Free dining impact on crowds?

[tink2020]

Ok, ok. I know there were threads like this the last 2 years. I am not even going to attempt to find them until they actually revert back to the old search. Plus, now we can add last years info. I must admit I didn't pay much attention to the responses because they didn't affect me in previous years.

This year however, we have plans for an early September vacation. It is a moderately short trip, because the crowds are so low in September. Does this hold true, or will a mass of people descend upon WDW during that time frame?

We're using DVC points and have no interest in booking a resort to get free dining, but will be paying for it out of pocket. Is this experience (one which we are trying to share joyfully with my mother and sister) going to be full of extra people, extra difficulty getting ADRs, etc? I was going to book my ADRs in a few weeks when our dates get nailed down after DH finds out about vacation.

 

[deltachi8]

the thread is on page one, no search needed.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1408002

 

[twinspluscade]

I can only comment on our trip last year during free dining, which was September 10-14.

Parks were EMPTY. Longest we waited was 20 minutes to meet Ariel at her grotto mid-morning. Ride lines were extremely short--most 5 minutes or under. At noon on a Wednesday both Splash and BMRR had wait times posted at 5 minutes. Many rides had "0" posted for wait times (seriously).

I've heard some people say table service restaurants were crowded, I didn't think they were really but maybe we just ate at the unpopular ones . We did eat quite early most nights--around 5--so maybe they are just slower than anyway.

No one can predict what crowds will be like this year. It is a bit different since the free dining dates have been shortened for the general public. Remember though that bounce back and UK visitors WERE allowed to book free dining during August through October 3rd. My guess is Disney did so well with those bookings that there now is no need to open those time frames to the general public.

Kelly

 

[justplaingoofy]

Been there the last 3 Septembers and just about everything is walk on "no line" until about 11am... I think the slowest time of the year to go

 

[MyZoeJane]

Yup! I went last September and the crowds were minimal! Use a good touring plan and everything should be walk on.... we barely used Fastpass last September!

The free dining really only has a negative impact on the restaurants. You MUST make your ADR's as early as possible and expect to wait a bit of extra time to be seated and served. Honestly, it will noit be a big deal as long as you make your ADR's!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Free dining started August 13 - we arrived on the 15th. The first week the parks were crowded and all the table service restaurants were booked. They started offering a deal that you could trade a Table service credit for 2 counter services during that week. By the following Monday - August 21, we noticed the crowd thinning out.

 

[tink2020]

Thank you for your helpful input! I think I'm going to go ahead and make ADRs in hopes that we get our correct week (that's what we did with a resort reservation anyway). I was just a bit nervous about the crowds. We were there Marathon week and when we weren't running or resting the crowds were NUTS (park capacity a few days). We can handle that, because DH and I go frequently. I just want to make sure we're doing the best thing we can for my mom and sis!