Hi Meagan!
Welcome to planDisney.
I am very happy to see that your trip is just around the corner! As park reservations will no longer be required (as of 9th January 2024) my strategy would always put dining reservations as a priority, as the most popular restaurants are very popular. You can then plan your park days around those, and with a park hopper ticket you have the most flexibility where parks are concerned.
Dining reservations open at 60 days (+10 days if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel), and I recommend researching your
restaurants so you can jump on them at exactly 60 days, at 6.00 am (ET).
Some of my favourite dining locations are at the Magic Kingdom Resort hotels. I love
Narcoossee's at Disney Grand Floridian Resort, for the food, the view, and the location overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon.
California Grill, located high on the 15th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort is also worth a visit for the view alone. Both of these restaurants have fireworks viewing decks, and they pipe the music into the restaurants so if you don't wish to leave your table you can still enjoy the atmosphere. If you take an earlier reservation you could also go back to Magic Kingdom Park to watch the fireworks there. Another favourite of mine is
Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, located at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, just a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom Park. It's a very lovely experience, in an enchanted forest setting where you'll be visited by Snow White, Grumpy and Dopey, and everyone is invited for a photo opportunity with the Evil Queen after your meal. Try and make her smile!!! You can't see the fireworks from this restaurant, but if you walk down to the waterfront beside Geyser Point you can usually see them from there.
Please come back and visit us if you have any further questions.
You can also send a question directly to me if you wish. We are happy to help you plan your magical vacation and keep your eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for all the latest official news about events that may be happening during your stay.
Sue