Is Disney EMPTY end of August?

[SammieG]

We made our PS reservations today.

We are NON planners... we like to see how we feel on the day and then decide where to go, so usually we make our PS's as we go along.

However because of the Dining being included within the packages at the time we are there, I was anxious to book some meals out.

We booked about 10 meals.. and every single one of them, we got the time we wanted. In fact they quoted us, every time for about an hour around each time slot.. so we knew it was pretty empty!

Is it always like this when you book 3 weeks in advance? Or is it just empty??

We have been this time of year before, and its quietish.. but not empty by any means!!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Disney is never empty.

I am also going the end of August. While it may not be as bad as its been these past two months. I am sure it will still be crowded.

 

[joe1946]

We're going the end of August too. Because the public schools in the South all start up again around mid-August, the end of August is much less crowded than July/early August.

-- Joe

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

::::::::hanging head in shame::::::::::::::: I feel like the queen of changing AR's and we have had NO problem at all changing our ressies the week Aug 25-30, we even got CRT for breakfast on Aug 26 less than 90 days out. I am hoping this means it wont be too crowded, only time, 25 days for us, will tell

 

[SammieG]

yes we got Chef Mickeys, CRT, and the pirates cruise (albatross!) without even trying...
incredible..
as I said, we have been many times before, and at this time too.. but never have we managed to get PS's so easily.

Obviously "empty" was just an expression.. I know Disney is never empty!

 

[dvcgirl]

The day week after Labor day is as slow as Disney ever seems to get. Well then, and maybe the second week in January....right after the marathon. Last year the entire month of August was fairly busy due to packages offered. I'd expect this year to be busier than normal as well. However, it will be *much* better than it is right now. Now through August 15th is just insanity. I hope it slows down for you....for us too. We live down here and right now we won't venture into the parks. Way too busy and much too hot.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I forgot to add. I am also going Aug.25-Sept.1 And was able to get all the PS's I wanted to. Even CRT for breakfast. I have never been able to get that...even when calling 90 days in advance at 7am.

 

[grinningghost]

We went at the end of August in 2003, and it was still quite crowded - we usually go in the middle of summer and didn't see much difference in the crowds - although part of the reason for that might have been that the parks closed early in late August, so everyone was cramming all their park time into the daylight hours.

 

[pjtjm]

Is it always like this when you book 3 weeks in advance? Or is it just empty??

Oh boy, I hope so!!! I got nervous when the free dining came out, but it I agree with the ease of getting these ressies that I thought would be impossible. I got CRT, PSB, Chef Mickey, and others with no problem. Then tonight, (27 days to go!!) I decided to change my PSB to PB Lunch, and I was given a choice of several times for lunch....


Hoping this is a good omen!!

Enjoy your trips!!

 

[bethbuchall]

How much better are the last two weeks in August? I am trying to plan a trip for summer 2006, but I found out that ds will need to be back for cross country practice around August 15th. Should I try to talk to the coach about missing practice (I don't know if that is even possible)? Is there a "next best" time to go during the summer (we don't get out of school until late, late June).

 

[Danthesand]

How much better are the last two weeks in August?

Normally, the first real shrinkage in crowds appears during the third week in August (by then,the openings of Southern school systems really start to affect things). Crowds start declining on 8/15, falling well below June and July levels until they hit bottom right before the Labor day weekend. During that holiday period they briefly rise agin, before falling even lower in early September.

However, the free dining offer that starts this year on 8/21 is throwing a curve ball into that pattern. Crowds will start to delcine again on 8/15, but the betting money is they will jump up again the weekend of 8/20 as people who "spontaneously" booked the free dining arrive (it starts that Sunday). WDW will be unusually busy the following week and through Labor day.

 

[disneymom225]

I feel like it will be less busy than usual too! We got lunch at CRT just few days ago--about 30 days out and had some choices of times. I've also been changing things around to accomadate FIL in Tampa and have had no problems. FIngers crossed-this is 1st trip w/ DD and I want to be able to do a lot w/out too crazy crowds!

 

[lovethattink]

Should be ok crowd-wise until you get closer to the Labor day weekend.

 

[SammieG]

we arrive on 20th until 3rd.. those are exactly the dates that we are finding getting dining for easy...

 

[swilphil]

Not to be a pessimist, but is it possible that they have changed the number of AR's that they accept? I thought for sure with the free dining, that AR's would be hard to get. Or are they people using free dining that are not making AR's?

 

[pixiedust23]

Had no problem getting my ADRs about 30 days in advance for Aug 27-30.

 

[QT Pooh]

I think you may have great luck the last week of August considering much of the country will be back to school prior to labor day. In NH, we are starting August 30. In MA, some schools are starting even earlier than that.

That will have a huge effect on the crowds in the last week.

 

[goofy4tink]

We traveled to WDW the third week in August (8/13 or so) for the past several years now. In '03, they added the now famour FairyTale package where you paid for 4 days and they gave you an addtl 3 days free. So, that boosted the numbers in late August. Then last year we arrived the same day Hurricane Charlie did...fine for about 3 days, then the locals, who were now out of school due to the hurricane, headed off to the parks. So, two years in a row we had expected lesser crowds and got big ones!!! I think the same thing is going to happen this year with the free dining program. But, the crowds are still lighter than mid-June and July!!!

 

[novastar]

The fact that they extended the booking window for free dinning shows that they are not full and will not be pact.

 

[Danthesand]

The fact that they extended the booking window for free dinning shows that they are not full and will not be pact.

??? The free dining offer booking window was never extended. It ran during June only.