Free Dining Pkg=Busier in Disney??

[DisneycrazedX6]

Yes I am one of the many people that is jumping on the FREE DINING Promo. I am curious just how many of us are there?? Is it enough to now make the parks extremely busy? I originally heard that the last two weeks of August tend to slow down, but what about now? When I booked Aug 13-22nd this week, Pop and Movies were sold out.....that can't be good!

What are your thoughts????

 

[daisax]

We went and did the free dining plan last September. The parks weren't crowded at all, but the restaurants were more crowded than you'd expect given the lower park attendance. With ADRs, it didn't matter much, but if you didn't have one you would be out of luck or have a long wait ahead of you in the nicer sit downs.

That said, while many schools go back to school in August now, the Northeast still generally starts close to labor day, so there may be increased traffic with kids that wouldn't have happened in mid-Sept.

My guess is it won't be significantly larger attendance than usual even with the free dining. Most folks who don't have kids in school in late August will still be getting ready for back to school.

 

[zurgswife]

Went last september didn't notice huge crowds.

 

[AStamm]

We weren't even planning on going this summer since we'll be in Disneyland in June, but couldn't pass up this great deal. I'll be at ASMo from August 13-21...heading back two days before I start my teacher in-service

 

[DisneycrazedX6]

I'll be at ASMo from August 13-21...heading back two days before I start my teacher in-service

Can I ask you when you booked?? We are going the same dates and
ASMo was already sold out.

 

[jann1033]

i think if both pop and movies are sold out free dining is working really well at bringing people in. i do think just from reading these boards( not a real cross section) it seems like many are going just because of free dining or have delayed earlier trips to take advantage of it...i would guess above normal crowds...


but then i doubted they'd do free dining again so what do i know ?

 

[jennyl772003]

When we went last year, our trip overlapped the free dining. We didn't notice any significant increase in crowds. We are going the exact same days this year (free dining the whole time).

I just don't really think it is going to be that bad this year either. Most schools are back in session, so it is just not a good time for most families.

 

[jjsmom]

I think the cat's out of the bag. My Disney crazed friend just booked a late Aug trip for her whole family, just before the kids go back to school (they attend parochial school and don't go back until after labor day). I was inquiring about a possible June trip on various websites and they are all really hyping the free dining in Aug/Sept.