Free Dining impact on crowds

[DisneyFans4]

Yes, it is very hot in August but the crowds are less. The heat has been so bad here in NJ the last few days that it's not going to feel any different to me when we arrive.

 

[Disfan3]

I hope the crowds were like they were last year

we never used fastpass but once and we waited only 20 min for the Safari

that was the most we waited

the restaurants were CRAZY crowded but the parks really were not bad at all


this time we are going August instead of Sept


I will let everyone know when I get back!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Disfan3-You'll definitely be needing fastpasses in August. Sometimes they even run out depending on what time you get to the park so then the other alternative is to either wait in line or what we would do is just go single rider.

 

[mumeof3]

Yes, it is very hot in August but the crowds are less. The heat has been so bad here in NJ the last few days that it's not going to feel any different to me when we arrive.

We are also in NJ and everyone say's we are crazy for going in August,my come back is it is just as hot here so might as do something fun without missing work or school....(teacher assistant here so I am off during the summers }

hey we are having problems with my Central Air I hope it's nothing serious ackkkkkkkkkk
just a few more days wahooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[ReadingMama]

DisneyFans4 - I see you have been quite a few times in August? I have heard that the last two weeks in Aug. are less crowded than the first two - do you know? How long have the waits been? We are planning on getting there at opening, so I hope that helps...

 

[DisneyFans4]

We always go the first week in August because we go for 2 weeks and I want to be back in enough time to get ready for school for myself and my boys. I also work at the school so I need to get back for any meetings beforehand before school starts. It definitely is hotter but the crowds are less, even though when we're there it still seems crowded to me but I guess it could be worse from what I've been told. I've been told the same thing for years that we're crazy for going in August and I always say the same thing back, the weather is no different here in NJ than it is in Florida so what's the difference. Even though August is hotter and really no comparison to NJ anyway, June and July is rainy season in Florida so we just prefer August even though they get daily thunderstorms anyway, but it's not constant.

 

[ReadingMama]

Are you there now then???

We are going in two weeks - our first time, I can't wait!!! We are planning on a loooong break mid-day for naps/swims, so that should help with the heat. I'm just worried about the lines, my dd has only been to Pt. Pleasant Boardwalk and Land of Make Believe, neither of which have lines...

 

[ReneeA]

I should have specified in my last post that we went the third week of Aug last year...after most of the southern schools were back in session. Crowds were light. This year we are going the last week of August, and hoping for the same light crowds.

I do agree with someone else above me, that the TS restaurants were CRAZY busy though - probably due to free dining and popularity of the DDP.

 

[faindrops27]

Disfan4, the heat has been very unbearable here in NY also. I hear from people on the boards. That when I go in Sept. It will be a scorcher. Well, it has been so hot, and humid here. I think I know exactly what, I will be getting myself into.

 

[ReadingMama]

ReneeA - Glad to hear you thought crowds were light 3rd week of Aug. last year. That is when we are going this year.

I agree with the NJ posters, it is so hot here anyway. At least in WDW I can wear shorts and a tee!

 

[ceecee]

We have gone the last week of September for the past 7 years. Last year with the free dining we definately noticed a big difference in the crowds. The food court at the POP was a nightmare, we couldn't even get something for breakfast because of the lines. I tried to check baggage to their hold area and after waiting 20 minutes gave up and carried them with us instead. We hoped against the free dining because of this.

 

[Kteacher]

We're going the 3rd week in Aug. for the first time this year. We usually go during peak times ( another teacher here ), so we're used to crowds. I don't think we've ever been when it hasn't been crowded !

 

[Cookie Princess]

We will be at WDW from 8/18 - 8/27 and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it won't be overly crowded. We are thrilled about getting the DDP for free as we paid for it last November!

 

[CuteKatCar]

We were there the last week of August last year - empty, empty, empty!!! (Katrina was just touching down in Fla.). We did need a few FPs, esp for Soarin' - but, here's an example:

We went to MK at opening - Rode Splash and BTMRR . While we were walking thru Frontierland - there wasn't anyone in front or behind us. I took pictures - I couldn't believe it!!!

I can't imagine it's going to be as good as it was last year - but here's hoping

Anna

 

[Jobie]

I think the crowds will be a little more heavier than last, because there are more people aware of the free DDP. But, the crowds will still not be as big as the ones during "peak" times (many people are stil afraid of hurricanes.) The eatiers on the other hand are going to be booked!

 

[winterman]

We went the last week of Sept. last year. There were crowds in a few areas but mostly lines were short. We walked right on to Big Thunder, Splash Mt. and Space Mt. Fantasyland was mobbed during the day but we went back in the early evening and lines were not bad. I also walked onto Mission:Space with no wait. We ate breakfast at the POP food court every morning and never had a line. (We were always there first thing in the morning). We are going back the same time this year and hope conditions are the same.

 

[nurseypoo5]

No catch. As previously posted, you needed to book before June 25th, and you had to paid in full a month or so after.

Just to clarify this, I booked my package months and months ago, for Sept 30-Oct 8 and my pay in full date isnt until August 13.