Hi there, Jenny!
I’m so happy to see you have a special
Walt Disney World Resort vacation planned for the new year. Visiting in January for something to look forward to after the holidays and a winter escape to the Most Magical Place on Earth sounds perfect!
I’m glad you’re familiar with the
current cancellation policy for dining reservations. I’m happy to share that yes, you may certainly visit the restaurant in person and speak with the team at the host stand about cancelling your plans that day, but the policy will continue to be in effect for the timeline of cancellation actions. I encourage you to use the
My Disney Experience App for an efficient experience from any location, and to speak with the team if you happen to be nearby earlier in the day or have specific concerns to discuss.
These policies are in place so that all Guests have a chance to have an
incredible dining experience at the many restaurants throughout the theme parks, Disney Springs, Disney’s BoardWalk, and Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Cancelling in advance allows another family to receive some pixie dust in picking up a coveted reservation and to get to their destination in time. Cancelling in advance also gives the dining team the opportunity to plan their service for an efficient and top-notch dining experience for everyone.
I also like to plan out my Disney days, right at the 60-day mark, and structure our vacation with daily table service meals. I try to look ahead each night as we enjoy our vacation to see if our schedule or moods have changed and adjust anything the night prior so that I don’t lose track of time during the day. I’ve also had lots of luck securing a new reservation the same day through the My Disney Experience App, either through a regular dining reservation search or using the
Walk-Up Waitlist feature for any given restaurant. My family tries to balance lots of planning with flexibility for changes and allow for spontaneity on our vacations - dining is a big aspect of that experience for us.
I hope this helps you envision what to expect as you make any on-site adjustments to your dining plans. While policies are in place, I find Cast Members to be very empathetic of emergencies or other disruptions so please do speak with someone at the restaurant if you have a concern about the cancellation timeline during your visit.
Please let us know how else we can help you make the most of this amazing vacation in the new year.
Wishing you a magical stay,
Amy