Crowds with free dining?

[sarcasticfiesta]

My fiance and I will be in the World for our Disneymoon from Sept. 9-16 which I know is during free dining which by the way, we did not get because I booked our trip before I was aware of free dining. So yes, we will be paying for our DP while everyone else gets theirs for free. I was wondering how bad the crowds are. I'm beginning to get really upset because I'm scared we won't have a good time. I know we won't be able to go for another visit for three years or so because of financial issues, so I want this trip to be perfect. Its my future DH's first time.

 

[tasha99]

I feel your pain--I went last year Sept 10-17 during free dining, and I too had to pay for my dining because I booked too late. It wasn't crowded at all except in the restaurants. Have a great honeymoon and congratulations.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Theres always ways to have fun at Disney. If I were going during free dining, I wouldnt do the DDP at all. Id bring in most of my food. We do that quite often. Years of posts here under several different user IDs have scored me a HUGE list of picnic type foods that do quite well in the parks, and cost only pennies.
We always have fun bringing in picnic foods into the parks. Its not for everyone, but we arent everyone; we're us!
That being said... you COULD take MY strategy... do the dining meals in the HEAT of the day around 1-2 PM, and your CS meals at dinner. Works for us!

Oh, and by the way... its not really "free". There were also discount codes that were available during that time. If you had took one of the other codes and paid for the DDP it wouldn't have been that much difference in the end. All in how you look at it.

That being said... See you there on free DDP in Sept!

 

[NUguyinCrew]

We did that last year but it was for our pre-honeymoon to relieve some of the planning stresses. We did the free dining and never really had a problem with the crowds. Getting up early always made us want to eat early so we missed the main meal time crowds and it worked out great. This year I dont know. We are going later in Sept and I already have our ADRs planned out so hopefully it will be the same deal. I would say dont sweat it too much and just try to eat at off peak times.

 

[Hopefully]

If you have your ADR's all booked you will be fine. If you don't have ADR's for the TS meals, I think you will have a problem. The restaurants will be busy but manageable.
Congratulations and have a great trip

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

If you have your ADR's all booked you will be fine. If you don't have ADR's for the TS meals, I think you will have a problem. The restaurants will be busy but manageable.
Congratulations and have a great trip

I do have all my ADR's, but I am concerned about the times that I made them for. I made them before I was aware of free dining, so many of them are at peak dining times.

Also, I know I've read this somewhere before, but I can't seem to find it. How do I go about having a gift basket delivered to our resort room?

 

[Dictator]

So I'm going Sept 13th-22nd. If I don't have ADR's set-up, will I be out of luck for TS? I didn't make ADR's because I cannot realistically plan every aspect of a trip that involves 8 people. The last time I was there in Sept it didn't seem too bad as far as crowds were concerned so I wasn't anticipating the need for ADRs.

 

[DznyDreamz]

So I'm going Sept 13th-22nd. If I don't have ADR's set-up, will I be out of luck for TS? I didn't make ADR's because I cannot realistically plan every aspect of a trip that involves 8 people. The last time I was there in Sept it didn't seem too bad as far as crowds were concerned so I wasn't anticipating the need for ADRs.

You may have a very difficult time getting "prime" meal times or restaurants, especially with a larger party. I've tried to modify some of my ADR's to adjust times and had no luck. Most places are booked solid.

 

[Tsunami8]

My family leaves this Thursday (8/23) and my DW and I tried to make ADR for Ohana's about a month and a half ago and we were shut out for that date. We then tried to get several dates the following week, but everything was booked. We tried other places like Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, etc. all to no avail. Puzzled, because we've never had problems like this before (and I guess I should've researched it here) the CM taking our ressies told us it was b/c it was the first week of free disney dining offer and that everything was booked. Needless to say, we are going down there w/out ressies and may have to stick to a counter service restaurant for our big family dinner. Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or "tricks of the trade", that could get us into a sit down dinner?

 

[super_crunch]

be flexible and keep calling!

I got a dinner ressie for 4:50 at Trail's End just last Friday.
I know they had some availability at 6:30 on the 28th if you aren't going to be at P&PP.

 

[andy_fish]

My family leaves this Thursday (8/23) and my DW and I tried to make ADR for Ohana's about a month and a half ago and we were shut out for that date. We then tried to get several dates the following week, but everything was booked. We tried other places like Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, etc. all to no avail. Puzzled, because we've never had problems like this before (and I guess I should've researched it here) the CM taking our ressies told us it was b/c it was the first week of free disney dining offer and that everything was booked. Needless to say, we are going down there w/out ressies and may have to stick to a counter service restaurant for our big family dinner. Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or "tricks of the trade", that could get us into a sit down dinner?

This happened to us last year...we had no idea it was free dining and had no reservations when we arrived (and we have a party of 5). Just be flexible and be ready to eat at some resorts rather than the parks....and try calling back a few times. Don't give up trying to get ADRs. It all worked out for us and we had a great time. This year we made them a little late so we didn't get first choices but after several call backs things have improved...including a HDDR .

I actually have to cancel Olivia's on the 28th at 7:50 for 5...if you want it send me a PM.

 

[queenofhartz]

Hi sarcasticfiesta! I really don't think you need to worry....you and your DH will have a fabulous time!! Honestly, I know a lot of people are saying that ADRs are difficult to get and you may not get your first choice of restaurant, but I just made my reservations for THIS weekend, and I was able to get all of my first choices (Jiko, Alfredos, and others). I just had to be flexible on the times. There was nothing available from 6pm-7:30pm. We had to take the later dinners (like 8:30pm). This is acutally nice if you are on a disneymoon b/c often, the crowds start to thin out a bit around 8:30 or 9 in the restaurants, and there is more of an adult crowd. (Not that I mind children at all. I have one of my own) If it's just the two of you going, I don't think you'll have much problem with the dining situation, and if you're worried about the crowds and can eat later, call back and ask for a later reservation. It might be a bit less crowded (maybe).

As far as the crowds go in Disneyworld, use Fastpass and have a plan ready when you visit the parks. I think you guys will have a blast. Try not to worry about it. Just relax and enjoy your wonderful Disneymoon!!!