Free Dining Plan..Effect On Crowds ?

[wee-haggis]

Just wanted other opinions as to whether the free dining plan will increase the crowd levels at parks.
Or
Were most of you Dis'ers already going at that time of year anyway?

 

[bluejasmine]

This was a extra splurge trip for me and my family. I got an email from disney right before they made it public for everyone and I am really wondering about the crowd levels too but again, I believe they only offered so many of those packages..

 

[wee-haggis]

This was a extra splurge trip for me and my family. I got an email from disney right before they made it public for everyone and I am really wondering about the crowd levels too but again, I believe they only offered so many of those packages..

I heard the same thing.
Does anyone know the number of packages offered (ie:is it limited to 10% of the restaurant capacity or something?).
Apprently there have been several folk who have phoned to book ressies ,find out that their choice is not available,then call back as a paying guest and easily make the ressie.

 

[thelionqueen]

Hi all, as with all things Disney and mysterious, no one will tell you how many packages are available for the Dining promotion. The CM told me they don't even know, maybe they don't.

In any event, the hotels will not be at capacity, I am almost certain. I have called for ressie's for AP discount and rack rate, and there is plenty of availability for rooms without MYW+Dining option.

I believe it will be similar to crowds in May (not too crowded). I do not think they will be anywhere near the summer crowds, but I guess we will see.

We are only going because of this promotion, and I am sure there are plenty like us out there. In any event, we are all gonna have some fun!!!

 

[NY Disney fan]

Were most of you Dis'ers already going at that time of year anyway?

This thread might answer your question:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=881227

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We book before the free dining promotion. I believe there are alot of us out there.

 

[fiveacesmmb]

I honestly don't think the dining plan will have a big effect at all. I know several people that are going in September, and didn't even know what free dining was. And I told them, and one guy (who's a complete know-it-all) doesn't even believe me!!! He is booked the last week in Sept., as am I, and I told him to call Disney and add the dining plan, and he said ......we won't want that...we don't eat in the restaurants...it's too expensive!!! I wanted to clock him!!!! But I figured it's his problem. Anyway though.....I don't think more people are booking for the dining plan, because people don't know about it. Even the add in the paper is just vague enough. It doesn't scream FREE DINING!!!!! JMHO

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I honestly don't think the dining plan will have a big effect at all. I know several people that are going in September, and didn't even know what free dining was. And I told them, and one guy (who's a complete know-it-all) doesn't even believe me!!! He is booked the last week in Sept., as am I, and I told him to call Disney and add the dining plan, and he said ......we won't want that...we don't eat in the restaurants...it's too expensive!!! I wanted to clock him!!!! But I figured it's his problem. Anyway though.....I don't think more people are booking for the dining plan, because people don't know about it. Even the add in the paper is just vague enough. It doesn't scream FREE DINING!!!!! JMHO

Also, I believe that when you price out the trip on the website, it does not include the free dining.

 

[Leota]

I'm hoping it won't impact the crowds too much.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Disneyfamilyoffour is right - if you price the package online, the free dining doesn't show up. If you price with the dining, you get charged for it.

We were already planning to go. I don't think they would have brought the package back, with an expiration date of 8/20 this time, if they were filling the rooms without it.

And then there is the prediction of even more hurricanes than last year...that will keep many away.

 

[princess mom of 4]

I had already booked our package (paying for dining plan) when I heard about the extension of free dining promotion, so called back and had reserv. modified. We have proclaimed October the best month to go!

 

[PattnFmly]

Plus, if I read another post correctly and Spectro is only showing twice that week, they cannot be expecting huge crowds.

 

[MNmom]

I think I read somewhere that Disney just changed some of their hours to close earlier and removed one Spectro and a second showing of Fantasmic for the Aug. 21-28th week. This is a good sign. It means they are expecting lower crowds than originally anticipated. This is the first week of the free dining plan. We are going the following week and so-far no changes in my itinerary

 

[aubriee]

I had aleady booked for Sept 17th-24th using the Annual pass code. When free dining came out I just cancelled my room only ressie and rebooked with free dining. I don't think the parks will be more crowded, but I do think the restaraunts will be MUCH more crowded, due to people who usually eat CS doing more sit downs.

 

[dzneprincess]

they extended free dining? I decided to do an OCT trip...can I book on line for the free dining or do I need to call?

 

[pershing]

they extended free dining? I decided to do an OCT trip...can I book on line for the free dining or do I need to call?

You need to call. Go to the news part of www.wdwinfo.com and the info's there. You have until 8/20 to book.

Sometimes I think maybe it's only us disers who will be there and we won't know it because we don't know what each other looks like.

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

You need to call. Go to the news part of www.wdwinfo.com and the info's there. You have until 8/20 to book.

Sometimes I think maybe it's only us disers who will be there and we won't know it because we don't know what each other looks like.

the only reason i found out was b/c a very nice someone from here on the baords (forgot who tho so i can thank them properly) informed me...I jumped on the offer like white on rice!!

 

[deacondarlin]

It might be a good thing they extended the booking....must not have been as successful as they thought....then again, it give more people the chance to get in...

DH and I are going 9/16-9/24. We had originally booked 12/3-12/11, but just couldn't pass up the free dining...

 

[zak'smom]

Just rebooked all our ADR's for the week of Aug. 20 -25 due to change in plans. Had no trouble getting everything we wanted and better times than the original I booked 6 weeks ago. I also added a night, no problem as well. I am hoping this means less crowds.