Hi Shantel,
When aiming to
Join a Walk-Up List, proximity is key. While there's no hard-and-fast rule about the exact distance you need to be from the restaurant, you need to be in the general vicinity of the dining location.
Advance Dining Reservations are strongly advised, especially for popular dining spots or peak times. These reservations typically open 60 days in advance of your check-in date. However, if you find yourself already at the park without a reservation, don't fret.
Utilize the
My Disney Experience app to your advantage. This powerful tool allows you to check for dining availability and even join that coveted walk-up list for certain restaurants. I love this feature because as other guests' plans change, it opens additional options for us last-minute planners.
My previous attempt to join the Walk-Up List
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop from
Disney's Hollywood Studios serves as a perfect example. Despite my desire to dine there and an opportunity for my party size to join the walk-up list, the system recognized that I was too far away and didn't allow me to join the walk-up list until I got closer. Once I arrived at
Disney’s Beach Club Resort, I was able to join the walk-up list. However, walk-up availability changes often and quickly. Hence, it's essential to be in the vicinity of the dining location for the best chance at spontaneity.
When using the My Disney Experience app for walk-up reservations, at the bottom of the page, find the + sign. Choose “Check Dining Availability, enter your party size, and you’ll see at the bottom of the page “Hungry Now? Dine without a reservation. To the right of this, click the “Join a Walk-up List button to check availability. It's a fantastic feature for impromptu dining experiences.
Keep the My Disney Experience app handy for those spur-of-the-moment dining decisions and enjoy the magic of spontaneous dining!
~Heather