You frog fans know we're all about vacation and theme park planning, especially when it comes to Disneyland. So it's no surprise that we're all about making Disneyland dining reservations as soon as our booking window opens up. While getting last-minute Disneyland dining reservations isn't quite as hard as it sometimes is at Walt Disney World, those who plan in advance have an advantage over those who do not. Dining windows are filling up 60 days out (usually at 6 a.m. PT). Some locations are harder to get into than others (cough, cough ... Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle). And with dining still in high demand, it's especially important to plan ahead.
Dining reservations can now be canceled up to two hours before on the same day (with certain exclusions) on the Disneyland app. Previously, you needed to cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid cancellation fees. Disneyland also made changes that allow guests to look at all the available reservations over multiple days. Woohoo!
Reservations are sorted by breakfast, lunch and dinner. But once you open up the calendar by selecting, "Check availability for multiple days," you'll see a menu with "all day," "before 12 p.m.," "12 p.m. to 4 p.m." and "after 4 p.m." That way, you can more easily choose a time to dine. These changes are already in place, so keep an eye out for them, especially if you are planning a trip and flexible on your dining days.
If you're visiting in 2024, get those Disneyland dining reservations in place as early as possible. After all, the early frog gets the flies! Disneyland dining is popular right now, so that means getting up early to book 60 days in advance or frequently checking the app. We've put together this post as the ultimate guide to making Disneyland dining reservations.
What to Know About Disneyland Dining Reservations Right Now
Demand is high for all table-service reservations. Book your Disneyland dining reservations as soon as you can! These open up to 60 days in advance, but some locations do not book that far in advance, so keep checking back if you cannot find a reservation. More and more restaurants are opening or changing hours all the time. Also, that two-hour cancellation rule is opening up room for walk-ups. If you can't get a reservation, definitely try joining the walk-up list for that location in the Disneyland app. The only challenging part is that you have to be within the restaurant's vicinity to join.
Fantasmic! came back as of May 24, 2024. That means Fantasmic! dining packages are once again available to reserve (and there's a new option!). Check the Fantasmic! Dining Packages page for more information on those.
Carthay Circle lunch is back as of July 12, 2024. It's a seasonal prix fixe menu for a starter and main course with a fixed price of $59 per adult ($19 per child), plus tax and tip. Add warm Park House Rolls for an additional charge.
It's tricky to figure out exactly what time dining reservations go live these days. Most reservations get released at 6 a.m. PT. If you do not see any availability for your restaurant, we have also seen reservations pop up as more get released as the morning moves on. However, we've also seen times get released in the afternoon or even a few days later! That means if you don't see what you're looking for early, keep checking throughout the day and as time goes on. Some holidays get released after the 60-day mark. You may even pick up someone else's cancellation if you keep checking. Also, try adjusting your party size or dining time if you can't find what you want. You can usually add or subtract a guest when you check in on the day of.
Changes hoppen in Disneyland dining reservations all the time. In 2023, it became easier to find a reservation online or in the app. When you search for a date and party size, you'll see a larger number of available reservation times instead of being limited by a maximum of three. It's also easier to make adjustments to your date, time or party size when searching. Now you can search by multiple days as well!
Disneyland limits capacity through a theme park reservation system. You'll need both a valid theme park ticket and a park reservation for the same park on the same day to enter a theme park. Dining reservations don't get you entry into the park, and you do not need a ticket or a park reservation to make an in-park dining reservation. But you will need them to access the restaurant when it's time to eat. Park hoppers need to reserve the theme park they wish to enter first and then may hop after 11 a.m. Plan your reservations around that schedule.
You can book for the days you hope to get reservations for (and remember to cancel if you cannot visit up to two hours ahead of your reservation). Or, you can make your theme park reservation before booking dining. We book dining just in case and cancel if our theme park plans change.
What About Virtual Queues?
Virtual queues are back Aug. 23 for Haunted Mansion Holiday and could also come back when Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens (they are back for Magic Key holder previews for the new ride). Shows such as World of Color have a virtual queue and should not affect dining. Virtual queues for rides can be a little tricky to plan around dining reservations since you have no control over when your group is called. A common problem is your Boarding Group getting called, and it occurs at or near a time that conflicts with your dining reservation. In the past when it's happened to us, we hop by the restaurant first to see what we should do. Restaurant reservations usually take priority over Boarding Groups.
