Looks like Free Dining did not work

[TSWJan78]

I just got off the phone with some friends that are in WDW this week.... they told me Sunday they walked right on Splash Mountian and they rode test track 2 times within 10 minuets yesterday.... I hope the lines are that short when we are there in 17 days

If I get any other good info I will let you all know... I am sure Kartina has a little to do with the lack of people but still wanted to update everyone

 

[stacy6552]

I wouldnt count on it being related to the dining plan. Im sure it has more to do with school starting. Most people would take their kids out of school a few weeks or a month into the school year, rather than miss the first or second week.

 

[cobbler]

I don't think its because the free dining didn't work. The free dining just started for Check ins a little over a week ago. I think the bigger impact will be felt in a couple of weeks when its kind of in full swing - so to speak.

 

[pamouselover]

Yes, The free dinning guest are just starting to make there way into the world. I think it will not make it crowder though, most people only found out about the free dinning because they were looking to goto Disney in the first place. LIKE ME!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyWisher]

I wouldnt count on it being related to the dining plan. Im sure it has more to do with school starting. Most people would take their kids out of school a few weeks or a month into the school year, rather than miss the first or second week.

Someone discovered my trick. LOL j/k. We always travel to Disney the second week of Sept. by then everyone is back to school (elementary, Middle, HS and college) plus unlike most I can't take my vacation during summer.

 

[Stacy_C]

Whatever the reason, I hope the trend continues as we're flying out later today and will be there tonight!

 

[MLBelle41]

My 2 DBFs (Disney Best Friends?) and I are down to 2 weeks now! I'm really hoping there are small crowds and that some of the table service restauraunts are easily accessible. We got a ressie for CRT on the 15th with no trouble, so I'm thinking that's a good sign...

 

[OhioTony]

I have my fingers crossed the "the free dinning" hasn't ruined out favorite time of the year to go to WDW! Although..the free dinning DID push us over the edge on deciding wether to go back this year of not!
It even allowed us to bring a couple of beloved guests along on this trip!

HEY I just noticed..this is our 400th post..A milestone!

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I am inclined to agree with a previous poster. The people who are going down on the free dining were the same people who were going anyway, they are just eating better!

I'm not even sure Disney offered the free dining so much to lure people into the parks during the slow time, but offered it to get us all hooked on the dining package.

That's just my two cents worth, but I only have a nickel. Does anybody have change?

 

[foolishmortal]

I am inclined to agree with a previous poster. The people who are going down on the free dining were the same people who were going anyway, they are just eating better!

I'm not even sure Disney offered the free dining so much to lure people into the parks during the slow time, but offered it to get us all hooked on the dining package.

That's just my two cents worth, but I only have a nickel. Does anybody have change?

I never even thought of that, but you know what it make sense. I didn't see much advertising anywhere on it, except these boards and a couple of websites, but the average person going wouldn't have know unless they were already calling to check into the vaction anyway.

I hope they stay low as I leave in a little over 4 days...who hoooo

 

[Mariposa]

Actually, Disney's been running ads for the Free Dining in the Travel sections of major newspapers off and on.. so I'm pretty sure they are trying to lure people for hurricane season--and good thing, because after last year they need to give people a reason to risk another Charley or Jeanne.

We VERY nearly changed our dates to the Free Dining period to take advantage of it, but just couldn't quite swing it, so I'm guessing it's worked to lure some people... Although, I still doubt the crowds will be anything like summer or holiday periods, of course.

 

[BostonTink85]

We just got back and I agree with the friends of the OP that said that the parks are pretty empty. We never waited more than 10/15 minutes for a ride and that was either at night or late afternoon. Most of the rides were walk on or 5 minutes when we were there!

 

[disneysteve]

This is typically a very slow time at Disney. Many schools are already back in session in the South and West. It's only us Northerner's who don't go back until after Labor Day. Before DD started school, we used to go the week preceeding Labor Day and it was never crowded.

 

[deacondarlin]

We're leaving on the 16th, and were some of the ones that changed our vacation just to take advantage of the free dining. We had originally booked 12/3-11, but just couldn't pass up the savings. With it just being DH and I with very flexible jobs, we had no problem changing.

Even if the free dining makes the crowds go up slightly, the two tropical disturbances floating around in the Atlantic right now may make folks think twice.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

We had no plans at all to go to Disney this year. In fact, I had the Disney cruise booked for October 2006. Then the free dining plan coupled with 116.00 roundtrip airfare pushed us into going.

Everytime we have traveled there it has always been Sept-Oct time frame and its a great time to go. We went once in June and never, ever again.

We arrive Sept 16 for a week..

 

[Herbert]

We were there just before and just when free dining started. The week prior was very quiet, especially in the morning. When free dining started we noticed that the parks were more crowded, but lines were still very small.

Late August is a great time to go!

 

[samsmom05]

We had our trip booked with dining prior to the free part being added. In this part of the world the free was not advertised (if it was at least not very well). I told my TA about it. It was because of these boards that I found out about it. THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[samsmom05]

I'm a Mouseketeer! I'm a Mouseketeer!

 

[foolishmortal]

Actually, Disney's been running ads for the Free Dining in the Travel sections of major newspapers off and on.. so I'm pretty sure they are trying to lure people for hurricane season--and good thing, because after last year they need to give people a reason to risk another Charley or Jeanne.

We VERY nearly changed our dates to the Free Dining period to take advantage of it, but just couldn't quite swing it, so I'm guessing it's worked to lure some people... Although, I still doubt the crowds will be anything like summer or holiday periods, of course.

Well I don't know if you consider Denver major or not (I do), and it wasn't advertised in our papers, and if it was it was small and maybe a day or 2 because I didn't see it.

 

[bopper]

If you go during the free dining period, make sure you make reservations for the Table Service restaurants. There was not a lot of availability for the popular restaurants.
The ride lines were short, though last week!