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Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest; Animal Kingdom
  • On Oct 14, 2013
    April from VA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are traveling to WDW for our first time in May, w/ Disney Dining Plan. Do we really need to make reservations for all of our table service meals? Will we be able to eat at a table service restaurant w/o reservations? We don't know how to pick & sche

    Hi April,

    As weird as it sounds, if you want to dine at a table service restaurant your best bet is to make reservations 180 days in advance of your vacation. I know that seems incredibly early, but the planning you do in advance will make your actual time spent in Walt Disney World that much better.

    How do you begin? How do you know where you'll be spending your days 6 months from now? My advice is to let us help you. Submit another question with your travel dates, and any of us will be happy to give you touring suggestions. Let us know what type of tickets you'll have (if they're regular or Park Hopper passes).

    Sometimes, if there is a really popular restaurant where you want to dine, you may only be able to get a reservation for a specific day. That may dictate where you spend your time. For instance, if you can only get into Be Our Guest on a Thursday evening, well then Thursday during your vacation is a great day for Magic Kingdom.

    Yes, there are some table service restaurants you'll be able to get into at the last minute. There are also some fantastic counter service options for families who like to play things by ear. You won't starve, and you'll still have some pretty decent food without hyper planning. However, if you want to dine with Mickey or eat in Cinderella Castle, you should plan ahead.

    Hope this helps. Have a magical vacation!
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Meet the Panelist: Diane, Georgia

After spending 25 years in RI, my husband and I relocated to GA with our youngest, who is now in high school. I took my first trip to Walt Disney World when I was 11 and I have traveled many times since then with all different party sizes. From creating our first itinerary as a honeymooner to later creating magical experiences for our multigenerational family gatherings, every aspect of planning a vacation has been pure joy to me.  Learn More About Diane

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