Credit: DisneyPlanning a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming and a lot of work. One of the most important things Disney fans will pre-plan is dining!
If you’re deciding on tackling where you want to eat for your next Disney World trip, you may want to keep in mind that snagging a dining reservation may be harder than you think. Here’s a list of five popular dining options throughout Walt Disney World Resort that are currently hard to book.
Hard to get dining reservations right now
Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom
One of the first tips I will give anyone who is visiting Walt Disney World is to plan where you want to eat well before your trip starts. If Be Our Guest restaurant is in your plans, you should always be ready to reserve this restaurant in Magic Kingdom first and foremost and 60 days before you step into Walt Disney World Resort.
Since 2012, this Beauty and the Beast french inspired dining option has become of one Disney World’s most popular restaurants. Currently, Guests can enjoy table service lunch and dinner that includes a prix fixe 3-course meal and have a chance to see the Beast from a distance welcoming everyone to his castle.
This is probably one of Disney’s most immersive restaurants and allows Guests to feel as if they are living out the movie its self with three separate dining rooms inspired by the Disney film Beauty and the Beast.
Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom
Want the ultimate fairytale experience? It comes as no surprise, dining inside Cinderella Castle is one of the most sought out dining options inside Magic Kingdom. Guests who enter the Grand Hall will be enchanted by a gorgeous spiral staircase that leads to a regal and spacious banquet hall overlooking Fantasyland.
Pre-pandemic, this was the perfect place where Guests would be welcomed by many Disney Princesses, including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle.
Fortunately, Cinderella’s Royal Table still allows Cinderella to visit Guests as they enjoy a majestic feast of appetizers, royal entrées, and Cinderella-inspired desserts. Despite its modified experience and price tag (over $60 per adult) this reservation is extremely tough to snag, so be sure to book early in the morning on your 60-day mark.
Oga’s Cantina in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Although dining in Oga’s Cantina is limited, with only samplers and snacks, this Star Wars-inspired watering hole located inside Galaxy’s Edge has been the go-to bar for many Disney and Star Wars fans since its opening in 2019. For those who haven’t experienced it yet, Oga’s Cantina has limited seating and standing areas and is smaller for a more exclusive and accurate feel.
Since physical distancing has been enforced last year, this makes booking Advanced Dining Reservations even harder to get as many areas have been closed off.
Not to mention, who doesn’t want to experience the drinks and out-of-this-world music! Many Smugglers and Bounty Hunters have traveled far and wide for a taste of Oga’s interesting concoctions that play around with your senses while bopping to the mixes of DJ R-3X.
California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
We all can agree that the views of this spectacular restaurant are the main reason why Guests keep returning. As Guests take in the sights of Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon at the top of the Contemporary Resort, this fine dining restaurant offers many incredible options including artisanal pizzas, hand-rolled sushi, and exquisite entrées.
Even though we haven’t been able to experience fireworks while dining in California Grill since the beginning of 2020, California Grill still remains one of the most popular places on the Disney property. Keep in mind once fireworks return to Magic Kingdom and if you are able to snag a reservation, no matter what time of day that you eat, you can always return to watch the fireworks from the outdoor observation deck.
It’s clear to see California Grill is still very popular this year after reviewing the Advanced Dining Reservation on the My Disney Experience app. Most dates well into August have been booked for dinner, with only a few spots remaining for 9 p.m. If this Disney dining option is on your bucket list, be sure to book a reservation 60 days before your trip.
Le Cellier in EPCOT
This steakhouse located in the Canadian pavilion is not only the most popular place to dine in EPCOT but in all of Walt Disney World’s property. Although many Guests are waiting for the Disney Dining Plan to return, this fine dining chateau that carries the famous Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and Le Cellier Filet Mignon is hard to pass.
Another reason why this restaurant is hard to book is due to its cozy cellar environment. Seating is very limited, so if this steakhouse is in your plans while visiting EPCOT this year, be sure to make this place your first priority while planning.
Although we highly suggest you book your dining reservation in advance, Disney does provide Mobile Dine Walk-up Availability at select table service restaurants. Here is how it works according to the Walt Disney World website,
- Check availability at participating restaurants via the app—or by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check availability.
- Then, use the app to add your party to the walk-up list of an available restaurant. At this time, you can also confirm your party details, including special dietary requests.
- Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location.
Which Disney Dining options have you had a hard time booking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!Â
