Making Dining Reservations
Dining at Disneyland isn't just about fueling up; it can add extra “wow factor” to your visit. Of course, you can opt to eat off-property, or choose from an array of quick service restaurants or snack cart options throughout the parks, but we highly recommend securing at least one “sit down” dining reservation during your vacation to really give it a little something extra!
Disney has made dining reservations a breeze through their official app. Let's walk you through the steps:
Download the Disneyland App or log on to the Disneyland website. Note: Having the app allows you to more easily make and change reservations on-the-go while in the parks or traveling, and you will also want it for mobile ordering, scanning into the parks, and more…so definitely download the app even if you want to make your initial dining reservations on the computer.
Create or Log In to Your Disney Account: Before making dining reservations, you'll need a Disney account. Create one if you haven't already or log in to your existing account.
Navigate to Dining Reservations: Open the app and locate the "Dining" section. Here, you'll find a list of available dining venues, each showcasing menus and descriptions of the cuisines they offer.
Choose Your Desired Restaurant: Browse through the dining options and select the restaurant you’d like to visit.
Select Date, Time, and Party Size: Once you've picked your preferred restaurant, choose the date and time you'd like to dine. Indicate the number of people in your party.
Confirm Your Reservation: Confirm your reservation by following the prompts. Keep in mind that dining reservations usually become available 60 days in advance, and many of the more sought-after restaurants can be out of reservation slots within minutes. Typically, dining reservations open up each day around 7AM Pacific, but I have seen them go live as early as 4AM Pacific…so you may have to set an alarm and check on the hour starting around that time if you are anxious to get a hard to find resy.
Tips for Reserving Your Dream Dining Experience:
Early Bird Gets the Table: As mentioned above, popular dining spots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. To secure your desired reservation, consider booking as soon as the window opens at 60 days prior to your visit.
Flexible Timing: If you're open to different dining times, you might have a better chance of getting into highly sought-after restaurants by choosing a time of day that is less typical for food service (for example, 2-4PM).
Be Prepared with Alternatives: Have a backup plan. In case your first choice isn't available, knowing your second and third options can save you the hassle of last-minute disappointment.
Manage and Enhance Your Reservation:
Cancellation and Modification: Life can be unpredictable, and Disney understands that. You're allowed to cancel or modify your dining reservation up to two hours before your scheduled dining time. It used to be that you had to cancel 24 hours in advance, so this recent change is a big upgrade. This flexibility ensures you can adapt to any changes in your plans. Just remember, if you fail to cancel. your reservation by the required window and you are a “no-show,” you will be charged $10 per person in your party as a fee for not cancelling.
Adding One Extra Guest: Here's a magical secret: when you "check in" for your dining time through the app, ten minutes before your reservation, you have the power to add one additional person to your party. This extra touch of pixie dust allows for spontaneous dining companions to join your table.
While Disneyland offers an array of dining options, there are a few hidden gems where reservations tend to be harder to come by. The coveted Blue Bayou Restaurant and the trendy Lamplight Lounge Restaurant are among these, and securing a reservation can be a bit like snagging a golden ticket.
Additionally, dining packages offered at Plaza Inn, Wine Country Trattoria, and Storyteller’s Cafe for exclusive extras such as parade viewing, World of Color viewing, and firework spectacles tend to book up quickly. Make sure if you are hoping for one of these reservations that you are extra diligent about booking your time slot as soon as you are allowed to on the app. If you don’t manage to snag what you hoped for, be vigilant about checking back (multiple times a day if needed) to see if anyone has dropped a reservation. Many of these reservation times tend to open up within 12-24 hours of the dining experience as people make last minute changes and cancellations. And if you don’t grab a spot, not all hope is lost—visit the location you want to dine at as soon as you can on the day you are hoping to dine and see if they have any walk up spots available or cancellations.