Many Walt Disney World eating places are hotly in demand, with reservations being extremely troublesome to e book when you aren’t up early 60+ days upfront. This submit covers the ADRs which are the hardest to attain, why that’s the case and the way it may change, plus alternate options when you can’t rating the hardest spots. (Up to date April 14, 2024.)
Earlier than we get to our listing, we should always in all probability supply some fundamentals on Advance Eating Reservations at Walt Disney World past simply “make them.” Standard knowledge is that you must e book ADRs as early as doable, both by way of the My Disney Expertise app or DisneyWorld.com.
Though it’s gotten barely simpler to e book in current months, there are some robust ones–particularly for bigger events. You’ll nonetheless have to make reservations early or luck-out final minute. See our Information to Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs) at Walt Disney World for ideas & tips to attain elusive ADRs, data in regards to the 60+10 rule, and extra.
Talking of which, that 60+10 rule is fairly necessary right here. Anybody could make ADRs 60 days upfront. In the event you’re staying at a Walt Disney World on-site resort resort, this implies you may e book 60 days previous to your arrival date and make ADRs for as much as the primary 10 days of your journey. For a number of the eating places on this listing, that +10 is crucial, as ADRs are sometimes totally booked by the 60 day mark, that means off-site friends don’t actually have a probability at them until there are cancellations.
Most individuals don’t know the place they wish to eat 60 days upfront, and this drawback is compounded by the truth that Walt Disney World virtually by no means releases remaining park hours 60 days upfront. If you end up confronted with this drawback, the excellent news is that you just’re not alone–cancellations, extra ADR stock being launched, and Stroll-Up Waitlist all are nice choices for snagging comparatively last-minute tables. Suggestions for all of which are specified by the above-mentioned ADR Information for WDW.
Regardless of the existence of this submit, we hardly ever make greater than a few Advance Eating Reservations earlier than every Walt Disney World journey. Partially it’s because we are likely to journey extra on the final minute now, and partly it’s because reserving same-day ADRs or scoring walk-up availability is less complicated than ever.
Then there’s the ultimate half–that we now have a child. She’s going to set quite a lot of the schedule and tempo, so we don’t wish to arrive with a inflexible plan that we’ve to throw out the window. We’ve seen unrealistic expectations ruining journeys for lots of households when issues inevitably don’t go in accordance with the plan. So we’ve determined to set tremendous low expectations and naked minimal planning.
For us, it’s a extra nice expertise to roll with the punches and be versatile in the place we’re keen to dine than decide our whole schedule months upfront and have our day be beholden to these plans–or “fail” at following by means of on these plans. There are quite a lot of eating places we actually get pleasure from in every park, and normally a number of of them have same-day choices.
Your mileage might fluctuate on that, although. In the event you’re a first-timer to Walt Disney World and are doing a once-in-a-lifetime journey, your circumstances are definitely completely different than ours. We share this just because there are a number of views on planning your eating at Walt Disney World.
The overwhelming majority of different websites on the market sure a way of urgency about scoring probably the most coveted ADRs and stress the significance of planning upfront. As a Walt Disney World planning useful resource, it behooves web sites like this one to encourage individuals to plan. Us telling you to typically ‘wing it’ is perhaps a bit self-defeating, but it surely’s sincere. We really feel planning is crucial in some circumstances, however mixing planning with spontaneity makes for a wholesome and balanced strategy.
As one remaining be aware earlier than we get going, each the Disney Eating Plan and Free Eating affect Advance Eating Reservations. We already know the affect of the Disney Eating Plan, because it’s now accessible and has already induced some adjustments in demand since its return in 2024 as in comparison with final 12 months.
Free Eating remains to be a wildcard, however we’re anticipating it to be much more impactful, as (statistically talking) a better share of friends will likely be utilizing the Disney Eating Plan as soon as Free Eating ‘season’ begins. Again within the good ‘ole days (2019 and earlier), Free Eating had a large affect on each ADR availability and what bought booked.
