Welcome to planDisney, Jennifer! Securing those
dining reservations is one of the most exciting parts of planning a Disneyland Resort vacation. Let’s take a look at how the reservation window works so you can feel ready when your booking day arrives.
While Disneyland Resort dining reservations do open 60 days in advance, the system works a little differently than at Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, you’ll need to book reservations one day at a time as each individual date reaches its 60-day window. In other words, you won’t be able to reserve dining for your entire stay all at once.
Most dining reservations become available around 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time, so I recommend signing into your MyDisney account on the
Disneyland app or the Disneyland website a few minutes early. When your window opens, start with the most popular locations on your wish list first. Favorites like
Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park or
Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure Park tend to book quickly, especially for prime lunch and dinner times.
If you aren’t able to secure a reservation right away, don’t lose hope! Availability changes often as guests adjust their plans in the days leading up to their trips. I also highly recommend checking the
Mobile Dine Walk-up Availability feature in the Disneyland app. My wife and I have used it several times with great success, especially when we decided on a last-minute dining break while exploring the parks. Simply join the walk-up list through the app and wait for a notification when your table is ready.
You’ll also be visiting during Disneyland’s
70th Anniversary Celebration, which adds even more excitement to your summer visit! You may want to plan at least one evening in each park so you can enjoy the nighttime entertainment offerings. In Disneyland, “
Wondrous Journeys” transforms Sleeping Beauty Castle with incredible projection effects, music, and fireworks on select nights, while “
Paint the Night” fills Main Street, U.S.A. with glowing floats and thousands of dazzling lights. Over in Disney California Adventure, “
World of Color Happiness!” brings Paradise Bay to life with fountains, music, and memorable Disney moments, and Carthay Circle Theatre features a special “Celebrate Happy” moment each evening throughout the celebration.
Jennifer, I hope this helps you feel ready to tackle those dining reservations like a pro! If you have any other questions as you prepare for your visit, please stop by planDisney again.
Wishing you a vacation filled with unforgettable meals, spectacular nighttime entertainment, and plenty of Disneyland magic!
David