Hello Sandy and welcome back to planDisney!
You are going to be spending your holiday season with Mickey and Minnie! I bet you can’t wait to make your dining reservations!
When it comes to scheduling your
dining reservations, it makes a difference if you are going to be a Guest with a valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation. It you do have a valid reservation, you can make your dining reservations 60 days in advance of your arrival for your entire length of stay, for up to a 10-night stay. All other Guests can make reservations 60 days in advance but must check availability day after day.
Sandy, I look at the dining reservation day as my first rope drop day of my vacation! Set your alarm for 5:45am eastern time for the 6:00am window that dining will open. Grab your favorite Disney mug and fill it with your favorite morning beverage and get ready to make those dining reservations! I also have a cheat sheet template in front of me with the dates of my trip and my tentative plans for each day. This will allow me to make dining reservations for the correct theme park or resort on the day that I originally planned on being there. There are always changes that can and will be made to the itinerary, but it is always good to have a starting point template!
With your trip scheduled to be during the holiday, I would recommend going straight to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if you are planning on getting dining reservations for those two days. They could fill up faster than most days. My recommendation for one of those days would be the
Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom. The Patriot’s Platter dinner reminds me of our Christmas dinners growing up and that Ooey Gooey toffee cake dripping with chocolate sauce is to die for!
My wife and I always reserve a spot at
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop for a late lunch or early dinner. It is always topped off by a shared No Way Jose! I think I’m sounding like my sweet tooth is taking over my brain, it probably is!
Sandy, have a great trip, secure all of your favorite dining locations, and don’t forget to enjoy a Mickey Bar or two!
Kurt