How is free dining in September?

[emalone]

Help? Trying to decide if free dining is a good thing. How is September crowd level and how is the weather?

 

[FogliaFamily]

We went mid September this past year. It was hot (90) and humid. Not much rain and the crowds were very manageable. Lots of the rides were walk on and turn around and walk back on again. On Kali River we could just stay on. The restaurants were crowded. We didn't book until May and at that point our dinners were at 8:00 ish. This time we are booking our ADR's as soon as possible since we are already booked. We'll be looking at scheduling them in March for September....

I'm not sure that they will be offering the free dining again this year. It's up in the air from year to year and is usually announced the end of April.

Anne

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We went mid September this past year. It was hot (90) and humid. Not much rain and the crowds were very manageable. Lots of the rides were walk on and turn around and walk back on again. On Kali River we could just stay on. The restaurants were crowded. We didn't book until May and at that point our dinners were at 8:00 ish. This time we are booking our ADR's as soon as possible since we are already booked. We'll be looking at scheduling them in March for September....

I'm not sure that they will be offering the free dining again this year. It's up in the air from year to year and is usually announced the end of April.

Anne

Free Dining is already been offered to people in the UK and it has already been offered as a bounceback to all of the people who were at Disney during Free Dining this year. The dates for bounceback for Sept. 2008 are August 30 - September 27. And this years dates should be announced during the first week of April and it will be open for the first 3 days to Disney Visa holders and then to the general public. That being said . . .

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.

 

[Colleen27]

The crowd levels weren't horrible when we were there for free dining in '05, but they weren't especially light either. We went the last weekend in Spet for a 5 night stay, and ran into more crowds than we expected, particularly at Epcot since it was the first weekend of the F&W festival. Aside from that, the main place I noticed crowds were in the restaurants. We walked on many rides, but waited an hour for counter service lunches!

More than the crowds, what keeps me from returning again at that time of year is the weather. It isn't worth juggling taking the kids out of school and arranging for DH to be off work during his busy season to go in that sort of miserable heat. If we want to spend a week sweltering, we can do it in late August, before the kids go back to school! We had temps in the mid-high 90s with high humidity all week, hotter and stickier than we encountered in August of this year.

But for us, free dining isn't that spectacular a deal compared to other discounts - we went too early in August for free dining this year and saved $75/night with one code, and we're going in January and saving about $80/night with another. Free dining only saves us about $100/night. If you stay at mods or values, free dining is a better deal than you'd ever see with a room code, so it makes more sense to try to take advantage of it.

 

[MissMichelle]

I have been there 2 years in a row for free dining and I will keep taking advantage of the low crowd levels that time of year It WAS hot as other posters mentioned but we just happened to enjoy it. We got to the parks early, did what we needed, went to the resort to swim for 2 hours, showered and went back to the parks in the evening for dinner...Worked PERFECT

 

[beroh2253]

I have been there 2 years in a row for free dining and I will keep taking advantage of the low crowd levels that time of year It WAS hot as other posters mentioned but we just happened to enjoy it. We got to the parks early, did what we needed, went to the resort to swim for 2 hours, showered and went back to the parks in the evening for dinner...Worked PERFECT

Same way we did it, early to the parks, back for a swim then back to the parks for dinner. Signed up again for the last week in Sept. again.

 

[emalone]

Thanks everyone for your input. If we go our children are adult prices, so it would save us about $$1200 to $$1400. That's alot for us and we could also stay at a value and get 2 rooms and only pay about $$2200 for the entire trip. We have 4 days of water park tickets left, so we will only get a 5 day ticket. To me $2200 for 5 adults, 2 rooms, food, and tickets is good for Disney for a 6 or 7 night stay. We just got back Jan 5th 2008 and we had 4 good days and 2 days that it was so cold I almost thought I was going to die. The waits were 90min to 120min long. I think we could take the heat better if the crowds were not so bad. It was so crowded we almost could not walk. We have a guest assistance card for my 11 year old son who has a heart problem and seizures. We still had to wait 30 to 45 min. If it were not for the guest card, he would not be able to do maybe 2 or 3 rides allday. He gets very tired and we have to take our time no matter how hot or cold. I just don't like to take them out of school. We never have, but we are really thinking about just trying free dining just 1 time. Whoever has more input, please let me know. Thanks so much.

 

[pooch]

and going back this Sept. Yes, its hot but lines are short (15min average last year). There are plenty of places to get out of the heat or the rain if necessary & free food is da bomb!!

 

[firsttimer2007]

We went 9/1/07 to 9/8/07

It was HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!

But we had the best time. Little to no wait most of the time. The first weekend was kind of busy but not to bad. After all it was a holiday.

We opened and closed the park almost everyday.

It was GREAT!!

Although, I'm not sure DDP is worth all that much this year. How many of us would really eat that many TS meals if they were not included. And now you have to pay the tip.

I think if we come back this year we will rent a condo or home. Eat a big breakfast and then snack all day at the park with a big dinner when we are done outside of the park.

Anyway the food and wine festival brings in the crowds but they are not to bad then either.

 

[PortieOwner]

It's not the heat, it's the humidity, which is horrible. It is not possible for our family to tour all day in that weather. The idea of going again in Sept. gives me pause, especially if the Sept. deal is "not totally free dining". You also risk hurricanes that time of year.

I'd bring 3 shirts per day, and 2 pairs of underwear and socks per day.

