How busy is it during free dining?

[ruthie]

Hi
I'm from the UK and so we already have our free dining offer.
Could anyone tell me how this affects everything? How busy are the restaurants? What are counter services like?
Is there a lot more people there than usual? Does this affect ride wait times?
Are ADRs essential?

Thanks so much!

[TillyMarigold]

We were there for free dining last year.

Reservations are essential for anywhere remotely popular and for nearly all restaurants at the most popular times. Many restaurants, especially at the resorts, have availability at "off" times (very early or very late). I personally saw walk-ins admitted at Boma (breakfast), Jiko (dinner), Sci-Fi, Kouzzina, Kona, and Cape May Cafe, and turned away at Akershus, Mama Melrose, and Narcoossee's.

I don't think the counter-service restaurants are noticeably more full, probably because people would tend to eat there anyway. We mostly eat at off times and unpopular places, I guess, but we never waited long nor had trouble finding a table.

We never waited more than 15-20 minutes for attractions (the longer waits were for shows, which start when they start), and frequently walked on to things. However, we used a lot of Fast Passes and skipped some things that we just didn't feel like waiting for (like Astro-Orbiter).

I guess the short answer is that if you're determined to eat at 'Ohana, Cinderella's Royal Table, Le Cellier, and Flame Tree Barbecue, all at prime times, then you'll feel the crowds. If you want to eat in less popular places at slightly odd times, then you probably won't.

But I'd still try to make as many of my reservations as possible if I were you.

[DisGirl23]

Hi
I'm from the UK and so we already have our free dining offer.
Could anyone tell me how this affects everything? How busy are the restaurants? What are counter services like?
Is there a lot more people there than usual? Does this affect ride wait times?
Are ADRs essential?

Thanks so much!

We felt the parks themselves were not extremely crowded last week of September. Walked onto most attractions with very little wait. Did do fastpasses for TSMM and R&R.
Counter service restaurants were fine. And we ate at pretty normal times.
Table service restaurants were pretty crowded. The only place we really was for Sci-Fi. Probably got in 30 minutes after our ADR. But that was the only one. The rest we either got into early or only waited 5 minutes.
I would highly recommend making ADRs.
Have a great trip!

[HotMama]

We have been there in July and during free dining 3 times. Free Dining period is nothing compared to going in July. So I would not say it is busy enough to make a big difference on wait times. However, I would never go to Disney without making ADR's. Have fun!!!:goodvibes

[CanadianPaco]

We've been twice in August but last year was our first free dining experience! Parks were very manageable but restuarants were very busy. Plan your ADRs and make when you can and you'll be great!!!:wizard:

[ruthie]

Hi
Thanks all for your advice!
Hopefully as long as I get my ADRs, the ride wait times won't be too bad.

Ruthie

[sgrabin]

We felt the parks themselves were not extremely crowded last week of September. Walked onto most attractions with very little wait. Did do fastpasses for TSMM and R&R.
Counter service restaurants were fine. And we ate at pretty normal times.
Table service restaurants were pretty crowded. The only place we really was for Sci-Fi. Probably got in 30 minutes after our ADR. But that was the only one. The rest we either got into early or only waited 5 minutes.
I would highly recommend making ADRs.
Have a great trip!

I concur, we were there last week of September '09 thru the first week of Epcot F&W festival. Nice small crowd levels in the parks, but you do need to make ADR's for the popular restaurants.
:teacher: