a week ago i would have said "low crowds" based on past history (we'll be there the same time... where're you staying?) but now that the free dining offer begins on 8/21 and lots of people are reworking their schedules, i'm going to say "moderate crowds" although selfishly i am still hoping for LOW LOW LOW!
You'll be leaving right before Labor Day--- right? That being said I think you'll still find lighter moderate crowds. The crowds this year have been heavier in general. I do think the free dining will come into play a bit. I'm leaving WDW on the 20th of Aug-- so I'm just missing the plan.
Last year the crowds were very light (between hurricaines!).
We are going back this year 8/28-9/3 and planning for mod/mod-high crowds due to the free dining plan. We are absolutely planning our TS meals as I have had trouble getting the times I want already. And we are going very casual ...NOT COMANDO!!!! My DH is laughing at me right now as I type this
We're checking in on Aug 31, checking out on Sept 10th. Our only parks days will be between Sept 2 - 7.
I was hoping for low crowds too. I think they'll be more people around but nothing like August, I'm hoping for crowds similar to early Dec, but I might be crazy!
I too am making all my PSs now. That way we are guaranteed to eat where we want.
We're going Aug. 27-Sept. 4 and I too was hoping for low crowds. I do think the free dining will now bring more folks, but hey, we're all getting free dining now, so that will help to make up for more people.
We made all of our AR's already too and I had NO trouble getting through on the 1-877 # and didn't wait on hold once. Also, we got every place and time we wanted, so that made me think maybe low crowds, but this of course was just before the free dining offer hit.
the week before Labor Day. It was the best. So many kids return to school during that time period that I think it will keeps the crowds on the low side despite the free dining. Even if some kids are still out of school, many families don't want to vacation right before school starts (except for me, because I think that is the best summer vacation week no matter where you go).
Two years ago I had the pay for 4 nights and stay for 7. That was a good promotion as well ,and the crowds were light to moderate. The early mornings were the best. You could get on all the most popular rides several times before the first fast passes even went into effect. It was so much better than early June.
One thing I did notice - avoid the early entry park. The early entry park does get crowded. You can do more going at the regular time to a none early entry park. I was also told to plan your park mornings around which park had the extra magic hours the previous night. I was told this was the least crowded park in the morning. Good to know!
I didn't even think Labor Day was too terrible, although the resort seemed more crowded and the afternoons got more crowded.