Brace yourselves October people, it's going to be crowded...

[MakiraMarlena]

Free dining is a resort discount. If it's not offered it means that either they have higher occupancy in the resorts, or that they intend to move to some other type of discount to sell resort rooms. It doesn't translate exactly to super crowding in the parks. Disney resort capacity is only a small percentage of the population of all four theme parks on any given day. If the parks are very crowded, it's because there are extra people visiting who are NOT staying at Disney resorts.

There are no free dining dates yet. rumor is the first set (September) will be available for booking by Disney Visa card holders on Thursday May 1.

 

[ajwolfe]

Interesting info here about the October crowds..We are considering a trip next October to see the Halloween stuff and I was wondering what it was like that time of year.

 

[amg35]

Free dining is a resort discount. If it's not offered it means that either they have higher occupancy in the resorts, or that they intend to move to some other type of discount to sell resort rooms. It doesn't translate exactly to super crowding in the parks. Disney resort capacity is only a small percentage of the population of all four theme parks on any given day. If the parks are very crowded, it's because there are extra people visiting who are NOT staying at Disney resorts.

There are no free dining dates yet. rumor is the first set (September) will be available for booking by Disney Visa card holders on Thursday May 1.

The rumor mill was updated with October dates last night or this morning. That's why I posted this. Of course anything can still happen, but the experts seem pretty sure!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

the question was, does no free dining mean the parks will be crowded? They may be crowded, but if they are crowded, it won't have much corellation as to whether or not there is free dining. Lack of free dining means only that the resorts might have higher occupancy, not that the parks do.

 

[amg35]

the question was, does no free dining mean the parks will be crowded? They may be crowded, but if they are crowded, it won't have much corellation as to whether or not there is free dining. Lack of free dining means only that the resorts might have higher occupancy, not that the parks do.

okay thanks.

 

[DebbieB]

I believe this is going to happen.

I also think some rooms will open up too. Way too many were booked, at full rack rate. I have to think that many of those are folks hoping to add a promo later. When no promo comes they may start to drop them left and right. Of course, then Disney may say "hey, these rooms are not selling, we need a promo" so who knows what will happen.

But it's hard for me to believe that Standard rooms at the Deluxe level hotels are all going to be occupied at rack rate. Those are high rates!

No free dining doesn't mean no room only discounts. I think you will see room discounts for the deluxes.

 

[rastuso]

I'm pretty sure it's been YEARS since you could get free dining past the first few days in October, definitely never up to the 10th.

Free Dining is a joke now anyway. You are paying top dollar for a mediocre room, all to get what is now very mediocre food.

And you are "locked in"

We did it once, the last year it was still an awesome deal: tip included, appetizer AND dessert, and before the menus were lowered in quality.

-Jason

 

[amg35]

I'm pretty sure it's been YEARS since you could get free dining past the first few days in October, definitely never up to the 10th.

Free Dining is a joke now anyway. You are paying top dollar for a mediocre room, all to get what is now very mediocre food.

And you are "locked in"

We did it once, the last year it was still an awesome deal: tip included, appetizer AND dessert, and before the menus were lowered in quality.

-Jason

It started a week earlier last year. bright side, last minute ADRs may now be easier for my dates!

 

[nicleigh84]

I actually personally know a decent number of people who are "holding" rooms in case free dining comes out.

We have a facebook group if those traveling in October 2014 want to join. See the link in my signature.

I just sent a request to join the Facebook group. Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[lnh'smom]

I haven't seen/heard anything yet. Where did you hear this? Just curious!

 

[amg35]

I haven't seen/heard anything yet. Where did you hear this? Just curious!

the resort discount rumors board and facebook groups!

Still all rumors at this point, so don't book or cancel anything yet!

 

[smitch425]

I haven't seen/heard anything yet. Where did you hear this? Just curious!

The likely dates included are:
August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
November 9 - November 20
December 12 - December 23

There are multiple free dining threads on the discount forum.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Since the first week and a half of December aren't included, does that mean crowds are expected to be higher then too?

 

[PEC]

I remember this past October proved to be very busy. I think what was discovered is a lot of states now have a week long fall break in October.

 

[Leveretttltl]

I just sent a request to join the Facebook group. Thanks for pointing it out!

Me, too!

 

[smitch425]

I remember this past October proved to be very busy. I think what was discovered is a lot of states now have a week long fall break in October.

Many of the schools with a newly added fall break have TWO weeks off. They start school late July/early August, and get two weeks for fall, Christmas, and spring.

 

[amg35]

Since the first week and a half of December aren't included, does that mean crowds are expected to be higher then too?

I don't know about early December, I think that's usually a slower time?

I just know that people were talking that October was really crowded last year, and even then were speculating there would be no need for free dining this year, and it seems to be coming (partially) true....

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Since the first week and a half of December aren't included, does that mean crowds are expected to be higher then too?

It's Pop Warner. Which means value resorts have no problems getting guests, but the parks aren't all that affected.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I haven't seen/heard anything yet. Where did you hear this? Just curious!

There is a Free Dining 2014 thread. I would post a link but not sure how to do that on my phone. I know for late Oct it started with Oct 26. I only know this b/c that worked perfectly with my plans. It sounded like all dates were being released at once which it's my understanding has not been done historically. They usually announce Aug/sept and then Oct -Dec maybe in Aug timeframe.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Since the first week and a half of December aren't included, does that mean crowds are expected to be higher then too?

It probably has to do with late Thanksgiving and Pop Warner.