Do you think it will be very crowded the first 2 weeks of free dining?

[jodim]

We have 2 foster kiddos and have decided we want to take everyone to WDW before our next court hearing just in case they get sent back to their bio parents so I'm planning a trip in less than 3 months time (for 10 people - yikes!). Due to everyone's work schedules, etc. we decided to go 8-24 to 9-5, we thought since everyone will be back in school it wont be very crowded... but now I'm worried with free dining starting and labor day coming up that it will be pretty crowded. What's your opinions? Should I try and reschedule ?? TIA

 

[Lvsdisney]

You can check various crowd calendars, but I just looked at one and they had that time period as a 5 at the highest (usually weekends) and 2-3 during the weekdays. You should be good!

ETA: I believe Disney offers the free dining during those time periods because it's slow (for Disney)

 

[auralia]

It is always crowded now... When we whenr crowd calander a said it would be 6ish it was later determined after our trip to be 10's .....there is no slow time any more just less crazy and more crazy.

 

[jodim]

It is always crowded now... When we whenr crowd calander a said it would be 6ish it was later determined after our trip to be 10's .....there is no slow time any more just less crazy and more crazy.

This is true. Sigh hopefully it wont be too bad

 

[MKCP5]

It is always crowded now... When we whenr crowd calander a said it would be 6ish it was later determined after our trip to be 10's .....there is no slow time any more just less crazy and more crazy.

So agree!

 

[dpswift]

It is always crowded now... When we whenr crowd calander a said it would be 6ish it was later determined after our trip to be 10's .....there is no slow time any more just less crazy and more crazy.

That is how it was when we went during FD last November. So far there is a goo amount of availability for the August dates.

 

[starry_solo]

Typically, free dining is offered when it's slow at WDW.

Don't forget to get the OK from the social worker and/or court (if you're travelling out of state to WDW)

 

[OhMari]

The only good thing with the week you chose is that most kids start school that week. But you will see the young couples with toddlers and babies and the grandparents.

It will be very not and humid. Stay hydrated, make your family drink water, even if they are not thirsty. I remember being outside at 7:00 a.m. And it was hot/humid. By 11 we were done, went and swam, but came back to the parks by 4:30-5:00.

 

[scrapquitler]

We have 2 foster kiddos and have decided we want to take everyone to WDW before our next court hearing just in case they get sent back to their bio parents so I'm planning a trip in less than 3 months time (for 10 people - yikes!). Due to everyone's work schedules, etc. we decided to go 8-24 to 9-5, we thought since everyone will be back in school it wont be very crowded... but now I'm worried with free dining starting and labor day coming up that it will be pretty crowded. What's your opinions? Should I try and reschedule ?? TIA

Not everyone will be back in school, but most will.

 

[Marionnette]

It is always crowded now... When we whenr crowd calander a said it would be 6ish it was later determined after our trip to be 10's .....there is no slow time any more just less crazy and more crazy.

Actually, attendance is down in the first quarter of 2016. It "feels" crowded because so many people are wandering about while they await their FP+ time, while standby lines are long due to the dearth of open attractions (I'm looking at you Epcot and HS) and increased use of FP+ compared to when FP- was in use. There are also fewer shows to draw crowds away from standby lines.

 

[Marionnette]

We have 2 foster kiddos and have decided we want to take everyone to WDW before our next court hearing just in case they get sent back to their bio parents so I'm planning a trip in less than 3 months time (for 10 people - yikes!). Due to everyone's work schedules, etc. we decided to go 8-24 to 9-5, we thought since everyone will be back in school it wont be very crowded... but now I'm worried with free dining starting and labor day coming up that it will be pretty crowded. What's your opinions? Should I try and reschedule ?? TIA

And now to answer the OP -
Late August/early Sept. are traditionally slow times for Disney (hence the need to offer *free* dining). This year, Disney will start their Halloween Parties on Sept. 2 in an attempt to draw in more guests earlier. Chances are good that you won't see huge crowds at that time because many schools begin prior to Labor Day, but the crowds will get more dense as you get closer to the holiday weekend. I expect that first Halloween Party to be very well attended because it's at the start of a holiday weekend. If you were thinking of doing the MK that day, you might want to either change your plans or hop to another park around 5 PM.

