• On Jul 9, 2021
    Jennifer from FL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    So we are arriving Thursday September 9. I’m hearing different times that advance dining reservations open. I know it’s 60 days before arrival so would be July 11. Is it 5:45 am EST or 7 am EST? I’ve even heard 6 am EST

    Hi Jennifer! Welcome to planDisney.

    You are getting closer and closer to your September visit to the Walt Disney World Resort - hurray! The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will be in full swing, happy haunts will be out to socialize at the Disney After Hours BOO Bash, and excitement will be in the air for The World's Most Magical Celebration. As Mickey's friends would sing, it's going to be "a good, good, good, good time!"

    Currently, Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels may make dining reservations 60 days in advance of their check-in date for the length of their stay, up to 10 days. If you won't be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you may make your reservations 60 days from your visit date and will log in each day at the 60-day mark to make your reservations. 

    As for timing, reservations may be made online beginning at 5:45 a.m., EST. You'll see that some Walt Disney World webpages note 5:45 a.m. as the time reservations open, but in my experience reservations have opened at 6:00 a.m. I always set myself up around 5:40 a.m. on the morning my dining reservation window opens, and I begin to check at 5:45 a.m. 

    My favorite tip for dining reservations is to make them in order of difficulty. If there's a dining experience that's really important to you, like breakfast at Chef Mickey's or a special dinner at California Grill, I would suggest planning that for the later days of your visit to give yourself the greatest chance at availability. Make your dining reservations in order of difficulty, not chronological order. 

    Finally, don't give up! I'm finding dining reservations much trickier than usual these days, but keep checking, and be flexible with your times. On my recent visit, my family wanted to experience Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The only reservation we could find was at 11:00 a.m., which seemed early for lunch, but it turned out we were ready for a break in the air conditioning and it worked out perfectly! (PS: they have great milkshakes!)

    I'm sending pixie-dusted wishes that your dining reservations all work out the way you're wishing. As you count down to your September visit, please come back and see us if you think of any further questions.

    Wishing you a magical vacation,
    Robyn
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Meet the Panelist: Robyn, Virginia

Hi there! I'm Robyn, and I am so excited to share my love of all things Disney with you! My proud military family loves going on Disney adventures that include enchanting moments, laughter and happy tears, and all the pineapple and Mickey-shaped snacks we can find. It's my pleasure to help you plan the most magical and unforgettable vacation in the Disney Parks. Learn More About Robyn

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