With the popularity of the Disney Dining Plan (see page 223), reservations have become essential at many restaurants. Virtually every table-service restaurant within Disney World allows anyone (whether or not you’re on the Dining Plan) to make “Advance Reservations.” Unlike traditional reservations, in which a table is held for your party at a designated time, Disney’s advance reservations give you the first table that becomes available. Wait times for the first-available table vary, but we typically wait 10–30 minutes once we check-in at the eatery.

Most Disney table-service restaurants accept advance reservations, and we note this fact with each eatery description in this chapter. The only restaurants that don’t accept advance reservations are some Disney Springs restaurants, Big River Grille (24-hour reservations only), and ESPN Club (see detailed listings in this chapter). Some restaurants do take traditional reservations, such as Victoria & Albert’s, the Swan & Dolphin restaurants (see page 259), and the character meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (see page 262).

Advance reservations can be made before your arrival by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Time seven days a week. You can also make advance reservations online at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining or in the My Disney Experience app (see page 126). You can make them up to 180 days ahead of your visit for most restaurants. Tip: Disney resort guests have the advantage of being able to book reservations for the first ten days of their trip at 180 days from their check-in date.

Already at Disney? Search for table-service availability using your iPhone or Android device—just download Disney’s free My Disney Experience app (see page 126). Book in advance or search what’s “Here & Now.”

When you make an advance reservation, you will be asked to supply the name of your hotel, your phone number, your reservation number, and your date of arrival—you can record this information in your Advance Reservations Worksheet on page 269 or your LIVE! Guide Tools. If you aren’t staying at a Disney resort, no problem—simply provide a daytime phone number. All advance reservations now require a credit card guarantee at the time of booking, and a few require full pre-payment. No-show penalties ($10/person or more) may be charged if you don’t cancel a day prior. Emergencies are often excused, but be sure to call! You will get a confirmation number for each reservation. Link this to My Disney Experience (see page 126) and record this in your worksheet, and later transfer it to your LIVE! Guide Tools and/or daily PassPockets. You may wish to call and confirm your reservations a few days before you arrive, too.

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