NEWS: Advanced Dining Reservations at Disney World Now Open to All Guests
Walt Disney World is reopening this week and one of the last items to come back online, advanced dining reservations, is now open. All guests are now able to make advanced dining reservations. Catch all the details below including our related article with everything you need to know about dining during the phased reopening.
Here are all the details frojm Disney Cast Member Karen McClintock:
As part of our phased reopening, guests can now book additional dining and experience reservations at Walt Disney World Resort.
From dining inside Beast’s castle at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Park and the culinary adventures of World Showcase at EPCOT to select table-service restaurants in our Disney Resort hotels, guests can take advantage of a 60-day booking window (beginning July 7) to plan meals and other experiences.
To help you plan, here are important updates to our food and beverage experience:
- In-Park Dining: Theme park guests will need valid park admission and a reservation for park entry through the new Disney Park Pass system, as well as a dining reservation for in-park, table-service restaurants for the same park on the same date. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
- Disney Resort Hotel Dining: A confirmed dining reservation is required for day guests and reservations are highly recommended for guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel.
- Disney Springs Dining: Select dining locations at Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations. Please visit https://DisneySprings.com/dining for schedules and availability.
Guests can also take advantage of the new My Disney Experience mobile check-in feature, which allows guests to bypass the line at the podium and check in for dining reservations at select Walt Disney World Resort table-service restaurants on their own mobile devices.
Be sure to also check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/ for the latest menus and offerings as we implement wellness, physical distancing and minimized contact for guests at our restaurants.
RELATED ARTICLE: Details on Dining Changes, Character Dining & More as Disney World Reopens
By Chad and Cindy Nykamp
Of all the things that Disney has to consider when preparing to reopen Disney World Parks & Resorts, dining issues are perhaps the most complex and present the most significant challenges to providing a safe experience for both guests and cast members. Since the official announcement of a July reopening, we’ve known some general information on changes coming to dining but had very little detail on how Disney would handle new reservations, character dining, etc. Disney has released further information answers many of our questions. Details are below.
Updated: 7/7/20
Here is the information listed on the Walt Disney World Website:
1 – Changes and Enhancements to Dining
We’re committed to a responsible reopening of Walt Disney World Resort—and we’ve made some important updates and enhancements to our dining experiences based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.
During the reopening period, many dining experiences may be modified or unavailable in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing.
2 – What You’ll Need
Before you dine at Walt Disney World Resort, please be aware that you’ll need:
- Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas—including while entering and exiting dining locations—and can be removed while eating or drinking
- Planning to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel? A confirmed dining reservation is required for day Guests (those not staying overnight) and is highly recommended for Guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel
Also, it’s highly recommended to have:
- The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services enabled
- Cashless or contactless forms of payment
3 – Dining Reservations
All Guests may now make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance. Here are some important details to help you plan:
In-Park Dining
With the opening of Magic Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park on July 11, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15, Guests will need valid park admission and a reservation for park entry through the new Disney Park Pass system—as well as a dining reservation—to dine at in-park, table-service restaurants. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
Click here for a complete list of theme park restaurants available during the phased reopening.
Disney Resort Hotel Dining
Planning to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel? A confirmed dining reservation is required for day Guests (those not staying overnight) and is highly recommended for Guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel.
Disney Springs Dining
Select dining locations at Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations. Check availability and make reservations online now.
Disney Resort Hotel Dining
See #12 for which dining locations will be available during the initial reopening period at Disney Resort hotels.
4 – Dining Plans
At this time, Disney dining plans cannot be added to reservations. Check back soon for more information.
5 – Booking Windows
Guests are 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.
6 – 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.
7 – 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.
8 – 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.
9 – 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 and Garden Grill. During this modified experience you’ll still get to see the characters, and they will even take distanced selfies. However, characters will not sign autograph books or take up-close photos.
- 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.
10 – 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.
11 – Tables in Wonderland
All active Tables in Wonderland Memberships will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed.
12 – 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.
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