With deepest pride and greatest pleasure, I welcome you to planDisney, Donna! It looks like you have a visit to
Walt Disney World Resort this fall, and you have questions about booking the most fabulous part of your vacation: Your dinner! Let's talk about securing some advanced dining reservations so you can Be Our Guest!
At table service restaurants, dining opens 60 days in advance on a rolling basis, so any guest can
make reservations one day at a time from that mark. The easiest way to book meals is to hop online around 6:00 AM EST with a hot cup of coffee. I always choose a Disney mug for luck! Here's a tip: If you're staying at a
Disney Resort Hotel, you can book dining for every day of your visit up to 10 days when the 60-day window opens. That gives you the advantage of seeing more availability in one sitting. I always have my list of desired times and locations handy if I'm booking for my whole trip.
If you aren't staying on property, you can make your dining reservations one day at a time as the 60-day mark arrives. I've also booked restaurants this way, and although that can be a lot of early rising, it is nice to focus on one day at a time. Whichever camp you're in, I'm sending pixie dust and grey stuff so that you'll get the dining reservations of your dreams, Donna.
Be sure you have a
My Disney Experience account set up and that you're logged in on the morning of your booking. Having a credit card on file in your account is also helpful because you'll be asked to confirm with one. Most restaurants won't charge anything for reservations, but no-shows can be charged a fee. A few special dining experiences, such as character meals, might ask for payment in full when booking, so be aware of that.
Once you've made your dining, you can see your bookings under My Plans on the website and in the
My Disney Experience Mobile App. You can also make changes or cancel reservations there, as well. Remember to check in on the mobile app a few minutes before your reservation time, and remember that the reservation time is only an estimate of when you'll be seated. I typically find a place to relax after I check in; it's an excellent opportunity to go through the photos I've taken that day!
Before I leave, I'd like to offer a few of my favorite dining options. One of my top picks inside the theme parks is
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The atmosphere here is unique, and the burgers and shakes are out of this world.
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a great place to dine outside the parks. This family-friendly restaurant has delicious grub, and I always leave laughing. Finally, at Disney Springs, my family always enjoys eating fish and chips at
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.I hope you return with a full report on your culinary cabaret, Donna. Please
stop by planDisney anytime because we only live to serve!
Magic awaits,
Elaine