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Whether you have chosen a Disney Dining Plan or are just planning out your meals for your vacation there are so many amazing places to eat . When we are working with our clients, dining choices are discussed way in advance. If you are a new first-time guest of Walt Disney World Resort you might think that is going a bit overboard, thinking about what I am going to eat for breakfast in 60 days? Trust us, popular locations book up early and it is hard to get reservations if you are not prepared. Every Disney guest is unique and has their own favorite characters and food preferences. During our discovery call this is one of the things we discuss, what are your favorite Disney movies, who are your most beloved characters? Does your family love all things breakfast? Our vacation planners can then direct you to a good match, let’s say your family loves Winnie the Pooh and it is on your list to meet him, you also love breakfast, we will suggest the breakfast buffet at the Crystal Palace. Perhaps you want to meet Snow White and the Evil Queen? You can dine with them at the Story Book Dining at Artists Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Once you decide where you want to go we want to make sure that you get those reservations! Our travel planners help you with the process so you will be in good hands. Some guests prefer to handle the booking themselves, so here are some tips to make sure you get the reservations of your dreams.
Timing is Everything
Make your dining reservations exactly 60 days in advance. If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you have a significant advantage – you can make reservations for your entire stay (up to 10 days) starting 60 days from your check-in date. This means you’ll have less competition for securing dining spots later in your trip. Start with booking your last days first to take advantage of timing.
When making reservations online, be ready at 5:45 AM Eastern Time when the system opens. The phone lines don’t open until 7:00 AM, so online booking gives you a head start for those hard-to-get restaurants.
Be Strategic
Don’t book your restaurant choices in chronological order. Instead, start with the hardest-to-get reservations (like character dining or signature restaurants) regardless of which day of your trip they fall on.
Be flexible with your dining times. The most popular times (12:00-2:00 PM for lunch and 6:00-8:00 PM for dinner) book up first. Consider eating during off-peak hours – you might have better luck securing a 2:00 PM lunch or 4:30 PM dinner.
Use Multiple Reservation Systems
For Disney Springs restaurants, try using OpenTable in addition to Disney’s reservation system. Many popular restaurants like The BOATHOUSE, Morimoto Asia, and Raglan Road offer additional reservation times there.
Some newer restaurants, like The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s BoardWalk, use OpenTable exclusively for their reservations instead of the Disney system.
Keep Checking for Cancellations
If you can’t get a reservation initially, keep checking back regularly. Cancellations happen frequently, especially as you get closer to your travel date. Many people recommend checking:
- 30 days out (when some travelers finalize plans)
- 7-10 days before (when final payments are due)
- 24-48 hours before (when the cancellation penalty window begins)
Most reservations can be canceled up to 2 hours before without penalty, so the day before and day of your desired reservation often see many openings become available.
Consider Walk-Up Availability
If you’re unable to secure an advance dining reservation prior to your trip, you can always look for same-day reservations or check if a walk-up waitlist is available through the My Disney Experience app. Many restaurants keep some tables available for walk-ups.
Know the High-Demand Restaurants
The most difficult reservations to secure typically include:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table (inside the castle)
- The Cake Bake Shop (newer restaurant at BoardWalk)
- Character dining experiences
- Victoria & Albert’s (signature dining) Grand Floridian
- Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast themed) Magic Kingdom
- California Grill (especially during fireworks times) Contemporary Resort
- Space 220 Epcot
The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the most sought-after Disney Dining Reservations, especially during Magic Kingdom fireworks times. When making Disney Dining Reservations for California Grill, remember that even if you dine earlier in the evening, you can return with your same-day receipt to watch the fireworks from their observation deck – making this one of the most valuable Disney Dining Reservations for families wanting a spectacular fireworks view.
Great places online to get more information about Disney dining:
