Is it really crowded during free dining??

[kritter]

I have been in Sept. before and the crowds are nothing...But wondering if it is going to be busy this year?? Anyone been during free dining.????

 

[steelfish535]

They had free dining last year. We were there at the end of free dining and the begining of F&W festival. I thought the crowds were minimal. Hence why we're going this September!

 

[kritter]

They had free dining last year. We were there at the end of free dining and the begining of F&W festival. I thought the crowds were minimal. Hence why we're going this September!

When does Food and Wine start this year??

 

[followme2disney]

I was there two years ago during September and didn't even realize free dining was going on. I think the restaurants will be crowded at dinner time, but seems like they always are now anyway. I am not anticipating the parks to be overly crowded. Afterall free, dining only fills WDW resorts not all of the numerous surrounding off property resorts.

 

[Poohbug]

I was at WDW during free dining in Oct 05. I did not even think of calling ahead to make ADR's since I have never had a problem getting in before. When we got there all restaurants were full. Had to use conciege to get ADR's where ever we could just so we could use our meals. Restaurants were packed---parks were empty. Still a great time to go but plan ahead if you want to eat at a certain restaurant.



Deanna

 

[Bob P]

Parks are empty, restaurants are booked. So make sure your ADRs are booked.

 

[jstouder]

We went last year for the free dining and the parks were a breeze. Didn't need a fast pass for any ride.

The restaurants were packed. So I would definitely make those ADR's now. Don't wait!

 

[kritter]

Really hoping the parks are the same way they have been when I have been before in September.......!!!!!

 

[mrzrich]

Was there last year during NOJ weekend (Sept 8, 9, 10?)...only had to FP Soarin and TT the entire weekend...everything else, Mountains included were walk on. Restaurants on the other hand were by ADR only.

 

[kstinw19]

Like everyone said, the parks are empty but the restaurants are booked. Make sure you have all your ADR's before you get there b/c you can't make any last minute changes, as we found out.

Have fun!

 

[Bev J]

We were there last year at the end of September and we though the parks were pretty busy, Resturants were very busy but we were able to change a couple ADR's once we got down there with out any problem.

Bev

 

[ceecee]

We have gone the last 8 years the last week of September and the last few years with the free dining (especially 06) were a lot more crowded. Most restaurants were turning people away without ADRs, even with ADRs we waited over 30 minutes for a table on two occasions. MNSSHP was packed last year and we have decided to skip it this year. We waited more for rides than ever before as well. The food court at Breakfast was a nightmare, so we are planning either early for breakfast or skip it.

 

[kritter]

WE have been in sept and oct. and it was ok...

Not liking what I am hearing that it is really busy..UGH!!!!!!!

 

[thinktink99]

We were there last year Aug 26-Sept 2 during free dining. I found that it was not crowded at all. There were little to no waits on most rides. The most we may have waited was 30 minutes for Soarin' and Test Track. Expedition Everest was busy but fast pass helped. We were in the Haunted Mansion alone one one occasion - seriously just the three of us and the butler! Restaurants were busy during supper time so I would recommend ADR!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We were there last year at the end of September and we though the parks were pretty busy, Resturants were very busy but we were able to change a couple ADR's once we got down there with out any problem.

Bev

I'm with you!

We think there has definately been an increase in crowd level around Free DDP time.

 

[KevinYee]

What's going to be interesting to see is whether 2007 is the same as 2006, or if maybe the trauma of 2006 has catalyzed more people to do ADRs ahead of time. It's even possible that 2007 will be more crazy than 2006, since the word is spreading out the dining plan, and the word is spreading that you must make reservations.

 

[1st_trip4us]

We were there last Sept 26-Oct 1st. The day before the trip I was reading the board and all the comments from people who were there or just got back and them all saying the parks were empty and no crowds. When we got there I thought it was really crowded. I asked a few CM's how the crowds were and they also said it was pretty slow. I figured if this was slow I can't imagine what the busy times were like! The restaurants were great. I don't recall waiting more than 15 or so minutes to get seated.

What I don't get is if the resorts are all getting booked up, and the restaurants are all packed, how are the parks not super crowded?

 

[mrzrich]

What I don't get is if the resorts are all getting booked up, and the restaurants are all packed, how are the parks not super crowded?

The resorts aren't all booked up...not everyone is a DISer...not everyone knows about free dining, and just because the FDDP is sold out in a particular resort does not mean the resort is sold out. I think this year the # of FDDP rooms per Resort is very limited.

Lots of people will not go pull their kids out of the first month of school.
Lots of people won't travel during hurricaine season
Lots of people don't understand what FDDP is all about.

YES, if you went in September 4-5 years ago you will see a marked difference in the # of people there, but if you normally go in July, Spring Break or Christmas....you won't believe how empty it is. Crowded is a matter of opinion.

I know I was there from Sept 8-10 last year and walked on everything......but I also followed TGM advice for which parks, on which days. Wouldn't set foot on property before asking Mike!

 

[1st_trip4us]

mrzrich.....so you mean that if I call (just using an example) the Contemporary and want to book a room and say I want free dining and they say there's no rooms available, that they could possibly give us a room without free dining? I just figured everyone staying within the free dining dates had free dining. I didn't realize there's only a certain number of rooms available with free dining.
And you say not everyone is a DISer? Oh gosh, those poor people! I can't imagine planning a WDW trip without this board. My best friend just decided to go, after I have tried so hard to convince her of how great free dining is, and the first thing I told her was to check out this board.
Yeah, crowded is a matter of opinion. I thought the parks look really crowded which is why I cannot even imagine what they look like in the peak season. We'll always go in September. We had the GAC card for my daughter so we walked on every ride. But there were lines for everything. I don't recall anything being where you could walk right on. But I know the week before that's what people here were saying is that there were no lines on anything. I guess it can change week by week, day by day.

 

[mrzrich]

mrzrich.....so you mean that if I call (just using an example) the Contemporary and want to book a room and say I want free dining and they say there's no rooms available, that they could possibly give us a room without free dining? I just figured everyone staying within the free dining dates had free dining. I didn't realize there's only a certain number of rooms available with free dining..

Yes ...the FDDP package is very limited. I had a package booked for POP since last month, but when I tried to apply the FDDP Code on the 12th I was told no more packages were being accepted for POP on my dates....I had to switch to ASMu.

However if you look up POP for my dates without trying to add the FDDP code there's plenty of room.