Anyone else surprised how easy the ADR's are for free dining?

[MandM-Mom]

I have been making my ADR's for Aug 26-Sept 1 and have gotten everything I wanted and had my pick of times, a bit surprised because I thought it was really hard to make ADR's during free dining!

Here is what I have so far

Crystal Palace Dinner 1TS
Mickeys Backyard BBQ 2TS
Cinderellas Gala Feast 1 TS

Thinking about
Ohana
and not sure about the last one

 

[wedance6]

I made ours 2 weeks ago, so we had no problem

 

[Magical JenK]

I've made mine & changed mine w/no problem...including changing CRT (for lunch though) twice!! Can't wait!

 

[Chelley00]

I was on hold for awhile, but I got everything I wanted minus LTT, but that's because there is possibly a MNSSHP that night. I was surprised, especially since there is 6 of us!

 

[guelde96]

I was just trying to change a few things today. Couldn't get what I wanted. However, we have a large party of 12. I did reserve cap n jacks but, not until 8:50. This is for 9/22-9/30.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Nope, not surprised. We have done free dining the last two years and despite how it may seem here on the DIS, it's one of the slowest times of the year as far as attendance goes.

Here's a picture from 1900 Park Fare breakfast two years ago during free dining. Note the incredibly high crowd level behind my DD!!

Not really related to dining, but sort of... here's one of my family waiting in line at MGM for tickets to see Johnny & the Sprites last year during the Little Ones Travel Time, which coincided with free dining. I'd read on here that it was expected to be a mob scene:

Also, last year we called Concourse Steakhouse when we got rained out of a park, and got a reservation for within the hour. With a few exceptions such as CRT, Le Cellier and other very popular places, it shouldn't be too hard to get ADRs especially this early in the game. Free Dining is offered for a reason - that being it's a very low attendance time and they need to lure more people in. I think the DIS creates a sense of urgency that is not necessarily indicative of the overall WDW guest population.

Happy Planning!

 

[MandM-Mom]

Nope, not surprised. We have done free dining the last two years and despite how it may seem here on the DIS, it's one of the slowest times of the year as far as attendance goes.

Here's a picture from 1900 Park Fare breakfast two years ago during free dining. Note the incredibly high crowd level behind my DD!!

Not really related to dining, but sort of... here's one of my family waiting in line at MGM for tickets to see Johnny & the Sprites last year during the Little Ones Travel Time, which coincided with free dining. I'd read on here that it was expected to be a mob scene:

Also, last year we called Concourse Steakhouse when we got rained out of a park, and got a reservation for within the hour. With a few exceptions such as CRT, Le Cellier and other very popular places, it shouldn't be too hard to get ADRs especially this early in the game. Free Dining is offered for a reason - that being it's a very low attendance time and they need to lure more people in. I think the DIS creates a sense of urgency that is not necessarily indicative of the overall WDW guest population.

Happy Planning!

Wow that is quite a surprise, so through out your stay lines seemed below the expectation, if you don't mind me asking what were your dates last year, we are August 26-Sept1 and I was thinking it was going to be crazy!

 

[mis099dlm]

Got everything I wanted 9/7 - 9/17 except LeCelier for the Saturdays. All booked for a party of 6.

 

[HLAuburn]

Well, I was suprised. I figured with the free dining, there would be a rush on ADRs. But, not only did I not have to wait on hold, I got every ADR I wanted at the time I wanted, too. And I supposedly was calling for "popular" places like LTT, CP, Cinderella's for breakfast, Le Cellier, and Ohana. Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy about it, so I hope its a reflection of the crowd levels, too!

BTW, we did Ohana last year for dinner and we really enjoyed it. We're definitely doing it again this year, and we actually have the character breakfast booked there, too. We're staying at the Poly, so it makes the decision a little easier, but I'd recommend at least one meal there. I'd take Ohana over Chef Mickey ANYDAY!

 

[LionKingRules84]

I'm having a real hard time coming up with what time and what day I want to eat at certain places but hopefully I'll be able to get ADRs, this thread has elevated my fears a little but I've been in a small panic about it. Though I remeber my family for our last 2 trips were able to live off of counter service meals the entire trip. Would be nice though for my boyfriend and I to have a nice sit down dinner somewhere. Though since we will not be getting the free dining plan I hope to get mostly lunch and breakfast ADRs and maybe one or 2 dinner ones. My boyfriend really wants to eat at the Flying Fish Cafe, if we get any I hope it's that one.

One problem I'm running into is transportation between resorts, we are staying at CSR and I wanted to know how hard it is to have breakfast or dinner at another resort. I want to definately eat at Kona cafe for breakfast one morning but how hard would it be to eat there for breakfast and make it to MK rope drop, is it possible? I know this is a bit off topic but hopefully someone will read this and help me. Thanks in advance if anyone does!

