The realm of Disney World dining can be intimidating, especially when you realize just how challenging it is to come across a decent dining reservation. Disney World is home to hundreds of dining locations, but some table-service restaurants are widely popular among fans and their reservations are highly sought-after. If you aren’t ready and have lightning-fast fingers, many Disney World dining reservations are gone in a flash.
This article will outline the key tips to keep in mind when booking Disney World dining reservations for 2025, along with the top restaurants that will likely be the toughest reservations to grab. Included with each of those restaurants are backup choices that will offer a similar dining experience or are in close proximity to those hard-to-get restaurants.
Disney World Dining Reservation Tips
No matter what Disney World dining reservations are at the top of your list, the following tips will help you secure those reservations and keep your vacation itinerary the way you dreamed it up in your head!
Be ready to book 60 days ahead of arrival.
All Disney World dining reservations open for booking 60 days ahead of time. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, once you hit 60 days prior to your check-in, you are able to book for the entirety of your vacation, or for 14 days after arrival, whichever is shorter. There is no hard and fast time that dining reservations open up, but it is typically pretty early in the morning, around 6:00 AM EST. Personally, I would start refreshing my browser a little before then, between 5:30 – 5:45. Set your alarms and be ready to book — reservations can and will disappear at the minute that 60 day window opens.
Back-load your vacation with harder-to-get reservations.
To increase your chances at grabbing a hard-to-get reservation, I would suggest prioritizing those trickier restaurants towards the end of your vacation. That is because the likelihood that the restaurant is available on an earlier day in your vacation is lower. Think of it this way: in the days leading up to your 60-day window opening, a TON of other families have already been booking dining reservations for their vacations. If they arrive a few days before you do, they have had the advantage of booking for the entire length of their trip, which will overlap with the days you’re looking to book.
On the flip side, the further out you look to book a dining reservation, the fewer people there are to “compete” with, since there will be fewer vacations with dining reservation windows opening up. This is not a fool-proof strategy that will guarantee you get your first choice reservations, but you are more likely to have greater odds at finding a tricky reservation the further out you look (on the last day of your trip versus the first day of your trip).
Have backup choices ready.
You may come across your first choice dining reservations being completely booked up when your 60 day window opens. While this is a bummer, it’s important to bounce back quickly and grab some back-up options. You won’t find that every restaurant books up 60 days out (quite the opposite; most restaurants have decent availability, especially once that window opens). When you peruse those hard-to-get reservations below, I’ve included some backup options that either provide a similar dining experience or are in close proximity to that first-choice restaurant.
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Keep checking!
Once you have your dining reservations booked, it’s important to keep checking. Vacation itineraries change all of the time, and last-minute reservations almost always become available. You have to check frequently, because other travelers have the same strategy as you! Just because your first choice restaurant is booked 60 days out doesn’t mean it will remain solidly booked. For every Disney World vacation I’ve been on I have been able to find coveted dining reservations pop up in the days and weeks leading up to the trip.
Look into day-of availability as a last resort.
Similar to the point I made above, vacation plans change, even the day of or day before! I’ve made my fair share of reservation adjustments while on vacation, so continue to check the dining reservation page after you arrive if you’re still hunting down that reservation to your first choice restaurant. Some restaurants also take walk-ups, so it never hurts to check in with a host and see if there is any availability. The My Disney Experience app also has walk-up waitlists at certain restaurants and lounges you can join day-of.
Consider the neighboring lounge
Some of Disney World’s most beloved restaurants have a neighboring lounge that it shares a kitchen with. Tiffins, for example, shares a kitchen with Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort serves the popular noodles from neighboring ‘Ohana. Space 220 at EPCOT has a lounge where you can order all of the same menu items, in addition to a lounge-exclusive menu. You may find that you can still enjoy the environment or menu items from a popular restaurant without even needing to worry about a reservation.
With all of those tips in mind, let’s review the restaurants at Walt Disney World that I believe will have harder-to-find dining reservations in 2025. Some of these restaurants will be popular choices simply because they are new, while others are reliably tricky restaurants to find reservations for.
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Wailulu Bar & Grill – Disney’s Polynesian Bar & Grill
Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows officially opened on December 17, 2024. Along with the new resort tower is it’s table-service restaurant, Wailulu Bar & Grill.
Its menu highlights flavors inspired by cuisine from the South Pacific Islands. Expect to find menu items like Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, Teriyaki Chicken Sliders, Short Rib Loco Moco, and Sticky Pork Ribs.
If the menu and the vibes aren’t reason enough to check this new restaurant out, then the views certainly will be. In Disney’s words, Wailulu Bar & Grill “boasts breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon,” which would include Magic Kingdom from across the lagoon. Each evening, the restaurant will also play the fireworks soundtrack alongside the show. This could make reservations very difficult to come by, especially in the evening. It’s not very often we see a new restaurant open that includes fireworks views, and that could make Wailulu Bar & Grill a tough reservation to grab for months.
