Free Dining Effects On Park Attendance

[NJBILL]

We planned our trip in late August for several reasons. One being price and historical lesser crowds than say June & July.
How will the "free dining" initiative rolled out by Disney affect the traditionally lighter crowds in August? I guess my worst fear is that this becomes very popular and the crowds are very large when we arrive.
Any thoughts of this programs impact?

 

[WDW2000]

I've booked the last week of September, and have noticed that a few restaurants have been booked solid already!! I also was not able to get the "Fantasmic Dinner Package" as it is sold out as well. (No problem with MNSSHP though) I've never had trouble getting ADR's or Fantasmic during the summer so I am wondering the same thing as you, but I can't imagine that there would be that many people there after schools go back in session.

 

[mrFDNY]

We planned our trip in late August for several reasons. One being price and historical lesser crowds than say June & July.
How will the "free dining" initiative rolled out by Disney affect the traditionally lighter crowds in August? I guess my worst fear is that this becomes very popular and the crowds are very large when we arrive.
Any thoughts of this programs impact?

Hi,
Well i can't really comment on aug since i never went in aug,but last oct we were there also during the free dining plan also.This was our 3rd oct there in 3 years,other than some problems with getting some table adr's i would say the crowds were no different than the other 2 oct's i was there.Personally i think people tend to make adr's with the dining plan Feeling that certain populars places might get booked quick than just showing up to them and not making adrs's.last oct many places had no adr's for the entire week and i was terified that wdw would be jam packed,but like i said the crowds were no different than the other 2 oct's in years before,i just think people on the dining plan tend to make adr's than people that don't have any meal plan.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

well, free dining is limited so it can only get so popular right? as far as i know they havent sold out yet, and i had been told they expected them to seel out within 2 or 3 weeks a while ago so theyre not even as popular as they ecxpecte dit to be.

 

[NJBILL]

I just learned that two other familes in our neighborhood decided to go because of the "free dining" option....