How busy is Disney w/free dining

[goofy613]

Hi everyone,

I have been to Disney before in September and are heading there on 9/21 for 8 days. The last time we were there at this time was in 2004. With the offering of free dining, are the parks really busy? When there in 2004, it was great, no lines, not many people. I don't know what to expect this time around.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Yes it should be very busy.

 

[goofy613]

Don't they only allow so many rooms per resort for free dining? How busy is it really? Has anyone been there during free dining?

 

[lyzziesmom]

I went during free dining for the last two years and it was not very busy at all. The restaurants are crowded, but the parks themslves are not. The lines are very short. We've gone Labor Day weekend and the week following, and right after Labor Day it gets so empty it's almost a little creepy.

 

[Jrabbit910]

I thought that the special for free dining was up until Sept 20th....
Anywho... We were there last year for free dining and we didnt find it bad at all... This year however w/ the YOaMD I have heard the parks are more crowded but if its anything like it was last year its not bad at all! I think you should be fine... but no matter what book your adrs... its always better to be safe then sorry!

 

[mickeymousemom]

We were there for free dining two years ago, and, though the restaurants were packed(walk up was darn near impossible), the parks themselves were not bad.

 

[Cinderaven]

We went last year for free DDP the first week. As noted the resturants are busy. They were not taking walk-ins at many of the places.

MK was pretty busy everyday, and the others were kinda busy. Counter service is busy at normal meal times, off times it is fairly slow.

 

[Disney_Mama]

Well be there Sept 21- 28. No dining plan for us. That's just way too much food for us. Going for our 15th anniversary with no kids. Made adr for dinner about 1/2 the time we are there. Because no kids there is no rush to eat. Have a great trip.

 

[hobbester]

I went during free dining for the last two years and it was not very busy at all. The restaurants are crowded, but the parks themslves are not. The lines are very short. We've gone Labor Day weekend and the week following, and right after Labor Day it gets so empty it's almost a little creepy.

I hope the same happens this year. Looks like we will both be down there at the same time. This will be the first time we have been in September and the free dining was a great bonus. Have a great trip!

 

[Mousema]

We were down there last year, the last week of September. The restaurants were busy but the parks were fine. The longest wait was 10 minutes for Soarin.

 

[guelde96]

We will be there the same time. Hoping for low crowds and good weather.

 

[goofy613]

Sounds great! Thanks everyone! See you in a few weeks...

 

[Tink3Belle]

Hope its slow in the parks like last year during free dining. It worked out great with three small children. See you in 2 weeks and one day.

 

[Dani Dani Dani]

Don't they only allow so many rooms per resort for free dining? How busy is it really? Has anyone been there during free dining?

When we were first looking into another trip to Disney- we wanted to book at Pop Century and get the free dining promotion. HOWEVER- when we went to book w/free dining- there were no rooms left at POP. We did a mock reservation request (at POP) without the free dining plan and sure enough- there were rooms available. When I called Disney to ask why- they told me that there is a set number of "free dining" packages per hotel. Once they're filled- there are no more even though rooms themselves are available.