If you check in the Thursday before, the past 2 years, you could. We checked in the 19th and had it all the way through thanksgiving until the 28th. They try to end it before the crowds pick up, but if you can be flexible and check in early enough, it's very possible.
We followed 2014 dates for free dining and booked the 19-28 th this past year and hit free dining. it was the Thursday before the past 2 years at least.
I'm *hoping* for a good discount to be released but not holding my breath. I've looked at historical discounts and it seems my dates are normally excluded from free dining.
It's a cheer, dance, and football event that happens at ESPN and many of the contestants stay at WDW. It's usually at the value and some moderate resorts. We were there 2 weeks ago during a cheer competition and the parks were noticeably busier. We were able to ride and eat, it was just navigating the crowds getting from point A to point B.
It's a cheerleading event that is thousands of teen girls. They flood the value/ moderate resorts. Some people are bothered, some aren't. I wouldn't stay during it. We were checking out the day a ton of them were checking in one year and I have never been happier to leave Disney. If you are staying deluxe, I wouldn't worry so much. I'd probably still go if I was staying deluxe, because they don't stay there. They don't bother me in the parks, but they do at the resort. We had a lacrosse team at CBR in November and they were obnoxious- the lifeguards were fed up one night as they overtook the pool- acting like preschoolers- three kids sliding down the slide at a time, screaming and yelling....etc.
We're November 27th-December 3rd. Figuring they won't have Free Dining based on past years, but we'd love a discount.
Fun! It's a great time to go. We have done it without the dining plan and it works great. This time we're adding QSDP because we're with family on a fixed budget. They would rather pay up front (and we told them to just get gift cards and go that way, but they don't want to) and know the price before they go. I can't wait!
