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How to Make Disney Dining Reservations: The Complete 2025 Guide

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Making Disney dining reservations can feel like trying to win the lottery—especially when you’re after those coveted spots at Space 220 or Cinderella’s Royal Table. But here’s the good news: with the right strategy and timing, you can secure the dining experiences that will make your Disney vacation truly magical.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to make Disney dining reservations, from understanding booking windows to insider tips that seasoned Disney visitors swear by.

Understanding the Disney Dining Reservation System

Disney’s Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) allow you to book table-service restaurants up to 60 days before your visit. This system is essential for anyone planning to dine at Disney World’s most popular restaurants, as many fill up within minutes of the booking window opening.

When Can You Make Reservations?

The timing of when you can book depends on where you’re staying:

Resort Guests (The 60+10 Advantage): If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make reservations starting 60 days before your check-in date for your entire length of stay, up to 10 days. This means you could potentially book dining reservations up to 69 days in advance for restaurants you plan to visit later in your trip.

Off-Site Guests: If you’re staying off-property, you can book 60 days in advance of each individual dining date, one day at a time. This puts you at a disadvantage for later dates compared to on-site guests.

What Time Do Reservations Open?

Dining reservations become available at exactly 6:00 AM Eastern Time each day. However, many experienced Disney planners recommend logging in as early as 5:45 AM ET, as the system sometimes opens a few minutes early.

The Disney Reservation Center phone line (407-WDW-DINE or 407-939-3463) doesn’t open until 7:00 AM, so your best bet for securing popular reservations is using the online system or My Disney Experience app.

How to Make Disney Dining Reservations: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Disney Account

Before your 60-day booking window opens, make sure your My Disney Experience account is completely set up:

  • Download the My Disney Experience app
  • Create or log into your Disney account
  • Add all members of your travel party
  • Link your resort reservation (if applicable)
  • Save your credit card information in the system

Having everything ready beforehand means you won’t waste precious seconds fumbling with account setup when reservations open.

Step 2: Plan Your Dining Strategy

Don’t wait until 6:00 AM on booking day to figure out which restaurants you want. Create a prioritized list based on:

  • Must-have restaurants you absolutely don’t want to miss
  • Preferred dining times for each day
  • Park plans for each day of your trip
  • Alternative restaurants in case your first choice is unavailable

Remember, you’ll want to book in order of priority, not chronologically. If your dream restaurant is on day seven of your trip, book that one first.

Step 3: Use the New Disney Dining Reservation System

In June 2025, Disney rolled out a brand-new dining reservation system designed to make the booking process smoother and faster. The enhanced features include:

Time Slider: Instead of toggling between “breakfast,” “lunch,” or “dinner,” you can now use a time slider to set your exact preferred dining window. The system will show you all available reservations within that range.

Multi-Day Calendar View: You can now view all available times at all locations across a 10-day range, making it much easier to compare options and availability.

Enhanced Filtering: Filter search results by park, resort, or general location to quickly find what you’re looking for.

Step 4: Book Your Reservations

Here’s exactly how to make Disney dining reservations using the My Disney Experience app or website:

  1. Open the app or navigate to the Disney World website at exactly 6:00 AM ET (or 5:45 AM to be safe)
  2. Click the ”+” button at the bottom of the app screen
  3. Select “Check Dining Availability”
  4. Enter your party size, date, and desired time range using the slider
  5. Browse available restaurants and times
  6. Select your preferred restaurant and time
  7. Confirm your party details
  8. Provide a credit card to guarantee the reservation
  9. Receive confirmation via email

Pro Tip: Have multiple browser tabs or app screens set up with different restaurants already queued. This allows you to quickly pivot if your first choice sells out while you’re booking.

Advanced Strategies for Hard-to-Get Reservations

Some Disney restaurants are notoriously difficult to book. Here’s how to improve your chances at the most sought-after dining experiences.

