Everything You Need to Know About Dining Reservations in Disney World in 2025

So you’ve booked your Disney World trip, and you’re ready to start thinking about where you want to eat.

First, we recommend checking out Disney World restaurant reviews right here on AllEars — they’re all by readers just like you. Once you’ve picked out your restaurant, though, you’ll probably need to make a dining reservation to make sure you get to eat there. If you need to know about making those reservations, though, we’re going to go through everything you need to know.

We want to hear YOUR thoughts! Leave a review right here on AllEars for the restaurants you’ve been to so you can help out fellow Disney lovers planning their next trip!

How dining reservations work in Disney World

Disney World’s dining reservations are all made on Disney’s computerized system that manages each restaurant’s seating. Successfully making a reservation guarantees your group a seat at the restaurant for the time you chose for that reservation.

However, you’ll want to check in about 15 minutes before your reservation time: you’ll generally go to the restaurant and check in via the My Disney Experience app. You’ll still have to wait anywhere from 15-30 minutes before your reservation is called: you’ll get a notification on the app. You’ll then go to the restaurant’s check-in to be seated.

How to make a reservation

You can make a reservation on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. Here’s how to make a reservation on the website:

Click on Things to Do
Scroll down to Make Reservations
Select your location, date, time, and party size.

Here’s how to make a reservation on the My Disney Experience app:

Tap the plus sign at the bottom of your screen (or you can search for a specific restaurant via the app’s search feature)
Tap Check Dining Availability
Select your party size, date, time, and location

Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom

You can also call (407) WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) to make a reservation. This is preferred if you are making a reservation for a large group or for those with special dining requests. From your Disney World hotel, you can make a reservation at the concierge desk or by dialing 55 from your room phone.

When you make a reservation, you’ll be given a confirmation number. Make sure you keep that so you can bring it with you if you need it.

When you can make a reservation

You’ll want to try and make your dining reservations as early as possible. This is 60 days in advance. Disney World hotel guests can make reservations for their entire stay up to 10 days at 60 days out. This policy does not apply, though, to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, the Swan Reserve, Shades of Green, or the Disney Springs-area hotels.

Want those character dining reservations? Get them 60 days out.

Reservations generally go live at 6 AM ET, so you’ll want to set your alarm for your time zone to make sure you get the restaurants you want.

How to cancel a reservation

If you can’t make your dining reservation time, you’ll generally need to cancel it within two hours before your reservation time to avoid a cancellation fee. However, this time frame is different for some Disney World restaurants, so check your restaurant’s cancelation policy when you book.

You can cancel by calling 407-WDW-CNCL, through the Disney World website or app, or at Guest Relations in the parks and hotels.

What happens if you miss a reservation

If you miss a reservation by only a few minutes (or within a reasonable time), you may still be seated in that restaurant (at Disney’s discretion). However, if you just don’t show up, you’ll be charged a cancellation fee that will go on the credit card you used to make the reservation.

If you miss a reservation, you’ll have to pay a cancellation fee

If you know you’ll be a little late to a reservation, your best bet is to contact Disney and let them know to see if you can still be accommodated.

What to do if you can’t find the reservation you want

Some of Disney World’s more popular restaurants fill up fast and getting reservations, even at 60 days out, can seem impossible. What you can do, though, is continue to check for reservations right up to the day you want to dine at that restaurant.

Character dining is often hard to get reservations for

If all else fails, you can check and see if you can get on the Mobile Walk-Up Waitlist on the day of — you’ll basically sign up for the Waitlist and then be notified when a table is available.

We hope that sorts out everything you need to know about dining reservations in Disney World. Check back with AllEars again soon for more.