Avoiding Disney Free Dining

[darkpixie08]

I'm trying to plan a vacation for September of 2013. We picked September cause we wanted the crowds to be as low as possible. But, I just read online that there is usually a Free Dining promotion around then, and I know that free dining ups the crowd number, and makes it a lot harder to make ADRs. Does anyone know if it usually for the whole month of September, or maybe just the first or second half of the month? If it ends up being when we book, we'll still be just fine I'm sure, but I'd like to try to avoid it if at all possible. If anyone have any historic data on when they usually run the promotion it'd be a big help.

 

[k^2]

Here's a site with historical data from 2009 through now:
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html

Side note: I went this September for the week of Labor Day with free dining and, other than the Sunday before Labor Day itself, the crowds were really low! We got to ride TSMM 4 times and FPs were available until 2:30. So I think you'll still be happy going in September regardless

 

[k^2]

double post... and I'm magically posting before the first post! Weird.

 

[Nadjalu]

If I am not mistaken it is most of Sept, except for the few days around Labor day.
But I wouldn't be worried about free dining crowds then, it is WAY TOO hot at that time of year, that is what keeps people away, free dining or not.

Good luck!

 

[chartle]

I'm trying to plan a vacation for September of 2013. We picked September cause we wanted the crowds to be as low as possible. But, I just read online that there is usually a Free Dining promotion around then, and I know that free dining ups the crowd number, and makes it a lot harder to make ADRs. Does anyone know if it usually for the whole month of September, or maybe just the first or second half of the month? If it ends up being when we book, we'll still be just fine I'm sure, but I'd like to try to avoid it if at all possible. If anyone have any historic data on when they usually run the promotion it'd be a big help.

The issue is FD is really only offered during slow times. So if its a busier time no free dining but if its busier you don't want to go so its kind of like a catch 22.

OK lets see if my post is earlier then yours.

 

[Colleen27]

The only way to avoid free dining these days is to travel at busy times of year. It isn't just offered during hurricane season any more. For 2011, it was available Jan to Mar and Aug to Dec (with blackout dates around holidays/events). But the same things that make slow times slow in the first place keep many people from taking advantage of free dining offers - in Sept, the heat, the potential for hurricanes, and the fact that school is newly back in session keeps crowds down even with the heavy discounts that are offered.

 

[rznhal]

We went this year Aug 29-Sept 3 during FD....crowds were very low...we never waited for any ride longer than 10 minutes (the character lines were longer, but the rides were practically walk on!) We also got our ADRs with no problem. Also, i think the new system (not being able to double book ADRs so easily) will help with ADR availability. We had a wonderful early autumn trip and I hope you do too!!!

 

[melmlantz]

We have done free dining a handful of times, during off-season... and the crowds have always been virtually nonexistent for us. Last time, we rode Expedition Everest over.. and over.. and over.. and then weren't too keen on eating the free food!

 

[fla4fun]

I take a trip in September every year, and I go with a room only discount, so no DDP for me. Although the restaurants are busy, the parks and resorts don't feel crowded at all. It's almost like everyone is too busy eating to do anything else! Since I prefer the grab and go of QS dining, I don't have any problems with dining during FD season either.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Our September experience was great as far as low crowds, but it was so hot. I don't believe we got as many rides in because of taking a break from the heat each afternoon.

Also the love bugs were out in huge numbers while we were there. Harmless, but a nuisance. The front bus windows were caked with them. This was in 2006. I'm not sure if some years are worse for those bugs or not.

Our next trip was January because of the more comfortable temps. And this coming January we get free dining. Yay!

Good luck planning your trip!

 

[cajunprincess]

Personally, I don't think the free dining is going to up the crowds THAT much to make it worth doing your dates around. That is if you have dates in September you prefer.

I am actually going next month when Free Dining is offered and our predicted crowd levels are 1-3 over the whole week. They offer the free dining during these lower times to try and get people in when most people have kids that are in school, etc.

Happy planning whenever decide to go! It'll be great!

 

[catne]

we have been there with Free Dining for last 4 Septembers...three of our trips involved being there on Labor Day weekend (including either the week before or the week after the actual holiday.)

Our experience is Magic Kingdom is busy on Saturday of Labor DAy weekend. Other than that one park/one day, crowds were very reasonable on Labor Day weekend...and starting about 3 PM on Labor Day Monday, the crowds drop dramatically(all the locals go home, many folks are traveling home on that day because kids go back to school that week in many big cities/East Coast.) The days after Labor Day are DEAD in the parks. For example...arrival at Hollywood Studios, fast walk to get a Fastpass for Toy Story...then walk on the ride (literally...no stopping in the walk-through until we're in the actual loading area) Then ride, exit and walk-on again. Fastpasses still available long after lunch time. SAme thing with all the headliners in other parks...Soarin' fastpasses still available at 4:00 PM...Ex. Everest a walk-on until almost lunch time, then goes to 20 min. wait time.

Free Dining is offered because it's an very-off time to go. Weather can be killer hot/humid (still Full Summer AND hurricane season in Florida)

And since the stock market tanked a couple of years ago, the restaurants have not been full for September free dining. Sure, the super-popular character dining will book up...but that happens any time of the year, not just because of free dining. We found that except for the few character meals we went to, the majority of the restaurants had empty tables duriing Free Dining, and were taking walk-ups with 30-45 minute waits.

 

[cbg1027]

I don't think free dining impacts the crowd levels. What it does impact is ADR and walk-up availability at the restaurants.