The Hardest Reservations to Get

Based on 2025 data, these restaurants fill up fastest:

  • GEO-82 Lounge - Currently the hottest ticket, often selling out within an hour of reservations opening
  • Space 220 Restaurant - The space-themed EPCOT experience remains steadfastly elusive
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table - This Magic Kingdom classic has been hard to get for years
  • Topolino’s Terrace - Character breakfast at Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • ‘Ohana - Polynesian-themed favorite at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Oga’s Cantina - Star Wars-themed bar in Hollywood Studios

The “Book Backwards” Strategy

If you’re a Disney Resort guest using your 60+10 advantage, consider booking your reservations starting with the last day of your trip and working backward. Here’s why this works:

Earlier dates in your trip get booked up first because guests arriving before you (whose vacations overlap with yours) grabbed those reservations during their 60+10 window. By the time you’re booking, later dates in your trip may have better availability because fewer people’s booking windows extend that far.

The Last-Minute Cancellation Strategy

If you miss out on your must-have reservation, don’t give up. People’s plans change constantly, especially in the 48 hours before their dining time. Here’s what to do:

Check Regularly: Keep refreshing the My Disney Experience app throughout the days leading up to your trip. Last-minute spots pop up frequently.

Check the Night Before: Many successful bookings for impossible-to-get restaurants like Space 220 Lounge happen around 11:00 PM the night before.

Check Day-Of: Since Disney allows cancellations up to 2 hours before the reservation time, check again 2-3 hours before your desired dining time.

Use the Walk-Up Waitlist: Many table-service restaurants offer a virtual walk-up waitlist through the My Disney Experience app. You can add yourself to the list and receive a notification when your table is ready.

Maximize Your Resort Guest Advantage

If you’re staying on-property, schedule your hard-to-get dining reservations toward the end of your trip. Since you can book up to 10 days out from your arrival, you’ll have access to dates that off-site guests can’t book yet, giving you a significant advantage.

For example, if you’re arriving on January 1st for a 7-night stay, on November 2nd (60 days before arrival) you can book dining all the way through January 8th. An off-site guest won’t be able to book January 8th dining until November 9th—giving you a full week head start.

Understanding Disney’s Cancellation Policy

Disney requires a credit card guarantee for most table-service restaurant reservations. Here’s what you need to know:

Cancellation Window: You can cancel most reservations up to 2 hours before your reservation time without penalty.

No-Show Fee: If you don’t show up for your reservation and haven’t cancelled at least 2 hours in advance, you’ll be charged $10 per person in your party.

Specialty Dining: Some special dining experiences (like character meals or dinner shows) may have different cancellation policies, often requiring 24 hours notice. Always check the specific policy when booking.

No Charge for Holding: While a credit card is required to make the reservation, you won’t be charged just for booking. The card is only charged if you fail to show up or cancel within the required timeframe.

This relatively lenient cancellation policy is actually good news for you—it’s why you should keep checking for availability as you get closer to your trip. Many people book multiple restaurants and then cancel as they finalize their plans.

For a detailed breakdown of Disney’s cancellation policies, fees, and exceptions, read our comprehensive guide to Disney dining reservation cancellation policy.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Disney Dining Experience

Be Flexible with Timing

If you’re having trouble securing a reservation at your dream restaurant, try adjusting your preferred dining time. Early dining times (5:00-5:30 PM) and later times (8:30-9:00 PM) are often less in demand than prime dinner hours around 6:30-7:30 PM.

Similarly, breakfast and lunch reservations are typically easier to secure than dinner at popular restaurants.

Consider Similar Alternatives

If you can’t get your first-choice restaurant, look for similar alternatives that might still be available:

  • Can’t get Space 220? Try the Space 220 Lounge, which sometimes has better availability
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table booked solid? Consider Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT for a similar princess dining experience
  • ‘Ohana unavailable? Try Kona Cafe at the same resort for delicious Polynesian-inspired flavors

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Several third-party tools and services can help you monitor reservation availability:

  • Set up alerts through reservation monitoring services
  • Enable notifications in the My Disney Experience app
  • Keep the app open during downtimes throughout the day to quickly grab cancellations

Don’t Overlook Quick Service

While this guide focuses on table-service reservations, don’t forget that Disney has incredible quick-service restaurants that don’t require reservations. Some fan favorites include Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom, Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom, and Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios.

Mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app makes quick-service dining faster and more convenient than ever.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Waiting Too Long to Book

The biggest mistake you can make is waiting to book your dining reservations. Popular restaurants fill up on day one of the booking window—sometimes within minutes. Set an alarm and be ready at 6:00 AM ET exactly 60 days before your trip.

Mistake 2: Not Linking Your Resort Reservation

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, make sure your hotel reservation is linked to your My Disney Experience account before your booking window opens. Without this link, you won’t get the 60+10 advantage.

Mistake 3: Booking Without a Plan

Don’t start making reservations without knowing which parks you’ll visit each day. You don’t want to book a dinner at EPCOT on a day you planned to be at Magic Kingdom—that wastes valuable park time traveling between locations.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Cancel Unwanted Reservations

If your plans change, don’t forget to cancel reservations you won’t use. This frees up spots for other guests and prevents you from being charged the no-show fee. Plus, it’s just good Disney karma.

Mistake 5: Giving Up Too Early

Just because a restaurant shows as fully booked today doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. Keep checking back, especially as you get within a few days of your trip. Persistence pays off.

Special Considerations for Different Types of Dining

Character Dining

Character dining experiences are among the most popular reservations at Disney World. These require the same 60-day advance booking and often fill up quickly. Popular options include:

  • Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort)
  • Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera Resort)
  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT)
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge)

Character meals are especially valuable for families with young children, as they provide guaranteed character interactions and photo opportunities without waiting in long lines. For a complete guide to every character breakfast option with dining plan details, see our Disney character breakfast guide.

Signature Dining

Disney’s Signature restaurants offer upscale dining experiences and typically require two table-service credits if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan. These restaurants often have better availability than some character meals but still book up for prime times:

Special Dietary Needs

Disney is exceptional at accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies. When making your reservation online or via the app, you can note special dietary needs. The restaurant will see these notes and prepare accordingly.

For complex dietary requirements, consider calling the restaurant directly at 407-WDW-DINE at least 14 days before your reservation to discuss your needs with a chef.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need dining reservations for every meal?

No, but having at least one table-service reservation per day gives your trip structure and ensures you have at least one special dining experience. Quick-service restaurants and food carts throughout the parks don’t require reservations.

Can I modify my reservation after booking?

Yes, you can modify the time, party size, or even change to a different restaurant through the My Disney Experience app, subject to availability.

What if I’m running late to my reservation?

Disney typically holds your table for 15 minutes past your reservation time. If you’re going to be later than that, call the restaurant directly to let them know—they may be able to accommodate you depending on how busy they are.

Can I make reservations if I don’t have park tickets yet?

Yes, you can make dining reservations at any Disney World restaurant without having park tickets or park reservations. However, remember that you’ll need valid park admission and a park reservation to actually visit the parks.

Are dining reservations free to make?

Yes, there’s no fee to make a reservation. You’ll provide a credit card to guarantee the booking, but you’re only charged if you fail to show up or cancel within the required window.

Making Your Disney Dining Dreams Come True

Learning how to make Disney dining reservations successfully comes down to preparation, timing, and persistence. By understanding the booking windows, utilizing the 60+10 advantage if you’re staying on-property, and employing strategic booking techniques, you can secure the dining experiences that will make your Disney vacation truly memorable.

Remember these key takeaways:

  • Book exactly 60 days in advance at 6:00 AM ET (or try at 5:45 AM)
  • Resort guests should take advantage of the 60+10 rule for hard-to-get restaurants
  • Prepare your My Disney Experience account completely before booking day
  • Book in order of priority, not chronologically
  • Keep checking for cancellations as your trip approaches
  • Be flexible with dining times to improve availability
  • Don’t forget to cancel unwanted reservations at least 2 hours in advance

The new dining reservation system rolled out in 2025 has made the process more user-friendly than ever, with better search capabilities and enhanced flexibility. Take advantage of these tools to plan the perfect dining itinerary for your Disney vacation.

Whether you’re hoping to dine in a spaceship at Space 220, enjoy a romantic dinner watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from California Grill, or share a meal with Mickey and friends at Chef Mickey’s, these strategies will give you the best possible chance of securing your dream dining experiences.

Now set that alarm, prepare your account, and get ready to book some magical meals. Your taste buds will thank you.

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