past FREE DINING/PARK CROWDS??

[maddhatir]

just wondering ...those of you who have done the free dining in the past- did it effect the September crowds??

I chose Sept b/c it was supposed to be low attendence, however, not sure of the the promotion changes things!

Thanks!

 

[Willow25]

We went last year in September and the crowds were really low. Everyone kept saying that it was going to be crowded because of the free dining plan and the 50th anniversary. The only places that get crowded are the restaurants because people who maybe would not eat in Disney restaurants are eating only at Disney restaurants. However it is still better than busier seasons because we were able to get last minute bookings at California Grill and Boma.

The longest line we stood in was maybe 15 minutes. You should be fine.

 

[emmabelle]

Anyone have any opinions on August crowds with free dining?

 

[pplasky]

Anyone have any opinions on August crowds with free dining?

Not sure. We went right before the promotion started last year and didn't think the parks were too crowded. We are going this year right before the promotion starts as well(doesn't affect us because we are DVC), but I am hoping people who can, switch from our week to a week or two later in order to take advantage of the free dining.

 

[Matt'sMom]

We were in WDW during the final week of the 'free' DDP last Fall. The park crowds really were not all that bad (no worse than usual for the time of year, as far as I saw). We could walk right on, or had only short waits, for most attractions.

But as for the t/s restaurants, it was absolutely crazy at times! We had a 7 PM ADR for Le Cellier, arrived 15 minutes prior to 'check in'... and were not seated until a full hour and a half later! Service was painfully slow, it was crowded and extremely noisy, and our waitress was very frazzled and unhappy. Worst Disney dining experience I've ever had. Most of our other t/s meals were better experiences, butit seemed that there were almost always crowds of people waiting to be seated. And those who did not have ADRs were frequently turned away. We overheard a lot of people asking the CMs at the check in stations to help them find someplace, anyplace, that had openings for dinner (which they can do via computer--and the choices were slim, as most places were booked up solid).

So, to summarize...

Crowds at the park attractions were about par for the time of year. Crowds at the t/s restaurants, however, were definitely a lot worse than we've seen previously.

If we had it all to do again, I'd personally try to schedule ADRs for any sit down meals at odd times (late lunches or early dinners)... so as to avoid the restaurant crowds and take advantage of visiting the attractions while everyone else is eating (or waiting for a table to open up).

 

[bopper]

They have these promotions because attendence is traditionally low during these times. We went last year using the Free Dining Plan...and I don't think the park was that crowded, but the table service restaurants sure were! Make sure you make reservations ahead of time or you will not get your choice for restaurant or times.

 

[hulagirl87]

I was there last year in September and had no idea that there was a free dining promotion going on. There were little to no crowds. Of course when booking my trip for this September I was keeping my eyes open for the free dining... I booked my trip 2 months ago, and then a few days ago there is word of free dining again - yea!!!! Can't wait to go again and try the dining plan. I don't think it affects the crowds too much (at least I hope it won't this year!)

 

[threeboysmom]

We were there last year during the free dining promotion in September. I didn't notice any difference in crowd level compared to other Septembers that we've visited WDW. Low attendance! Only thing I noticed was the restaurants were always full - so make sure you make ADR's or you will be out of luck at most places.

 

[momandseandodisney]

we were int he middle of it last year, in Sept and line ups were super small!
Will be going this year at the end of it and hope for the same good weather, little lines and free food

 

[engle]

We went during September, right at the end of the month into the first few days of October. We usually go in December. I thought it was pretty crowded! And getting a table for dining was crazy too altough I did get MNSSHP dinner at Liberty Tree and breakfast at CRT. However, I could not get a dinner or lunch at Le Cellier. Go figure. I found the crowds bearable of course, not like high times but pretty crowded compared to December. It is just a personal perception. I personally like to walk on to rides and not wait at all. This is generally the case in December.

 

[maddhatir]

We were there last year during the free dining promotion in September. I didn't notice any difference in crowd level compared to other Septembers that we've visited WDW. Low attendance! Only thing I noticed was the restaurants were always full - so make sure you make ADR's or you will be out of luck at most places.

i am very lucky regarding my ADRs b/c i had my sept trip planned for a few months! and then came the free dining at the same time my trip was already planned.

i have had my ADRs since my 180 day mark (all except for 2 t/s-- i need to hurry up and decide where i want to use my credits for those 2 days!) so i am ahead of the game with that!

my MAIN concern NOW is the crowd levels.

 

[maddhatir]

We went during September, right at the end of the month into the first few days of October. We usually go in December. I thought it was pretty crowded! And getting a table for dining was crazy too altough I did get MNSSHP dinner at Liberty Tree and breakfast at CRT. However, I could not get a dinner or lunch at Le Cellier. Go figure. I found the crowds bearable of course, not like high times but pretty crowded compared to December. It is just a personal perception. I personally like to walk on to rides and not wait at all. This is generally the case in December.

i also think that maybe that time sept/oct was crowded because of free dining IN ADDITION TO- the food and wine festival (which over the past few years has become crowded on its own)-- i would assume if you are there specifically for the F+W AND then you get free dining during that time- you hit a homerun!

 

[justplaingoofy]

We were there for the last two Septembers and it was a little busier last year than the year before. (not too much) It could've been a combination of more last year for free dining, and the year before it was slower I think because of the hurricaines.

Just booked again for mid Sept.
Remember there might be more in the resorts because of the free dining, but off property there may be less guests.

 

[momandseandodisney]

Yeha I have had 6 out of 10 of my table services planned since the 180 mark (which just a few days ago) not I just have to decide on the last 4

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I was there this past September during the free dining plan. The crowds were rumored to be larger then usual. I didn't see anything close to a crowd. I never waited more than 15 min for a ride. Actually I only waited that long for two rides: Small World and Living with the Land. Everything else was walk-on. I didn't make any ADR's so I cannot comment on those.

If you are just worried about lines, don't be. Me and DBF hit no lines the whole time we were there. Actually when we rode TOT, there was no line (seriously, no line) and when we got to the end of the line we had to wait a minute or two for more guests!! Have fun!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Newbie here, how do you go about getting the free dining plan. I am going Sept 2-7 this year. Thanks,

 

[maddhatir]

Newbie here, how do you go about getting the free dining plan. I am going Sept 2-7 this year. Thanks,

the offer is open to Disney Visa Cardholders right now, BUT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON APRIL 4TH! There is a maximum stay of 10 nights

for dates between Aug 13– Sep 30, 06. THATS YOU!

yay~!

 

[momandseandodisney]

the offer is open to Disney Visa Cardholders right now, BUT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON APRIL 4TH! There is a maximum stay of 10 nights

for dates between Aug 13– Sep 30, 06. THATS YOU!

yay~!

just oen addition to you good advice, you can stay more then 10 nights but those nights will not have the free dining
I have 11 nights, 10 of which are free dining, the 11th night I had to book seperate

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thank you!!!!! I guess I will have to wait for April 4th. I can't wait. Not sure how the dining plan works but I will do some research about it when I get some free time.

 

[ladysoleil]

Thanks for the heads up!

We're doing a really short stay, only 2 nights, but that will still save us a few bucks. For a short trip it's not a huge savings, but we think the Dining Plan is a lot of fun because we end up trying new things that we might not normally order.

Can't wait for tomorrow, and even better, that's also our 180 day window so I can do everything at once.