Of all the planning tasks for a Walt Disney World holiday, dining reservations catch the most families out. The restaurants families are most excited about, such as character dining and the most themed venues, can be fully booked within hours of the booking window opening.

I am Alex Perry, an independent Disney holiday specialist and the only travel agent in the UK to have graduated from Disney University. I manage dining reservations for my clients at the 60 day mark, and this guide shows you how to do it well yourself.

If you want the broader picture first, read my guide on how to organise Disney dining reservations. For help choosing where to eat, see the best Disney World restaurants for families.

How the 60 day window works

Table service reservations at Walt Disney World open 60 days before the date you want to dine. For guests staying at a Disney resort hotel, the window is counted from your check in date, which lets you book the first part of your stay in one session.

Reservations open early in the morning in Orlando, which is late morning in the UK. Because the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates, the time gap shifts slightly during the year. Always check the My Disney Experience app and set your alarm with a safe margin.

The practical point is that you need to know your 60 day date in advance. Count back from your check in date, put the date and time in your phone calendar, and set a reminder the day before.

Step 1: Do your preparation weeks before

Do not meet the booking window unprepared. A few weeks beforehand:

• Download My Disney Experience and create your account.
• Link your resort booking and park tickets.
• Add every member of your party.
• Save your payment card details, as some restaurants ask for a card to hold the booking.
• Check your party size, because larger groups have fewer options.
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Step 2: Decide your priorities in advance

Write a short list of the restaurants you most want, in priority order, and the park you will be in each day. Character dining and the most sought after table service restaurants should come first. Anything you are relaxed about can wait until later in the session.

Make a note of which days you will be in which park. A restaurant in a park you are not visiting that day is far less useful than one inside the park you are in.

Step 3: Book your top priorities first

When the window opens, book your most important restaurant first, then the next. The very hardest to get, such as dining inside Cinderella Castle, can be gone within minutes on popular dates. Do not browse. Go straight to your list.

Step 4: Be flexible about time

If your preferred time is gone, check the surrounding hours. Early lunch and late dinner slots are easier to find than the middle of the day or the early evening. Children often cope well with an early dinner, and it makes the rest of your evening easier.

Step 5: Have backups ready

Have a second and third choice for each priority. A character meal at one resort can be just as lovely as one at another. Having backups stops you freezing at the key moment.

Step 6: Keep checking for new availability

Plans change, and reservations are cancelled and released, often in the days and weeks before travel. If you miss your first choice, check back regularly in the app, especially in the morning and late evening. Many families secure the restaurant they wanted this way.

Step 7: Understand the terms

Some restaurants ask you to hold the booking with a card and have conditions for cancellation or no shows. Read the terms in the app when you book so there are no surprises, and cancel promptly if your plans change so someone else can take the table.

Step 8: Do not forget quick service

Counter service restaurants do not need a reservation. You can order at the counter or use mobile ordering in the app. My guide to the top 10 quick service dining locations covers the best of them. The 12 best restaurants at Walt Disney World is a good list for planning your table service meals.

Step 9: Match dining to your park plan

A dining reservation should work with your park day, not against it. Book a table service meal at a time when you would naturally want to rest, such as lunch for families with young children, and keep the rest of the day flexible. For help building the days around meals, read my Lightning Lane guide.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until you arrive. The most popular restaurants are rarely available on the day.
• Not knowing your 60 day date. One day late can mean a very different set of options.
• Booking too many table service meals. Leave space for rest days and spontaneity.
• Ignoring dietary needs. Note any allergies or requirements when you book, and speak to the restaurant on arrival. Disney is very good with this.
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Let me handle it for you

Managing reservations at the right moment is part of my Disney holiday planning service. I watch your 60 day date, book your priorities and have backups ready. You can also read more about the questions families ask most in my Disney holiday FAQs, or contact me directly to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance can I book Disney World restaurants?

Table service reservations open 60 days before your dining date. For resort guests, the window is counted from check in, which covers the first part of your stay in one go.

What time do Disney dining reservations open from the UK?

They open early in the morning in Orlando, which is late morning in the UK. The exact UK time can shift slightly when the clocks change, so check the app and set your reminder with a margin.

Which Disney World restaurants book up first?

Character dining and the most themed restaurants, particularly those inside the parks, sell out fastest. Book these first when your window opens.

Can I get a reservation if my first choice is full?

Often, yes. Cancellations are released regularly, so check the app repeatedly in the weeks before you travel.

Do I need reservations for quick service restaurants?


No. Counter service restaurants do not need a reservation, and you can use mobile ordering in the My Disney Experience app.