 

[jessrose18]

I was so excited for free dining...now i'm worried. I knew it was going to be hot, but I am now worried it will be unbearable. Last year we went in May and I loved the weather I didn't go in May this year for free dining. Hope I don't regret it!!! Do you guys think free dining is worth it for the weather drawbacks? I also know it rains a little everyday, does it rain all day or just a little shower? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[emalone]

Anytime you can get something free in life is worth it to me. I don't like the heat, but $$1400 worth of free food and low crowds is worth trying for one time. We have always been when the wait times are 60 min to 120 min. Sometimes its so crowded that you can't even walk. This time when we went after christmas a lady with a big stroller ran into me and boy did that hurt. I know things happen like that, but boy oh boy was it packed. We had a hard time walking in the parks the entire time we were there. The thing I worry about most is taking my 3 children out of school. I'm a sub teacher where all 3 kids will be next year and I love and have a good relationship with most of the teachers. They will only miss 4 days with it being labor day week. Twins will be in 6th grade and daughter in 8th grade. Our kids never miss school unless they are really sick. So far this year twins have only missed 1 day and 7th grader has not missed at all. Our school will be starting later this year. Somewhere around August 18th or the 25th. We have been starting back August 4th or 6th. I think I had rather start later, because it is so hot in Atlanta Ga. So see we are use to the heat. So surely by the 2nd or 3rd week of school they won't be too busy yet. Just hoping for free dining.

 

[GC&S]

I was so excited for free dining...now i'm worried. I knew it was going to be hot, but I am now worried it will be unbearable. Last year we went in May and I loved the weather I didn't go in May this year for free dining. Hope I don't regret it!!! Do you guys think free dining is worth it for the weather drawbacks? I also know it rains a little everyday, does it rain all day or just a little shower? Thanks for any suggestions!

We have always went in Sept or Oct. Last year we were there the third week of Sept and it rained almost everyday - somedays just lightly, a couple days, major downpours (with lightening). The year before it didn't rain at all during our trip. The humidity can get bad, but everything is air conditioned (usually to the point of being too cold). When we have went for free dining, we usually go at the end of the free dining period. I think that Sept is getting more crowded but not like the time we went in March. Last year, I don't think we ever waited more than 10-15 minutes for anything. One day, MK was pratically deserted. We walked onto several rides with no waiting.

I think if you prepare for the humidity (take extra clothing to change maybe once during the day) and take breaks (go swimming) you'll be fine. Don't forget to pack some ponchos! We will always go Sept/Oct. Hopefully with free dining as well.

 

[eemmie1]

I went the 14th thru the 22nd of September. The restaurants were crowded but we knew that and planned appropriately. The weather on the other hand was HOT! It was 85 and humid when we left our room at 7:AM. I would go if the weather doesn't bother you. The longest we waited for any ride was 20 min. Most were only 10 minutes. I will go back in November next time to try and get cooler weather with low crowds.

 

[caracap]

We went from 9//22-9/27, and hope to go back this year for FD. It was hot, but IMO, not unbearable. I was traveling with my 1,2 & 3 year old, so I had my hands full, and never felt like the heat was too much. It was also nice to know I could dress them in tanks & shorts and they were set for the day & or night. No sweaters or pants needed. Also, if you got wet, it felt good & you dried quick

It was a lot busier on the weekends, way busier than I ever anticipated. I will not book a weekend again. The weekdays were 0-15 minute waits for all rides except for the popular ones (Soarin, Space etc...)

The restaraunts were busy, but who cares if you have your ADR's!? And, the less popular one were taking walk up's!

 

[jessrose18]

I know they haven't even announced '08 dates yet, but i am trying to get my dates and resorts ready. I know it fills up fast! Has anyone ever had trouble getting into the dates or resort they wanted when trying to book free dining the day it becomes available to the public? Just wondering how many backup itinerarys I should have in place. We want to go the last day possible for 8 nights at pop or music resort.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Free Dining is already been offered to people in the UK and it has already been offered as a bounceback to all of the people who were at Disney during Free Dining this year. The dates for bounceback for Sept. 2008 are August 30 - September 27. And this years dates should be announced during the first week of April and it will be open for the first 3 days to Disney Visa holders and then to the general public. That being said . . .

.

Ok so. we are booked in sept at the POR. I have a disney Visa, but my dad is planning a GG for extended family and it is on his cc. How do you think we should manage that to take advantage of those first 3 days that it is offered to DIsney Visa holders? Thanks!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Ok so. we are booked in sept at the POR. I have a disney Visa, but my dad is planning a GG for extended family and it is on his cc. How do you think we should manage that to take advantage of those first 3 days that it is offered to DIsney Visa holders? Thanks!

Well, the morning that the dates are announced you will need to call Disney and try to apply the Free Dining Code. Last year though, some people had to cancel and rebook their packages because the resort they were originally booked at was already booked up from the previous bounceback or the resort had not opened any blocks for Free Dining. There was a lot of discussion about this on the Free Dining Mega Thread last April. They will NOT automatically apply the code. You will have to call them.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

ok, I know we will have to call, but can I call during the first 3 days and get it applied-having a DV- even though my dad has booked the reservation, and he does not have a DV? Thanks for your help!

 

[jessrose18]

If I remember correctly didn't Disney also offer that you could book the free dining plan from their official website the day the offer went live? Did anyone try this or did everybody call in?