IMO, it's not a bad time to visit. In fact, my sister and I are taking her daughters for a long weekend over the holiday. We just booked two weeks ago and I was able to easily get CSR business class and the ADRs that we wanted (with a bit of stalking). I suppose the real story will be revealed when I try to book FP+ next month. We chose that weekend for a variety of reasons but the driving factor was the fact that we could do it while only using one vacation day.

 

[jodim]

Typically, free dining is offered when it's slow at WDW.

Don't forget to get the OK from the social worker and/or court (if you're travelling out of state to WDW)

First thing we did, thanks for mentioning it though

The only good thing with the week you chose is that most kids start school that week. But you will see the young couples with toddlers and babies and the grandparents.

It will be very not and humid. Stay hydrated, make your family drink water, even if they are not thirsty. I remember being outside at 7:00 a.m. And it was hot/humid. By 11 we were done, went and swam, but came back to the parks by 4:30-5:00.

Thats how it usually is when we go in May... I really probably should be the responsible parent and go in like July when it's a million degrees out but I'm just too fluffy for that and thankfully my kids are in a parochial school and we can pull them out whenever as long as their grades are good and we turn in all their work (which we traditionally do on the drive down so we don't have to worry about it there)

And now to answer the OP -
Late August/early Sept. are traditionally slow times for Disney (hence the need to offer *free* dining). This year, Disney will start their Halloween Parties on Sept. 2 in an attempt to draw in more guests earlier. Chances are good that you won't see huge crowds at that time because many schools begin prior to Labor Day, but the crowds will get more dense as you get closer to the holiday weekend. I expect that first Halloween Party to be very well attended because it's at the start of a holiday weekend. If you were thinking of doing the MK that day, you might want to either change your plans or hop to another park around 5 PM.

IMO, it's not a bad time to visit. In fact, my sister and I are taking her daughters for a long weekend over the holiday. We just booked two weeks ago and I was able to easily get CSR business class and the ADRs that we wanted (with a bit of stalking). I suppose the real story will be revealed when I try to book FP+ next month. We chose that weekend for a variety of reasons but the driving factor was the fact that we could do it while only using one vacation day.

What is CSR business class?

 

[wendow]

We will be there 9/1-9/10. It is pretty much the same time we go every year. We homeschool and always meet lots of homeschoolers on our trip as well as see many families with young children. That time period has gotten A LOT busier than even 4 years ago but it is still some of the lowest crowds of the year. Doesn't mean it is slow at WDW; just less busy than other times.

Enjoy!

 

[CluelessDisFan]

We are going the same week. And our friends are also taking their two foster children. It will be thier first trip, what blessing for the kids to have this vacation.
In past years it's been relatively slow. I'm planning for labor day weekend to be busy. Either way we'll make the best of it.

 

[Marionnette]

What is CSR business class?

CSR Business Class = Coronado Springs Business Level rooms. Located in the Cabanas 9B, they include upgraded linens, a larger room and preferred location plus access to the Cococino Lounge for breakfast and evening snacks.

 

[mommycrawford]

It will be very crowded!...These were bounce back dates before they were free dining dates, so booked up starting last August! Do not reschedule though, as the opportunity for making great memories is here now, and you should!

We will all be sweaty together!...Have a wonderful time!

 

[Marionnette]

It will be very crowded!...These were bounce back dates before they were free dining dates, so booked up starting last August! Do not reschedule though, as the opportunity for making great memories is here now, and you should!

We will all be sweaty together!...Have a wonderful time!

Resorts will be crowded, the parks not so much. Remember, a large number of people visiting the parks are from offsite. *Free* dining means nothing to them other than not being able to get the better ADRs.