 

[disprincessatheart]

We were there for free dining the last week of September last year - 24th thru 30th I think - and we got every reservation we wanted. We didn't try for some of the most popular places, and by the week we were there the ADR"s filled up, but park levels were LOW and we really enjoyed it. We did the same week the year before without free dining - stayed off property - so we knew the levels would be low.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Wow that is quite a surprise, so through out your stay lines seemed below the expectation, if you don't mind me asking what were your dates last year, we are August 26-Sept1 and I was thinking it was going to be crazy!

I don't remember my dates in 2005, but I know it was right after Labor Day because if I go that week, I don't have to take as much time off from work. Also my DD's birthday is 9/17 and we celebrated it at WDW a week or two early. Last year our dates were 9/1 - 9/10, this year will be 8/31 - 9/09, so basically the same week. Crowds were low over LD weekend, but after Labor Day they dropped to near NOTHING - it was awesome!

 

[Shoppingstaceysmom]

On Monday I made 2 hotel (POP) and 17 dining reservations for free dining (9/5-23) got every place, time and date I wanted except LTT for 9/21 dinner on (supposed) MNSSHP night, which I'm not giving up on. I really couldn't believe it because I waited to book everything after free dining was announced and released. Our restaurants are:
9/6 Rose&Crown 7:30
9/6 Garden View Tea 2:10 (not on DP)
9/7 Coral Reef 7:30
9/8 Ohana 7:15
9/10 Le Cellier 5:00
9/11 Spoodles 5:30
9/12 Chef Mickey's 10:00am
9/13 Jiko 7:00
9/14 Kona 7:40
9/15 Hoop De Doo 7:15
9/17 Teppanyaki 6:00
9/18 Cinderella's Royal Table 6:20
9/19 Cape May Cafe 8:00am
9/19 Le Cellier 4:50
9/20 Sci-Fi 11:00am
9/20 50'2 Prime Time 5:00
9/21 (Still hoping for Liberty Tree Tavern)
9/22 Ohana 8:00
All settings are for 3-4 people, times for only 4 places were not the exact time but within 10-15 minutes. I know we are going to have a great time. It took me weeks to plan and organize which parks, which days, times around night shows and which restaurants we wanted to go to and try and stay within the TS credits. We will have to pay out of pocket at the Tea and Sci-Fi if everyone goes to every restaurant and no sharing accures. Sending everyone pixie dust to get all your free dining wishes

 

[ceecee]

I called today for the last week of September and only got about half of the ones I wanted with the times I wanted. First time I have had that problem.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Yes!!!! I had written down first and second choices, possible times, etc, thinking that I'd have to compromise but we got all of our first choices at the exact times we wanted!!!! (Only character meal was Chef Mickey's late breakfast). We booked yesterday, so we were already within our 180 days for September. Last time I got up at 7 am each day to call (no plus 10 rule at the time)! This was much easier!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

This is what I got this morning. Other than 1900 PF being closed and having to switch Le Cellier to lunch (no problem) I got everything I asked for.

2007 Free Dining ADR’s

09/09 O’Hana @7 pm
09/10 Plaza @ 12:55 pm
09/11 Prime Time @ 7:05 pm
09/12 new Asian restaurant at AK??
09/13 Nine Dragons @ 5 pm
09/14 Puck’s Café @ noon
09/15 Tony’s @ 6 pm
09/16 Coral Reef @ 4:10 pm
09/17 counter serves today
09/18 H&V 4:10 pm
09/19 Rose & Crown 7:50 pm (Illumintations viewing?)
09/20 Boma’s @ 5:20 pm
09/21 Kona @ 2:05 (MNNVSP)
09/22
09/23 Spoodles @ 6pm (Jellyrolls night)
09/24 LTT (see parade from Dan Murphy’s rockers)
09/25 Capt Jack’s @ 6 pm
09/26 Le Cellier @ 11:40 pm
09/27 Maya Grill @ 5 pm
09/28 Garden Grill @ 1 pm
09/29 Crystal Palace @ 4;50 pm
09/30 AS Café (walk up)
10/01 San Angel Inn 3:40 pm
10/02 Brown Derby @ 5 pm


Slightly Goofy

 

[n2mm]

Guess it really depends on your party size. I was trying to change some of my reservations and add a few for late August and had a hard time. We could not get breakfast at WCC for a party of 11 unless we took 7:30AM or 10:30 AM, so had to split into several tables. Same thing for Trails End for a party of 9. No times available for one table left, so had to split up again. While getting a table for 2 or 4 is easier, once you start needing a table for 6 or larger, the task gets harder and the times unavailable. So anyone reading this thread keep this tip in mind. Some of these folks may not be needing a larger table and if you do have a big group, you need to call quickly and be flexible. When we go with just the two of us we usually don't have much of a problem getting time times we want anywhere.