10 of the Hardest Disney World Restaurants to Get an Advanced Dining Reservation
Dining is an important part of your Walt Disney World vacation. The Disney storytelling and magical experience extends to the restaurants. Now more than ever, it is critical to make your advanced dining reservations as soon as you are eligible, sixty days before your visit. Even then, you’ll want to make reservations first for the restaurants that are the most difficult to get. Keep reading for ten of the hardest Disney World restaurants to get an advanced dining reservation.
10 – Yak and Yeti
You might be surprised that a pan-Asian choice would be so popular, but Yak & Yeti offers more than your local strip mall Chinese restaurant. The atmosphere is half of the fun, with knickknacks and artwork filling much of the space. The food is quite good, and the portions are large. Part of the reason why Advanced Dining Reservations are hard to come by here is that the restaurant is operated by Landry’s, Inc. Members of the Landry’s Select Club don’t need a reservation, so you might want to look into joining it if you can’t get an ADR.
9 – Chef Mickey’s
There are a few character dining meals on this list, and it should be no surprise that Chef Mickey’s is still one of the more popular character dining spots. Part of the reason why it is so popular is because of the characters that will make the rounds during your visit. You will see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald all wearing chef outfits. Breakfast and dinner are served, and it is all you care to enjoy. Not only is Chef Mickey’s fun, but it is also convenient. You can walk there from the Magic Kingdom, making it a great option if you want to get away from the crowds for a meal.
8 – Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Since opening in Disney Springs, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ has been one of the area’s most popular restaurants. The restaurant has Southern charm and a menu full of Southern favorites. The menu boasts some of the best fried chicken around and fantastic deviled eggs. A weekend brunch is also very popular, making it even more difficult to get a reservation.
7 – Cinderella’s Royal Table
This is a signature dining experience that is designed for the whole family. Enjoy a prix fixe meal inside the iconic Cinderella Castle, surrounded by majestic architecture and enchanting ambiance. Guests enjoy visits with Disney Princesses. Tiaras and glittering gowns are optional, although young guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion. All three meals are served daily, and all three meal times are hard to get an Advanced Dining Reservation for.
6 – 1900 Park Fare
After a few years of closure, 1900 Park Fare reopened to guests in April 2024 with a revamped menu and all-new characters. This is probably why reservations are hard to come by for 1900 Park Fare. Guests love to try something new. The character lineup is also unique. Guests can meet Princess Tiana dressed for adventure and Aladdin in his princely finest, along with Mirabel and Cinderella, all characters who celebrate the power of wishes. The characters make appearances at both breakfast and dinner service.
5 – Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop offers a classic diner experience with American favorites such as cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and tomato soup. The desserts here are really the star with famous milkshakes and, of course, the famous Kitchen Sink, which includes eight scoops of ice cream! While the food here is not our favorite, the dining room is quite small, making reservations more difficult to score.
4 – Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant
Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been thrilling guests for many years. Its unique dinner and show is in a ’50s-style drive-in theater featuring American classics and sci-fi movie clips. Much like Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, the restaurant is small, making it harder to get a reservation.
3 – Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (breakfast)
When it opened in December 2019 with Disney’s Riviera Resort, the breakfast offering at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera instantly became popular. Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends offers guests a chance to meet with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald in exclusive art-themed outfits. The dining room is also located on a picturesque rooftop that offers fantastic views. The menu is full of great choices, and the food is delicious. This is a great option if you’re looking for a quieter experience than Chef Mickey’s.
2 – ‘Ohana (breakfast and dinner)
Another restaurant that has kept its popularity year after year is ‘Ohana. ‘Ohana means family, and the Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch invites guests to start their day by feasting on a family-style spread that includes both Mickey Mouse and Stitch waffles. Breakfast also includes fun photo ops and autograph signings. While dinner has no characters, it offers an all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner featuring Hawaiian-flavored specialties, including the legendary ‘Ohana Noodles and ‘Ohana Bread Pudding. With beautiful views of the Polynesian Resort and Magic Kingdom in the distance, it’s no wonder why getting reservations at breakfast and dinner continues to be difficult.
1 – Space 220 (Restaurant and Lounge)
Since its opening in 2021, Space 220 has remained the most difficult to get an ADR for. There is a restaurant and a lounge, and both are next to impossible to book! Space 220 is not just a restaurant; it is an attraction. You will board an elevator and “travel 220 miles” above Florida! The elevator ride is half the fun. You never know who or what might fly by the windows in the restaurant. You could see some astronauts, a space station, or even The Milano from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” If your reservation is for the restaurant, you’ll enjoy a prix fixe meal. The lounge features alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialties, as well as light bites. Every inch of Space 220 is themed, including the restrooms. Even when your meal is over, your experience isn’t. You will still have the elevator ride back to Earth. Space 220 Restaurant and Lounge offers an out-of-this-(Disney)-World experience that is worth the frustration of trying to snag a reservation.
Bonus Tips:
If you miss out on booking a must-try restaurant 60 days out, all is not lost. A credit card is required to hold a reservation, and you will be charged if you don’t cancel two hours in advance. Spots can and do open up all the time, so keep trying. You might also have luck joining the Walk-Up List the day of. You can do that on the My Disney Experience App. Those spots go quickly, and you need to be close to the restaurant to join.
Editor’s Note: DisneyLists.com author Paula Brown also contributed to the article.
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