We personally have managed to get in to dine sooner or several hours later than scheduled to accommodate our Boarding Group. However, we've also had some restaurants give us problems if we do not check in with them before riding. We take screenshots of our reservation and Boarding Group just in case so that nothing disappears after our reservation's time passes. We can usually add or subtract a guest from the reservation as people's plans or hunger levels change. We've always found the restaurants to be very accommodating to our changing needs as long as we have a reservation and communicate.
What's New in Disneyland Dining?
You will make all your Disneyland reservations online or through the Disneyland app. You can no longer call a Disneyland Dining line. If you have any food allergies, need a kosher meal or have other dietary concerns, or you want to order a gluten-free Monte Cristo at least 24 hours in advance, you can email [email protected].
You can now cancel reservations up to two hours before on the same day in the Disneyland app. This updated policy does not apply to Downtown Disney District restaurants, the World of Color Dessert Party, certain dining packages the Princess Breakfast Adventure character dining at Napa Rose and Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace.
As mentioned, it just got easier to make a reservation online or in the Disneyland app. You can now see more dining times and make adjustments to your search or add filters to narrow down your search.
If you have food allergies, note them when reserving and upon checking in. Hop over to our post with tips for dining with food allergies at Disneyland.
You can join a Walk-Up List at select table-service restaurants. When you approach the restaurant, pull up the Disneyland app, type in the restaurant name and tap Join-Walk-Up List. A notice should tell you if the restaurant is at capacity, but you might get lucky. You might want to use this strategy when you cannot find a reservation. Another strategy is to keep checking for openings as your visit approaches. You might pick up a cancellation, even for same-day availability when people have to cancel two hours in advance or face a charge.
As mentioned above, you can still make reservations for Lamplight Lounge; however, the upstairs part (Boardwalk Dining) only has walk-up availability. So if you cannot get a reservation, you might still have access to those delicious lobster nachos! If you cannot get walk-up right when it opens, just keep trying, sometimes we have better luck after waiting a few minutes and trying again.
Character dining is back to normal. And the wait is over for Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. You can make reservations instead of waiting several hours for this popular tropical-themed destination.
Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel is permanently closed. But there's news! Here's the dish. The lounge has been remodeled into a bar and lounge area called the Lobby Lounge. The new brighter space near the hotel lobby is used as a seasonal bar and lounge to accommodate more guests during busy periods. It's open on select days without reservation.
As of Sept. 12, 2023, all of the table-service restaurants in Disneyland Park serve beer, wine and select themed cocktails. None of the quick-service dining locations in Disneyland Park serve alcohol.
And in other news, more Downtown Disney and hotel restaurants have joined the reservations system. You can now reserve Paseo, Céntrico and Hearthstone Lounge. Keep an out for more new restaurants to come.
When you make a reservation online or through the app, you can now add a celebration cake to the reservation. It's a fun way to surprise someone in your party or celebrate a special occasion.
Are There Parade or Show Viewing Packages?
Yes! We go over the packages and share the ones we think are worth it in our dining packages post. We have enjoyed the parade packages for Magic Happens and for Christmas Fantasy Parade during the holiday season. The lunch includes a meal at Plaza Inn and has a voucher for a separate, reserved viewing area for the second parade (usually across from the train station in Town Square). The menus can vary from year to year. At times, there are also parade dining packages in Disney California Adventure.
At Disney California Adventure Park, there are two World of Color dining packages and a dessert party. The two dining packages include a three-course lunch or dinner at Wine Country Trattoria or a buffet dinner at Storytellers Café in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. For the dining packages, you make a normal reservation for the appropriate meals and tell your server you'd like to upgrade to the dining package when you arrive. Dining packages come with vouchers for standing viewing areas. There's also a parade package for the Better Together parade through summer 2024.
Fantasmic! dining packages are some of the best values if you want a good spot to view the show. Check the Fantasmic! Dining Packages page for all reservations. Rancho del Zocolo quick-service restaurant offers a new Fantasmic! package. All three Fantasmic! dining package restaurants offer great views of the show near the water's edge.
You can choose an available restaurant, time to dine and the show you want to see when you reserve.
What about Downtown Disney?
Don't froget about Downtown Disney! The shopping and dining district is hopping with restaurant choices and fun. Here's the inside scoop on every Downtown Disney restaurant. There are a few new dining locations on the way! If you leave the park with a rumbling belly, there is plenty to eat in Downtown Disney. You can make reservations for most Downtown Disney restaurants through the Disneyland app.
