Restaurants always crowded or crowded because of Free Dining?

[katebeth]

We are going to Disney the first week of Oct (actually Oct. 2) so we missed the free dining, but bought the dining plan. I know that is the end of free dining, and I was wondering if restaurants are normally crowded during that time of year, or are they overly crowded because of the end of free dining?

I have been calling several times a week to try to change a few of our ADR's and all of the restaurants we are booked at are sold out.

Just wondering what other people's experiences have been

Thanks

 

[bicker]

We typically visit in January, which is less crowded than October, and there were days where, by 5PM, there was absolutely no availability for walk-ups at any restaurant inside the Magic Kingdom. Even though there are less crowds, the restaurants still get a good amount of business. It almost seems to me that the incremental number of guests between the less crowded seasons and the more crowded seasons are accounted for mostly by more counter-service meals eaten, with less incremental impact on the restaurants (because "full" is "full" -- y'can't get more than full!)

 

[DaisyD]

Restaurants were never crowded in October before the free dining came about. It was very nice to be able to walk up and get a table. Now if you don't have ADRS, you just won't eat at any TS places unless you want to eat at offhours or off places. We too will be there until October 8th and made sure to have ADRS so as not to be left foodless!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I would say that it is not just the free dining (although I have no doubts that makes it worse) but the popularity of the dining plan even when you have to pay for it. That has changed how people eat. My family used to eat mostly at counter service places, with maybe two or three table service meals in total during a seven or eight day vacation. We'd even go off-site at times for a meal. For our December trip, we are buying the dining plan and will be eating at a table service restaurant in WDW every day. I know other people have made the same changes - and that inevitably leads to more crowded restaurants! (Good for Disney, but can be annoying for guests!)

Teresa

 

[PureTcrazy]

There will still be a lot of free diners in WDW the first week of october, because as long as your first night was no later than september 30th you qualified. We are going the 28th of september and not leaving until the 3rd. I have seen a lot of tickers that showed they were leaving on the 30th and were staying for 10 days of free dining. I'm glad you got your ADR's.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Restaurants were never crowded in October before the free dining came about. It was very nice to be able to walk up and get a table. Now if you don't have ADRS, you just won't eat at any TS places unless you want to eat at offhours or off places. We too will be there until October 8th and made sure to have ADRS so as not to be left foodless!

And yet, somehow people who are there when there is no free dining, peak season or not, also report walk-ins almost impossible. Tourism is up, period. Those who were lucky enough to have been able to go post 9/11 and found the parks free of those annoying 'other people' are going to have to adjust to the fact that more people are going to WDW, period. Free dining or not. We'll be there until 10/8 as well, on the free dining plan every single delicious day!

 

[DaisyD]

And yet, somehow people who are there when there is no free dining, peak season or not, also report walk-ins almost impossible. Tourism is up, period. Those who were lucky enough to have been able to go post 9/11 and found the parks free of those annoying 'other people' are going to have to adjust to the fact that more people are going to WDW, period. Free dining or not. We'll be there until 10/8 as well, on the free dining plan every single delicious day!

I didn't mean just free dining. I meant to say the DDP. It's just that FREE this and FREE that is all I've heard lately! I still think the DDP is the problem whether you like it or not. I've been going to WDW in October for years, before 9/11 and the restaurants were NEVER as busy as they are now. Everybody getting in that TS meal! Personally I prefer to pay OOP for my meals. I don't want the hassle of wondering what is covered and what isn't. When I vacation the word "budget" isn't in my vocabulary! LOL! Have a great trip. I'll be right there eating all the good stuff too!

 

[LadyOmega]

I didn't mean just free dining. I meant to say the DDP. It's just that FREE this and FREE that is all I've heard lately! I still think the DDP is the problem whether you like it or not. I've been going to WDW in October for years, before 9/11 and the restaurants were NEVER as busy as they are now. Everybody getting in that TS meal! Personally I prefer to pay OOP for my meals. I don't want the hassle of wondering what is covered and what isn't. When I vacation the word "budget" isn't in my vocabulary! LOL! Have a great trip. I'll be right there eating all the good stuff too!

