Since dining is seeing modifications with the Mobile Check-in process and Table Service To Go in Disney World, restaurants are looking for ways to accommodate as many guests as possible with distancing measures in place.

One of the newer features of the My Disney Experience app is the ability to join a Walk-Up Waitlist at Table Service restaurants in the parks and resorts. While popular spots may have all their Advance Dining Reservations booked up for the time you’re looking to visit, you can join the Walk-Up Waitlist virtually to wait for the next available seating.

However, we’ve seen a few differences in how the restaurants using this new feature have operated. Generally, we’ve been directed to use the Waitlist at these locations so Cast Members are able to track the traffic flow of the guests with limited capacity in place.

So, if you’re looking to visit the Nomad Lounge next to Tiffins, you kind of need a reservation instead of being able to just walk inside. If the lounge hasn’t reached capacity, you’ll be added to a waitlist. A host will then scan your QR code through the My Disney Experience app before you are seated.

However, there have been a few times where we were seated immediately when restaurants have been less busy. We’ve even experienced the flip side at the Nomad Lounge where we were taken to a table right away when we arrived.

The biggest differences we’ve seen in how the new feature works depend on what time of day you’re going to the restaurants. If you’re visiting Sanaa during its peak dinner rush, you may not be able to join the waiting list. However, if it’s a relaxed day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it could be easier to score a spot on the Walk-Up Waitlist at 50’s Prime Time Cafe or the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant.

It’s important to note that the Walk-Up Waitlist is more like a virtual queue while you wait your turn rather than an actual reservation. In the past, you might have experienced the handheld buzzers at restaurants whenever you’d walk up for a table. But, My Disney Experience app works like this instead to notify parties of their tables being ready through their mobile devices.

Still, if you can’t score a reservation or a spot on the Walk-Up Waitlist, you might need to return back to the restaurant at another time. Since there are distancing measures in place at dining locations around Disney World’s property, the restaurants have to consider their capacity limits before seating guests.

As dining experiences continue to see some shifts, we’ll make sure to keep you updated on how your table service visits could change! And, if you have any questions about how your Disney vacation might look different, let us know so we can help you find the answers.

Find out what new restaurant has been added to the Walk-Up Waitlist options in Disney World!

What’s your favorite restaurant to visit when you’re on a Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments below!

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