We are going in August during free dining, but are not on the DDP. Having priced it out, it would cost us 1200 more to stay onsite and we simply can't afford that. We do, however, like to splurge on a few Disney meals. I have some ADRs made for TS, but is there any chance we can get into CS restaurants? Will they be packed? Will the parks be packed? Will the quality of food/interaction at TS be comprimised? I am really regretting going during this time....
I don't think you have any worries. Yes, it will be hard to get into a TS restaurant without an ADR, but you seem to have that covered. If you think the CS places will be crowded, just eat early or late and stay away from the popular meal times.
I don't think free dining makes the parks more crowded than they would be otherwise. I think it just fills the on-site resorts up at the expense of the off-site, non-Disney resorts. In fact, regular meal times can be a great time to do the rides as a bunch of people will be crowding into the restaurants.
We go every year during free dining and have never done the package or even stayed on site. We don't have any problems. In fact, we avoid the table service places all together and haven't seen tremendously long lines at counter service. The parks haven't been more crowded at all either. I think you are worrying too much about it. You will be fine.
We never do DDP either and never have had issues. We also have some ADRs made for the week we will be there, but are otherwise comfortable winging it. We mostly eat breakfast - and sometimes lunch - in our DVC unit. We are going in August as well. Because of the weather, we tend to eat lightly at that time anyway, so a sandwich or salad really suffices for us. The parks are not bad at the end of August because most schools have returned or will be shortly. We have found them to be okay. My biggest issue then is the heat. But you can't control that and August is our best shot for a WDW trip this year. So I just deal!
We have gone during free dining the last four years (and we do get the plan). We have never had a problem with a counter service establishment being too crowded or having a problem finding a table. We love this time of year.
You have to figure that some of the folks on free dining in the TS restaurants would likely be in cs places otherwise. I've been for free dining 3 times(make it 4 in Sept) and never had a long wait at a cs.
I go during free dining but I don't use the plan. If you have reservations for the TS you want (assuming it's for restaurants that accept the plan) you are probably OK. Consider eating at off-times for CS or patronizing restaurants that don't accept the dining plan.
But you can't control that and August is our best shot for a WDW trip this year. So I just deal!
