Anybody rethinking Sept trip because of Free Dining?

[alidelargy]

Is anyone a little nervous about the amount of people taking advantage of Free Dining in September? This is our 3rd year going in Sept. and last year seemed noticably more crowded than the year before. I'm just a little worried that the parks are going to be packed this year (Sept 13-24th). All of the Disney Restaurant posts seem to be from people on the Free Disney Dining Plan.......

 

[DisFlan]

Yes, but we're going anyway. I have ADR's, but we can dump them if things get really bad.

I'm not thrilled with how crowded the restaurants are probably going to be - or what might happen to food quality, but if eating becomes a critical problem, we'll eat breakfast and maybe lunch in the villa, and go off site for dinner. LOL! - like to Universal.

I figure we'll have a good time whatever happens. We always do.

DisFlan

 

[erin.w]

Were still going, although this will be our first year with a trip during September, and free dining.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

We were at SSR last year during the week of Labor day and it wasn't too bad. So we are looking forward to the same week this year, staying at AKV.

 

[5 for WDW]

We actually decided last year after going during the Free Dining time frame that we were skipping September this year. First time in 12 years.

We were not thrilled with the increase in crowds. September used to be so quiet.

We are going for a week in December instead. I was there last year and loved seeing all of the decorations so, we decided to let the kids experience it this year.

I hope you all have a great time!! I know other weeks were quieter then when we were there, which was the 13-22nd.

 

[4mcbjCtr]

We have been there for the last 3 years during the timeframe you are talking about and haven't had any trouble with crowds at all in the parks and on rides. The restaurants (counter and table service) are much more crowded, but overall it is just fine. I love going in September because it still is so quiet compared to other times of the year.

 

[islandtimect]

We were there last Sept for the last wk of FD and thought the crowds were absolutely fine. Especially the first 2 hours and last hour in the parks. Having said that, what one person thinks is a manageable crowd might be too crowded for someone else...

 

[wildernessDad]

They had free dining in September last year and the crowds still dropped off SIGNIFICANTLY after Labor day. If you can bear the heat and the potential for a hurricane, it's a very good time to go crowd wise. Just note that some attractions may be down for maintenance at that time.

 

[DisFlan]

I'm not worried about park crowds. Those weren't too bad last year. But the restaurants were packed! Even the CS places were super crowded. I'm glad we liked all the places where we had ADRs, because there was no changing our minds. (We tried a couple of times.) There were NO openings available, unless we wanted to wait hours to (maybe) get in.

This year I know what we're getting into, and I'm more ready for it. We aren't doing any signature places or places where we'd normally linger over a nice meal. But that's okay - we'll just eat and go. There's plenty else to do.

DisFlan

 

[Cyndibear]

We have been going the week of Labor Day for the past 3-4 years. We love this time of year. We have not had any problems with the crowds, in fact, most rides are walk-ons. The restaurants are packed but we just deal with it. The only thing I don't like about the "free" dining is that the servers tend to be a little rude and rush us through our meals. We have learned to speak up and let them know we are not on the free dining plan and want to take our time. The servers are nicer and seem to treat us better. If you can deal with the heat, September is a great time to go.

Cyndi

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd rethink it but that's when my birthday is. Got the ADRs I need already though.