How does free dining impact park attendance in August

[kathyg]

From past trips, August used to be a relatively slow time at Disney, which is why we always went at this time. Now, with free dining thrown into the mix, how do you think this would impact the crowds. For those of you who went last year during this period, what did you think? Was it crowded, harder to get ADR's, longer lines for rides?

Thanks, Kathy

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

bump: i want to know too

 

[disneynan]

We were there during the last week of August with the free dining. We had never been in August before, but did not find it too busy. Longest wait was 1/2 hour for Soarin' during the middle of the day.

HOWEVER, we did find the TS restaurants busier than previous trips. We did not have any issues with service, but found it difficult to get into TS restaurants without PS.

On the bright side, we had a great time eating at TS restaurants we had never tried before - for free!! We also found the servers to be as attentive and friendly as usual; and they were very helpful with our ordering and using the free dining.

Enjoy your trip! We'll be there in Sept this year.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I went last year in late August. Throughout the parks, crowd levels weren't noticeably any higher. That is, until you got to the resturaunts. They were pretty busy. In MK one day, I noticed a sign outside City Hall that there were no TS openings at any TS resturaunts. I had ADR at Sci-Fi (which I'd made about 5 weeks ahead, so getting ADRs wasn't a problem), and when I went to try to get into the resturaunt, I had to fight my way through the throngs of people standing outside. But I only planned this trip about 6 weeks in advance, and when I made ADRs, I didn't have any trouble with times. So I'd say that as long as you make ADRs in advance (and it's not necessary to be too far in advance for most places), you'll be OK. Hot but OK!

 

[Disney_Freak56]

when I went to try to get into the resturaunt, I had to fight my way through the throngs of people standing outside.

We had this same problem last year at 'Ohana. Long line to check-in that included guests without an ADR. I wish there were two separate lines -- those with an ADR and another for those without. And unfortunately for those with an ADR, they were turned away.

 

[zurgswife]

did it at the Beginning of Sept last year and it wasn't very crowded at all...even the restuarants didn't seem too bad.

 

[bctripp]

I am wondering about the first of August, and am wondering about the crowds. I'm expecting the worse. We'll be there July 30 - August 6. The weather (the heat) probably won't be much of an issue, being that I lived in Georgia, near Savannah up until last year. I'm hoping for the best, but I know the crowds will be horrible. We used to go in the summer all the time when I was growing up, but when I got married we started going in September.

 

[tink1978]

What is this free dining?????!!!! I have never heard of it...is it available only in August?

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Magic Your Way Dining is free for trips booked between Aug 13 & Sept 30 for folks booking packages at Disney resorts.

We're booked for the CBR. Can't wait!