I personally am the same way - budget is a bad word while on vacation! But that is precisely why we have gone with the dining plan our last 2 trips. If it's not all payed for beforehand, then I worry about the cost. With the DDP, I don't have to. And there really isn't that much that's not covered - if I want something that's not included, I pay OOP, simple as that, no biggie.
I think the reason for more crowding in restaurants is the result of a variety of reasons, not just one. Disney keeps thinking up ways to bring in people during times that used to be considered "off-season". People have caught on that "off-season" touring is less stressful (at least it used to be), and are scheduling vacations during those times. And yes, I think the DDP is a factor, although I personally think it's the least of the reasons. But, whatever, I'll enjoy myself anyway.

 

[DaisyD]

I personally am the same way - budget is a bad word while on vacation! But that is precisely why we have gone with the dining plan our last 2 trips. If it's not all payed for beforehand, then I worry about the cost. With the DDP, I don't have to. And there really isn't that much that's not covered - if I want something that's not included, I pay OOP, simple as that, no biggie.
I think the reason for more crowding in restaurants is the result of a variety of reasons, not just one. Disney keeps thinking up ways to bring in people during times that used to be considered "off-season". People have caught on that "off-season" touring is less stressful (at least it used to be), and are scheduling vacations during those times. And yes, I think the DDP is a factor, although I personally think it's the least of the reasons. But, whatever, I'll enjoy myself anyway.

Now see I won't worry about what things cost because it doesn't matter. It isn't like I'm buying a new car. The cost of food is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Especially when paying for 14 days at the Poly! LOL! We go and eat where we want and get what we want. No worries of whether I can get white meat chicken for the same credit as dark meat, no worries of whether I have pay $5 so DD can get that shrimp cocktail, no worries about anything. Life is stressful enough without having to worry about whether that donut falls under the snack credit. I realize the DDP is great for those on a budget but really is a PITA for those of us that aren't. Just going to have to live with it. And make sure I have at least one TS ADR a day for all my trips!Which I have always done anyway.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I didn't mean just free dining. I meant to say the DDP. It's just that FREE this and FREE that is all I've heard lately!

Nothing is free when you're giving Disney thousands of dollars. Disney doesn't do anything for free. I know it's really horrible that us plebs are filling up the restaurants these days. Obviously Disney wants to keep them filled up, instead of relying on inconsistant walk-in traffic. Can't make everybody happy. DDP makes a lot of people, and Disney happy. It upsets a mere handful. The choice is obvious.

 

[LadyOmega]

Now see I won't worry about what things cost because it doesn't matter. It isn't like I'm buying a new car. The cost of food is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Especially when paying for 14 days at the Poly! LOL! We go and eat where we want and get what we want. No worries of whether I can get white meat chicken for the same credit as dark meat, no worries of whether I have pay $5 so DD can get that shrimp cocktail, no worries about anything. Life is stressful enough without having to worry about whether that donut falls under the snack credit. I realize the DDP is great for those on a budget but really is a PITA for those of us that aren't. Just going to have to live with it. And make sure I have at least one TS ADR a day for all my trips!Which I have always done anyway.

Ok.......that really wasn't my point. I'm not on a budget either, but that doesn't mean that I still don't try to keep my costs down. I'm glad you can not worry about it, but seriously, try not to make people feel like second class, just because you assume they are "on a budget' (like that's a bad thing). Like I said, there really aren't as many worries on the DDP as you seem to think there is - white meat and dark meat???? That one completely lost me, which restaurants make that distinction in credits? Like I said before, we definitely go where we want and get what we want as well, no matter if it's included on the plan or not, so i'm not worrying about anything either. If I want that donut, I'll get it anyway.

 

[PortieOwner]

As long ago as October 1994 (and that's back when October was a quiet month) there were places where you needed a reservation to get in. Olivia's Pooh breakfast was one. I know, because I couldn't get in.

Portie

 

[bicker]

A few things have changed. Most significantly is that Disney is doing a much better job promoting its offerings. I haven't seen the numbers recently, but I suspect that a greater portion of theme park guests are now staying on-site than before 9/11. Also, people are far more likely to eat at full-service restaurants now, for a variety of reasons that have little to do with Disney. Our local restaurants at home are far more crowded than before, despite a drop in population, and despite there being more restaurants now than before.

 

[DaisyD]

As long ago as October 1994 (and that's back when October was a quiet month) there were places where you needed a reservation to get in. Olivia's Pooh breakfast was one. I know, because I couldn't get in.

