TxGiving / last week Free Dining, which is busier?

[MrsMud]

I am still trying to decide whether to change my (not yet firm) plans for a Thanksgiving trip, and take advantage of the free dining instead. In our original plan, we would arrive on Thanksgiving Day, stay until the Wed after. I was expecting big crowds the first 3 days, but now I am reading that the crowds stay until at least Monday, giving us only 2 decent days in the parks.

I am now considering going Sept 29 - Oct 5. Normally this time of year should be much slower than Thanksgiving, but I have read that last year this week was also packed, with it being the very end of free dining.

I have other considerations as well, but just in terms of crowds, what could I expect from both time periods?

 

[MrsMud]

Just bumping up, does anyone have an opinion or experience with these two times? Thanks

 

[Skylarr29]

I was there during free dining last year although maybe the second to the last week and it wasnt crowded really. I think you will encounter crowds at ts restuarants but I dont think it will hugely affect crowds. It will still be more reasonable then a holiday when children are out of school etc. Now the thanksgiving week will have the decorations, start of MVMCP and holiday activities so that is something to considor also. If you are soley deciding based on crowd my opinion is to go sept/oct.

 

[Lzylitnin]

We were there over Thanksgiving '05 and it was extremely crowded. It was on that trip that I promised myself never again would I go to WDW over a holiday. We stayed at the Contemporary. We had a good time, but it was very crowded.

 

[Bob P]

Thanksgiving week will be MUCH more crowded than the last week of September.

Anytime schools are out will be more crowded than when schools are in session, free dining or no free dining!

Bob

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

We went last year Oct 1-8, the last week of Free Dining. Epcot, especially the World Showcase section was pretty crowded, I believe due to the Food and Wine Festival. I was amazed by the number of people who apparently liked to wander around in there all day, eating. Lines weren't bad in MK and MGM except during the afternoons, and we had no trouble securing good spots for parades and fireworks shows. AK was very easy in terms of crowds.
Restarants were quite busy, but we had expected that.

I've never been at Thanksgiving, but from what I've read, would not dare attempt it.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for the replies!
BTW, when is the Food & Wine Festival?

 

[Lzylitnin]

The Food and Wine Festival runs Sept. 29 - Nov. 12 this year.