A successful dining-reservation day starts before the booking window opens.
Learn the 60-day reservation window, Resort guest booking advantage, cancellation rules and availability strategies.
The Reservation Window
When Dining Reservations Open
Most guests can begin booking 60 days in advance. Guests with a valid Disney Resort hotel reservation can book their entire eligible stay, up to 10 nights, beginning 60 days before arrival.
New windows generally open at approximately 6:00 a.m. Eastern for select restaurants.
Prepare Before 60 Days
What to Do Before Booking Day
Link the Resort reservation
Connect it to the correct MyDisney account.
Finalize park days
Match in-park restaurants to valid admission.
Rank priorities
Separate must-do meals from flexible alternatives.
Prepare backup times
Choose alternate dates and meal periods.
Use the Window Wisely
What to Book First
Book early
- Popular character meals
- Small high-demand restaurants
- Holiday meals
- Park-specific meals
- Celebration dinners
Usually easier to adjust
- Large Resort restaurants
- Restaurants with multiple meal periods
- Disney Springs alternatives
- Quick-Service meals
- Flexible dates and times
Booking Methods
How to Make the Reservation
Book through Disney’s dining reservation website or the My Disney Experience app. Verify the party size, date and cancellation policy before confirming.
Avoid Fees
Changes, Cancellations and No-Shows
Most restaurants charge $10 per person for cancellation within two hours or for a no-show, though some experiences have different policies.
When Nothing Is Available
How to Keep Looking
Search one meal at a time
Breakfast, lunch and dinner can show different inventory.
Try nearby times
Moving by 30 to 60 minutes can help.
Check closer to the date
Cancellations can return to inventory.
Use a strong backup
A nearby alternative protects the itinerary.
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
When do reservations open?
Most guests can book 60 days in advance, generally around 6:00 a.m. Eastern.
What is the Resort guest advantage?
Eligible Resort guests can book the whole stay, up to 10 nights, at the 60-day mark.
Can I hold overlapping reservations?
Disney does not permit reservations within two hours of another reservation.
What is the usual cancellation fee?
Most restaurants charge $10 per person within two hours or for a no-show.
Do I need park admission for an in-park reservation?
Yes. A dining reservation does not replace valid admission.
Verify Current Disney Policies
Reservation windows, cancellation rules, holiday dining, character appearances, menus and Dining Plan terms can change.
Review Disney’s official dining information