Our family of 8 is wondering about dining reservations booked near park closing times. Do we need to make our reservations early enough in the evenings to eat & then exit before closing? Or can we remain to complete our meal after the park closes?

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Answer 1

Hi Sarah! Welcome to planDisney!

You are going to have the best time with your family this spring at the Walt Disney World Resort! It sounds like you are preparing to make dining reservations at the 60-day mark in your countdown which is coming up soon. By snagging dining reservations early, you will find the most options and availability. Trust me, when you are sitting down to enjoy a delicious Table-Service meal at the end of the day, you'll be so glad you planned ahead.

When it comes to dining reservations, booking the last available reservation time is just fine! You will be able to enjoy your meal, even if it is near theme park closing time. My family has often chosen a late dining reservation, so we don't miss out on much theme park time, but we have never felt rushed at our meal. With the current earlier closing hours, I would actually recommend you go for the later dining reservations to squeeze as much magic into your day as possible!

Since you are traveling with a large family, you should check out the tips that my fellow planDisney Panelists have for you in the Disney Parks Blog article I just linked for you. As experienced big party travelers, they know a thing or two about making it a smooth vacation!

Enjoy your visit, Sarah! Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Tabitha

Our family of 8 is wondering about dining reservations booked near park closing times. Do we need to make our reservations early enough in the evenings to eat & then exit before closing? Or can we remain to complete our meal after the park closes?

Meet the Panelist: Tabitha, Tennessee

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Our family of 8 is wondering about dining reservations booked near park closing times. Do we need to make our reservations early enough in the evenings to eat & then exit before closing? Or can we remain to complete our meal after the park closes?”

Meet the Panelist: Tabitha, Tennessee

Related Links

Thank a Panelist

Share a message of thanks with the knowledgeable panelist who provided a personalized answer to your Disney vacation question.

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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.

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Our family of 8 is wondering about dining reservations booked near park closing times. Do we need to make our reservations early enough in the evenings to eat & then exit before closing? Or can we remain to complete our meal after the park closes?