My alarm went off and I was like, "The eff is that racket?" because why else would there be so much noise at 450 AM?
Then I remembered.
Right.
I had to wake up to make dining reservations for our Disney World vacation in October. Some people might be like, "Why on earth are you booking reservations so early?" and it's so we can have a good chance on getting the reservations we want since we're staying on Disney property. If you stay on Disney property, you can make reservations 180 days out.
You might be like, "Ack, but how do I know when 180 days out will be?" Well, usually when you book a vacation, you get a book in the mail with important dates in the back.
I always book reservations on my laptop, but you can also do it on the My Disney Experience app.
If you do it on the laptop, you can start at 6 AM Eastern, which translates to 5 AM for me. (You can also do this on the app, but that opens at 7 AM Eastern, and by then a lot of reservations might be gone thanks to the people on their computers. You can also call Disney at 7 AM Eastern too.)
I recommend planning on what restaurants you want, especially if you're like me and can't function in the morning. I also recommend doing the most popular restaurants first. For example, Be Our Guest for dinner is usually a popular one, so book that before any others. Same with Cinderella's Royal Table, which we've done twice!
Making reservations are easy. You log into your account, go to Make Reservations, and a list of the restaurants come up:
You pick your date, party size, and time you want and cross your fingers. Sometimes there is nothing available. Sometimes you don't get the exact time you want.
For example, I have October 10th for 9:00 AM for the Bon Voyage breakfast at Trattoria al Forno and I'm putting in my party size:
Here's what is available:
So there's only a 1020, but still! It's something!
I booked the Bon Voyage Breakfast on a different day and wanted 930, but nothing was available at that time so they gave me an 850 or 1010 option.
We are not morning people, so I picked 1010. Sometimes you get multiple time options, other times there's not as much available. Sometimes you have to just take what you can!
(Bon Voyage, for those who don't know, is where you have breakfast with Ariel, Eric, Flynn Rider, and Rapunzel! My daughter has always wanted to meet Flynn Rider. It'll be our first time at the breakfast.)
I also booked us reservations at Be Our Guest for lunch. It's a quick service meal, so it's cheaper. Plus you can order your food ahead of time. It shows that I can do this in September so when we arrive, our food will be ready.
Also, you can have all the Diet Coke you want. The soda machines are out in the open so you just grab a cup and enjoy! Diet Coke is how I get my caffeine, so I go through a lot of it when we're at Disney. We've mostly only done Be Our Guest for dinner, but they are changing it to a Prix Fix menu in July, and prices start at $55 per adult. One day I'd like to try it!
I also got us the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood & Vine. We've done the dinner before. It's buffet, and Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy come to your table. Since we're going to October, they'll be in Halloween costumes. With the Fantasmic package, we get reserved seating for the show.
So yeah. It can be tough waking up early to make reservations, but if you want certain restaurants, you must wake at the crack of dawn. I'm glad I was able to get everything I wanted and I have in the past as well. Once we did at least six restaurants, and I got them all.
If you don't get the restaurant or time you want, don't despair. Keep checking! Reservations pop up ALL the time. People cancel often, so check daily. You might get lucky.
You also can chance going to a restaurant when you're at Disney World and see if you can do a walk in. Sometimes it is possible! It never hurts to ask.
How do you book dining reservations at Disney? Do you always get the reservations you want?
I super love disney themed thingy... everything about disney.. So lovely and nice..
ReplyDeleteI book them right on the website, but have changed them on the app a few times. It's absurdly easy to do either way.
ReplyDeleteBooking in advance when going on vacation is always a must and especially if you are going to Disney. You might not get in if you don't. Doing it on the laptop is easy.
ReplyDeleteWe got our documents yesterday and I can't make fast pass reservations till 60 days out, which isn't yet! I haven't heard of Bon Voyage yet.
ReplyDeleteLast time, we ate at The Crystal Palace, which I liked because, air conditioning, The Tusker House at Animal Kingdom and The Garden Grill at Epcot and The Sci Fi Dine-In Theater in Hollywood Studios. I loved the last 3 and I want to eat there again but now I want to try other stuff. I don't know what to do!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind waking up early to make reservations. We love Cinderella's Royal Table and making the reservations ahead of time is smart.
ReplyDeleteI love how Disney makes it so easy to make reservations... especially via online well before your trip! I still haven't been to the Be Our Guest restaurant but I am sure it is magical.
ReplyDeleteOr something like that I definitely would not mind to wake up early. I would be excited to do it because I'm not going on vacations and Disney is such an awesome place to go to.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very smart idea to book your reservations ahead of time. We are headed to Disney this summer and I think I will do the same thing. I know my kids will be so excited to see everything especially the girls! I'm diffidently going to do the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood & Vine.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start planning our next Disney trip to use these tips! Great information!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever manage to travel to Disney, I'll definitely follow this guide. Great tips for newbies!
