keeping it alive!

jlx2

01-18-2008, 03:36 PM

We were there last September during the second week and I have never felt so hot in my entire life. I remember walking in Epcot over to the area in Canada where Off Kilter plays to buy one of their CD's and actually having to stop in a gift shop for a few minutes to cool off I thought I was going to pass out. We were traveling with two two year olds and I had to buy one of those misting/fan bottles to spray on them pretty continuously because I was so afraid they would overheat. To be quite honest it was so hot that when we would go to eat we weren't very hungry. This year we are hoping to get some room only codes and not bother with the free dining. Since we have to add the gratuity now we figure we're better off paying out of pocket and going when it isn't so oppressive weather wise.

emmsmama

01-19-2008, 12:06 AM

Just subbing. I'm aiming for beginning of Dec., but the frugal side of me keeps thinking of the free food in Sept. if they offer free dining again. Dh is a crank in the heat though so free food might not be worth listening to him whine and complain constantly.

Donald Fan 2005

01-25-2008, 01:28 PM

I was there the first week of Sept 2006. We stayed off disney so I can't speak for the crowds in the restaurants, but the parks were not crowded at all. It started picking up some toward the end of the week because that was the first weekend for the halloween party. We walked onto the majority of the rides and only the most popular had a 15-30 minute wait. I think it is worth it to go in Sept, if you can stand the heat.

jessrose18

02-21-2008, 11:01 AM

Any more advice? September vs October weather sounds so much better in October..more opinions please.

mdmbfly

02-21-2008, 11:58 AM

We did the FDDP in Sept 06 and loved every second of it. It was HOT but that's what we expect in Florida so we dealt with it. We went to the parks early and then spent the hottest part of the day enjoying the pool at the POR. After we were refreshed we headed out for our dinner ressie and enjoyed the parks til closing. It couldn't have worked out better for us. My DH still says it was his most relaxing trip ever and the kids felt like they were there much longer than 5 days b/c we broke upt he days and even had some time for a few naps and that made each day feel like 2! I highly recommend trips in Sept and the Free DDP.:cool1:

pooch

02-21-2008, 01:23 PM

Did 06 - 07 and am booked for 08 with Free DDP. The heat hasn't bothered me that much. Haven't hit too much rain. Love the 15 min attraction wait, if that. Count me in. I'm a believer!!!:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

beachgrl001

02-21-2008, 06:01 PM

I have been 3x in Sept. on various dates most currently 8-27-07 to 9-4-07 free dining @ POFQ. It was crowded until Labor day then it was fine. I will go in mid sept. from now on. It was HOT but I am always expecting that when I go to Fla.

cdrn1

02-21-2008, 06:24 PM

We booked Pop last year for free dining in the last week or so that it was offered...I think it was in July when we booked. We still got very good ADR's at very good times. The only restaurant that we didn't get near the time we wanted was Le Cellier. We wanted 6'ish but all they had the whole week was an 830 or later. We ended up cancelling it because we were too full from lunch so we used that TS by calling and getting a Jiko reservation for the next night. I was surprised that we got what we wanted at that late date. We went Labor Day week and thought the crowds were very, very reasonable and the weather no toooooo bad (hot, humid).

Dreaming~of~Disney

02-21-2008, 08:41 PM

We were there for free dining last Sept. 1-7. We had great weather. only rained on the last day we were there for maybe 20 minutes. It was hot but we managed. Those spray bottles with the fan are worth every penny! Frozen lemonades and dole whip floats! Yummy! We didn't know about bounceback until after we had checked out and they wouldn't let us book it then. We found out about it literally like 3 hours after we checked out and they wouldn't let us book it! We are hoping they offer it again for Sept, otherwise my 4 year old will be crushed(free dining is the only way we can afford to go).

JOHNHORAZ

02-23-2008, 12:36 PM

IF U GOT THE FREE DINING IN SEP.:idea: DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU CAN UP THE PROMO THE DEX.DINING PLAN AND PAY THE DIFFERENCE:confused3

TDC Nala

02-23-2008, 12:41 PM

I have been on Labor Day weekend, both using and not using the plan. It's very hot and humid. Usually rains a bit once a day.

The parks were not bad on that weekend (MK was pretty dead ON Labor Day last year, walked onto several rides) but the restaurants are FULL. Get TS reservations for sure.

I'll be going down to WDW this Labor Day, but not getting the dining plan. I want a couple of TS meals and will make reservations for them.

beachgrl001

02-23-2008, 01:00 PM

IF U GOT THE FREE DINING IN SEP.:idea: DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU CAN UP THE PROMO THE DEX.DINING PLAN AND PAY THE DIFFERENCE:confused3
you could when we booked the bounceback. I think it was 30(ish) pp per- day and 10 for ch. so basically 1/2 price.

BabyPiglet

02-23-2008, 11:40 PM

Amazing. All wait times under 25 minutes, the actual crowds in the parks weren't bad either. Sure it was hot, sure it rained, sure there were lovebugs. But it was all completely bearable and we had a WONDERFUL trip!

jessrose18

02-28-2008, 03:11 PM

BUMP..getting so excited and I know it won't come for over a month...at least we have to September calendar coming out to tide us over.. (us planning freaks)

jessrose18

02-28-2008, 03:12 PM

What the heck are lovebugs? I live in Minnesota, never heard of them, can't be as bad as our mosquitoes though!

skater

02-28-2008, 03:17 PM

They're not as bad as mosquitoes - they don't bite, sting, or even buzz. Sometimes there are a lot of them and they're annoying just by their numbers. I think of them like lightening bugs - they're soft and quiet and really don't bother me. I do think they're bad for the paint on cars - so if you're driving that could be more than an annoyance. Hope that helps :goodvibes .