Weeks with no free dining

[Collette]

For our next trip, I hope to go when there is no free dining. We don't use the dining plan. This last trip November 14 - 19 was free dining and a real struggle to get an adr where and when we wanted. Changing a time was next to impossible.

Actually, a couple of the reservations I did get were with the notifications of one of the canceled dining services.

I know the free dining weeks will change, but does there happen to be a list anywhere of past weeks or more likely times that I would want to avoid?

Thanks!

 

[3Gsandme]

We're going the Week after Thanksgiving (Arriving the Saturday after). No free dining or discounts are offered in the bounceback folders and historically there haven't been free dining offers at this time the last year or so. My Aunt and Uncle are just back and they said it was pretty good, crowd wise.

 

[minnie mum]

Mousesavers.com has a list of Historical Discounts at WDW. You can Google it. It will show when FD has been offered the last few years.

 

[supersnoop]

For our next trip, I hope to go when there is no free dining. We don't use the dining plan. This last trip November 14 - 19 was free dining and a real struggle to get an adr where and when we wanted. Changing a time was next to impossible.

Actually, a couple of the reservations I did get were with the notifications of one of the canceled dining services.

I know the free dining weeks will change, but does there happen to be a list anywhere of past weeks or more likely times that I would want to avoid?

Thanks!

November is always the worst time for ADRs, free dining or otherwise. Can you go at a different time of year?

 

[Collette]

Thanks everyone! The week after Thanksgiving/first part of December is a time I might consider. The Mousesavers list was very helpful - showed free dining and the blackout dates during that time frame.

I had no idea that November is the worst for ADRs. It sure was. Wonder why that is even when not free dining. The majority of our past trips were in October - a few short trips with friends in early December. I can go at a different time of year and will definitely look into it!

I'm from Minnesota and work at school so in the past, I tried to take advantage of adding days to our two day break in October. The last few trips it had been so hot and humid. I was looking for cooler temps, less crowded and not having to worry about snowstorms in Minnesota to get to and from the airport. The lack of choices and times for ADRs usually wouldn't have been quite as much of an issue with me. We had a first timer with us and I had certain places I wanted to take him.

 

[nkereina]

If there's no free dining offered, it's because crowds are moderate to heavy. So, IMO, ADRs can be a challenge regardless of whether or not free dining is offered. Take advantage of the 180 day mark for whenever you decide to go and you should be ok. We have been in November twice and had no issue getting ADRs at the 180 day mark.