This is merely an observation. If the availabilty of ADR's is any indication as to expected crowd levels for the end of september and first 2 weeks of october, they are way down. I have been making my ADR's over the last week for this time frame an I have gotten EVERY one I've wanted at or near the time I've wanted, including LeCellier TWICE !!! This has not been the case the last few years. Without starting a pro & con debate over the free dining, which I personally love, I am just wondering if people are holding out hoping for free dining or maybe they are not booking if it isn't offered. Either way, the availability of ADR's are there this year where they haven't been in the past, in my case anyway.
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ADR Observation
- Thread starter PittFan
- Start date
goofykt
Member
I noticed the same thing the other day! I'm planning a surprise birthday trip for my husband the last week of Sept and I'm holding out on booking to see if they offer free dining. But I went online a few days ago to test the waters and see what kind of availability there was for restaurants (esp since they've expanded the booking window), and my jaw dropped when there were several options for Le Cellier and California Grill. Getting ressies during Sept has been a nightmare the past 2 years. Last year I had to check the online booking system multiple times every day in order to get the places we wanted. We got in to most of them, which I was thankful for, but the times were pretty crappy.
I'm positive we're going, so I went ahead and booked ADRs for all our "must" restaurants. I figure once (if) they announce free dining, all those open ADRs will go the way of the west.
I'm positive we're going, so I went ahead and booked ADRs for all our "must" restaurants. I figure once (if) they announce free dining, all those open ADRs will go the way of the west.
One Lil Spark
EPCOT Center Defender
I've been making my September ADRs as well the past week or two. The ONLY thing I've not been able to get is Le Cellier for dinner any night of our trip, (though I've gotten lunch twice) and Rose & Crown for right before/during Illuminations. Every other thing I've wanted, I've gotten relatively easily! I've even made an abundance of ADRs and let my DF decide where he'd like to eat based on menus.
I guess it's a good sign that we'll have nice crowd levels? :shrug:
I guess it's a good sign that we'll have nice crowd levels? :shrug:
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
The fact that Disney has revived some discounts here in the UK may be an indication that end of year sales are lagging a little.
blackthidot
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Ive changed a few of my times around as well, and Le Celier has always been available. I think the whole "free dining" not being released (yet) has a lot to do with it. If it is not released it will be dead in WDW...
One Lil Spark
EPCOT Center Defender
Though it's for totally selfish reasons, wouldn't you secretly love that...? :lookaroun
blackthidot
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Yes but I would also be DEVASTATED if they didn't release it and I didn't book the bounceback!
goofykt
Member
I know!!! Free Dining in Sept is our annual tradition. We stay in a Value and the trip is dirt cheap - only $1000 for the two of us including room, food & tickets! Can't beat that with a stick.
If they don't do it this year I'll be so mad at myself for not booking the bounceback. Hopefully we'll hear something soon!
If they don't do it this year I'll be so mad at myself for not booking the bounceback. Hopefully we'll hear something soon!
NewfieFan
Well-Known Member
Well, put us in the pile of people that haven't booked anything yet. We're waiting for free dining or a room discount to come out. We have APs so I don't know what the conditions will be for the free dining (if it comes out). If we have to buy a ticket for our length of stay obviously we'll be waiting for an AP room discount.
In years gone by I would already have made my ADRs by now... long ago. It feels so wrong to not have anything planned! :lookaroun
In years gone by I would already have made my ADRs by now... long ago. It feels so wrong to not have anything planned! :lookaroun
One Lil Spark
EPCOT Center Defender
Just snagged a Le Cellier dinner ADR for our arrival date... We'll take it! :king:
blackthidot
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
DITTO !!! I see you're from the 'Burgh too
Where you from in Pitt? I grew up in Oakland but I live in Shadyside now...
goofykt
Member
I know how you feel. I usually have my tabbed Disney binder set up and stuffed with paperwork at this point. I wish they'd get on with it and release Free Dining. I'm so Type A that booking 6 months out feels last minute to me!
I live in LOLA ( lower lawrenceville). We have quite a few gallery and salon owners that relocated to our area from Shadyside.
Korfar
Active Member
We booked our ADR's ahead of booking the trip too. Actually we even bought out plane tickets since prices were rising. Good thing we did. The price for our flight increased $300 since we booked it. I hope the free dining comes out. We are going either way but if no free dining then I will need to cancel my ADR's. I think Disney is hurting this summer so they are only running summer specials to try and book up those more expensive months. If that is the case than the September deals should be good too since it is typically one of thier slower times. I just wish they would get it out so we can book with Disney and have it all set in stone.
I only have 1 more ADR to make for our trip. We'll be there from Sept 26th thru Oct 12th, so i really hope they offer some sort of free dining or at least a nice AP room discount. As i mentioned in the OP, i have been able to get EVERYTHING i wanted at the times i've wanted, so i imagine they will need to offer something to get people in the parks.
blackthidot
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Oh okay cool...
fmingo36
Well-Known Member
We'll be there the first weekend of October.
I was just on-line and was able to get us in for the breakfast it the Castle with a party of 8! Couldn't believe it. I actually had my choice of breakfast or lunch.
My girls are going to be soooooooo excited when I tell them.:sohappy:
I was just on-line and was able to get us in for the breakfast it the Castle with a party of 8! Couldn't believe it. I actually had my choice of breakfast or lunch.
My girls are going to be soooooooo excited when I tell them.:sohappy:
Monorail Lime
Well-Known Member
I just booked ADRs for the last week of September and got everything I wanted except for 'Ohana again. I'm starting to think that I'll never get to eat there...
