Size of crowds during Free Dining???

[klacey1]

Not sure if this is the right board, but DBF and I are going to the World from Aug. 20-25th. From others' experience, is it usually unbearably crowded during free dining?? What do people do to beat the crowds?

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We went 2 years ago the last week of September during free dining and the crowds were great. I do think Disney is doing more advertising for free dining this year than in the past.

Just make sure you make ADRs early.

 

[lklasing]

I've never been before during FD, but I am this year. I hear that the parks aren't too busy but that the restaurants are. Hopefully some others will chime in to tell us more.

 

[Connerzmom]

We went last year and sept. and the crowds weren't bad at all (at least in the parks). I think it may depend on when you are going during FD (crowds after labor day are suppose to be better than before labor day and as you get into middle/late October--school's in, etc...). Maybe someone that has gone during August can be of more help.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

We went last year for 2 weeks during FD, end of Aug. to beginning of Sept., over Labor Day, and had to best trip. The crowds were extremely low, we hardly had a wait for any ride. Space and Splash Mountains we rode several times without getting off, some rides had no one waiting. We were even able to walk up to a few restaurants (Coral Reef, Garden Grill) and get in immediately at 5:00 dinner.

Many schools are already back in session way before Labor Day. Our kids go back Aug. 5.

 

[mandanjeremy]

I checked UG a few days ago to plan our trip in late Sept. and it had crowd levels for really the whole month of Sept always between 4 and 6, and only a couple days with a 7. NOt sure if they're factoring in Free Dining, but I sure hope so.

 

[rosiep]

I checked UG a few days ago to plan our trip in late Sept. and it had crowd levels for really the whole month of Sept always between 4 and 6, and only a couple days with a 7. NOt sure if they're factoring in Free Dining, but I sure hope so.

I saw that too. Park hours aren't out yet and I'm wondering if that will change anything...it might change best park at least. I hope not...those are great numbers.

 

[mandanjeremy]

I saw someone saw a few days ago that the numbers for their trip kept changing on UG. Is this common? I used it religously for our trip in March and it never changed even by a point.

 

[Tirapapas]

I think that Free Dining has less to do with attracting people to the parks, but its about attracting people to Disney's hotels. Obviously there are some that would rather go in Late-Aug/Sep instead of July/Early-Aug, but those wouldn't really make much of a difference due to children being back at school.

And due to the fact that everybody staying at Disney's hotels have free dining, obviously the restaurants will be much more crowded.

 

[wilde_oscar]

I would say the size of the crowd during free dining promotion is slightly over weight... a bit more so after eating all that food.

 

[choirchic]

I would say the size of the crowd during free dining promotion is slightly over weight... a bit more so after eating all that food.

 

[holden]

Last year we went from 9/23-30 and never waited more than 15 min. for a ride (TSM was the longest). We hit the parks at rope drop (and use EMH in the AM). Enjoy!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We've been twice for free dining. Once at the end of Sept and the other in mid Dec. Crowds were amazing low on the September trip. One day MK seemed almost empty. The December crowds were moderate but still good. Restaurants were very busy and booked though.

 

[RMulieri]

I went in Sept the last few years for free dining. Park crowds are low. The weather is very hot and very humid with Chance of Hurricaines ( Aug and Sept are PEAK of the Atlantic Hurricaine season).The restaurants are packed.Both TS and Cs are jammed and busy. You need adrs to dine at TS places. Very few to any allow walk ups this time of year.