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Insider Tips for Securing Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservations

Making dining reservations at Walt Disney World can be one of the more challenging parts of vacation planning. With hundreds of table-service restaurants to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to secure the reservations you want—especially for the most popular spots.

But don’t stress! There are strategies that can increase your chances of snagging those coveted dining reservations. Here are proven tips and tricks to help you secure your top dining picks and make your Disney vacation even more magical.


1. Have a Plan in Place

The first step to success is creating a dining plan before your reservation window opens. Take the time to research Disney restaurants—whether through the My Disney Experience app or online resources. Familiarize yourself with the menus to ensure they fit your group’s tastes.

Knowing which restaurants are non-negotiables for your trip allows you to prioritize them. For example, if your group is excited about dining with Disney characters or experiencing fine dining, your plan will focus on these. Early preparation is key to increasing your chances of getting the dining experiences you want.

A little girl looking up at Spaceship Earth inside of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Disney

2. Prioritize Your Reservations

Not all restaurants are equally challenging to book. Popular spots, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Space 220, ‘Ohana, and Chef Mickey’s, fill up within minutes of booking windows opening. Make a list of your top choices and prioritize the hardest-to-get restaurants first when making reservations.

For restaurants with less demand, you can book after securing those harder-to-get spots. This strategy helps ensure that you won’t miss out on those coveted reservations.


3. Be Ready at the 60-Day Mark

Booking dining reservations at Disney begins 60 days before your arrival date—and getting what you want requires being ready right at 6:00 AM EST. This is especially important for the most popular restaurants, which fill up within minutes.

  • Staying at a Disney Resort: Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can book all dining reservations for their entire stay (up to 10 days) at the 60-day mark. This gives an edge over offsite guests, as availability increases for later days in your trip.
  • Staying offsite: Guests staying offsite can only book one day at a time, 60 days from each individual day of their trip. This means you’ll need to wake up early every morning of your booking window to reserve dining for each day of your visit.

Make sure you have the My Disney Experience app or the Disney website ready to go, as these open before Disney’s phone lines. Acting quickly ensures you have the best shot at securing your preferred reservations.


4. Be Flexible with Times

When booking dining reservations, flexibility can be your best friend. Prime dining times, such as 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for lunch or 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for dinner, tend to book up quickly. If you can shift your meal times, you’ll have a better chance of getting a table.

Consider eating:

  • Early lunches around 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM
  • Late lunches between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM
  • Early dinners around 4:00 PM
  • Late dinners after 8:00 PM
A family of four, two adults and two children, gather excitedly around a smartphone. The kids wear fun, themed headbands: one with pink sparkly mouse ears and the other with a blue alien hat. The adults smile warmly as they join in the moment of joy.
Credit: Disney

Choosing these less popular times increases your odds of snagging those hard-to-book restaurants and lets you enjoy a more relaxed dining experience.


5. Don’t Give Up If You Don’t Get Your Reservation at First

If you miss out on your preferred dining reservations initially, don’t lose hope! Guests frequently change their plans, and availability can open up closer to your trip. Keep checking the My Disney Experience app regularly, as new reservations often pop up—especially within two days of your desired dining date.

Here are some additional strategies to increase your chances:

  • Use reservation-finding tools. Several free and paid services notify you when a reservation becomes available. These services can help you snag last-minute dining options.
  • Check for walk-up availability. Some restaurants now offer walk-up lists that you can join via the My Disney Experience app. If you’re in the park or nearby, check the app to see if any openings are available.

Pro Tip: Walt Disney World now has a two-hour cancellation policy, meaning guests can cancel reservations without penalty up to two hours in advance. This leads to last-minute availability, so keep checking for openings on the day of your visit.


6. Consider Backup Options

Even if you miss out on your first-choice restaurant, Walt Disney World has plenty of great dining alternatives. If ‘Ohana or Chef Mickey’s isn’t available, try booking The Wave… of American Flavors or Tusker House, which also offer memorable experiences.

Exploring lesser-known table-service restaurants can introduce you to hidden gems. For example:

  • Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers African-inspired dishes with views of the resort’s savanna animals.
  • Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom serves a unique menu with playful jungle theming.
  • Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom provides a relaxing spot with small plates and creative cocktails.
The entrance of Skipper Canteen at Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd., one of the best Disney World restaurants, features a large sign reading "World Famous Jungle Cuisine." The facade showcases intricate designs with tropical elements.
Credit: DVC Shop

These backup options often become new favorites, adding variety to your Disney dining experience.


7. Use My Disney Experience to Your Advantage

The My Disney Experience app is your best tool for managing dining reservations. With the app, you can:

  • Check real-time availability for restaurants.
  • Join walk-up lists at participating locations.
  • Make last-minute changes to your reservations on the go.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to enable notifications in the app, so you receive alerts if availability opens up for your preferred dining spots.


Final Thoughts

Securing the dining reservations you want at Walt Disney World may take a bit of planning and persistence, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a solid plan, flexibility, and a little patience, you’ll have a better chance of dining at your must-visit restaurants.

If your first attempts don’t succeed, keep checking for last-minute openings, use reservation-finding tools, or explore backup dining options. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants to enjoy, even if your top choice isn’t available.

By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be ready to enjoy the magical dining experiences Disney is known for—whether you’re dining with characters, enjoying fine dining, or exploring new flavors from around the world. Happy planning!

Jennifer Retzlaff

Jennifer became a lifelong Disney fan during her first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of her life. She quickly started to introduce her love of Disney to her family with a Disney honeymoon and then family trips when her youngest was 18 months old. She loves the magic that Disney brings to people through theme parks, cruises, and adventures. As a teacher, she tries to bring Disney magic into her classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” She is also part of the Magic Vacation Planner team as a personal travel advisor. With this team, she can now help others plan magical vacations. She loves bringing her love to Disney to readers with How to Disney.

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