ReplyDeleteI need to figure out how to take my son to Disney one day because he has been mentioning it lately.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Disney in 2010 but we didn't stay on property. I know that my youngest would love some of the shows and be our guest option. He would think meeting the characters is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWell though about the reservation. I bet they must be crowded all the time.
ReplyDeleteWe will be going to Disney in the next few months. These are fabulous tips for making reservations there. The kids can't wait to go!
ReplyDeleteOK how easy is it to make reservations, I honestly thought it would be a long hard process. I can imagine that booking is a must as well as it can get so busy.
ReplyDeleteBooking in advance can lessen headaches..I will go to Disney Hongkong by Dec and it's great to know this info.. I will reserve early!
ReplyDeleteReserving early can lessen headaches, I will bring my kids at Disney Hongkong by the end of the year and this post is helpful..Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't think we do it right, because we haven't always gotten exactly what we wanted - the castle! That said, we had an amazing lunch at Akershus when Scarlet was tiny and met so many princesses. And we did a fun character breakfast in Animal Kingdom. I still totally dream about that Jungle Juice.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never been to Disney but if I do get to go someday I'll make a note of how to get reservations.
ReplyDeleteReservations in Disney looks easy to do. This is informative and is useful! I still need to save up to be able to visit Disney parks.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great guide for people who are planning to visit Disney in the future. I agree about being early especially when you have the chance to do so because there are so many people visiting every year and it's easier to have a slot than to take your chances.
ReplyDeleteWe have been in Disney but did not stay in Disney property. I didn't know you have to reserve that early.
ReplyDeleteGreat information. we are planning to visit Walt Disney next month and I think this post on how to make reservation at Walt is really helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I would do as well. I think it's awesome that you're sharing this for others in case they want to get a slot scheduled at their fave Disney restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThis is really fabulous information! Planning a trip to Walt Disney is so much fun. I love that this will make it easier.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! We didn't stay on Disney grounds our last trip, and we only had 60 days to book reservations! Everything was already taken!
ReplyDeleteGreat to know! We’ve never been but if we ever do this will be helpful! I know my kids would love to visit Disney!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! We’ve never been but are hoping to soon and this will be really helpful to us!
ReplyDeleteWe've never been to Disney, but I have heard that the food is fantastic! It definitely helps to be prepared and be able to enjoy the experience.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the reservations are hard to find at a decent time. Great tip to keep checking and not feel distraught.
ReplyDeleteSo many things to do at the Disney resorts! Some good information to know if I ever visit a Disney resort again.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that you needed to make reservations so this great to know!
ReplyDeleteNever stayed at a Disney resort so this was eye opening, I will make sure to remember this for our visit hopefully next year
ReplyDeleteWow I had no idea that you need to reserve so far in advance for restaurants at Disney! We haven’t done a Disney vacation yet but I hope too soon!
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes, you have to book that far out ahead?!?! That's insane!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this! Well not in so much detail. Wow, I guess I'll really have to plan in advance. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips to know. There is nothing so disappointing as wanting to go to a particular place at Disney and not being able to.
ReplyDeleteThis is super helpful! My kids love Disney and next time we go back, I'll definitely use your tips!
ReplyDeleteSo smart to book ahead of time. I am not planning on a Disney vacation any time soon but I am would not be organized enough to book ahead like you.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have to be quick to get the reservations you want at Disney. I love that you set your alarm so that you can get up and book them first thing.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Disney, but I would think that this would be an experience you wouldn't want to miss! Great tips, I wouldn't have known where to begin.
ReplyDeleteWow! It’s amazing that it is such a process to book reservations! We did a Disney a few years ago and we were NOT prepared far enough in advance! Interesting that the app “opens” later though!! I wonder why that is...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips. We've never been to Disney so I will sure keep your tips in mind.
ReplyDelete-LYNNDEE
Ah! I wanted to have a reservation too! I miss that once time magical moment. I will always consider having to visit again to any Disney related places.
ReplyDeleteThis is such great advice I have to admit I don't think I would have thought to have reserve! It sounds like it really is a must though.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Disney in 2009 but we didn't book any character dining experiences. It make total sense to book it as early as possible. Character dining is very popular and fills up quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes I made sure I did this when we went my travel agent did it for me and suggested it glad she did we didn't have to wait for anything.
ReplyDeleteKita
Great tips! I have never been to Walt Disney. It sounds like a fun place for kids! I am sure my kids will have a great time there.
ReplyDeleteI love how much easier the Internet has made everything. Booking your reservations online makes it super quick, easy and convenient.
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