You’ve seen the mouthwatering meals on Instagram. Followed along as your favorite creators float through those fully immersive restaurants. But when you go to grab some grub at Oga’s Cantina, or snack on bread service at Sanaa – it’s fully booked! Never fear, we’ve got the tips and tricks to get you there.
With park reservations, Genie+, and Lightening Lanes – planning and preparation are more important to your
How Do Disney Dining Reservations Work?
Disney World is home to four different service types:
- Quick Service – or takeaway. Place your order with a cashier, or on the mobile app, and pick it up at the counter window
- Table Service – you’ll be seated at a table inside of the dining location. A server will come to take your order, bring out your meal, and help answer any questions you might have
- Character Dining – similar to Table Service, but characters will be roaming the restaurant and greeting guests
- Signature Dining – includes all aspects of Table Service but at upscale (fancy) locations such as California Grill or Victoria and Albert
While you can walk up to a quick service location at any time during operating hours – table service, character and signature dining all require reservations.
And these are some of the best dining options at
When to Book Disney Dining Reservations
Dining reservations open at 6:00am ET, 60 days in advance, for all park guests. Park reservations are recommended, but not required.
Those staying on property at a
This effectively allows you to book 70 days in advance. Giving you a 10 day advantage over non-resort guests. Talk about an onsite benefit!
Tips and Tools for Securing Dining Reservations
Which brings us to our next tip:
Book Backwards
Take full advantage of this resort guest benefit by planning your most in-demand reservations at the end of your trip.
You’ll have a better chance of booking what you want, and after a few days in
There’s just no better way to cap off a trip than the rooftop firework viewing at California Grill.
Mark It On Your Calendar
As soon as you know you are going to
There are so many moving parts and pieces in planning a vacation, especially to
Setting a reminder in your calendar, with a notification, will ensure you are up and online when the clock strikes 6am.
Use Your Travel Agent
It might come as a surprise but anytime you book a
Now, there are lot’s of reasons to consider using a travel agent. It’s free, they’re job is literally to know everything about
ADR’s open at 6:00am eastern. That’s 3:00am on the west coast, and midnight (or 1:00am) in Hawaii. Get a travel agent, sleep in, and secure top tier reservations to your favorite restaurants.
Notification Apps
My favorite thing about the internet is how easily creative and cunning folks can share their creations. Which is why we love the Mouse Dining webapp.
Mouse Dining receives information from the
Don’t see the date and time you’re looking for? Not to worry, just set an alert to receive an email when something opens up. This is a great way to secure last minute reservations.
Popular Dining Spots at Disney World
But where will you use all this new found knowledge? Nothing could be worse than going through the work only to have a disappointing experience that let’s you down. And trust me, it happens. Just look at our Rose and Crown dining review.
Break out that bucket list because here are the most in-demand dining reservations at
- Victoria and Albert is the only Michelin star rated location on
Disney property - California Grill Dinner located on the top floor of the contemporary, guests dining during the Magic Kingdom fireworks are able to access a rooftop viewing area. It’s the show of a lifetime, just don’t look down!
- Ohana located in the Polynesian resort, near Magic Kingdom. Famous for their noodles and bread pudding. Infamous for the Stitch character breakfast.
- Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a very upscale experience. Everything here is delicious, but the mac and cheese is so good it had to be brought back by popular demand after being briefly removed from the menu.
- Crystal Palace Breakfast Magic Kingdom’s signature character breakfast features friends from the Hundred Acre Woods including Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit.
- Takumi Tei service a (pricey) prix fix menu, you will feel like you have teleported to Japan and not just the pavilion.
- Monsieur Paul Epcot is home to a litany of amazing dining options, but this location in the France pavilion may take the cake.
- Tusker House this Animal Kingdom classic is a favorite among guests young of all ages.
- Sanaa you might go for the bread service, but you’re going to come back for the butter chicken.
- Round-Up Rodeo BBQ an all you care to eat family style BBQ in the middle of Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land. There’s even a full plant-based prix fix option, yum!
- Be Our Guest a wish list requirement for fans of Beauty and the Beast. Dine here to be transported to the Beast’s castle. You can even eat in the East Wing.
What to Know
It’s important to mention that a credit card is required to secure all dining reservations. And, missing a reservation could cost you $20 per person on the reservation.
Dining reservations can be modified and canceled up to 2 hours before you’re scheduled arrival time. Reservations are typically held for 15-20 minutes, in case you are running late. So the risk of missing your window is slim.
Disney World is full of amazing entertainment, rides, and festivals. But failing to plan some epic eats along the way, is planning to fail my friends. We absolutely love a mid-day dining break, or a fancy feast to end a trip.
What’s your favorite dining location at
