Upset about FD dates

[SonicGuy]

Just saw that the free dining dates realeased start on the same exact day we arrive. I booked our DVC dates in the middle of August with almost complete confidence of avoiding FD. We did it in 2007 and SWORE NEVER AGAIN!!!!

Not sure what to do now. I imagine changing dates will be near impossible!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

What problems did you have in 2007 with the free dining? We went last year during that time but didn't have any problems.

 

[SonicGuy]

Restaurant crowds. Most of our ADR's ended up running 30-40 minutes late. 50's Primetime was almost a 2 1/2 hour time commitment. Servers were running ragged - very unattentive and rushed. Food was lousy. Overall, just one of our worst dining trips.

 

[lugnut33]

Restaurant crowds. Most of our ADR's ended up running 30-40 minutes late. 50's Primetime was almost a 2 1/2 hour time commitment. Servers were running ragged - very unattentive and rushed. Food was lousy. Overall, just one of our worst dining trips.

I'm not happy about it either, but I will now make sure to eat off-site rather thant at WDW. We'll save tons of money that way and get better quality. I've been there for 2 free dinings and it doesn't seem to effect the rides too much. Matter of fact it may help since everyone is at a restaurant eating.

 

[goofy4tink]

Man I hear ya!! I did the exact same thing. Figured they wouldn't offer free dining that early. Booked 8/16-8/21. Now, there will be a ton of people making ADRs.

 

[Jaaron2]

Guess I lucked out, we are booked 8-1 through 8-9 (waitlisted for the 10th). I have never been there during FD but the less crowds the better. ( and since I cant get the free food I would prefer lesser crowds!)

 

[Crisgw]

We were there with FD Sept 08 and it was fine for us. Food was still good (for the most part!) and crowds were low. We actually booked a BIG trip Sept 16-26 this year as well

 

[SoCalKDG]

Isn't the free dining the lowest level that they now offer, which is two counter service meals? This would mean restaurants would not be as crowded as years past.

 

[TifffanyD]

Isn't the free dining the lowest level that they now offer, which is two counter service meals? This would mean restaurants would not be as crowded as years past.

No they are offering the regular dining plan (1 QS, 1 TS)

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I was relieved to see that it ends the day before we arrive, but am I correct in thinking that if extends beyond the Oct. 3 day if your start your stay during the free period?

 

[BCV23]

We're using our developer points at THV in Septmeber so I knew we'd be contending with FD. We were there during that time 2 or 3 years ago and really wanted to avoid it.

Crowds in the parks were low and we didn't have problems getting dining reservations nor with waits. What I hated was some of the changes that appeared to be because of FD....cheese plates that were dumbed down, etc.. Still many things were the same especially at lunch and breakfast.

My plan is to book our very favorites, grill at the THV some nights and go to restaurants that aren't on the DDP including some off site for some dinners.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Just saw that the free dining dates realeased start on the same exact day we arrive. I booked our DVC dates in the middle of August with almost complete confidence of avoiding FD. We did it in 2007 and SWORE NEVER AGAIN!!!!

Not sure what to do now. I imagine changing dates will be near impossible!

Yikes! I sure feel for you! We ran into the same thing in 2006 and swore never, ever, ever again! The crowds were crazy at the parks besides the noted decline in quality of our dining experience. Add August heat on top of that, making it one of our least favorite trips. You are ahead of the game since you now know what to expect. In 2006, we expected the same experiece we always had going that paticular week in August. I think the idea of going off site to eat is a great one. We do it frequently since our perceived decline in WDW dining over the last few years. If you plan on accomplishing a lot in the parks, go early with a plan, effectively manage FPs and you should be fine.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I'm a little confused. I've seen reports that the park crowds still stay low when there's free dining AND reports that park crowds are bad when free dining is offered.

 

[BCV23]

I'm a little confused. I've seen reports that the park crowds still stay low when there's free dining AND reports that park crowds are bad when free dining is offered.

I know.

It happens all the time. I'll read someone reporting the parks are mobbed when we've walked right on many things the very same week.

I think sometimes it has to do with whether people are going to EMH parks and if they go the first couple hours the parks are open or mosey on in mid-day.

But it only makes sense that the resorts and parks are not expected by WDW projection to be as busy as normal. I can't imagine any other reason to offer FD.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I know.

It happens all the time. I'll read someone reporting the parks are mobbed when we've walked right on many things the very same week.

I think sometimes it has to do with whether people are going to EMH parks and if they go the first couple hours the parks are open or mosey on in mid-day.

But it only makes sense that the resorts and parks are not expected by WDW projection to be as busy as normal. I can't imagine any other reason to offer FD.

We avoid the EMH parks when we visit. I think the crowds depend on which week of free dining one visits. For what it's worth, my theory is that the first week of FD is crowded because most schools are still out for summer and families book that week instead of the few weeks preceding the start of FD. My sister lives in Tampa and went Labor Day weekend and said the crowds were very bad. She opted out of doing any other parks that weekend and just enjoyed the resort. She can head to WDW for long weekends anytime she wants so she didn't mind skipping out on the parks. Crowds are manageable. It just takes planning. I'd bet the week before free dining is a good week to go, crowdwise.

 

[BCV23]

We avoid the EMH parks when we visit. I think the crowds depend on which week of free dining one visits. For what it's worth, my theory is that the first week of FD is crowded because most schools are still out for summer and families book that week instead of the few weeks preceding the start of FD. My sister lives in Tampa and went Labor Day weekend and said the crowds were very bad. She opted out of doing any other parks that weekend and just enjoyed the resort. She can head to WDW for long weekends anytime she wants so she didn't mind skipping out on the parks. Crowds are manageable. It just takes planning. I'd bet the week before free dining is a good week to go, crowdwise.

Everything you've written makes sense to me.

But I'm still amazed to read experiences the opposite of ours for the very same week. I'm talking in general terms now though, not during FD.

 

[TagsMissy]

Please don't take this as an insult/bash but I don't understand how anybody who loves Disney gets upset that others go to Disney when opportunities arise that make it economical for them to go ie: Free Dining.

 

[kimberh]

I went in 2006, we had ADR's for all our meals. The restaurants were sold out! It was in our check in package. They were asking people to eat 2 CS for a TS credit. The lines for the TS restaurants were unreal at the popular restaurants. If you did not make a reservation, many were turned away. I witnessed this. I don't know if they ate later that night or what. I do know that Mama Mel Rose was telling people that they were sold out for the week. The park crowd was not bad. It was the restaurants!

 

[TagsMissy]

Only certain higher end restaurants take 2 credits for meals... whether it's free or paid for regularly.

 

[BCV23]

Please don't take this as an insult/bash but I don't understand how anybody who loves Disney gets upset that others go to Disney when opportunities arise that make it economical for them to go ie: Free Dining.

Speaking for myself, I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity to get free dining. In fact, I think it's wonderful if guests who've always just done QS discover how delightful it is to sit down with their family to break bread and enjoy a break from the park.

I would just prefer to avoid FD myself because I didn't think the quality of food at dinner was as high then. Plenty of other times to go to WDW.

Only certain higher end restaurants take 2 credits for meals... whether it's free or paid for regularly.

The PP was talking about getting 2 QS in place of one TS. I remember when that happened too.