When and How to Make Disneyland Dining Reservations
For Disneyland dining reservations, the booking window opens 60 days in advance. Two months might seem too far out to book a dining reservation, but for Disneyland, it's not. However, sometimes Disneyland does not release reservations until just a few weeks out. So if you do not see what you are looking for, be sure to hop back again and again as more dates are released for some restaurants. What time do reservations go live? Most of the reservations open at 6 a.m. PT. Sometimes they drop in the afternoon too or some location can open a little earlier. It's tough to figure out. but for the most part, it's 6 a.m. We frogs have lost sleep trying to reserve our future dining!
If you know when you will be visiting, you can use the online reservation system or Disneyland app to reserve your spot at restaurants in Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney and the three on-site hotels. It's also a good idea to reserve your character dining experiences in advance. It's easy to make (and cancel or change) reservations through the Disneyland mobile app.
Depending on the restaurant and dates of your visit, you might need to reserve early. You can often find Disneyland dining reservations on shorter notice during the week, especially during less busy times. If you're booking for a weekend, a holiday or other busy times at Disneyland, you’ll want to book as early as possible.
If you're looking to enjoy a romantic meal at Blue Bayou Disneyland, snatch up one of the few Lamplight Lounge reservations or have a fine dining experience at Carthay Circle, it’s best to book 60 days in advance if you can. That being said, we've hoppened upon last-minute cancellations that have popped up, as well. So don't give up! If you don't find what you are looking for, keep checking. People may change plans and cancel last minute and you can pick that up. The walk-up lists have made it easier to get into restaurants in person if you can't find a reservation.
If you're like me and like to keep your frogs all lined up in a row, reserve as soon as you know your travel dates. Less worry + less stress = a relaxing good time! If you do not like to wait for shows or get stressed about getting a good spot, you can also reserve dining packages. The packages provide a voucher for viewing shows or certain parades.
Disneyland Restaurants That Accept Dining Reservations
If you want to make advance Disneyland dining reservations, here are the restaurants that accept reservations (some of these experiences are temporarily unavailable):
- Blue Bayou is located in New Orleans Square. Its romantic seating overlooks part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It's always evening in there no matter what time you dine. Lunch reservations are booked quickly. Ask your server about upgrading to a Fantasmic! Dining Package with a voucher for watching Fantasmic! Adult drinks have arrived — a Hurricane on a hot day sounds perfect!
- Café Orleans, also in New Orleans Square, has both indoor and outdoor tables with a view of the Rivers of America. Lunch reservations are booked faster than dinner. It's the place to get your Monte Cristo and Pommes Frites. New adult drinks have arrived.
- Plaza Inn on Main Street does not require or take reservations for lunch or dinner, but advance reservations are highly recommended for the Minnie and Friends character breakfast.
- Plaza Inn, at times, offers dining packages for parade viewing (or fireworks viewing on New Year's Eve or the Fourth of July and during select nights of Halloween Time).
- Carnation Café on Main Street does take reservations for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but you can join a walk-up list if there is availability. New adult drinks have arrived.
- River Belle Terrace has indoor and outdoor dining with a view of the Rivers of America. It serves Southern-style food and adult beverages. You can book brunch or dinner, or reserve Fantasmic! dining package meals with vouchers for viewing Fantasmic! You can also reserve at 7:15 p.m. for the premium package to dine and watch the show from your table.
- Rancho del Zocolo Restaurante is a quick-service restaurant that offers reservations for Fantasmic! dining packages. You will receive a voucher for a separate Fantasmic! viewing area.
- Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience is back and this time it includes a cold dinner. Make a reservation to sit inside or outside at the Tomorrowland Expo Center. It's open nightly and includes dinner, sides, dessert and hot or cold nonalcoholic beverages. If fireworks are shown that night, you'll be in for a sweet view of the show.
- Over in a galaxy far, far away, you can make reservations for Oga's Cantina, the watering hole of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The process for making Oga's Cantina reservations is a little different from Disneyland's other restaurants. Oga's now allows 60-day advance reservations, so hop on over to that post for the most current scoop on how to get in (with or without your droids).
Disney California Adventure Restaurants That Accept Dining Reservations
California Adventure table-service restaurants that accept reservations include:
- Lamplight Lounge is a gastropub located on Pixar Pier. Enjoy bubbly cocktails and fun eats (lunch and dinner) with a view of the water and Pixar Pier. Hop in for delicious brunch Friday through Sunday!
- Lamplight Lounge — Boardwalk Dining offers some "shorts" to share and drinks. Check the app for walk-up availability. No reservations are taken.
- Magic Key Terrace is the newest addition to the Disneyland dining reservation system. This fun spot is open to Magic Key holders and their guests. It has drinks that are themed to Disney California Adventure and savory bites to share. It also offers World of Color dining packages. You can upgrade at the restaurant.
