POR Resort crowds during free dining?

[g8rben]

We are going to be at POR 11/12-19. Now, we only have a room-only discount, but I know free dining is happening during this time. I'm curious how crowded the resort will be? I've noticed that there seems to no longer be availability at any of the resorts these dates and am wondering if Riverside Mill will always be packed, if the pool will be packed, will the buses be packed? It appears the overall crowds at the parks during this time shouldn't be too bad but what about POR? Thanks for anyone with experience during this time.

 

[Fiddysmum]

We just got back from POR and free dining yesterday for 1 week. We did not find the resort crowded....never had an issue finding a table for either breakfast or dinner at the Riverside mill.

 

[shaneray]

POR was designed to handle large crowds. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[RustManFan]

We have had trouble finding a table for breakfast every day on every trip regardless of when we went (never used free dining so don't know if it was during stays) Rest of day and evenings was fine

 

[bookgirl]

POR and POFQ are extremely popular they are very often near max capacity. I was there year before last during F&W and honestly did not find it overly crowded. I even ate at the FoodCourt two mornings and ran through to grab a bagel one morning during peak hours. It was not so long of a wait that I found it messed with my schedule. Same with the buses. Crowded but I don't think my mom stood even once. I may have though because I tend to give up my seat to my mom or seniors/moms/etc.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are going to be at POR 11/12-19. Now, we only have a room-only discount, but I know free dining is happening during this time. I'm curious how crowded the resort will be? I've noticed that there seems to no longer be availability at any of the resorts these dates and am wondering if Riverside Mill will always be packed, if the pool will be packed, will the buses be packed? It appears the overall crowds at the parks during this time shouldn't be too bad but what about POR? Thanks for anyone with experience during this time.

POR wasn't included in the free dining promotion for most of October and all of Nov and Dec. So you don't have to worry about the resort being crowded because of free dining. But it will probably be crowded because it is popular.

 

[dixiegirl]

I've been at POR when it's been at full capacity. Breakfast can get a bit crowded if you eat after 8 am. If you are at the food court earlier than that you shouldn't have a problem. DH and I are early risers so this has never really been an issue for us. The rest of the day the food court has always been fine for us.

 

[DJ_Big_Daddy]

I did POR in 2013 with the free dining and didn't find it too crowded at all. As stated earlier, it wasn't included in the free dining this year, so it probably won't be as crowded - but the resort is nice, so people may go there simply because of that. (The boat to Downtown Disney doesn't hurt)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Just got back on the 13th. Crowds were minimal. Riverside Mill very low crowds.

 

[g8rben]

Thanks everyone! We will not do many breakfasts as we eat light in the room to get to the parks, so good to know we should be good. Two years ago we were there at the end of May and it was a little crowded but we didn't use the buses. We were at DL end of May this year and park was fairly crowded, so I'm really hoping for lower crowds all the way around so we can enjoy everything and relax. Also, we're planning to use the buses for the first time this trip so hoping that won't be too crazy either. Great input from everyone, much appreciated!