Wanting to get a coveted spot at Be Our Guest? Trying to squeeze in a breakfast at Chef Mickey’s?
Then, you might want to keep your fingers hovering over that keyboard because the Disney Reservation Center has officially announced My Disney Experience and the Walt Disney World website as their preferred method of booking and modifying table-service dining reservations.
According to the Disney website, “Due to their overwhelming popularity, the My Disney Experience app and DisneyWorld.com will become the preferred home for booking and modifying table service dining reservations… .”
“Rest assured, as always, cast members at the Disney Reservation Center will continue to be available to help with reservations for groups of eight or more, same-day cancelations, in addition to other assistance guests may need, including Disney Resort hotel reservations, special offers, general questions and more.”
That certainly sounds like they want you to stick to online methods of booking when possible! We recently spoke to a Disney Reservation Cast Member to modify a Dining Reservation and, while they were still able to help, we were directed to modify our reservation ourselves on the Disney World website.
You’ll definitely want to set an alarm for that booking availability, starting 180 days prior to your arrival date! If you need a few lil extra tips and tricks, you can always check out our DFB Guide Book to dining in the parks! (;
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What Disney World restaurants are your favorite table-service locations? Let us know in the comments below!
Jane says
I wanted to make a same day reservation at a Disney Springs Restaurant ( you cannot make a reservation online if it is within the next 24 hours) . I called the reservation line and a recorded message said the wait was 30 minutes for an agent!!!! I gave up 🙁
Mr . John says
Disney reservations hold back time slots like if you have a party of 3 times will come up later than a party of 4 will give you better times . The restaurants tables at set up for 4 person’s to get more patrons to fill up faster ! If you call up some times you will get better times ! 😃
Joe says
For Disney Springs restaurants, you’re almost always better off making reservations on OpenTable or through the restaurant’s web site (not the Disney web site). Those restaurants don’t necessarily release their full availability through Disney reservations.
Erin says
Jane, if it was a non-Disney-owned restaurant in Disney Springs, I believe you can call them directly. Most restaurants at Disney World can be booked same-day online (if there are reservations available, of course).
Michael says
Try getting hold of disney billing I have sent 10 emails with no reply shocking bad service
Mickey says
Will there be a place online or on MDE where you can input your celebration information? You couldn’t with the old system.
Dawn Faulkner says
So if you are booking for more than 8 do you have to call or can you do it online?
Lynn says
I hope they intend to upgrade their system them. I am typically online 180 days out when the booking window opens, and I usually have so many issues with it that an hour later when the phone lines open I end up calling to get the rest of them that wouldn’t work online. It can be frustrating.
Mariana says
Thanks for.the info. I always.make.my dining reservation.using MDE. I.have a question,.do you have the participating restaurantes for dining plan 2020?.because i reserved in tuto italia epcot, and planet holl. at disney springs and.the.confirmation messages say the do.not have dining plan!!!!! We are.going on january. Thank.you
Kim says
It just depends what reservations you want. I was at my keyboard 7am at 180 days out and still could not get a reservation at the Snow White dinner or dinner at Cinderella’s castle for our arrival day. It took me 4 months of trying to finagle the character meals we wanted at the times we needed! Persistence is the key!
DFB Sarah says
Mariana, some restaurants not owned and operated by Disney take some time to confirm their DDP contracts, but we expect they will before the new year.
DFB Sarah says
Dawn, it sounds like you’d want to call for a large group.
DFB Sarah says
Mickey, not sure! I’ll have the team look into this.
Barry says
If you are going to eat at a Landry’s restaurant such as Rainforest Cafe, Yak and Yeti, T-Rex Cafe, etc, be sure to join the Landry’s Select club. There are over 600 Landry’s restaurants outside of Disney too. The Select Club gets you priority seating as well as other discounts. It costs $25 to join but you get a $25 reward to use on your next visit. You also get a $25 reward on your birthday month.
Every $250 you spend you get another $25 reward.
It is worth it just for the Priority Seating.
Lee says
This change happened while we were there last month. After the change, I was able to do several things on my MDE app that you previously had to call for:
Make a reservation time change (didn’t try changing restaurants or making new reservations) within 24 hours of the reservation time, several times within only a couple of hours of said time. This leads me to believe that you can also make new reservations now within the 24 hour window.
Cancel a booking for Spirit of Aloha and get a refund. I actually also called to make sure my reservation was actually cancelled, and was assured it was.