Well hello there, Inderjeet, and a very magical welcome to you from planDisney! With your visit to the Disneyland Resort coming up next week, the excitement must be building!
That's a great question about
dining reservations! For table-service restaurants at Disneyland Resort, you don't pay upfront for the reservation itself, so there wouldn't be a "refund" in that sense. Instead, a credit card is usually required to secure your booking, and there's a cancellation policy in place. If you don't attend your reservation or don't cancel within the specified timeframe, a per-person cancellation fee might be charged to the card on file. So, the key is knowing how to avoid that fee!
Each restaurant has its own specific cancellation policy. When you book a dining reservation, the confirmation page should clearly state this policy. You'll also typically receive a confirmation email that includes all the details, including how and when you'll need to cancel to avoid any charges.
If you're looking to book a new reservation or want to double-check the policy for one you already have, your best bet is to hop over to the
Disneyland dining page. Simply find the restaurant you're interested in, and on that restaurant's details page, scroll down toward the bottom—you should see a section labeled "Cancellation Policy". For many locations, you generally need to cancel at least two hours before your reservation time to avoid cancellation fees.
Now, if your plans are a bit like the Mad Hatter's tea party—delightfully unpredictable—and you're not entirely sure if you can make a set reservation time, there are a couple of other wonderful options!
First, you can always try for same-day reservations through the
Disneyland mobile app. Other Guests' plans change all the time, and when they cancel their reservations, those spots can open up. There's no guarantee, of course, but it's always worth a peek! Another fantastic option is the
Mobile Dine Walk-up Availability service, which can be accessed directly in the Disneyland app or by scanning a QR code located near a participating restaurant’s entrance. So, with a little luck and good timing, you might just snag a table at a fantastic spot!
And hey, if you're still weighing your options or simply prefer to keep some of your meal times more spontaneous, don't forget about the amazing quick-service restaurants throughout both parks! A couple of my personal favorites you might enjoy are
Smokejumpers Grill over in Disney California Adventure Park—their plant-based burger really hits the spot after a day of adventures. And over in Disneyland Park, I highly recommend a journey to
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge for some truly unique and delicious interplanetary fare. No reservations needed for these spots, just delicious food when you're ready for it!
Inderjeet, I hope this helps you navigate your dining plans with confidence! Wishing you a truly magical and delicious visit next week! If any other questions pop up, feel free to ask.
Happy dining!
Cody