Free dining in September 08?

[philmagic]

HI, what is bounce-back. I'm just jumping in here.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

HI, what is bounce-back. I'm just jumping in here.

It was offered in Dec 06 that when guests currently staying on Disney property could book a future trip with the DDP for free, but the trip must be during certain dates, which was late August to late September. It was again offered during Sep 07, with similar return dates, except you could also book the deluxe plan for the cost difference, which is $32 a night, and is what I did.

 

[philmagic]

Hi, And are there really serious crowds during free dining? What can they be compared to? Thanks for any help on this!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Hi, And are there really serious crowds during free dining? What can they be compared to? Thanks for any help on this!

I didn't think the crowds were too bad in the parks, but I went towards the end of it, 9/28, which I believe was one of the last days to check-in with free dining, and I was always at rope-drop, when there are never any lines anyway. World Showcase was kind of crowded, especially on the weekends, but I believe that was due to the Food and Wine Festival, especially since the last weekend we were there was Columbas Day weekend, and free dining was over by then.

From what I could tell no one was taking walk-ups, and there were signs out at MK that all their TS restaurants were full. Le Cellier turned away at least seven different parties who did not have ADRs, but they did check availability for some parties, and I know there were a few restaurants that did have some room, I believe Marrakesh was one of them. Definatly make ADRs in advance though! The restaurants weren't too crowded when we ate, but we always had the earliest possible ADR time, which I made that way to avoid crowds and waits.

 

[philmagic]

Disneyfav4ever, thanks for the the info. DO you mean that the bounce-back is only offered during your current sept free dining? And I guess the restaurants would be crowded due to the free dining, thus advanced adrs. But the crowds are less than in the summer? Thanks again!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Disneyfav4ever, thanks for the the info. DO you mean that the bounce-back is only offered during your current sept free dining? And I guess the restaurants would be crowded due to the free dining, thus advanced adrs. But the crowds are less than in the summer? Thanks again!

I think it's random when they offer the bounce-back promo. I mean I'm sure there's some logistics, but I've just been in Disney during the bounce-back based on pure dumb luck as far as I know.

When I went in Dec, I knew about it before my trip, thanks to the DIS. I had already known that I was going to go to Disney in fall of 07 since I had an AP, but when free dining was offered, and for about the dates I wanted, I knew it was too good a deal to pass up, even with buying an extra ticket.

Then when I went on that trip they were once again offering the bounce-back promo, and I checked-in on the last available day to book for 08. It was seriously me checking-in to Pop, and then calling to book for this year. Except that this time I booked a slighlty longer trip and booked the deluxe DDP, which I got for the discounted price, which is a better deal for me, since I like to do two TS meals a day, and eat at the signature restaurants, etc.

I always make my ADRs 180 days in advance, so I never have trouble getting exactly what I want, but some people just don't plan, which I don't understand, and that's their fault, but the restaurants were definatly crowded.

Though some of the restaurants I eat at, like Le Cellier and CRT, and always hard to get ADRs for, even calling at 180 days.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi, And are there really serious crowds during free dining? What can they be compared to? Thanks for any help on this!

We went the 1st week of free dining this past year and these were our observations -
resorts - booked solid
restaurants - also booked solid, they were turning people away in droves at many places (I had all my ADR's made thanks to the DIS though )
theme parks - surprisingly uncrowded I am guessing there weren't nearly as many off-site visitors as school had recently started in Florida and many other Southern states.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi, And are there really serious crowds during free dining? What can they be compared to? Thanks for any help on this!

[We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

It rained at least a little bit every afternoon we were there. On one day, without any warning, no menacing clouds or noticeable wind change, the sky just opened up and poured. It poured so hard, it was like the sky opened up and dumped a bucket of water on your head. There wasn't even time to put our ponchos on. By the time we drug everyone's ponchos out and put them on the rain stopped. We then left for our Ohana ADR looking like someone had just thrown us in the hotel pool - literally socked to the bone.

We did have awesome food on our trip. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Planet Hollywood, 50's Primetime Cafe, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana (best meal we had), and Crystal Palce. We had ADRs for all and always had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table. Saw them turning away walk-ups at all restaurants. Counter service was not too crowded, but we tried to eat early around 11:30 a.m.

I am a faithful fan of the UG and if it weren't for knowing about their touring plans and knowing how to utilize the Fastpasss system the lines would not have been manageable. There was the occasion that you walked up to something in the late afternoon and there was only a 10 or 15 minute wait, but most of the headliners kept 30 minute or more waits. At MK on our last day Space Mountain had a 75 minute wait at 3:30 p.m! Now, to you Christmas week, Easter week, or July 4th people that probably doesn't sound too bad, but we specifically booked these dates for low crowds, and there were not now crowds.