That at all times occurs and, earlier than you ask, it’s not an indication that crowds will likely be excessive. It’s usually fairly localized to eating places. (This was the case even in August and September 2019, when the parks have been largely quiet however desk service eating places have been packed.)
Anyway, we’ve digressed from the purpose, so let’s minimize to the chase–the robust ADRs that you just will wish to e book as far upfront as doable, plus alternate options if these are totally booked…
California Grill – This Signature Restaurant loved a resurgence a number of years in the past because of improved menu high quality plus a handy location close to Magic Kingdom plus a reasonably fly location with nice fireworks views. California Grill nonetheless has these final two issues, however demand has fallen sharply for plenty of causes.
The massive one is its transfer to a prix fixe menu, which was standard at first–however the novelty has worn off. It additionally takes California Grill off the desk for many who wish to order smaller parts or dine in any method inconsistent with the set menu. Lastly, California Grill isn’t on the Disney Eating Plan in any respect, and only a few eating places can maintain reputation with out that. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if reputation falls additional and California Grill will get one other menu overhaul or begins accepting the DDP in 2025.
Alternate options to California Grill can be just about some other Signature Restaurant. By way of location, Citricos and Narcoossee’s are logical selections. By way of delicacies and high quality, Jiko or Flying Fish are one of the best matches. Beneath the identical roof, Steakhouse 71 is a superb possibility, but it surely’s within the “basement” of the Up to date reasonably than the rooftop.
Dinner at Teppan Edo – That is the teppanyaki-style steakhouse within the Japan pavilion of World Showcase at EPCOT. Teppan Edo is positioned on the second ground of the the Mitsukoshi Division Retailer adjoining to Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (previously Tokyo Eating).
Teppan Edo has been the most effective goal values on the Disney Eating Plan for years, and it claims the #1 spot on our Record of the ten Greatest Makes use of of Desk Service Disney Eating Plan in 2024. That alone in all probability helps clarify its surge in reputation. Apparently, although, Teppan Edo is a a lot simpler ADR for lunch when it serves the identical menu.
Teppan Edo doesn’t supply a fireworks view, in order that doesn’t clarify the dinner rush. Until persons are confused in regards to the (lack of) view. On condition that I simply overheard a gaggle of teenage boys on the monorail debating which of Magic Kingdom’s “most intense” curler coasters to trip first, TRON Lightcycle Run or Barnstormer, I’d say that’s a definite chance.
Regardless, one of the best different to Teppan Edo at dinner is…Teppan Edo at lunch. That’s arguably the higher possibility, anyway, so that you will be outdoor within the night when it’s cooler and World Showcase comes alive. Simply graze from competition kiosks for dinner.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant – That is one other one was virtually not possible (particularly for the “fallacious” social gathering sizes) for a number of years, however now virtually falls off the listing. Nonetheless, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant will be troublesome to e book, particularly for bigger events.
We’ve discovered that Sci-Fi Dine-In is best 60+ days upfront or on the last-minute. Now that the brand new restaurant scent has worn off Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ, that is the hardest ADR within the park. (It’s additionally value noting that Sci-Fi routinely overbooks, so the wait to be seated will be prolonged.) As for alternate options, the aforementioned Roundup Rodeo or 50’s Prime Time Cafe are your finest choices.
Breakfast at Crystal Palace – As a normal rule, character breakfasts are tougher to e book than their lunch and dinner counterparts. That is attention-grabbing however not completely shocking. Breakfast is normally cheaper and has much less ADR stock, however presents worse bang for buck on the Disney Eating Plan.
Crystal Palace is just not a troublesome ADR for lunch or dinner. In any respect. However breakfast is a special story, particularly for later seatings that bleed into lunch. Nonetheless, when you e book early…and even wait till the final minute (Crystal Palace tends to have strong Stroll-Up Waitlist availability)…you shouldn’t have an excessive amount of hassle right here.
