When to Book 1st or 2nd Week of Free Dining

[shaycamp21]

We missed out on Free Dining last year since we went to Disneyland for a change. We went the first three years of FD and found that each year it became more crowded. This summer I can either book us for the first week or second week of Free Dining was wondering which would be less crowded or if it really wouldn't make a difference?:confused3

[RMulieri]

I would go with the 2nd week. The first week always seems busier to me because alot of schools are not back in session yet.

[luvmy2boyzz]

I booked free dining for myself and my two boys for Thursday Sept 3rd thru Tuesday Sept 8th. What kind of crowds can we expect??

[firstgood]

Bouncing

[catne]

I booked free dining for myself and my two boys for Thursday Sept 3rd thru Tuesday Sept 8th. What kind of crowds can we expect??

Well, your dates include Labor Day weekend. It's not as busy as most other holidays, but do expect crowds Friday night, as well as all of Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We were there for Labor Day weekend last year - Sunday of Labor Day weekend at MK had late EMH. Was crazy-crowded...Fantasyland wait times in the evening were 90-120 minutes at Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc. Space Mountain had Fast Pass return time of 1:30 A.M. at 9:00 p.m. I'd guess on crowd levels the Magic Kingdom was a 9 that night. Monday evening at DHS (which had late EMH) was at least an 8, maybe a 9. After Labor Day, the crowds dropped off a lot (down in the 4, 5 or 6 crowd level range)

[DisneyBamaFan]

We are there the second and third weeks of free dining, so my vote is second. Our last day in the parks will be the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, but the other days will have very low crowds...