Hi David!
Whew, the clock is about to strike midnight on your reservation window...I hope my magical friends can get this response to you in time!
The timing for
dining reservations and activities like the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can vary, but most are released at 6:00 AM EST 60 days in advance. It's an early wake-up call for people like you and me out here in the mountain states! If you don't see any openings for what you're looking for at first, don't panic. Just keep swimming...whoops, that's what Dory would say...I mean, keep checking...often. You can also try splitting up your party into smaller groups if you have a lot of people and reserving times very close to each other.
Reservations usually only release a day at a time, so if you're visiting the resort for multiple days then you'll need to check each morning for the next day to open. So if you can't get something for your first day, try again for the next one! Some of my favorite spots to eat are:
- Cafe Orleans at Disneyland Park. Hello, Monte Cristo sandwich and pomme frites!
- Carnation Cafe at Disneyland Park. Request an outside table when you check in to enjoy the atmosphere of Main Street, U.S.A.
- Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure Park. You can't go wrong with great pasta.
If you have a hard time getting reservations don't forget that there are some awesome quick service options! Many of them also use mobile ordering through the Disneyland Mobile App, which is super helpful. You might try:
- Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park. You need reservations for breakfast, but not lunch or dinner!
- Bengal Barbecue at Disneyland Park. My husband and I often get fantastic skewers here, and then grab our less-than-adventurous kids some chicken and fries from the nearby Stage Door Cafe.
- Flo's V8 Cafe at Disney California Adventure Park. The milkshakes are delicious and the decor is so fun!
Patience and persistence are the keys to dining reservations, David! And don't forget about one last magical option:
Mobile Dine Walk-Up Availability! I've scored some very last-minute pixie dust using the app to join a waitlist when I'm near a popular restaurant. Now I think I need to go find a snack, but if you need me you're welcome to
send a new question my way!
Keep moving forward!
Amanda