Welcome to planDisney, Pat and thanks for dropping by with your question!
Pat,
dining around the Walt Disney World Resort is one of my favorite topics of conversation because like my favorite rat chef, Remy, I wholeheartedly believe, "if you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff!"
Now, Pat, let's dig into your dining conundrum. It has become a very popular practice for guests to
begin making dining reservations 60 days in advance, so that may be one of the reasons you're finding little to no availability, but don't fear! I have a few suggestions that might help keep bellies full and put smiles back on faces.
First, keep trying! Many times I have attempted to book a reservation for a specific restaurant on a certain date with no luck. However, guests' plans do change all the time and you never know when availability will open up. When this happens to me, I try to search for a few minutes every day (
I put a reminder in my daily planner to check while I eat lunch) leading up to my trip just in case something becomes available. I've had great luck in finding tables two or three days before our visit when we are flexible with times.
Second, check out the
Mobile Dine Walk-Up Availability tool. This is available on your
My Disney Experience Mobile App and allows guests to request a last-minute table at participating restaurants. My best advice for using this feature (and the best success I have had) is to request a table around late morning for lunchtime. Often if you are willing to eat at less popular times of the day, you have a better chance of being seated.
Pat, my final recommendation is a bit unconventional, but if having a table-service meal is important, may be one worth considering. Depending on the theme park you are visiting, you are always welcome to leave the park, dine at a neighboring Disney Resort Hotel and then return to the park when you're through! For example, if you are at
Magic Kingdom Park, you could take the complimentary boat over to
Disney's Wilderness Lodge and enjoy a meal at
Whispering Canyon Cafe and then return to the park! Over at EPCOT, you could walk out through the International Gateway (near the France pavilion) over to
the Crescent Lake resort area and have an upscale meal at
Yachtsman Steakhouse or
Flying Fish. When your meal is over, simply stroll back into EPCOT! While some of these restaurants may not have been on your list to check reservations, you'll find some amazing options at the resorts.
Pat, I'll be wishing on a star that your desired reservations open up just in time for your trip. If you have any other questions, come on back to planDisney where we have all the ingredients to whip up an answer for you.
Lauren