- Carthay Circle books up well in advance, depending on the season. If you can’t get into this retro fine dining establishment, the swanky lounge and lobby have some tasty bar bites and cocktails that are sure to satisfy any walk-in. Carthay Circle is open for dinner and a seasonal prix fixe lunch as of July 12, 2024.
- Carthay Circle — Alfresco Dining offers smaller bites at lunch and dinner outside on the patio.
- Wine Country Trattoria: Reservations are recommended to dine where Napa Valley meets Tuscany. This location offers World of Color dining packages and sometimes parade packages for the Oogie Boogie Bash. You can upgrade at the restaurant.
- World of Color Dessert Party: This is not a restaurant, but it is a delicious way to relax and watch the World of Color while eating dessert and enjoying a beverage. Adult beverages are available.
- Sonoma Terrace occasionally offers parade packages.
Downtown Disney Restaurants That Accept Dining Reservations
The Disneyland dining reservation system also includes most restaurants in Downtown Disney, which is within a hop, skip and jump of both parks. There are many choices! Our old favorite is Naples or Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, but Splitsville Luxury Lanes offers mouthwatering spins on classics such as ahi tuna, sliders, grilled avocado and hand-tossed pizzas. New locations are open as of May and summer 2024! Hop over to our Downtown Disney restaurants post to learn more. If you cannot get a reservation for Downtown Disney locations, they often have space for walk-ins.
Disney Hotel Restaurants That Accept Dining Reservations
There are some great restaurants in the Disneyland hotels. One of our favorites for a nice, relaxing dinner (sometimes without Tad and Lily!) is Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. There is also Storytellers Café for a family meal. Two hotels offer character breakfasts/brunches, as well as a character dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen. The newest character dining to join the lineup is the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures Experience. This brunch brings princesses to Napa Rose Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Hotel restaurants that accept dining reservations include:
- Napa Rose: Character dining breakfast and high-end dinner without characters
- Storytellers Café: Character dining breakfast/brunch buffet and dinner buffet without characters. You can upgrade dinner to a World of Color dining package. Look for new seasonal meals in fall and the Pajama Party Nov. 19 through Jan. 1, as well as holiday meals on Thanksgiving.)
- GCH Craftsman Bar: An outdoor poolside bar
- (New to reservations) Hearthstone Lounge: A homey lounge just off the Great Hall.
- Goofy's Kitchen: Character breakfast and dinner (with seasonal themes)
- Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar: You can sit outside with walk-up availability or reserve for inside.
- (New) Great Maple: Dine inside or outside at this new Pixar Place Hotel dining establishment with huge portions and signature maple-bacon doughnuts.
- (New) Palm Breeze Bar: Enjoy the breeze and pool views as you sip a refreshing cocktail or enjoy a meal at the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
Disneyland Character Dining Experiences
Disneyland offers some fun character dining experiences available in the parks and some on-site hotels. We always recommend getting Disneyland dining reservations at the following locations:
- Goofy’s Kitchen is located in the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen offers buffet dining at breakfast (brunch fare served at breakfast) and dinner. Note new seasonal themes.
- Mickey's Tales of Adventure is a buffet located in the Storytellers Café in the Grand Californian. Storytellers Cafe also offers a daily breakfast and brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Brunch includes the same breakfast choices, along with lunch specials. Note new seasonal themes.
- Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures is the newest character breakfast at the Napa Rose in the Grand Californian. This option is available Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast and brunch selections are served the whole time.
- Plaza Inn in Disneyland has a Minnie and Friends character breakfast in the park.
If you happen to have Plaza Inn reservations (or Oga's Cantina reservations) before or at park opening, use the designated entrance to the left. Arrive early, bring proof of your reservation and you can enter the park to make your reservation on time.
Dining Packages That Accept Disneyland Dining Reservations
Reserved dining packages at Disneyland Resort restaurants provide a prix fixe meal or an on-the-go meal with a voucher for priority viewing of shows such as Fantasmic! and World of Color. At times, there are limited-time parade dining packages, so always be on the lookout for those. There are usually no refunds on dining packages should the shows get canceled or experience technical difficulties.
Fantasmic! Packages
Fantasmic! dining packages include:
- Rancho del Zocolo Restaurante is a quick-service location that offers Fantasmic! dining packages with Mexican Korean fusion choices for lunch or dinner. You will receive a voucher for a viewing area. This is the most affordable package.
