Why free dining over memorial day weekend?

[EPCOT is a verb]

We are thinking about a trip in May 2011. I see that the May dates for free dining start on May 27. That's Memorial Day weekend! Anybody have any idea why they would offer free dining over a holiday???

 

[catne]

because though it's a popular week for locals, the hotels have lots of empty rooms...that's still before most East coast schools get out so relatively smaller crowds. The big summer crowds don't really arrive until after the first week of June.

We were there last year beginning Memorial weekend...hotel was about 1/2 empty. Parks were busy that week, but due to lots of Florida school groups doing end-of-year field trips to Disney (tons of kids in matching t-shirts...Such&Such Middle School Grad, or Something High School Band, etc.) Made for long lines at the popular attractions -- very glad we had fastpass.

BUT like I said, the hotel was empty...and most of the restaurants had empty tables, too.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

That surprises me! I always assumed holiday weekends were busy. Thanks!

 

[catne]

That surprises me! I always assumed holiday weekends were busy. Thanks!

It is busy...guess I didn't make that clear -just not quite as busy as bigger holiday like the 4th of July or Christmas week. At least, the parks are busy...60-90 minute waits at all the popular rides on Saturday & Sunday evenings (like 90 minutes for Peter Pan on Saturday night at 8 P.M. and 70 minutes at Splash Mtn.)

...think there's lots of locals taking advantage of a 3 day holiday weekend to go to Disney. But they don't stay at the hotels - they go home when the park closes.

 

[lblume91]

We've noticed the parks are super busy Sat & Sun of MD weekend but then the crowds thin out noticeably by Mon. This will be our 4th trip at that time so it obviously isn't too bad!

 

[worm761]

We've noticed the parks are super busy Sat & Sun of MD weekend but then the crowds thin out noticeably by Mon. This will be our 4th trip at that time so it obviously isn't too bad!

SHHHHHH....don't tell people that! Then they will figure out to go then and miss the crowds. Tell them the lines are super long and it is hot hot hot.

Seriously though, I have to agree. We go around that time every year. Last year we did not wait more than 20 minutes for a ride or used fast pass. I was pregnant so the guys didn't want to leave me for too long while they waited in line. We are planning a trip back that week this year too.

 

[kdluscher]

Thanks so much for this advice! I was trying to decide when to go next year. We went over Easter this year and it was busy, but we managed our time and the crowds just fine. I was a little leary about Memorial Day, but I figured it is right near the end of school so parents do not want to pull their kids out during finals and what not. This post has definitely made up my mind to go over Memorial Day! Thanks again!

 

[Luv2Roam]

It been years ago, but we once vacationed here on Memorial Day weekend too, and was expecting the worse. And were pleasantly surprised.
One day we took the UnDISCOVERed Future World behind the scenes tour. Worked out great.
So maybe plan a behind the scenes tour on a day you think may be real busy in a particular park. (Like MK on Saturday for example.)