NEWS: Disney Announces Opening of Dining Reservation System & Changes to Table Service

While we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort hotels and theme parks, we are keeping the well-being of our Guests and Cast Members in mind. At this time, dining and other experience reservations at the Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels are unavailable. We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. Select Disney Springs locations are currently open for bookings.

When reservations resume, Guests will be able to make dining and experience reservations up to 60 days in advance to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits.

In addition, Disney Resort hotel Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days).

Please note: In order to foster physical distancing during this time, upon reopening, our offerings, restaurants and other experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours will be limited in capacity, while other experiences may remain closed.

7 – Health & Hygiene

New measures have been implemented across Walt Disney World dining locations to promote health and hygiene, including:

• Enhanced Cleaning: We’ve increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. Additionally, seating areas, dining areas and pagers will be cleaned between Guests.
• Reduced-Contact Menus: Menus will be shared in ways to minimize contact. At quick-service restaurants, menus will be displayed on signage. And at table-service restaurants, you can scan a code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.
• Self-Serve Changes: Beverages and other items that were previously self-serve will instead be served by Cast Members.

8 – Enhanced Technology

Use convenient technologies to minimize your contact with others:

• Mobile Order Service: A time-saving feature of the My Disney Experience app, mobile order service enables you to order ahead at select dining locations and pick up food during a designated arrival window.
• Scannable Codes for Select Restaurant Menus: While at a table-service restaurant, you can use your own mobile device to scan a code for access to the digital menu.
• Cashless Payments: At this time, it is recommended all Guests use cashless payment options, including debit cards, credit cards and Disney Gift Cards. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options—such as mobile wallets—or use cash to purchase a Disney Gift Card at Guest Relations and select merchandise locations. Disney Resort hotel Guests can also use MagicBands to charge their purchase to their Disney Resort hotel folio.

9 – Mobile Dine Check-in for Table Service Restaurants

Check in to your dining reservations at select table-service restaurants using the new mobile check-in feature on the My Disney Experience app. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check-in!

This convenient feature enables you to maximize your vacation time with family and friends—and minimize your contact with others.

Note: Mobile check-in is only supported by devices running Android or iOS with the latest version of the My Disney Experience app installed and location services enabled.

How It Works
It’s easy to use mobile check-in during your visit. All you need is your phone, the My Disney Experience app and a dining reservation at a participating restaurant!

Here’s how it works:

• When your check-in window arrives, you’ll receive a push notification prompting you to check-in via the app. Or, you can begin the check-in process by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check-in.
• From the push notification or QR code, you’ll be able to check-in for your reservation—and confirm your arrival time and party details.
• Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location.

10 – Dining Experiences

Additional changes to Walt Disney World dining experiences include:

• Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant’s online menu when the restaurant reopens.
• Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
• Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
• Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
• Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
• Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels.

11 – Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds

We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your visits to Walt Disney World Resort and realize some of these changes may be disappointing. Please know we will be here to help you, as our Cast remains focused on delivering magical experiences and incredible storytelling for everyone who visits.

During this unprecedented period, some of our policies and offerings have been modified:

• All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
• Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
• We have made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. If you have an existing Resort package with a Disney dining plan, we will update your reservation to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly. You will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.

12 – Tables in Wonderland

All active Tables in Wonderland Memberships will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed.

13 – Dining Locations Open at Resorts

The following locations will be open when resorts open on June 22. For more information about Disney Resorts during the phased reopening, click here. 

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• The Wave… of American Flavors
• The Wave Lounge
• Contempo Café
• Cove Bar

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge 

• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Roaring Fork

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Roaring Fork
• Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

• Sanaa
• Kidani Breakfast at Sanaa
• Sanaa Lounge
• Maji Pool Bar

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

• Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
• Beach Club Marketplace
• Martha’s Vineyard

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

• Trattoria al Forno (this excludes Character Dining, which is temporarily unavailable)
• Pizza Window
• BoardWalk Bakery
• Leaping Horse Libations
• AbracadaBar

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

• P&J’s Southern Takeout
• Meadow Snack Bar
• Crockett’s Tavern

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Olivia’s Café
• Good’s Food to Go
• Gurgling Suitcase

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

• Kona Cafe
• Capt. Cook’s
• Pineapple Lanai
• Barefoot Pool Bar

Disney’s Riviera Resort

• Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (please note that the Character Dining experience will be modified)
• Primo Piatto
• Le Petit Café
• Bar Riva

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

• The Artist’s Palette
• The Paddock Grill
• On the Rocks Pool Bar

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

• Grand Floridian Cafe
• Gasparilla Island Grill
• Enchanted Rose
• Beaches Pool Bar & Grill

13 – Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds

We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your visits to Walt Disney World Resort. Please know we will be here to help you, as our Cast remains focused on delivering magical experiences and incredible storytelling for everyone who visits.

During this unprecedented period, some of our policies and offerings have been modified:

• All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
• Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
• We have made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. If you have an existing Resort package with a Disney dining plan, we will update your reservation to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly. You will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.

Source: Walt Disney World Website.

Photo Credit: Disney Photo Snapper