Does ADR availability reflect crowd levels?

[teeeera]

During my upcoming trip, I noticed the availability for ADRs on Saturday 8/26 is wide open in MK. Like several times available for Cinderella's Royal Table for a family of 5 wide open.

Could this be because more locals go on Saturdays and they are less likely to book ADRs or could this mean lower crowds that day?

We go to Disney a lot and I have never braved MK on a Saturday, but this is intriguing me...

 

[disney-inspired]

Late August is approaching the true low season - of course not empty but drastically less (at least in my experience) as kids are returning back to school, it's hot and of course hurricane season.

Touring Plans is projecting overall level 4 and 5 crowds - so hopefully it will be nice for you.

 

[Marthasor]

Last week of August, typically, has very low crowds. We used to go the last week of August every year (for about 10 years until covid hit). I'll never forget one year entering Epcot at IG and, literally, being only one of two families walking around the UK/Canada area of World Showcase. As PP noted, many kids are back to school by then and it's super hot, so there just aren't as many people there in general.

 

[teeeera]

I might plan to go to MK that Saturday for science The week leading up to it doesn't have nearly as much availability as the Saturday, which seemed so different than what I'm used to seeing. Maybe, like you both said, it's just because the crowds are trending down as it gets later into August.

 

[Minniesgal]

Late August can be quite quiet in as far as it ever gets quiet

 

[unrequited23]

Tom from Disney Tourist Blog posted a while back about weekends being a bit lighter at MK.
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/best-worst-days-week-visit-every-park-disney-world/

 

[Dakota731]

I love WDW the end of Aug. low crowds yet still late hours in the parks. Plus not as hot as June or July in my experiences

 

[conandrob240]

Yea, I think so

 

[conandrob240]

I love WDW the end of Aug. low crowds yet still late hours in the parks. Plus not as hot as June or July in my experiences

Yes but heavy rain every afternoon and high likelihood of storms (even if not formed hurricanes)

 

[scottiesumms]

Interesting!

I was looking at potential ADRs and only ever see 'Ohana at 3:30 or 9:50, but I'm sure it must be different for in-park vs resort dining

 

[Her Dotness]

Interesting!

I was looking at potential ADRs and only ever see 'Ohana at 3:30 or 9:50, but I'm sure it must be different for in-park vs resort dining

Not necessarily.

Depends how popular the specific restaurant is, for one thing.

Also upon how glitchy Disney tech happened to be when you checked. That's especially likely when those two times show repeatedly over the span of the day. Try again a few minutes later, might be plenty available.

 

[conandrob240]

Interesting!

I was looking at potential ADRs and only ever see 'Ohana at 3:30 or 9:50, but I'm sure it must be different for in-park vs resort dining

Even on a super empty week that’ll be typical fir Ohana. A day or two before or same day, more will open up

 

[rosiebean]

Yes but heavy rain every afternoon and high likelihood of storms (even if not formed hurricanes)

I’ve been twice recently over Labor Day, once for five days, the other for eight. We didn’t have rain every day…actually only had showers three times during park hours over the course of both trips, and it was fairly brief (there were a few overnight storms, one very heavy). It was hot as heck but crowds were great, and last year Labor Day in MK was amazing, I’ve never seen crowds so low.

I’d rather low crowds with heat/occasional rain than great weather and huge crowds. I’ve done both! Of course, great weather/low crowds is optimal (I’ve experienced that too) but with my kids’s schedules, those times of the year aren’t as doable for us.

 

[conandrob240]

I’ve been twice recently over Labor Day, once for five days, the other for eight. We didn’t have rain every day…actually only had showers three times during park hours over the course of both trips, and it was fairly brief (there were a few overnight storms, one very heavy). It was hot as heck but crowds were great, and last year Labor Day in MK was amazing, I’ve never seen crowds so low.

I’d rather low crowds with heat/occasional rain than great weather and huge crowds. I’ve done both! Of course, great weather/low crowds is optimal (I’ve experienced that too) but with my kids’s schedules, those times of the year aren’t as doable for us.

I live in FL. I’d say you got weirdly lucky if it only rained 3 days out of 8. That’s not typical. I agree with preferring lower crowds but just sharing the downside

 

[disney-inspired]

I live in FL. I’d say you got weirdly lucky if it only rained 3 days out of 8. That’s not typical. I agree with preferring lower crowds but just sharing the downside

When I went last September, we only toured USO/IOA and we were so lucky. It only rained on us like once or twice but the other times, we had just made it to the hotel before the evening rain storms. We were there for 5 days.