True story: I love my job. I love people. I love Disney. I love helping people go to Disney! I'm so lucky to do what I do. But, while I love almost every aspect of my job... There's one part of it that just drives me crazy. And if you've ever planned a Disney trip, then you probably know which one it is. The dreaded Disney dining reservations.
To be clear, the best Disney World restaurants, like Be Our Guest and Cinderella's Royal Table, are 100% worth the trouble of making reservations. Not only is the food delicious, but the decor is enchanting, the character meet and greets are extra-special, and the whole experience is magical. You should absolutely try to dine at these restaurants at least once, and you're gonna need a reservation to do so.
One of the main reasons people work with me is so that I can make those reservations for them. I get it--it's a lot of time and tedium, and I'm happy to help! But if you're trying to make plans on your own, here are the 3 best tips for snagging those coveted Disney dining reservations.
But first: what are the best Disney parks restaurants?
It's hard enough to make a reservation, but maybe even harder to pick a restaurant! You're going to want to do some research in advance and make a plan. But I'll share some of my faves!
Want a cute, handy-dandy sheet to write down your Disney dining plan? CLICK HERE for my free downloadable!
Tusker House Restaurant (Animal Kingdom): This breakfast buffet is amazing. We love encountering Mickey and the gang first thing in the morning! The buffet has endless options to choose from, from yummy pastries to fruits to eggs and breakfast meats
Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs): Hands-down my kids' favorite Disney restaurant! They are obsessed with the lo mein and pork fried rice. But, let me tell you, I was absolutely floored when my 5 year old's favorite dish was... The shrimp tempura. He ate 4 pieces to himself!
Chef Mickey's (Disney Contemporary Resort): Another super fun character dining experience. And the breakfast potatoes... Honestly, enough said.
Be Our Guest ( Magic Kingdom): Every "best-of" list includes this one, and for good reason! The gorgeous atmosphere immerses you right into the enchanted castle of Beauty and the Beast. And the grey stuff truly is delicious!
Topolino's Terrace (Disney's Riviera Resort at EPCOT): My absolute favorite, with honestly some of the best food I've ever had. The filet mignon cut was like butter, the shrimp were so succulent... I'm drooling just thinking of it! This one has a hefty price tag, and you'll have to dress up for the fine dining experience. But it is so worth it!
And now... 3 Tips for Stress-Free Disney Dining Reservations!
⭐ 60 days before the day you plan to dine, make your reservation!
The earliest you can make a reservation is 60 days in advance. If you want to eat at a particular restaurant on May 10th, for example, your dining reservation window opens on March 11th. Reservations open at exactly 6am Eastern time (Disney World's time zone).
You don't want to slack on this. As a particular lion once advised, "Be prepared!" That morning, set your alarm for 5:30am, brew some coffee, narrow down the restaurants you want to try, have your credit card ready, and park yourself on the Disney World reservations page. (Pro tip: Google is your friend! Prior to making your reservation, do your research on where to find the best cocktails, or Italian food, or character dining experiences, or whatever it is you want to find.)
⭐ Be willing to stay flexible!
You know that saying--how "the best-laid plans of mice and men" can still fall apart? Well, that goes for Mickey Mouse, too. It's important to have a plan, but remember: at Disney, you're on Disney Time, not your own. Everything you do depends on the park's schedule. So stay flexible! If your desired reservation time isn't available, don't panic. Just snag what you can. After all, other diners might cancel or reschedule closer to the date, giving you an opportunity to change the time later. Plus, with all those delicious Disney park snacks, you'll have plenty of treats to fill the void before a late dinner or after an early one!
Also? If you just can't get to your #1 dining choice during your trip, don't be afraid to try something else. It's tempting to just throw in the towel, but trust me: there are many great restaurant choices, so why not experience another one?
⭐ Forgot to make a reservation? MouseDining to the rescue!
How do I love thee, MouseDining? Let me count the ways! This site is my secret weapon when it comes to last-minute reservations. It alerts me whenever a Disney restaurant reservation becomes available, all the way up until the day-of!
These alerts are texted or emailed to you with a direct link to the reservation. Best of all, their FREE plan gets you six email alerts, and you can send them to up to three email addresses (you'll want all hands on deck to make sure you get that reservation!). While I prefer the paid plans that get me text alerts, the free plan is just as useful. I can't even tell you how many times I've snatched up last-minute reservations--even day-of! If you sleep through that 5:30am alarm, don't sleep on MouseDining.
Remember: it's just a restaurant!
At the end of the day, you're going to the Most Magical Place on Earth! While trying these amazing restaurants is so worth it, don't get too down on yourself if you're not able to snag a reservation. There are plenty of other delicious treats to enjoy, and plenty of other memories to be made throughout the parks.
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