We're Sorry. We Don't Warn You About This Disney World Dining Mistake Enough.

We often recommend planning ahead when it comes to where you’re going to eat in Disney World!

Via Napoli in EPCOT

At many table service restaurants in Disney World, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. But even the quick-service restaurants in Disney World can back up with LONG lines (especially at lunch and dinner time), and that can take a LOT of time out of your park day. That’s why we highly recommend using Mobile Order through the Disney World app, and ordering your food well in advance (you can choose a time slot later in the day and have it all ready to go!). But we talk about that stuff ALL THE TIME. We just realized, though, that there’s one thing about Disney World diningwe don’t tell you about enough — so let’s talk about it!

Let’s say you’ve planned out everything about your Disney World day, right down to what snacks and meals you’re going to eat. Some people love to do this level of planning for their trip (and some don’t — I’m mostly in the DON’T, and that’s A-OK!). BUT if you do, you’ve gotta do this one important thing to be sure that you aren’t super disappointed! You’ve GOTTA check the restaurant hours!

Steakhouse 71

Disney’s restaurant hours aren’t always gonna be the same for ALL their restaurants across the board. (Ah, inconsistencies. Gotta love ‘em.) Some restaurants that serve breakfast in the parks open BEFORE the parks open, like Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom.

Crystal Palace

Some restaurants will stay open until the park closes up shop. Some restaurants will stay open a little bit AFTER a park closes up shop (like Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom, for instance).

Casey’s Corner

Some restaurants will continue poppin’ for HOURS after the parks close. (Like what you’ll find over in the Disney Springs scene.)

The Edison stays open late!

Some restaurants will close HOURS before the parks do (like several Animal Kingdom snack and quick service kiosks).

The Smiling Crocodile in Animal Kingdom usually closes mid-afternoon.

And some restaurants will only be open for a limited amount of time during the day (like how Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness has three showtimes per evening: one at 4PM, one at 6:15PM, and one at 8:30PM).

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Dinner Show

The advice I’m giving you here is real straightforward. No catches, no loopholes, no parts A-B-C-and D. If there’s a restaurant you wanna check out during your upcoming visit, simply check its listed hours ahead of time!

Whether it be a quick service, a table service, a signature service, or a lounge — each place has its own hours of operation that you’re gonna want to study up on, just so you don’t potentially miss out on any of your priority eats and treats from any specific location.

Look Alive Mai Tai at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

So once again, please check and double-check the restaurant opening times before your Disney World trip! They could change, and if you know in advance, you’ll still have time to adjust your plan. Keep following us here at DFB for more Disney World tips and tricks!

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Have you ever been caught by surprise when a restaurant’s hours were not what you were expecting? Let us know in the comments below!