If you’re planning to eat at some of the most popular restaurants at Disney World, then we can help you get some of those “hard to get” Disney dining reservations! We have tips, tricks, and some great advice to help you along in your planning.
Though there are several popular Disney World restaurants and “hard to get” Disney dining restaurants, Cinderella’s Royal Table is by far the hardest to book! You’ll have to use our tips in order to insure that you and your princess lovers can snag a table here – as well as at some of the other famous Disney restaurants!
Tips for Booking “Hard to Get” Reservations at Disney World Restaurants
The most popular and coveted Disney World restaurants definitely have some of the hardest Disney dining reservations to get, and we have collected some of the best tips to help you book these! So here are my tips for booking Disney dining reservations:
Book Early!
Book your Disney dining reservations 60 days before your visit, at 6:00am EST. This is the ideal time to book, because that is when the window will open up and you can see what’s available for the day of your visit to Disney World. By booking when reservations open up, you will get the best chances of getting the reservations you want!
You can book on the Disney World website, as well as through the My Disney Experience (MDE) app.
Be Flexible
If you can be flexible with your dates and times, you have a better chance of getting the reservations and restaurants that you want. This is probably one of my best tips for Disney dining reservations, because if you can eat early or late – basically outside of “normal” mealtimes – you will be more likely to find openings.
These off peak times are less desirable, and having an early dinner or late lunch won’t disrupt your day, and will give you a better shot at booking!
Check Back Often
If you’re determined to book a certain restaurant, don’t stop looking just because it’s after your 60 day window has opened up! Check back often, even once you’ve arrived at Disney World. This is how to book Disney dining last minute – and even get “hard to get” restaurants!
Most guests will cancel 24-48 hours prior to their Disney dining reservation, especially because they want to avoid cancellation fees. I also think it’s a good idea to check late at night, and early in the morning during your trip because of this. I have booked breakfast reservations for the following day just because I kept checking over and over.
Stay On-Site
By staying on-site at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can book dining reservations 60 days in advance for the entire stay (up to 10 days). This makes it much easier, because you don’t have to go day-by-day like off-site guests, and you have the ability to basically book before other guests. This may give you an advantage to seeing reservations before others, and booking those Disney dining reservations all at once!
Use Tools and Alerts
There are several companies that offer tools and alert systems to help you book Disney dining reservations, and a lot of guests know that’s how to make Disney dining reservations for some of those famous restaurants. Services like MouseDining will help alert you when your desired reservation becomes available.
There are free options, as well as some paid options for those who need more alerts during the month or year. These can really help you book some of the hard to find reservations, and takes some of the stress out of getting up so early to book!
Refresh and Constantly Check
Like our tip about checking back often, we suggest you refresh the reservation page constantly. Like searching for Genie+ reservations, booking a dining reservation takes a little patience and some constant refreshing. New slots can appear at any time due to cancelled reservations, and even due to system updates.
I suggest checking throughout your 60 day window, and during your stay. Refresh the page often when you’re looking for reservations – you never know what will pop up!
Consider Booking a Vacation Package
Sometimes, dining reservations are easier to book when you have a Disney vacation package. As we already said, it can be easier when you are staying on-site, and this is similar. These vacation packages give you a better chance of getting the restaurants you want.
This is especially true for those coming from abroad. The chances are higher for booking Disney dining reservations when you book a vacation package and book early!
Prepare a List of Alternatives
When sitting down at your 60 day window, at 6am, you need to be prepared with a list of backup restaurants JUST IN CASE. There’s no guarantee that your desired restaurants will be available for the date and time you want, and it’s a great idea to be prepared with alternatives.
If you have a list of backup restaurants ready to go, then you won’t be scrambling to book, and you’ll have a good chance of booking those. Plus, you’ll still get restaurants you want even if they aren’t the hard to get ones.
Consider Splitting Up Your Group
It can sometimes be hard to book Disney dining reservations, especially the hard to get ones, for large groups. If you consider splitting large groups up – like in 4/5/6 people for each group – you will have a better chance at booking. Large groups cannot always be accommodated, and most of the reservations are geared toward smaller groups.
This will not only help you book these, but also find the reservations. Sometimes they won’t even offer you reservation availability for large groups, so splitting up your group may help. You can always ask at the restaurant if they will place you near each other as well. There’s no guarantee, but no harm in asking.
