Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. I am happy to help you consider dining reservations for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.
The great news is that there are so many
dining options at Walt Disney World. While there are some restaurants that are very popular, I urge you to look at some of the others as well. I find that many of these hidden gems are wonderful! For instance, I find that the ambiance at Disney's Old Key West Resort's Olivia's Cafe is laid-back, and that the down-home fare is delicious. For a more exotic taste, consider the African and Indian flavors at Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom - Kidani Villas. If you are looking for hidden gems in the theme park, I also have a couple of favorites. Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom is great example of this, serving delicious food with a side of Jungle Skipper fun!
Another suggestion that I have for you is to look for "off times" for your meals. By this I mean, try, for example a late lunch or an early dinner. My family and I are big fans of a 2:00 p.m. lunch at a theme park. We find that we power through with excitement in the morning and are then ready for a break in the early to mid-afternoon. Then, we may only need a snack for dinner. Try the same things with other meals - considering off times for meals may be the ticket to the reservation you want!
Do keep checking back as you get closer to your vacation. Some guests choose to cancel reservations that you can then get. Also, it is always worth a try to walk up to a restaurant and ask if there are any tables available. Finally, do not forget that Walt Disney World has many wonderful quick-service locations that do not take reservations. There are so many delicious options!
I hope that these thoughts are helpful for you, Mark. Please do let us know if you have any further questions!