Welcome to planDisney, Amy. It's so nice to virtually meet you! When it comes to finding the perfect dining reservation, sometimes all it takes is faith, trust, and a little pixie dust...and a little extra planning. So let's get your scrumptious question answered.
Tusker House Restaurant is one of my favorite
buffets in all of
Walt Disney World. There are more exotic options on the menu as well as familiar ones, so everyone will find something they like. Plus, the characters are in their safari gear, and I don't know that you get much better than that! You've made such a great choice with this one. So second star to the right and straight on till breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Advance dining reservations generally open 60 days in advance, and Guests staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel can book for their entire stay, up to 10 nights, beginning 60 days before check-in. Availability for some restaurants can go fast. What is likely happening is that there currently isn't availability for your
full party on the date and at the time you are looking to dine.
But don't fly off to Never Land just yet! What I would recommend is booking two tables of three (one booked by yourself for three Guests and one booked by another member of your travel party for three Guests). In the meantime, keep checking back for availability as your trip gets closer. Guests are always changing their plans, and if they cancel reservations, more availability may open up, and you can modify one of your reservations and cancel the other.
If you're not able to find availability for a party of six before your vacation, you can ask the Cast Member when you check in whether your parties can be seated together or near each other. While there are no guarantees, there's always a chance your "Lost Boys" won't have to be separated!
Speaking of tips and tricks, I have, in the past, secured a reservation, gone into the
My Disney Experience mobile app, selected "
Modify" on a reservation, changed the number of Guests...and magically, I was able to modify for my desired amount! While in my experience, this has been the exception rather than the rule, it does sometimes happen. Can I explain it? Nope. But when it happens, I just think it's Tinker Bell sprinkling a little pixie dust on me.
Amy, I'm sending happy thoughts your way for the dining reservations of your dreams. If you have any other questions,
I'm happy to answer them!
Never grow up,
Matt