How will crowds be affected by Free Dining?

[Melissa Lubbe]

We have a trip planned for the final two weeks of august. Some days with free dining and some days without.

My question is, how will crowds be affected by free dining?

Should we expect unusually higher crowds at the start of Free Dining Aug25th?
Will the free dining increase the amount of people attending parks just prior to free dining?

 

[Disney-Chick]

I don't usually go in the summer but here is a site that can help you out
http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/august-disney-world-crowds.html

With or without FD it sounds as though it could slow. Most schools are back. I am from Canada and our schools do not go back until after the long weekend in Sept. but I hear some schools start back in the States in August

I think you should worry more about the weather than the crowds.

Have a great trip.

 

[adhelove]

We have done the free dining many times but in September or October. August should be better than the other months. Just make sure if you are using sit down services that you make your ressie's now. You will see a little more of the people who may not normally do Disney but will if they eat free. Crowds are still not terrible though. August is also hotter so plan for that and be ready to call it a day around 11am and then go rest or swim and return back in late afternoon when it cools off. You will be rested and in a better mood. Kids will for sure need the rest. We love the counter services better because we did not have to arrange our travel around our ressies. The year we did sit downs was a pain because we would be in line for a ride and have to get out to go eat. Most of the time we were not even hungry. Just a thought but enjoy it being free!! Wish they would do it for June!!!

 

[DoleWhipMom]

We are lucky and our kids don't go back to school until the Thursday after Labor Day so we've gone during August free dining a bunch of times. The crowds aren't bad - much better than going in July, just make sure you make your ressies now as someone else suggested. We avoid going to any park that has extra park hours that day and go the day before or after instead. This has worked out well for us.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

The last 10 years we've gone the end of August and it has been good. Although I did notice it getting more crowded each year.

Now that my kids are older I'm trying to avoid the summer and September because it's so darn hot.

 

[PlasticRedTopHat]

Over at **************.net, they say its low to moderate.
See here--->>http://**************.net/2011/06/29/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-3/

 

[Glennie5]

We went last year at that time for FD and are going again this summer at the same time for FD. I did not find it too busy. It was not as busy as it was when we went in May that is for sure. It is pretty hot but hey you are at Disney, I will take that heat anytime as long as I am at Disney.