‘Ohana – Because the world’s first Irish-Hawaiian fusion idea, it’s comprehensible that ‘Ohana is so standard (their Boiled Cabbage and Pineapple Upside Down Cake is to die for!). Joking apart, Walt Disney World followers have come to like ‘Ohana because of its good enjoyable, jovial ambiance, and engaging Polynesian delicacies. That is very true for dinner, however breakfast can also be standard.
Alternate options embody Sebastian’s Bistro (our favourite!), Liberty Tree Tavern, Boma, Backyard Grill, or Cape Could Cafe. Every of those supply a slice of the ‘Ohana expertise, however none is a direct analogue. ‘Ohana is one thing of a lightning in a bottle expertise, and it’s not possible for different eating places to duplicate that utterly. In the event you’re unable to get dinner, you may contemplate “settling” for breakfast at ‘Ohana. We expect dinner has by far one of the best meals, however breakfast has characters and a good slate of meals (by Walt Disney World breakfast requirements).
Breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera – Topolino’s Terrace is mainly two completely different eating places, each of that are fairly standard. For dinner, it’s a Signature Restaurant with a high-end meal that makes for an ideal date night time. Though we’ve finished ‘date morning’ meals at Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Mates, it’s clearly completely different by advantage of being a personality meal.
Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Mates may be very standard as a result of it’s increased finish than Chef Mickey’s or Cape Could Cafe (alternate options, I suppose) and in contrast to the equally high-end dinner at Artist Level (one other different) it options Mickey & Mates…and it’s breakfast. There’s additionally the truth that Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Mates is barely 1-credit on the Disney Eating Plan (for now), at a time when many premium character eating experiences are shifting to 2-credits.
Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Desk – This one has been on the listing of most troublesome Walt Disney World ADRs for ages. Lengthy earlier than I began overlaying Disney–probably since I used to be in diapers. (Don’t Google “Howie’s Angels” until you wish to go down a fascinating-but-weird rabbit gap!)
Whereas lunch and dinner have eased up a bit, breakfast remains to be extremely troublesome. That is in all probability partly as a result of breakfast is ~$15 per particular person cheaper and since there are fewer breakfast spots than lunch and dinner (that are one in the identical). To every their very own, however we’re huge followers of dinner right here and assume it’s arguably “value it” (air quotes as a result of you may’t actually put a value on eating with royalty inside their fort, however when you might, ~$100/grownup appears fair-ish).
House 220 Restaurant – This one has managed to defy the chances, persevering with to orbit above the competitors. The trajectory right here is much like California Grill, besides that it opened with a prix fixe menu a number of years in the past reasonably than being an present venue with a redone menu. House 220 Restaurant additionally doesn’t settle for the Disney Eating Plan and in addition has acquired extra combined opinions just lately.
For our half, we’re huge House 220 followers. As a whole package deal expertise–theme, delicacies, service, and so on–it’s out of this world. We’re additionally admittedly stunned that at its enduring stratospheric reputation. The brand new restaurant scent hasn’t worn off, and there’s not likely any signal that House 220 will “want” to make adjustments in 2025 or transfer to the Disney Eating Plan. Perhaps this summer season and fall’s Free Eating ‘season’ will do the trick?
As for alternate options, the very apparent one is Coral Reef–like House 220, however beneath (actual) water. That’s a lot simpler to e book, distinctive in its personal method, however not fairly nearly as good.
Brunch at Chef Artwork Smith’s Homecomin’ – This has turn into my white whale. I’ve been making an attempt to e book brunch at Homecomin’ ever since we final did it a number of years in the past, as a result of I “want” to strive a pair extra issues earlier than publishing my evaluate. (A fantastic excuse for pigging out additional, albeit one I believe Sarah sees by means of.) My effort degree hasn’t been that top…however there was a time after I was trying each single weekend whereas we lived in Florida.
