Anyone else avoid CS during free dining

[planitdad]

This year we upgraded to deluxe plan to avoid CS locations. Not because we don't like the food, but because they simply get overrun. Any other time we would enjoy the flexibility of not having so many ADR's.

Our experince last year with finding tables, cleaning them as best we could, and feeling like we needed to rush as others hovered about ( what choice did they have ) while we did our best to hurry along the kids through our now cold meal just so we could get out of there!

All just to "undisneyfied" !! We don't want to bring home those kind of memories. We love free dining ( even w/ the changes ) but not the CS experiences it brings.

 

[FigmentFinder]

Not wanting to do CS during free dining is one of the reasons I upgraded also. I think it took longer sometimes to get food and a table at CS than it took for a sit down meal.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Yep, count me in as one who upgraded to avoid CS. I also don't mind the food, just the hassle of actually getting it and finding a seat!

We will hit a couple this year because we truly love them, but overall it will be TS for us all the way!

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

we upgraded but we will still do 2 CS we just hope to do them at odd times... we want to do the sandwich place at Downtown Disney and the day we are doing AK in the AM there was nothing open for breakfast or lunch for a group of 5 so I guess we will do a CS that day

 

[HM]

We try to eat at off times (before noon) so it's usually not a problem.

 

[asmit4]

Well, we are up by 6am for early EMH at 8. By 11am we are ready for lunch when a lot of people are either still arriving at the parks or having just arrived at 10ish are interested in the bakery type foods.

We figure if we eat at 11am, we should be fine for lunch. We were there last October and never had any problems. We 'opened' up Cosmic Rays (the left side that is, with the ribs) last year. We were the first to order that day.

Is this a huge issue? Now I'm wondering if maybe we should have booked more TS places and just paid OOP? If we eat at 11 for lunch is it gonna be that bad? I am really excited about the free DDP! I hope it lives up to it last year when we had to pay for it in October.

How long were your waits at off times?

 

[beroh2253]

We also like Lunch 11-11:30 and not crowded at that time. And our TS is always for diner. And usually about 7 at the resort food court for breakfast isn't crowded after that very crowded.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We did FDP last year and will be there again in August. We also try to eat early. We have a light breakfast in our room and are ready for lunch by 11:00. This worked for us last year and are planning to do the same this year.

 

[jsmla]

We're having two early CS breakfasts at our resort and one early (as soon as they open) lunch.

Jennifer

 

[Wendy5055]

Yes!!! That is one of the BIG reasons we are doing DlxDDP upgrade during Free Dining.

I remember having to wait for tables and having others hovering over us waiting for our table at CS locations.

I want to be able to sit down and be waited on like everyone else in my group. No lines for me, testing my memory w/lengthy orders, juggling food ladden trays through masses of people, searching the dining areas for a possible spot, yelling at DH to pay attention (only kidding!) .

I personally don't believe that it will take much more time to walk up, wait for my table, get served, eat and depart (after forking over my tip). I can give my feet and my nerves a break!

 

[ReneeA]

We've never, ever had a problem.

However, we eat breakfast on the go - granola bars, pop tarts, etc, and then we grab an early lunch - normally about 11am. ALL of the CS are empty at 11am.

 

[aubriee]

We've done free dining every year that it's been offered (this Sept will be the fourth time). I agree the CS restaurants are a mad house during that time and that's one of the main reason we upgraded to the DxDDP this year.

 

[rentayenta]

How much is the deluxe upgrade during free dining?

 

[lady_hlh]

How much is the deluxe upgrade during free dining?

It would have been around 600 for 2 adults and one 1 child staying for 8 nights. I was seriously considering doing it buy my DH wanted to use the 600 to stay at a moderate resort instead of a value.

 

[frannn]

Upgraded to try a bunch of new TS, and forced periodic breaks (if anyone understands this, its you guys!). I'm actually going to miss the chic/rib combo at Cosmic Rays and the udon in Japan. I'm thinking the TS meals are going to take more time than CS, but not enough to make it too much. Wouldn't the same "free dining effect" that is hitting CS also make TS that much more of a wait? Don't get me wrong, I'd rather sit in an air conditioned lobby than stand on line with a tray any day of the week! Just don't want to be sitting and waiting for an hour.....