Jan 26, 2022

How to Make Dining Reservations at Disney World

Updated: Jan 12, 2023

It’s actually easier than you might think.

Eating at Disney World is one of the best parts of a Disney trip because everyone knows Disney has the best food. But you don’t want to miss out on the dining experience just because you couldn’t get a reservation. So we’re breaking down when you should make a dining reservation and how you make the reservation on the Disney World website and the My Disney Experience app.

Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT — Credit: Todd Anderson/Disney

When Should You Make a Dining Reservation?

Dining reservations are not always needed, it really depends on the type of dining experience you want. Disney offers four dining options, including Character Dining, Fine/Signature Dining, Casual Dining, and Counter Service. You never need a reservation for Counter Service or Quick Service, but reservations are available for most Character Dining, Fine/Signature Dining, and Casual Dining locations. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Disney has modified some of its dining experiences.

Currently, dining reservations are highly recommended to ensure you will be able to visit a restaurant because some of Disney’s dining locations are operating at limited capacity, and some dining locations are closed. All dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance.

Types of Dining at Disney

In-Park Dining

All guests must have a valid park admission and reservation for park entry to dine at a restaurant in one of the four Disney parks. Reservations are highly recommended for all table service restaurants, but you can also check the Mobile Dine Walk-Up Availability feature on the My Disney Experience app to be added to the walk-up list for table service restaurants.

Disney recommends you only book dining reservations for parks that you have a reservation for since Park Hopper availability is subject to change throughout the day. If you want to make a dining reservation at a second park, you can check reservation availability or add your party to the walk-up list via the My Disney Experience app after you enter the second park.

Disney Resort Dining

If you are a day guest who is not staying the night at a Disney Resort, you must have a dining reservation to dine in the resort. If you are staying overnight, it is recommended you make a reservation, but not required.

Disney Springs Dining

Select dining locations at Disney Springs are offering reservations or you can simply walk up to a restaurant to be added to the waitlist.

Character Dining

Reservations are not required for character dining, but highly recommended at restaurants where they are accepted.

Quick Service Dining

Quick Service dining does not accept reservations, but you can use Disney’s new mobile ordering service on the My Disney Experience app. This feature lets you order food from select quick service locations from anywhere. Just select the restaurant and time you want to pick your food up, order and pay via the app, and then head to the quick service location at your designated time.

How to Make a Dining Reservation on the Disney World Website

Making a dining reservation on the Disney World site is quite simple. After you log into your account, click “Things to Do” then under “Dining” click “Make Reservations.” This will take you to a page that shows every Disney restaurant that accepts reservations.

From there, you can filter your results by park, date, time, party size, dining experience, price range, cuisine, guest rating, and dining plans accepted.

Once you find the restaurant you want to make a reservation for, click on that restaurant name and click “Check Availability.” You will be taken to a “Make a Reservation” screen.

There you can search for the date, time, and party size that work best for you. After you select “Search,” all the times that match your requests will appear below the box. Select the time you want to make the reservation for.

You will then be asked who wants to manage the reservation, where you can select any contact you have listed in your My Disney Experience account. You will also add the rest of your dining party here.

Next, you’ll be asked to add your credit card information. This information is used to guarantee a reservation and will only be charged if your party doesn’t show up for the reservation. If you can’t make it to your reservation for some reason, you can cancel using the cancellation policy that you can find in your reservation confirmation email. If you cancel your table service reservation less than 24 hours before the reservation time, your card will be charged $10 per person — pre-paid dining locations and special dining events and packages have different cancellation fees.

Confirm everything on the next page, add any food allergies or other special requests, then click “Reserve” to finalize your reservation.

You’ll be emailed a confirmation and the reservation will automatically be added to your My Disney Experience account.

How to Make a Dining Reservation on the My Disney Experience App

Open the app and click the plus button at the bottom of the screen. Click “Check Dining Availability,” then set your party size and choose your reservation date. After picking the date, either choose the meal or the time you want to make a reservation for.

From there, every available reservation for that date and time will appear — these will be from all Disney parks, resorts, and Disney Springs so make sure you press the filter button and choose the location you are looking for. You can filter the results down by cuisine, dining experience, features, dining plan, guest rating, mobility disabilities, price range, and reservation offerings.

Choose your restaurant and time, then add your primary contact, credit card information, and any food or allergy requests. Your credit card information is used to guarantee a reservation and will only be charged if your party doesn’t show up for the reservation. If you can’t make it to your reservation for some reason, you can cancel using the cancellation policy that you can find in your reservation confirmation email. If you cancel your table service reservation less than 24 hours before the reservation time, your card will be charged $10 per person — pre-paid dining locations and special dining events and packages have different cancellation fees.

Confirm everything and check the “I have read and agree to the Guest Policies” box then click “Book Now” to finalize your reservation.