When we left we had every intention of booking the Free Dining bounceback for next September that they were offering, but after the terrible heat and crowds my husband said he would happily pay the $1300 we saved on this trip and put it towards a slower, cooler time to visit.

We have previously been at the end of January into the first part of February and have also been end of November into first of December and those are the times we will be planning our future WDW vacations.

I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.]

 

[mickey2000]

[We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering.


I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.]

Thats funny ??? Guess everyone sees it differently? I was also there in September...(same week). I agree about the heat however the parks were empty !!! Never more than a 15 minute wait on any ride. It was quite pleasant and I have been to WDW many times. See below.

 

[Creekermom]

We went this past Sept 07 with the FREE DDP and hope to do it again. I didn't want to do the bounce back when we were there, so now I can just hope and wait and my travel agent knows I am 'WAITING" to book it ASAP the minute they make the announcement.

Hoping and praying and learning a thing or two along the way.

 

[caracap]

We went this past Septemeber from the 22nd-27th, and I would go back, actually I am kicking myself for not booking the bounceback that was offered. It was way more crowded than I anticipated on the weekends. The weekdays it was very quiet. I will only book midweek this year. Pop Century was very busy, food court was hectic. We did try to go on off times. Restaurants were packed, but people were getting into the less popular ones. Lines on the weekends for rides were 30-90 minutes waits, Monday-Thursday they were 0-10 minute waits except for the really popular ones. The heat was bearable, I liked it because I knew that I could dress myself & kids in tanks & shorts and they would never need a sweater or pants, and if they got wet, it felt good & dried fast!

 

[beroh2253]

We went this past Septemeber from the 22nd-27th, and I would go back, actually I am kicking myself for not booking the bounceback that was offered. It was way more crowded than I anticipated on the weekends. The weekdays it was very quiet. I will only book midweek this year. Pop Century was very busy, food court was hectic. We did try to go on off times. Restaurants were packed, but people were getting into the less popular ones. Lines on the weekends for rides were 30-90 minutes waits, Monday-Thursday they were 0-10 minute waits except for the really popular ones. The heat was bearable, I liked it because I knew that I could dress myself & kids in tanks & shorts and they would never need a sweater or pants, and if they got wet, it felt good & dried fast!

Were there Sept. 21-30 and agree with every word. But not kicking myself cause we did book. That was a last minute decision while we were there (you could only book while you were checked in) cause it is tought to think what thinks will be like in a year and if you can make it. So I hope they make the offer again in April (for eveeryone else) for free dining in Aug and Sept. cause Disney is more fun with at least some people there.

 

[pta-mom]

We went this past Septemeber from the 22nd-27th, and I would go back, actually I am kicking myself for not booking the bounceback that was offered. It was way more crowded than I anticipated on the weekends. The weekdays it was very quiet. I will only book midweek this year. Pop Century was very busy, food court was hectic. We did try to go on off times. Restaurants were packed, but people were getting into the less popular ones. Lines on the weekends for rides were 30-90 minutes waits, Monday-Thursday they were 0-10 minute waits except for the really popular ones. The heat was bearable, I liked it because I knew that I could dress myself & kids in tanks & shorts and they would never need a sweater or pants, and if they got wet, it felt good & dried fast!

We were there too from Sept 22 to Oct 3 & I am a little miffed because we didn't not see anything advertising the bounce back!! Now, I am paying full price for our next trip in Aug!! Oh well...hopefully something will come up to give me a little off!

 

[bluelandfan]

I Have It On Good Word That The Dining Plan Will Be Offered Again This Year. As Of April 5th You Should Be Able To Call And Schedule For The Last Week Of August And Through September.





Grew Up In Anaheim (dad Was Part Of Re Design Of Fantasyland In 83)

2001 September (honeymoon) All Star Music
2006 July (4th Of July Weekend ---"never Again") Saratoga
2006 September Family Vacation Pop (free Dining Plan)
2007 April Me And Kids (nice Time To Go) Saratoga
2007 August Took Our Aupair For B Day (never Agian Very Crowded) Pop (free Dining Plan)
2007 September Family Vacation (awesome Time) Music (suite Very Nice) And Free Dining Plan
2008 April - Just Scheduled Pop
2008 September (?)

 

[PrincessTiffany]

For the past three years in April, the plan as only be open to Disney Visa holders for the first 5 or 7 days or so. I would think that would be the case again.

Also, how did you get an All-star Music Suite during Free Dining? I was told there were no suites available at any of the resorts that qualified for Free Dining. It was a hot topic on the HUGE free dining thread last April.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Really, Disney VISA holders "only" had a three-day advantage over the hoi-polloi , at least in 2007. They could book starting April 9, while the rest of us had to wait until April 12.

I know for sure the Family Suites - VERY new at the time - were not included in the Free Dining Promotion in 2006, but at some point during the booking period in 2007, Disney included those rooms in the promo.