Crowds First Week Free Dining

[NJBILL]

Has anyone heard how the crowds are this week (I think free dining started this week??) We are going in two weeks and was wondering if there was an increase over histical levels?

 

[dnoyes]

I too would like to know this ..... anybody?

 

[Jages16]

Leaving in 18 days and would also like to know!!!!

 

[n2mm]

leaving in 2 days....will get back to you.

 

[Markstudy]

I wonder how big free dining is?

Disney only sets aside some rooms for the free dining promotion.
Once they sell-out those rooms ..... NO MORE FREE DINING.

So you have to stay on-site and lets say that %50 of rooms are eligable for the Free Dining promotion.

Doesn't that mean that free dining has no effect on all off-site guest and maybe half of regular resort guest, who booked earlier or don't do the dining plan?

So how does it effect the 4 main parks? If only 30% of Disney Park Guest can qualify for free dining? That would mean that the other 70% of the crowd would be the normal slow season proportion that you'd normally see in September anyway.

I would guess that slow season might be inpacted by a certain percent (and the sit-down resturants packed) but total crowd levels, not as much as some might fear.

 

[Suzyq9241]

and I too would like to know...

 

[MScott1851]

We went in September last year, and it was no more crowded than the previous three years. Now, lunchtime was hectic at the counter service places, but we just ate as soon as they opened or at 2pm, and avoided most of that mess.

 

[laceemouse]

I wonder how big free dining is?

Disney only sets aside some rooms for the free dining promotion.
Once they sell-out those rooms ..... NO MORE FREE DINING.

So you have to stay on-site and lets say that %50 of rooms are eligable for the Free Dining promotion.

Doesn't that mean that free dining has no effect on all off-site guest and maybe half of regular resort guest, who booked earlier or don't do the dining plan?

So how does it effect the 4 main parks? If only 30% of Disney Park Guest can qualify for free dining? That would mean that the other 70% of the crowd would be the normal slow season proportion that you'd normally see in September anyway.

I would guess that slow season might be inpacted by a certain percent (and the sit-down resturants packed) but total crowd levels, not as much as some might fear.

People who booked BEFORE the free dining was anounced most certainly re-booked after it was anounced to get the free food! And no one in their right mind would turn down the dining plan if it was FREE (we have decided it is not worth it for our family to BUY it, but if it was free we would happily take it!) As far as only a certain percentage of rooms having the plan attached, does anyone know what that percentage is? It was surprising to me how they extended the deadline though, I guess they had quite a few rooms to fill!

 

[eebuckeye]

I came down on the 13th (first day of free dining) and I think it is pretty crowded. Nothing bad - I would consider it about the same as when we normally go in mid June. Leaving after Wishes tonight was packed! Doesn't bother my wife and I as we are used to it.

I heard someone comment in line yesterday that the crowds really shot up on Sunday compared with last week.