If free dining comes out and starts 08/05, how miserable is WDW at that time?

[perd]

Weather wise and crowd wise, I mean. Right now we have a 40% off code for Sept 10 to 15, but kids can't go them (college/high school). But if free dining came out and went from 08/05 on, the kids COULD go then and I've already run the numbers; we're better off with free dining than with 40% off.

I know Sept 10-15 is probably a much better experience, but all things considered how bad it is in August?

Also, if I booked Sept 10-15 with a 40% off code, there's no changing those dates now without losing the code, is there? For instance, I couldn't move it to the end of September instead if DH and I wanted to go then without the kids?

 

[mking624]

I've been to WDW during the first week of August and it's HOT HOT HOT, and crowds are still pretty high as it's still the regular season.

To be quite honest, it seems unlikely that it would extended that early. Free dining has been offered the last two years during the fall value season, not during regular season. Of course, you never know...but so many sites have been reporting that it's likely the start date would be August 26th...so having it start earlier by 21 days seems unlikely a chance. But again, you never know. I just wouldn't hold my breath for it.

Weather in September is about the same, but crowds are MUCH better. We had at most a 5 minute wait time for only a couple of rides...most everything was walk on. We have a pic of us with the castle behind us and there was only one or two other people in the shot. That was on a Saturday in September (our departure day). Compare that to a summer trip we've taken....and there were crowds behind us.

Also, if I booked Sept 10-15 with a 40% off code, there's no changing those dates now without losing the code, is there? For instance, I couldn't move it to the end of September instead if DH and I wanted to go then without the kids?

Well I believe that when you're completely changing the dates (and not just adding on a day or something), you're looking at an entirely new reservation. And I believe the opportunity to book with the 40% offer is over (unless there's another offer out there that has a longer booking period). That said, even if the offer was still in the booking timeframe, that doesn't mean any rooms would be available. Only a certain number of rooms are allotted at each resort for any discount/promotion. And once those fill up, you can no longer use the discount during those dates.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

I just checked Moussavers website and it says value season starts August 5th at the value and mods like the OP asked about?????

 

[mking624]

I just checked Moussavers website and it says value season starts August 5th at the value and mods like the OP asked about?????

Ah I stand corrected. Seems rather early this year considering crowds are still pretty high at that point and considering that last year it wasn't until around the end of August. Even so, seems unlikely it would jump earlier by 3 weeks if all these "sources" are reported an 8/26 start date. But you just never know.

 

[perd]

Yes, value season does start 08/05. But after hearing that it's really hot, and looking at the attendance record http://pscalculator.net/pswebtools.shtml#t999 I have decided I'll stay with my original reservations and be happy with it!

 

[Mermaid2sea]

We're looking from the 8/9 onwards.....going by what I've been reading it maybe later in the month.......however the value season and the special weeks are for these dates......

We'll just have to wait.....4/12 is a weekday is that usual for promotions..???

 

[nbodyhome]

It is not unusual for a promotion to start on a weekday (and it's certainly better for TA's!)

August is hot, September is hot. I prefer late September for the parks - but I don't think that mid August to late September will be terrible crowdwise. Busier maybe than the last two years, but better than other times of the year.

 

[Vickie46]

it seems when they do offer free dining all the eating places are packed out!

 

[darkcyber]

We've been several times in July and August and it is very, very miserable HOT and Sticky. The crowds are horrible as well, thus the reason we do not go during those times any more. Getting older and can't cut that heat or the crowds. We go during the spring now. If you go say around mid August or later, at least the crowds should be a little smaller...most schools start back in the first couple of weeks of August and that should help some on the crowds.

 

[WendyisDarling]

Last year our stay was in August and split between reg. time and free dining. Free dining started Aug. 13 LY (I remember because it is my birthday). I, too, have read it will start later this year, but that is beside the point.

August is very hot. Although, my family can tolerate it because so many attractions provide air conditioning. When the heat was getting to us, we would go to one of those or a gift shop. We were also careful to drink a lot of water. Wait times prior to free dining period were very reasonable for both CS and TS. We were seated very near to our ADR time if not immediately.
When free dining started -- oh my, what a change. Lines were long for attractions. Fast Passes would run out for popular attractions early in the day. Some people were even buying Fast Passes from other guests who had received them earlier! CS was OK, but sometimes hard to find a table. TS was a nightmare. If you didn't have your ADR's or wanted to change, you were out of luck. CM's called me twice prior to our trip to be sure we had our ADR's lined up. (Of course, following Dis advice, we were pretty much fine ). But the wait, wow. TS was packed and a couple times we waited over an hour to be seated (Coral Reef and Sci Fi). Not fun with hungry kids. People who wanted to just dine without ADR's were furious because nothing was available. Others were making spectacles of themselves because of the wait. Disney was offering a trade for 1 TS credit for two CS or something else (maybe a lanyard). We had TS credits left that "needed" to be used. There were only two or three TS's that had availabilty for LUNCH no dinners anywhere.

I don't know if there was a change after free dining was out of the starting phase. I expect it may have gotten better as kids were going back to school. Maybe waiting until Aug. 26 will help the program.

My experience, Free Dining=a nice price break, but also = long wait times and more time in the sun. Everyone will have a different priority.

 

[alisonarod]

what is this 40% off code you speak of? Does it exist for august as well? where did you get such a code and would you mind sharing it? my hubby and i have looked everywhere for codes but none to speak of in august. thanks so much

 

[NYMomof4]

The earlier Bounceback offer for Free Dining starts on August 5th, so I don't know how many people already have that booked. There will be some free diners at that time though.

 

[alisonarod]

what do you mean?