- Blue Bayou Disneyland (five-course, prix fixe table service, available now): At this time, you can reserve lunch or dinner with viewing designated for the first or second show. Reservations are open now.
- River Belle Terrace has two options. You can reserve the standard package for brunch or dinner. Reservations are open now. Or you can reserve the Premium Package with seating at 7:15 p.m. to watch the 9 p.m. show from your table on the outdoor patio.
The vouchers for Fantasmic! list the viewing area, the time you should arrive and show performance time. Arrive earlier than posted if sitting in front is important. However, we are happy sitting in the back half of the seating area so we do not have to look through a fence. Seating is on the ground, but guests with disabilities will be accommodated. People in wheelchairs will be seated at the back but will be able to see above the guests seated in front of them. Guests in standby areas will be standing room only.
World of Color Packages
World of Color has several different dining packages, including three-course menu dining packages, a buffet dinner and a seated dessert party. All dining locations are separate from the viewing area and give you a voucher to view the show from a reserved viewing area, except for the dessert party. The dessert party takes place at tables in the viewing area.
Here are the World of Color dining package options:
- Wine Country Trattoria: Lunch or dinner three-course, prix fixe menu.
- World of Color Dessert Party: Dine at tables in a preferred viewing area with treats and a beverage while you watch the show. This is a pre-paid event.
- Buffet Dinner at Storytellers Café (located in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa): All-you-care-to-eat buffet and nonalcoholic beverage (must have theme park admission to enter the park). Diners get a box of macarons to enjoy later or during the show.
- Magic Key Terrace: Prix Fixe menu only for Magic Key Holders and their guests.
Plaza Inn Packages
At certain times, there are dining packages that offer reserved parade viewing or reserved dining for special events. The packages may vary. For parades, you can make a reservation to eat lunch at a quick-service restaurant to receive a voucher. The voucher gives you access to a reserved viewing area later. Plaza Inn most commonly offers parade packages and even a fireworks meal and viewing package for New Year's Eve and Fourth of July.
You can make it a magical day at Disneyland when you book the parade dining package at Plaza Inn. Each package comes with one lunch entree, dessert and drink, a voucher that provides access to the parade's viewing area and a Plaza Inn credential.
Sonoma Terrace Dining Packages
At Sonoma Terrace at Disney California Adventure, guests can get reserved viewing for the Better Together parade with the "Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!" Parade Viewing Dining Package. The package includes:
- A selection of Pixar-inspired foods, desserts and cheeses,
- Unlimited soft drinks and bottled water — plus coffee and a specialty mocktail
- Reserved seating for parade viewing at Sonoma Terrace
Come Halloween Time, you can also get a similar (but with different desserts and drinks) Frightfully Fun Parade Viewing Package during the Oogie Boogie Bash. You must have an Oogie Boogie Bash ticket to take part in this package.
How to Make Disneyland Dining Reservations? Plus More Tips
I like the flexibility of the online system and the Disneyland app. They allow me to see what times are available or easily check different days.
Keep in mind that all Disneyland dining reservations require a credit card deposit. If you can’t keep your reservation, be sure to cancel with at least 2 hours notice. (Some reservations must be canceled a day or two prior.) Otherwise, your card will be charged $10 per person. On the other hand, if you reserve a party of four and only three show up, you will not be charged. You will only be charged if the party doesn't show up. Most restaurants require 2 hours' notice of cancellation, but be sure to check the cancellation policy when you make the reservation. Certain restaurants (such as those during special events and holidays) may require up to 72 hours' notice.
If your restaurant has no availability, check for other party sizes. It's easier to modify a party size at the restaurant (to add or subtract people) than to get into a full restaurant when you don't have a reservation. But if you can't get in, you can always check in with the restaurant's cast members or join the Walk-Up List in the app. Lunch service usually starts at about 11 a.m. and dinner starts at 4 p.m. If you can eat during the off-times (such as a 3 p.m. lunch or early dinner), they may be able to fit you in better. That comes in handy if you have jetlag and are hungry at odd times.
Be willing to wake up to make reservations right at 6 a.m. PT, 60 days before your visit. And keep checking if you do not see what you want. Remember to check walk-up availability in the parks if you can't get a reservation. We've had pretty good luck with it! This is all you need to know to successfully reserve your dining experience through the Disneyland dining reservation system.
Have a tip for making a Disneyland dining reservation that we haven't mentioned? Share in the comments below, then let us know your favorite Disneyland table-service restaurant!
Related: Best Disneyland Quick-Service Restaurants
Related: Uncovering the Disneyland Secret Menu Items
Hoppy planning!
