Animal Kingdom; AA; Mother, father, sisters
  • On Sep 4, 2024
    Sarah Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My 60 day window to make dinner and activity reservations is in 33 hours. I’m staying at a deluxe resort so want to make all my reservations at once. Do I need to have purchased my park tickets to make reservations or can I do that after?

    Bon appétit, Sarah! Welcome to planDisney where we love to tie napkins 'round our necks for delectable Disney dining. Booking meals for my Walt Disney World Resort visit is a highlight of the planning process for me, so let's discuss how you can secure your dream restaurant roster.

    You do not need theme park tickets to book dining for your visit, so you can purchase admission after you've scheduled your meals. Since you're a guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you can make reservations for up to 10 days of your stay. For the best selection, my tip is to book any hard-to-get character or signature dining experiences later in your vacation. 

    The booking window typically opens around 6:00 AM EST, but I like to log in closer to 5:45 AM to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and clear the cobwebs. I have my top choices written down, and I've learned that keeping a list of what I've booked is helpful. In the flurry of scheduling activities, it's easy to get confused. Once I'm satisfied with my selections, I may or may not go back to bed!

    If you can't get a specific dining reservation, please keep trying. Guests change their plans often, and I've found that persistence is key. I once snagged a spot at Cinderella's Royal Table while sitting in a waiting room at the dentist! 

    Remember, you can book dining on the go using your My Disney Experience mobile app. Tap the plus sign at the bottom and select "Check Dining Availability" to get started. Another option is to choose the search icon and enter a specific location to reserve a table. I'm sending pixie dust your way, Sarah!

    My husband and I love to dine at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya at EPCOT. The view is phenomenal, and the food never disappoints. We once dined late and watched Luminous The Symphony of Us during our meal! The restaurant plays the soundtrack synced to the show. Be sure to check in a few minutes early and ask for a table near the picture window. Let me know what you think!

    Sarah, I hope I've given you some helpful information to help make booking a breeze! Please stop by planDisney anytime. We think helping guests is *chef's kiss*!

    Magic awaits,
    Elaine
thumbnail image for Elaine

Meet the Panelist: Elaine, Florida

Bright Suns! I'm Elaine, a retired teacher dividing my time between my home state of Kentucky and the Sunshine State. I married my college sweetheart, and now that our only son is grown, we are exploring the empty-nest life. My family has been visiting Walt Disney World Resort for over 25 years, so if you have questions about adult-only visits, plant-based meals, thrill attractions, and Florida-resident perks, I'm here for you in full Force. Like Yoda would say, "Trips, we will plan!" Learn More About Elaine

Related Video

  • thumbnail image for Everything You Need To Know About Dining Plans | planDisney Podcast – Season 3 Episode 1

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so.

Ask a QuestionOpens the Ask a Question dialog box.
x

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer.


Or you can continue browsing without updating.