What Is "Chicken Checking" and Should You Be Doing It for Disney World?

Grabbing an Advance Dining Reservation for Disney World restaurants can be stressful, but we’re here to help you snag your favorites!

Look at all that food!

Dining at Disney World has become an experience all its own. From Mickey-shaped waffles at breakfast to fine dining with a view of Cinderella Castle, there’s something for every taste (and budget). But with so many incredible restaurants and millions of hungry guests visiting every year, scoring that perfect dining reservation can be one of the trickiest parts of planning your Disney trip. We’re here to share our best tips for grabbing those dining reservations for your next trip.

The term you need to know is “chicken checking” because it can help you! The term comes from one of our readers, Tracey Reisman Barbour, who shared, “Art Smith’s Homecomin’. I begin ‘chicken checking’ at 5:45 a.m. the very instant the reservation window opens.”

We couldn’t love that phrase more, and honestly, it perfectly captures the determination needed to snag some of Disney World’s most coveted reservations. “Chicken checking” refers to the process of setting your alarm bright and early to grab that elusive dining spot (like Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’s famous brunch fried chicken and doughnuts!) the moment reservations open.

Homecomin’

If you’re new to Disney dining, here’s how it works: reservations open 60 days in advance at 6:00 AM Eastern Time (though sometimes a few minutes early). For guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can book for your entire stay, up to 10 days out, starting on that 60-day mark. That gives on-site guests a huge advantage in grabbing those hard-to-get tables like Space 220, Cinderella’s Royal Table, or, of course, Homecomin’.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Disney updated its dining reservation system to make things a bit easier. Now, the My Disney Experience app and website show clearer availability windows and allow you to filter by meal period, restaurant location, and park, making it simpler to see your best options without endless scrolling.

If your dream restaurant is booked, don’t panic! Persistence pays off. Keep checking back all the way leading up to your trip, because guests frequently cancel as plans change. You can also explore Disney resort restaurants, which often have fantastic menus and slightly easier availability.

Disney World Dining Reservations: Smart Moves and Common Mistakes

Artist Point

You can also join Disney’s Walk-Up Waitlist for same-day dining directly through the app, a great backup if you missed your chance to “chicken check.” Dining reservations must also be canceled before 2 hours of the dining reservation, so it is worth checking day of to see as you get closer to meal time if others have canceled their reservations and you can grab one then.