Are parks generally busier during free dining times?

[Sprockie]

Just doing some planning for fall. Is there a noticable difference in crowd load on free dining weeks vs. no free dining? I suppose the free dining is not offered during expectedly busier weeks, so it's not offered (eg. Thanksgiving week).

 

[EnchantedRoses]

We have gone about 4 times during Free Dining the past few years - usually last week of Sept & crowds have been great. Humidity and heat have been super high...but the short lines and low crowds made it bearable! We booked for September 2017 - we are hoping Free dining is offered - fingers crossed!

 

[Dracoa Dragoon]

Lightest crowds in October before Halloween? Good lord. Last 2 years I was there the lines were absurd.

 

[Rusty2rules]

Well, the reason Disney offers free dining is because resort levels are low, thus anticipated crowd levels are low, so they're trying to draw people in. No free dining offered = resort levels and anticipated crowd levels are at or above desired levels so no incentive is needed. I think you can draw your own conclusion.

 

[Sprockie]

Well, the reason Disney offers free dining is because resort levels are low, thus anticipated crowd levels are low, so they're trying to draw people in. No free dining offered = resort levels and anticipated crowd levels are at or above desired levels so no incentive is needed. I think you can draw your own conclusion.

Got it, thanks for the info.

 

[Betty Breed]

So do we know when the free dining is this year?

 

[HopperFan]

Been many times during FD.
- FD is to fill more rooms.
- Most rooms are probably booked without it.
- FD rooms seem harder to get, so likely less of them.
- We never felt like the hotels or parks were any different.
- BUT restaurants are more crowded and much more difficult to book.
- So if going during then book ADRS asap.

 

[Rusty2rules]

So do we know when the free dining is this year?

No dates or details yet. There's a rumor circulating the offer might drop April 17th. That's strictly a rumor but it seems to coming from multiple good sources.