Just heard...extended restaurant hours during free dining

[suzannews]

Just heard at work that some restaurants will have extended hours during the free dining because of the expected crowds.

Here's what I heard, I AM NOT RESPONSIBILE IF THIS CHANGES.

Will be available from 8/13 - 9/4 only,

Boma-open 30 mins early for dinner Monday-Thursday
Chef Mickey's-adding a lunch buffet, don't have times
Concourse Steakhouse-open 1 hour early for dinner
Grand Floridian Cafe-open 1 hour early for dinner
Ohana-open 1 hour early for dinner
Ohana-staying open 1 hour later for breakfast


Mickey's Backyard BBQ and Spirit of Aloha Luau adding a few shows on certain dates only

Tony's Town Square, Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace extending dining times but don't specific info yet

Tommorrowland Terrace Noddle Station at MK will offer a dinner buffet as a walk up only


Hope this helps someone!!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Good grief .. they must be expecting the masses!

I'm glad I'm going after free dining is over..

 

[goofyinohio]

I just called and this is true, but for whatever reason they haven't done this for any of the places at Epcot? I don't understand this at all. It's really cool that they are doing it, but geesh.

 

[yellowfish78]

What about those traveling the rest of September? This is where it's needed the most in my opinion...besides, I'm looking for an early Ohana's anyways..

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for posting the information. It is amazing that WDW is making these changes. I would think that maybe folks are already complaining that they are getting the DDP and now can't find anywhere to eat. Can you imagine the folks that go and don't have ADRs I did notice that most of the changes are occurring at resort restraurants. I'm sure EPCOT couldn't accommodate any later hours as they already have folks leaving restraurants after EPCOT is closed since they take ADRs up to 8:45PM. I would hate to be a CM at the resorts booking ADRs, can you imagine the grief they are going to have to take when folks arrive and head to the desk to make those ADRs for Chef Mickeys and LeCellier and the countless other favorite places to eat??

I also heard that CM discounts for dining have been blacked out during the entire free dining promotion. I guess disney is hoping to discourage CMs from eating on property by not honoring their discounts in the hopes of freeing up more tables. (Poor CMs always getting the short end of the stick--first their dinner discount, now all dining discounts blacked out during promotion. Hope Disney makes it up to them during the holidays--maybe a couple of extra holiday perks??)

I am so glad I made my ADRs the same day I booked the promotion when Visa announced it. I'm also glad I've booked my October ADRs too and that is not during the free DDP and it's hard to get ADRs for that timeframe too.

 

[stoudt6]

Sounds good , but think there will be some problems/backlash. What if you have a 11 o'clock or later ADR at Chef Mickeys. sometimes you don't get seated until 1130 What are they going to do force you out by 12 .it's not like Donalds where the last ADR is 1030. Also there is going to be a lot of people upset at Boma and O'hana's that have a 5 -515 ADR becuase they will now be waiting for tables to clear instead of the place to open!While this sounds good in theory . I see a big Headache!

 

[Lewisc]

I just called and this is true, but for whatever reason they haven't done this for any of the places at Epcot? I don't understand this at all. It's really cool that they are doing it, but geesh.

Don't most of the EPCOT restaurants go from lunch directly to dinner? There probably isn't much they can do.

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Wonder why they aren't doing it for September then? Maybe the crowds are going to be higher in late August? I've had a very hard time getting ADRs for late Sept. I called 90 days out and still didn't get the times I really wanted.

 

[ZachnElli]

I called and the CM I got said there was no lunch for Chef Mickey's.

 

[goofyinohio]

Don't most of the EPCOT restaurants go from lunch directly to dinner? There probably isn't much they can do.

Well then that makes sense. Wonder why the CM didn't tell me that?

I did book a lunch at Chef Mickeys although I will probably cancel due to having dinner there.

 

[fterie4u]

Are they goung to have lunch at Chef Mickey's just for the free dining period? I would love to go but we are ther towards the end of September!

 

[gigi1313]

any way to find out if they will extend this beyond 9/4? i think it's brilliant on disney's part 'cause it will cut down on the complaints and it will help people w/out ADRs find some restaurants that have not been booked in advance...

 

[LandBoatRide]

Wonder why they aren't doing it for September then? Maybe the crowds are going to be higher in late August? I've had a very hard time getting ADRs for late Sept. I called 90 days out and still didn't get the times I really wanted.

I cant speak for the resorts- but for the parks like MK and MGM, the parks will be closing at 9pm or earlier come September (whereas MK has been 11pm all summer). So, a restaurant that normally already closes at 9pm (last seating at 9pm, that is) cannot stay open later if the park is already closed.

September is also additionally tricky for MK. Two nights are Night of Joy (the park will close early for regular guests.) Also, you get into the MNSSHP (Halloween parties) in late September - again, early close for some restaurants.

 

[DizMom11]

Two days ago I was able to book 2 different ADR's for Chef Mickey lunch at 1pm. They had alot of availability. I did not ask about any other restaurants. Thanks to the OP for a great tip. Love the Dis Boards! My ADR's are for 8/15 and 8/18

 

[ZachnElli]

DizMom, I got CM ADR on 8/18 at 12:30!! See ya there!

 

[PortieOwner]

They need to re-open some of the restaurants they closed (Bonfamilies, etc.).

 

[thunderbird1]

Just moved our Concourse Steakhouse from 8:10 to 5:00 on your tip! Now my dh has even more evening hours in the MK--he'll be so happy. Thanks again!

 

[n2mm]

They need to re-open some of the restaurants they closed (Bonfamilies, etc.).

I agree, what a wasted space they have at the French Quarters now. We ate there often, especially breakfast!