Will free dining affect attendance levels?

[DeterminedOne]

Thought I had our dates all figured out, trip is booked, ADR's booked, great. But now they're offering free dining and I'm worried about being there during that time. Will the crowds be larger because of it do you think? I was hoping like heck they wouldn't offer that this year. No offense to the folks who get to take advantage of it but I'm afraid people will see the word FREE and flock to Disney in masses. Do you think I should change our dates? We will be there from 9/24-10/2 and "free" dining ends 9/30.

 

[alite]

We were there last year, the same week, thanks to the free dining. The only time it seemed to get real crowded was when the F&W Festival and MNSSHP kicked in. Now that the dining plan has been out for a while, it may be different this year .

 

[Cinders Mum]

We did notice the difference last year as we usually go at this time of year, however I don't think there will be any benefit to you to change your dates, this package runs from august through to the end of sept (although in actuallity because a package can lst up to 10 days and last check in is 9/30 it will mean that there will still be people on free dining up to and including 10/10) add this to MNSSHP and F&W running from the end of Sept and you are between the devil and the deep blue sea for crowds ....

Just make sure you have all the important restaurants to you as timings will now be at a premium... if you do this then the added crowds from this offer will not affect you qjuite so much.

HTH

 

[mla973]

The CM I spoke with at CRO laughed when I mentioned that I thought parks would be relatively quiet until this new code came out. We are going mid-September. I think if you have a touring strategy and ADR's, you should be fine.

 

[granmaz]

I think that is what Disney is hoping for!

 

[n2mm]

THis will have a huge effect on the parks. My wheels are already spinning. I was thinking of an August trip....Of course that would make 4 trips this year....hmmm.

 

[LBKMAMA]

We are booking for end of Sept for 5 nights...it's such a huge savings compared to our Dec. trip (our dtr is still 2 plus free dining). We won't be going to Halloween thing at MK or to Epcot (F&W)- should we be okay?
I never thought about crowd levels...the week we go in Dec is so nice will I be disappointed?

 

[momof2inPA]

Probably, but a lot of people with school age kids won't go at the end of August or in September no matter what.

 

[Allison]

I think the whole point of Disney offering a promotion is to increase crowd levels.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

we went last year during free dining and it wasn't crowded at all. It was great!

 

[bsusanmb]

I agree, it was not crowded when we were there in Sept. The only thing to think about is to get you ADR's in right away. If you want to do the California Grill, and other signature restaurants, they go quickly, as does Liberty tree tavern.
I bought into the DVC this year and have a huge family vacation planned and we do not qualify for the free dining, rats. But have fun and go for it!!!

 

[Mamu]

Normally this is one of Disney's slowest times.

The weather is very hot and humid, nothing special going on, reduced hours, plus it hurricane season.

To promote attendence Disney offers free dining when you book a rake rate resort. If you like to sample some of the better restaurants it's a good deal.

Last year it helped boast attendence during this time frame. Some who visit the parks this time of year and are used to low attendence claim it was very crowded. Will it effect this years attendence probably.

Whether or not you think it's crowded depends on what your used to. If your used to going during peak times I'm sure you won't think it's very crowded.

We were there the 3 week of October after the dining special ended. I can honestly say there were no crowds other then Epcot (which is hosting the Food and Wine Festival) I love this time of year.

 

[Robo]

Let's just settle this whole thing right now.

NO.

NOTHING ever effects crowd levels at Disney.

Now just GO, along with all the rest of us, and shut up about it!

 

[madge]

Probably, but a lot of people with school age kids won't go at the end of August or in September no matter what.

I can tell you that the last week of September/first week of October was absolutely PACKED last year, as a result of the free dining promotion....many families with school-aged children. Here's why:

1. Fall Break throughout much of the southern states. This year my older son is out from 9/29-10/16, and my younger son is out from 10/5-10/16. Many school systems have similar schedules in September & October.

2. Please forgive me for not knowing which holiday, but there is also a Jewish holiday that many schools in the country dismiss a few days for. I know we talked to several people last year that brought families at that time because the kids were missing school.

3. And finally, many people will change dates to save the money. period.

There will be people that can't or won't go at that time because of school, but please don't think the numbers won't change that much.

ADRs will be IMPOSSIBLE to get at the last minute, too.

 

[madge]

We were there the 3 week of October after the dining special ended. I can honestly say there were no crowds other then Epcot (which is hosting the Food and Wine Festival) I love this time of year.

this is what we are hoping for-- after Columbus Day... that things will die down some. We did not enjoy the crowds last year, compared to other trips we have taken at the same time.

 

[Tissa]

Yes I believe it will. Raise your hand if you are going just to get free dining I'm not but I know a lot of people are.

 

[bertalander]

We last year end Sept/Oct with free dining. Hardly any lines at all. And this was during Food and Wine Festival etc. Mickey Halloween WAS very crowded. And while we enjoyed it I think we'll skip this year.

~Berta

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I must have missed the thread announcing the Free Dining for this year.... anyone know the dates... Also It really depends on when you are going during the Free Dining plan... Last year we went the first week (aka the last week of august).... Crowds were TINY!!!!. For dinner I literally called ADR and made a reservation while walking to the restaurant... and when she said "What time?" I would say "ummmm now would be good".... then I would walk up to the podeum and would be seated before everyone else

 

[DeterminedOne]

 

[excitedfordisney7]

Can someone please explain the free dining deal. I am going for 6 days in September. Also...how do you get the deal?