August 18th To The 25th.........

[Simba0319]

I just booked a bonus trip for Aug. 18 to the 25. I will be staying offsite. -Are the crowds REALLY HUGE? I know this free food thing will definitely make it xtra crowded, has anyone been here this time with or without the free dining? Is is extremely crowded? I have been during Prez week, Easter and XMas to New Year's. Does anyone know how it compares to those weeks? Any help or insight? Thanks

 

[40-Something Kid]

I've been there during late August a few times, and it has been wonderful. Still have summer heat, but evening starts sooner. Best of all, Florida kids have gone back to school. The crowds were no where near President's Week, Easter or Xmas--they actually seemed light to me. I am also considering booking again this year at or near the same time you are booked.


But--what is this about free dining? I have never heard of this (and I go to WDW 3+ times per year). Is this the Dining Plan or a discount?

 

[Jobie]

The crowds are medium to busy. Nothing too bad. I was there last year during that time for the free dinning and I am going again this year. The longest waits were 30mins - 45mins for the big rides expcept for soarin' which had over 3 hour waits, but that is what fast pass is for. If you use the fast pass system effectivly you should be able to do everything with no problem!

 

[tripplanner2]

I was at WDW July of 2005 and there were days where we just packed it in and went to the pool because of the crowds. I am just wondering if we will need to be strict this year going in August about going to the parks early and taking the afternoon break. I am hoping that it won't be wall to wall people like some days we encountered last year.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

We went last year during the same week you are going. Crowds were ultra-manageable. We simply went in the AM to whatever park had and EMH the night before and we cruised through the parks. We hit everything we wanted to. Definitely recommend getting to the parks when they open as it will be even easier to move through them!

Enjoy and don't forget the sunscreen.

 

[tripplanner2]

We went last year during the same week you are going. Crowds were ultra-manageable. We simply went in the AM to whatever park had and EMH the night before and we cruised through the parks. We hit everything we wanted to. Definitely recommend getting to the parks when they open as it will be even easier to move through them!

Enjoy and don't forget the sunscreen.

Thanks so much for replying. I read in the guide book that the crowd levels will be 6 and 7 instead of 9 and 10 but I feel better hearing it from someone who was there last year during free dining.

 

[Simba0319]

Thanks all.....I feel better now. I went once in Aug. and I thought I remember it being really packed. I wasn't sure though.

40 something...Disney has some sort of package with free dining....I am sure you can find info on it here or the official web site for Disney.

 

[calgarygary]

40-something, here is the link for the free dining offer and for further details on the dining package, look here.