Portie

I remember back in the late eighties were it was hard to walk up and get in at certain places,mostly character meals. Now it is everywhere. There is a huge difference between a few places and now most places.

 

[PortieOwner]

A few things have changed. Most significantly is that Disney is doing a much better job promoting its offerings. I haven't seen the numbers recently, but I suspect that a greater portion of theme park guests are now staying on-site than before 9/11. Also, people are far more likely to eat at full-service restaurants now, for a variety of reasons that have little to do with Disney. Our local restaurants at home are far more crowded than before, despite a drop in population, and despite there being more restaurants now than before.

People are wealthier [1] and busier, and food (especially eating out) has become more of a cultured pastime (popularity of Food Network, etc.). In some ways eating out is a relatively cheap form of entertainment (cheaper than a boat, horse, golf membership, etc.).

[1] I suspect if we measured the demand function this would be the biggest factor.

Portie

 

[LoveMickey]

Here's my opinion.

There are a lot of us 'repeat' visitors - over 20 trips for us - to WDW. We like how WDW makes us feel.

Many years ago, we would do the parks 'commando' style, which leaves no room for any sit down meals, just get burgers on the go. And to tell you the truth - the food was not that good.

Now update to todays travelers. We are now more health conscious (sp) in the world, so WDW has changed their food to meet the needs of their Guests. (They still have a way to go, but not everything is burgers)

Add this to the fact that repeat visitors do not always do commado and you have the 'increase' in the number of people who do sit down meals.

Now with the DDP - either free or paid for - people can plan their days and take advantage of the ADR's.

I think it is a combo of the changing ways of the visitors. Just my humble or not so humble opinion.

 

[bicker]

People are wealthier? No. The news I've read recently is that we've just encountered the first year, in many years, wherein buying power for the vast majority of Americans has decreased. The richest people are richer, but I think that has very little to do with what's going on at WDW.

Here's an article about this from today's newspaper:

Just in time for Labor Day, a variety of reports show American workers producing more efficiently than ever - and having less to show for it. The erosion of buying power for most workers has been a story for several years, but rarely has their decline been at such odds with corporate profits, which are at their highest levels in four decades.You might think this would be an issue of concern for politicians, but Congress has instead devoted much of its time this year trying to pass more tax breaks for the well off.

While a Labor Department reports sharp gains in worker productivity, wages have risen much more slowly, and over the last year have increased by 3.4 percent while inflation rose 4 percent.

A Census Bureau study released Tuesday showed, "the real median earnings of both men and women who worked full-time, year-round declined between 2004 and 2005" - for men the drop was 1.8 percent; for women, 1.3 percent.

[Source: Bangor Daily News.] (Emphasis added.)

 

[mefordis]

People are wealthier? No. The news I've read recently is that we've just encountered the first year, in many years, wherein buying power for the vast majority of Americans has decreased. The richest people are richer, but I think that has very little to do with what's going on at WDW.

Here's an article about this from today's newspaper:[Source: Bangor Daily News.] (Emphasis added.)

Thank you, Bicker! 100% right on. Not what some radio and tv pundits like to tell listeners/viewers, and have them "regurgitate" back to others.

 

[DiszyDean]

Ok.......that really wasn't my point. I'm not on a budget either, but that doesn't mean that I still don't try to keep my costs down. I'm glad you can not worry about it, but seriously, try not to make people feel like second class, just because you assume they are "on a budget' (like that's a bad thing). Like I said, there really aren't as many worries on the DDP as you seem to think there is - white meat and dark meat???? That one completely lost me, which restaurants make that distinction in credits? Like I said before, we definitely go where we want and get what we want as well, no matter if it's included on the plan or not, so i'm not worrying about anything either. If I want that donut, I'll get it anyway.

Very good point. People who are truly wealthy do not spend money like it is some sort of contest. They take deals like everyone else when they are offered. On the flip side, it seems the status of some people's bank accounts overrides their common sense.

 

[DaisyD]

Very good point. People who are truly wealthy do not spend money like it is some sort of contest. They take deals like everyone else when they are offered. On the flip side, it seems the status of some people's bank accounts overrides their common sense.

No, some folks can't be bothered with worrying about what is covered and what not. If one doesn't have to worry about cost they why should they. It's a vacation, not a contest. If you have the money to do without the plan then why not. Does it bother you that much that there are people in this world that don't have to buy the DDP or get it for free in order to eat TS every day? LOL!