Top 5 Restaurants at Disney World with the Hardest Reservations to Book
Well, here it is, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: the most difficult reservations to book at Disney! Here are the 5 top restaurants, one lounge, and a little about them, and maybe even an alternative to keep in mind.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
If you’re looking to dine like royalty and be visited by princesses while you do, then Cinderella’s Royal Table is the perfect restaurant for you. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to dine in Cinderella Castle as well, and this is the hardest Disney dining reservation to get.
Being able to eat within Cinderella Castle is a unique experience, and during your meal, you will be able to chat with Cinderella and her princess friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is truly one of the best Character restaurants at Disney!
Looking for an easier reservation that still has great princesses? Book Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. There’s Storybook Dining for all three meals, and just as many princesses.
Victoria & Albert’s
This luxurious, gourmet, 5 Diamond restaurant is a one-of-its-kind when it comes to Disney World dining. There’s three separate dining rooms/experiences, and it’s also the most expensive meal at Disney World. Located in the Grand Floridian, Victoria & Albert’s has a dress code and an age requirement (guests over 10 are welcome).
Even with being so expensive and exclusive, reservations here are coveted. One reason is because it’s so unique and the perfect place to celebrate big moments, but the other reason is because of space. Victoria & Albert’s doesn’t allow for a lot of people dining at one time.
Want another luxury experience that is a little easier to get? Try Monsieur Paul. Located above Chefs de France in the France Pavilion in Epcot, Monsieur Paul offers a prix fixe menu with classic, gourmet French cuisine. Both of these restaurants are some of my favorite Disney splurges!
Be Our Guest
Dining in the Beast’s castle is another one of those unique experiences at Disney World, and Be Our Guest offers an amazing atmosphere. You will truly feel like you’re dining in the movie, especially if you choose to eat in the moody and mysterious West Wing.
Unfortunately, the food at Be Our Guest is notoriously not the best, and though the experience is awesome, there is much better food in Disney World. That being said, my sister LOVES Be Our Guest and it is one of her favorite restaurants in Magic Kingdom!
For the alternative, I suggest Chefs de France in the France Pavilion in Epcot. The French food is more authentic, better, and even though you’re not in a castle, the atmosphere is beautiful.
If you want something more on the fairytale side, try booking Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. This is at Wilderness Lodge, and the food is both delicious and adventurous, and you’ll get to see Snow White and the Evil Queen!
Space 220
Being able to eat in space isn’t something you’ll be able to do anywhere but at Space 220 in Epcot. This is an epically themed restaurant and lounge, with space-inspired food and a gigantic wall where stars, planets, and even astronauts pass by while you dine.
This is one of the hardest to get Disney dining reservations at Epcot because of this unbelievable theming, and that it’s only open for lunch and dinner. You may have better luck at the lounge instead of the restaurant, but it’s still quite difficult.
Want another fun experience with a cool atmosphere? Try Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios. You’ll get to dine in an old timey car, at a vintage drive-in while you watch movie clips and commercials of days gone by. The food here is solid and delicious, and the atmosphere is so cool.
California Grill
It may come as no surprise to lovers of Disney that California Grill is on this list. This fine dining restaurant sits atop the Contemporary Resort, has its own elevator, and some of the best views of the Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon in all of Disney World. This is one of the best places to watch fireworks at Disney World, and this is the main reason it’s one of the hardest Disney dining reservations to get.
The food here is delicious though, unique and creative takes on fresh Californian cuisine. There’s a big seasonal and international influence on the menu as well, just like in California.
But what if you can’t get this coveted reservation? Try Steakhouse 71. This is the newest restaurant at the Contemporary Resort and has some great food and a very sleek and vintage vibe. Much of the menu is inspired by Walt’s favorite foods and is very creative.
Oga’s Cantina
While not a restaurant, Oga’s Cantina is the hardest lounge/bar to get a reservation to at Disney World. Located in the heart of Batuu in Hollywood Studios’ Galaxy’s Edge, this cantina is always busy. You’ll be fully immersed into this cantina with great drinks, weird snacks, a robot DJ, and some authentic Star Wars vibes.
This is one of my favorite things to do for adults at Hollywood Studios, if you can get the reservation!
If this is too hard to book though, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when looking for great drinks and cool entertainment while at Disney. Both The Edison and The House of Blues in Disney Springs have extensive drink menus, cool vibes, and live entertainment.
I hope that these tips and tricks have better prepared you to go book your Disney dining reservations! If you use these tips, and make sure you have your list of restaurants ready to go, you should be able to book what you want! Good luck on getting every reservation you want, especially those “hard to get” ones!
Have you eaten at any of these “hard to get” restaurants? Was it worth it? Let us know!
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