Insider"s Tips on Dining at Disney World
A few short years ago, the majority of Walt Disney World guests opted for fast food, counter service when mealtimes came up. Getting a table at one of Disney's popular restaurants was often possible without even a reservation. Now, with the popularity of the Disney Dining Plan, tables in many restaurants have become very difficult to obtain. Follow these insider's tips to get a table, shorten your wait, and pay less when the check comes.
1. Eat at the bar. Some of the most popular and best restaurants (like California Grill in Disney's Contemporary Resort) have lounge and bar seating. Depending on availability, even on very busy nights you can often be seated without a reservation, and order from the full menu.
2. Get out of the theme parks. The resorts have fabulous restaurants that are often nearly empty for lunchtime. I’ve never had a problem getting a table, even during peak season. Some of my favorites are The Wave in the Contemporary Resort, Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, and Olivia’s at Old Key West.
Try Downtown Disney. Restaurants at Downtown Disney don't generally take reservations, so it's first come, first serve. Show up early to restaurants like T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe (as early as 4:30 during particularly busy times) to get a table quickly.
3. Plan ahead on rainy days. If the forecast calls for rain around mealtimes, don’t plan on walking into any restaurants without a reservation. Restaurants within the theme parks won't even take walk-ins when it's raining outside because diners, once seated, are reluctant to give up their tables and step into the rain.
If you don’t have a reservation, plan on counter service or head out of the theme parks for mealtimes.
4. Book special meals ahead of time. Disney World accepts restaurant reservations up to 180 days in advance. If you're planning any character meals, have your heart set on dining in Cinderella's Castle or will be celebrating a special occasion one night, make reservations as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
5. Break out of your comfort zone. Restaurant that aren't the most popular choices among guests -- like Morocco's Marrekesh in Epcot, or the Germany buffet -- often fill up last, and you can many times walk in without a reservation. Don't be afraid to branch out. Even my meat-and-potatoes brother-in-law finds things he likes at Marrakesh, and my kids love the Oompah band at Germany. Disney caters to the masses, so if you're not the adventurous type, don't worry about the food being too "out there."
6. Ask about discounts. Many Disney restaurants offer discounts to Annual Passholders. Several restaurants on Disney property that are not owned by Disney, like Wolfgang Puck in Downtown Disney and the Rainforest Café at Animal Kingdom, also offer Annual Passholder discounts. Wolfgang Puck in particular has seasonal specials; once December the discount was 30 percent off at lunch. Occasionally, the Disney Visa card also offers unadvertised specials. It never hurts to ask.
For Florida residents, the Tables in Wonderland card offers a 20 percent discount off the total dining bill, food and alcohol included, for up to ten people. The card also gives you free valet parking at the resorts while you are dining there. The annual membership fee is $75, which can pay for itself very quickly.
1. Eat at the bar. Some of the most popular and best restaurants (like California Grill in Disney's Contemporary Resort) have lounge and bar seating. Depending on availability, even on very busy nights you can often be seated without a reservation, and order from the full menu.
2. Get out of the theme parks. The resorts have fabulous restaurants that are often nearly empty for lunchtime. I’ve never had a problem getting a table, even during peak season. Some of my favorites are The Wave in the Contemporary Resort, Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, and Olivia’s at Old Key West.
Try Downtown Disney. Restaurants at Downtown Disney don't generally take reservations, so it's first come, first serve. Show up early to restaurants like T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe (as early as 4:30 during particularly busy times) to get a table quickly.
3. Plan ahead on rainy days. If the forecast calls for rain around mealtimes, don’t plan on walking into any restaurants without a reservation. Restaurants within the theme parks won't even take walk-ins when it's raining outside because diners, once seated, are reluctant to give up their tables and step into the rain.
If you don’t have a reservation, plan on counter service or head out of the theme parks for mealtimes.
4. Book special meals ahead of time. Disney World accepts restaurant reservations up to 180 days in advance. If you're planning any character meals, have your heart set on dining in Cinderella's Castle or will be celebrating a special occasion one night, make reservations as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
5. Break out of your comfort zone. Restaurant that aren't the most popular choices among guests -- like Morocco's Marrekesh in Epcot, or the Germany buffet -- often fill up last, and you can many times walk in without a reservation. Don't be afraid to branch out. Even my meat-and-potatoes brother-in-law finds things he likes at Marrakesh, and my kids love the Oompah band at Germany. Disney caters to the masses, so if you're not the adventurous type, don't worry about the food being too "out there."
6. Ask about discounts. Many Disney restaurants offer discounts to Annual Passholders. Several restaurants on Disney property that are not owned by Disney, like Wolfgang Puck in Downtown Disney and the Rainforest Café at Animal Kingdom, also offer Annual Passholder discounts. Wolfgang Puck in particular has seasonal specials; once December the discount was 30 percent off at lunch. Occasionally, the Disney Visa card also offers unadvertised specials. It never hurts to ask.
For Florida residents, the Tables in Wonderland card offers a 20 percent discount off the total dining bill, food and alcohol included, for up to ten people. The card also gives you free valet parking at the resorts while you are dining there. The annual membership fee is $75, which can pay for itself very quickly.
