Hey there, Bruce! I always love seeing a fellow North Carolinian stop by planDisney and ask a question. I'm glad you're here!
You are able to make
advanced dining reservations for your vacation 60 days prior to your check-in date. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you are able to make dining reservations for the length of your stay up to 10 days. You can make dining reservations online starting at 6:00 a.m. Mickey Mouse's time or over the phone by calling 407-WDW-DINE starting at 7:00 a.m. Some of the best restaurants can fill up quickly. I recommend setting your alarm early that day and be on your phone waiting to make your character dining reservations right before 6:00 a.m. If you are checking in for your vacation on April 1, 2022, then 60 days prior would be Monday, January 31, 2022, but you'll want to double-check my math on that one.
Right now,
character dining remains somewhat limited in choices although more may open up before your trip next year. Currently accepting reservations is Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Garden Grill at Epcot, Hollywood & Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios,
Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera at Disney's Riviera Resort and Tusker House Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. All of these choices are really fun, there isn't a bad one in the mix. Right now, my favorite character meal happens to be at Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera. It's one of the newest offerings and the restaurant itself is so beautiful. I also love the breakfast menu. The meal starts out with fresh pastries delivered straight to your table. Then, you'll select an entree off a menu, but what a lot of people don't know is that this meal is considered all-you-care-to-enjoy. Meaning, you can enjoy more menu offerings than just one. I absolutely love the breakfast quiche there but I can also never say no to a Mickey waffle and dining there, I don't have to choose. Right now, characters are still not coming around to individual tables for pictures
and autographs. Instead, you'll find Mickey and the gang dancing, waving and posing for pictures from a safe distance away. Don't let this discourage you from booking a character dining, however, I actually took one of my favorite photos with my girl, Minnie Mouse, this way!
I hope this helps, Bruce. If you have any other questions while you plan your next Walt Disney World vacation, please feel free to stop back by and
ask me. I'm here to help. Have fun and happy planning!