Brunch at Homecomin’s reputation is actually a math drawback. It’s solely accessible on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am till 1pm. That alone means a much smaller pool of ADRs than simply about some other restaurant on this listing. Add to that its cult following amongst locals and (in all probability?) someday WDW diehards, and Brunch at Homecomin’ is exceedingly troublesome to e book.
All of that’s in all probability a spoiler for our full evaluate, coming at a date TBD, which is that Brunch at Homecomin’ is fairly fairly fairly good. As for alternate options, strive Olivia’s Cafe at Outdated Key West or Grand Floridian Cafe at Grand Floridian–each of which serve wonderful fried hen that’s on par with Homecomin’.
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare – It is a tough one since 1900 Park Fare simply reopened after a multi-year closure. As we’ve seen with each character restaurant that has had a delayed return, there’s been a mix of pent-up demand for that venue and preliminary capability constraints because the areas employees up and hit their stride. There’s undoubtedly a point of that with 1900 Park Fare, too.
Nonetheless, this restaurant has additionally been reimagined in a method that hasn’t occurred with different character eating experiences, main us to conclude that it in all probability has extra longevity. At minimal, its “new meal scent” will maintain bookings by means of its first few months at which level Free Eating demand will takeover and carry it by means of the remainder of the 12 months. However we’re anticipating 1900 Park Fare to be a scorching ticket nicely into 2025, and maybe past.
For reference, 1900 Park Fare ADRs have been by no means this difficult pre-closure. It was center of the pack, usually having comparatively final minute availability. Our intestine says that the character adjustments, unpopular as they’re with diehards, have given 1900 Park Fare wider attraction. Nonetheless, it’s not iconic like a number of different Walt Disney World character eating experiences, so we ultimately count on 1900 Park Fare to drop off this listing.
Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare – That is listed individually as a result of breakfast at 1900 Park Fare is markedly tougher to e book than dinner. On the 60 mark, I can discover a wide range of choices for dinner. Against this, I can’t discover something for breakfast–not even a single desk–with out having the 60+10 benefit. It’s an enormous distinction, however according to what we’ve seen for different breakfast vs. dinner character eating spreads.
With that stated, we do surprise if Free Eating season will flip the script. Whereas each are good makes use of of Disney Eating Plan credit, dinner is prime tier. If fewer friends are paying out-of-pocket and as an alternative utilizing DDP credit, it stands to purpose that extra would go for the pricier meal. However we will see.
Alternate options to 1900 Park Fare embody Story Guide Eating at Artist Level, Cinderella’s Royal Desk, and Akershus Royal Banquet Corridor.
House 220 Lounge – That is listed individually from House 220 Restaurant as a result of it’s, technically, a special possibility. Not solely is it a definite ADR, but it surely’s additionally rather more troublesome to e book. That is one other white whale for me. We did the House 220 Lounge a few instances when it first opened, however have been shut out ever since. (I might’ve finished it by way of walk-up a number of instances, however that meant sitting on the precise bar with no view into outer house.)
House 220 Lounge is such a troublesome ADR for 2 causes (above and past common House 220 Restaurant): provide and that it presents an a la carte menu that may be cheaper. With far fewer tables and the possibility to dine in house on a dime, its reputation is sky-high. Additionally, I personally desire the view from these seats, however I actually don’t assume others are taking my private preferences into consideration when reserving the lounge versus the restaurant.
Victoria & Albert’s – Chef’s Desk goes in a short time, largely due to restricted provide: it’s an intimate expertise with just one seating per night time. The primary eating room is less complicated since there are extra tables, but it surely nonetheless could be a huge problem due to shortage.
Victoria & Albert’s profitable accolade after accolade in all probability doesn’t harm with demand, both. This is among the few Walt Disney World eating places that’s elite by actual world requirements, possible making it interesting to 4 Seasons, Golden Oak, and so on. friends in search of a classy eating expertise.
