Hi Samantha! Welcome to planDisney!
The magic is just about to begin for your family as your trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is almost here! Before you know it, you'll be walking down Main Street U.S.A. toward the iconic Cinderella Castle, watching your little ones' eyes light up as they soak in the magic.
Character Dining is one of the most popular activities at Walt Disney World, so it can be tough to find these highly-sought reservations so close to your trip. But, you never know when your wish may be granted! In order to make a dining reservation, open your
My Disney Experience App and click the plus sign (+) on the bottom menu bar. Select "Check Dining Availability" and input the size of your dining party. Choose which meal you're searching for and the date and you will find all of the dining options available for that day. If you don't see something you like, you can try a different meal, specific time or date to see if anything better comes along! Many people use the advance dining reservation window to book character meals up to 60 days before their arrival, so it may be difficult to find these ever-so-popular reservations.
Another option is to utilize the
Mobile Dine Walk-Up Availability at participating character dining locations. Once you are within close proximity to the restaurant where you'd like to eat, you can use the search tool in the My Disney Experience App to find the restaurant and select "Join Walk-Up List." You'll be given an approximate return time through the app. The Walk-Up Lists will be available on and off throughout the day, as tables fill up and empty. Since crowds have been high, I'd recommend arriving near the restaurant as close to their opening time as possible for the best chance to grab a table. My family managed to have breakfast at
Tusker House Restaurant last month using this method. We arrived at
Disney's Animal Kingdom just as it opened and made our way to the restaurant as most other Guests ran to their favorite rides. We waited about ten minutes before having a delicious African-themed breakfast with Safari Mickey and his pals!
Samantha, if luck is just not on your side and you're unable to find the perfect character dining experience, I have another unique way to combine eating with seeing your favorite characters. Currently, the
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is underway and the
Outdoor Kitchens offer delicious small bites and refreshments. You can see some of your favorite characters as you snack your way around the World Showcase. By the time you reach the end of the loop, you'll have a full belly and may run into many beloved characters. You might see
Donald Duck in Mexico,
Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus,
Princess Jasmine in Morocco and more! It is almost like creating your own character dining experience!
Have a magical vacation,
Ashley