Possible explanation for crowds right now...

[ZIPBAGS]

I have read in a couple of threads how crowds aren't that bad right now. I know schools have started in the south. But, I am wondering if its because people who would have gone now..have changed their trips to start on Sunday because of the free meal plan. I leave a week from today and I am hoping the crowds remain managable.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I am leaving in 2 days

Our friends just got back about a week ago and they said that the parks were not that bad even the EMH at night in the Magic Kindgom. I think if you go in prepared that it MIGHT be crowded is good, because if we all get down there and it isn't that bad. Bonus!!!!!

 

[MickiM]

We are leaving on Sunday for 6 days....so....

 

[The Great Baboo]

what's the "free meal plan"???

 

[ZIPBAGS]

what's the "free meal plan"???

I hope you are joking. But, if not. It was a deal disney had. If you booked your hotel and tickets with them. You would get their meal plan for free. So for every person you would get the following depending on how many nights.

1 snack
1 counter meal
1 sit down meal

each night adds meals..so if you went for 2 nights each person would get two of the above, 3 nights 3 of the above and so on.

 

[joece]

We just came back and did the dinning plan! Nothing was crowded at all and wrong wait times were displayed consistently to get people to leave! Especially during EMH! We went to Evening EMH every night and fell in love with it!

 

[indigoxtreme]

what's the "free meal plan"???

You have to book your stay by the 20th of august so Saturday. Call disney if you are going down during next week and September and the 1st week of october

 

[The Great Baboo]

Sorry I asked about the "free meal plan" --- I'm surprised those "in the know" on the Disboards would take offense to a question ("I hope you're joking" comment) -- since we do not "book" our rooms and "own" at a DVC property, we would not necessarily be privy to this information....sorry we're not part of your "Club"

 

[4greatboys]

This is typically a low attendence time at Disney, as is Sept. The crowds pick up a little more in Oct for the Food & Wine Festival and MNSSHP.

 

[Viki]

Sorry I asked about the "free meal plan" --- I'm surprised those "in the know" on the Disboards would take offense to a question ("I hope you're joking" comment) -- since we do not "book" our rooms and "own" at a DVC property, we would not necessarily be privy to this information....sorry we're not part of your "Club"

I'm not speaking for anyone else, but these boards can get a little "inside" and it's so hard to interpret tone through just the written word.

Did some of the other posters above answer your question? The meal plan deal has been a HUGE topic of conversation, debate, and excitement for months now; it would be hard to miss and, more importantly, it would be a share if you had missed it if it was right for your trip.

 

[LongIslandCouple]

Call me crazy, but I don't think the Free Dining will affect the crowds next week that much.

I highly doubt that there were a significant number of people that were planning to go in the last two weeks and are going next week. It just doesn't make sense.

1. People without children and aren't tied into the summer for vacations are unlikely to book during August to begin with because of the higher crowds than during the offseason.

2. People with children who aren't in school next week (primarily the Northeast) were likely to go next week anyway - as the rates were lower to begin with.

 

[thptrek]

About 70% of schools in the US now start before Labor day. Some districts around here started the first week of August. Kids back in school = lower crowds.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Sorry I asked about the "free meal plan" --- I'm surprised those "in the know" on the Disboards would take offense to a question ("I hope you're joking" comment) -- since we do not "book" our rooms and "own" at a DVC property, we would not necessarily be privy to this information....sorry we're not part of your "Club"

Actually, the free plan isn't even available to DVC members staying on points. You have to book a package through WDW reservations...see this link: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=AugSepMYWOfferPage

It's really a great deal, so if you're traveling August 21 - through October 4th, you'll definitely want to check into it.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Sorry I asked about the "free meal plan" --- I'm surprised those "in the know" on the Disboards would take offense to a question ("I hope you're joking" comment) -- since we do not "book" our rooms and "own" at a DVC property, we would not necessarily be privy to this information....sorry we're not part of your "Club"

Baboo, My comments to you were not meant to insult you. I honestly thought you were joking because of the amount of times it has been discussed here...it was more of a joke on the regular posters here. I did try (albiet not that great) about what the deal is.

 

[Juls]

Dont worry, the dining plan has been discussed at great lengths on the DVC board too. Mostly about how we wish we could get in on it!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Sorry I asked about the "free meal plan" --- I'm surprised those "in the know" on the Disboards would take offense to a question ("I hope you're joking" comment) -- since we do not "book" our rooms and "own" at a DVC property, we would not necessarily be privy to this information....sorry we're not part of your "Club"

I think the "hope you're joking" comment was more "I-hope-you're-joking-cause-you-may-kick-yourself-when-you-hear-about-THIS-one!" kind of deal.

 

[caribear]

The parks are still pretty busy as many schools up north do not start until after Labor Day. Lots of families from New York, New Jersey....and England were in the parks this week. Fast Passes for Test Track and Soarin were gone by 6pm all week. After Labor Day crowd levels will go down.

 

[rae662000]

The parks are still pretty busy as many schools up north do not start until after Labor Day. Lots of families from New York, New Jersey....and England were in the parks this week. Fast Passes for Test Track and Soarin were gone by 6pm all week. After Labor Day crowd levels will go down.

The week after Labor day, that's when I'm going. My DD 5 has a fall break that week in school and that is why we planned during that time other then free dining. She started school 1st day of August. They build in the school year a fall break, holiday, winter break and spring break....I'm a big fan of that schedule.

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

I'm a FL resident and I love going any time of year, no matter how hot. I'd go every day if I could.

But many here stay away during this time because of the heat. Add that to the fact that it's not snowbird season and the parks are not crowded at all.

I just went to Epcot last weekend and had a great time. Lines were very managable.

 

[brandip22]

We are also going the week of Labor Day. Arriving on the 3rd and stayin gall week - we can't wait! From what I hear, it's crowded the Holiday weekend, but is really slow the following week.