Welcome to planDisney, Edward!
Oh, your plan to book a reservation at
Cinderella's Royal Table is an outstanding one! There is something so magical about that location, the menu, and, of course, the royal hosts. You'll love it!
Regarding access to anything inside a
Walt Disney World park during
Extended Theme Park Hours, you would need to be a guest staying at one of the participating hotels to do so. I called Walt Disney World Dining on your behalf to confirm that this is the case, and the friendly Cast Member assisting me agreed.
Unlike an early morning dining reservation that takes place prior to a park opening, guests who enjoy the Extended Theme Park Hours usually obtain a wristband as those hours approach. This allows Cast Members to direct other guests to park exits at closing time. So even if you are in the park prior to close, you won't be able to linger for a dining reservation that's much later. For example, Magic Kingdom Park could be open until 9:30 one evening, but there are dining reservations available at Cinderella's Royal Table that night at 10:30. Eligible guests will be able to stay in the park that extra hour while others will not. Check the
Magic Kingdom Hours & Events Calendar to confirm park closing before booking that popular princess dining reservation.
The exception to this, of course, is that any guest who has a reservation scheduled prior to a park's closing time--9:25 in the example above--may be seated at that reservation and enjoy the full menu. That helpful Disney Dining CM I called confirmed this as well. Honestly, some of my coziest memories are strolling out of
The Hollywood Brown Derby or
Coral Reef Restaurant after a most magical meal and the park has been closed for almost an hour. Lights are shining and empty streets are gleaming as Cast Members wave their lighted wands, directing us to the exit. Ahh...so peaceful!
Edward, as you plan your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, be sure to send additional questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea H