Crowd levels during free dining

[Mickey&Minnie]

We have our trip planned for sept. 13-23.(hopefully during free dining) My question is to people who have gone in the last few years during free dining. Sept. is usally a slower time of year, but does free dining effect the crowds alot? We went last year during spring break and it was very crowded. We also went last year after thanksgiving and the crowds were minimal. So i'm trying find out what to expect with crowds.

 

[mousermerf]

Rides are normal amount of busy, but getting into restaurants is near impossible and counter service is taxed by the surge and they also change some of the selection and variety to near nil in order to accomodate all the free diners.

 

[Mickey&Minnie]

well we have all of our adrs, so that's not a problem. I was just hoping that we wouldn't have to deal with spring break type crowds for the rides because of the free dining.

 

[Rob562]

well we have all of our adrs, so that's not a problem. I was just hoping that we wouldn't have to deal with spring break type crowds for the rides because of the free dining.

It's been mentioned in other threads that Free Dining only affects the crowds in the restaurants, because so many people staying on-site are using their meal plan credits.

On any given day, on-site Disney guests are still only a portion of the entire crowd in a park. And because Disney's resorts have a relatively high occupancy rate, the amount of on-site guests is fairly constant. The key as to whether or not any given time period is busy is whether or not the OFF-site hotels are full. Disney is just trying to pull those people who would be coming to the Orlando area to stay with Disney and not an off-site hotel by offering free food. (because giving away free food is cheaper than having empty rooms)

-Rob

 

[disneytopdog]

We have our trip planned for sept. 13-23.(hopefully during free dining) My question is to people who have gone in the last few years during free dining. Sept. is usally a slower time of year, but does free dining effect the crowds alot? We went last year during spring break and it was very crowded. We also went last year after thanksgiving and the crowds were minimal. So i'm trying find out what to expect with crowds.

I have gone twice 2005 & 2006 in September during "free Dining" The lines for the rides were 20 to 30 minutes for the major rides. Walk on for most of the others. With the increase of people staying on property the PM Extra Magic hours get a little more crowded than I had expected for that time of year. This is my third year to go after a long absence from WDW and would never go any other time of year. Get those ADRs in as quick as possible and have alternative resturants in mind or be flexible with your choices.

BOB

 

[BRER DAD]

I have been both years with free dining, lines for rides were not bad at all. The most I waited was 20 minutes.