Sadly, there isn’t a appropriate different to Victoria & Albert’s. The closest you’ll in all probability get is Monsieur Paul within the France pavilion or Takumi-Tei in Japan. There’s additionally Capa or Ravello at 4 Seasons Orlando or Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Perhaps a number of different third social gathering choices I’m forgetting.
No Longer or Not At present Troublesome ADRs
Be Our Visitor Restaurant – Ever since Be Our Visitor Restaurant moved to a Signature prix fixe three-course lunch and dinner menu, which requires 2 credit on the Disney Eating Plan, its reputation has dropped off. ‘Forcing’ friends to make use of 2-credits from the Disney Eating Plan or pay for an costly meal out of pocket has discouraged many friends from doing Be Our Visitor Restaurant. It additionally hasn’t helped that the tides have turned and visitor sentiment is now largely unfavourable in direction of it.
We’re holding Be Our Visitor Restaurant right here as a result of we might see that altering. It looks like one thing’s gotta give. Its menu, DDP standing, meal providers–one thing. It’s uncommon for any restaurant to go from that standard to being mid-tier, however that’s kind of what occurred right here.
Dinner alternate options embody Skipper Canteen in order for you a enjoyable themed atmosphere, or Akershus and Cinderella’s Royal Desk in order for you a eating in a royal atmosphere expertise. The latter two eating places are additionally troublesome to e book and are dear, in order that might not be a lot assist.
Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast – Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is not a troublesome ADR as a result of the Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast remains to be (briefly?) suspended. It really boggles my thoughts that it hasn’t returned, which I beforehand attributed to a princess scarcity. Now…I dunno? Perhaps they’ve found tables flip over a lot sooner with out characters?
Sooner or later, Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast might be going to return. Or a brand new character eating idea will debut right here. If and when that occurs, it’s positive to be one of many hottest tickets once more, simply because it was earlier than.
Lunch and Dinner at Akershus – This princess meal within the Norway pavilion at EPCOT has misplaced quite a lot of its luster since transferring to 2-credits on the Disney Eating Plan for lunch and dinner. Previous to that, it was the #1 worth on the Disney Eating Plan, and fairly standard consequently. The 1-credit breakfast remains to be fairly standard, however not impossibly so.
Whereas we’re on the subject of character eating that just lately grew to become 2-credits, we should always be aware that Storybook Eating at Artist Level is borderline. It has dropped off so much within the final 12 months, but it surely’s nonetheless removed from straightforward to e book–particularly for bigger events. And we wouldn’t be stunned to see it make this listing throughout Free Eating when households have credit to burn and don’t actually care in regards to the one vs. two credit score worth proposition, because it was a “free” (air quotes) Disney Eating Plan, anyway. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless too early to inform whether or not this will likely be a extremely coveted ADR, or if it should settle into extra modest reputation.
Alternate options embody Backyard Grill in order for you an EPCOT character repair (with higher meals, in my estimation) or Cinderella’s Royal Desk in Magic Kingdom. Though the latter is dearer, we predict it’s the higher character meal. Plus, who can exist eating inside Cinderella Citadel?!
Eating places that didn’t make the minimize however that may be pretty troublesome embody Seashores & Cream, Through Napoli, Rose & Crown, Minnie’s Seasonal Eating (particularly throughout Free Eating), just about all different character meals throughout Free Eating, and most particular choices just like the Candlelight Processional Eating Bundle or the Fantasmic Eating Bundle.
A couple of others which were traditionally troublesome embody Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, and Chef Mickey’s. Extra just lately as a consequence of value will increase or coverage adjustments, I’d say these eating places have turn into a lot simpler to e book. That doesn’t imply they’re downright straightforward, however gone are the times of those being must-book eating choices 60 days out.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you might want to know!
Your Ideas
Which Walt Disney World eating places do you assume are probably the most troublesome to e book? Do you agree or disagree with our listing? Any robust ADRs we didn’t point out? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