You might have an easier time grabbing a lunch reservation or a spot at the bar during the day, but come nightfall, Wailulu Bar & Grill might be the toughest table to grab in Disney World. This restaurant is brand new so we’ll have to see how things shake out, but I wanted to include it at the top of this roundup so you’re aware of its existence as well as the potential for its extreme popularity.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
- If you are looking for a spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks, you have several options. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort along with the Villas & Bungalows have great views from the beach. Over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests with reservations at California Grill can enjoy a private balcony reserved just for those who have dined at the restaurant that day. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa also features firework views around the hotel grounds.
The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers – Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
The other newest addition to the Disney World restaurant scene in late 2024 is The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers. This opulent table-service restaurant boasts a breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining with signature dining price points. Dining here is definitely a splurge, but early reviews of the restaurant seem positive. It’s also a very difficult table to grab, as it is brand new and everyone wants to check it out.
Reservations may be easier to come by as the year progresses, but as of this writing, you definitely want to prioritize grabbing a reservation here if you want to check it out. At the top of 2025, reservations are scarce, so keep checking as your 60-day window draws near to see if the availability improves or if you need to prioritize this one.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
- Gideon’s Bakehouse (Disney Springs): If it’s larger-than-life cake slices you’re after, you can find them at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs. It’s worth pointing out that the cake window at Gwendolyn Rogers doesn’t need a dining reservation, so if you just want to go inside and check the place out without needing a reservation, that is a far easier way to do so. But if you can’t get a reservation and don’t want to make the trek over to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Gideon’s is another great spot for sweets.
- Grand Floridian Cafe (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa): Many guests have noted that The Cake Bake Shop’s color scheme and decor is very similar to that of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. If it’s those vibes you’re after, Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers a solid meal at an affordable price, and often has plentiful reservations.
Space 220 – EPCOT
When it comes to Disney World dining, it doesn’t get as “out of this world” as Space 220. Located next to Mission: SPACE at EPCOT, Space 220 is a unique dining experience that brings you 220 miles above Florida to dine at the Centauri Space Station. The experience is complete with an immersive elevator ride “up” to the restaurant and a dining room that features sweeping views of planet Earth.
Space 220 has been open for a couple of years now, but thanks to its unique environment and solid prix fixe menu offerings, it remains one of the hardest reservations to grab. If you know this is a priority reservation, I’d consider making EPCOT one of the last parks you visit so you have better odds at grabbing a reservation.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
- Space 220 Lounge (EPCOT): Space 220 is pretty singular in terms of its immersive environment at EPCOT. If your goal is to dine at Space 220 and you can’t come across a reservation, my suggestion is to check with the host stand on the day of your visit and see if they are taking walk-up reservations for Space 220 Lounge. The lounge is in the same room as the restaurant, so you get the same experience as regular Space 220 guests. You can also access a lounge-exclusive food menu that features a lot of small bites and other entrees you cannot order at the regular restaurant. The wait time for the lounge varies. I’ve been sat within 5 minutes of putting my name in, and I’ve waited up to an hour to be sat. It all depends on who’s in front of you in line.
‘Ohana – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
‘Ohana has been a long-time toughie when it comes to dining reservations. Located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, ‘Ohana features a character breakfast with Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch and a non-character dinner. The meals at both breakfast and dinner are served family-style.
If you don’t mind missing out on the characters, you may have better luck scoring a dinner reservation at ‘Ohana. But if breakfast is a must, then you may want to book this reservation first when your 60-day window opens up. All character dining reservations are hard to come by, but ‘Ohana is a strong contender for being the hardest one to grab.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
- Garden Grill (EPCOT): This fan-favorite character dining location is found in The Land Pavilion at EPCOT and is known for its unique slow-rotating setup. It also serves its food family style and features meet-and-greets with Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. Compared to other character dining locations, Garden Grill is one of the easier reservations to grab.
- Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort): This is the quintessential character dining experience at Walt Disney World and is considered a rite of passage for many families. This buffet-style restaurant is where you can meet all of the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy) all in their chef outfits. Chef Mickey can be equally tricky to grab, so if this is your plan B, you’ll also want to be ready to grab this reservation quickly.
- Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): This is where you’ll find Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. Crystal Palace offers buffet dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are looking for a solid character dining meal that doesn’t take too much time out of your busy park day, Crystal Palace is one of your best options and typically has more available reservations.
- 1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa): This newly-reopened restaurant offers a character dining experience for both breakfast and dinner. It’s a little more under-the-radar than Ohana and Chef Mickey’s if you need a last-minute character dining reservation along the Monorail route for your Magic Kingdom day. Here, you’ll meet Tiana, Aladdin, Mirabel, and Cinderella.
- Topolino’s Terrace – Breakfast (Disney’s Riviera Resort): Over at Disney’s Riviera Resort, you can enjoy a rooftop breakfast with characters at Topolino’s Terrace. This is where you’ll find Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in unique artist outfits along with a top-notch breakfast. Riviera Resort’s location along the Skyliner route makes Topolino’s Terrace a convenient pitstop before a day in EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.
- Tambu Lounge (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort): If it’s the food you’re after, you can find many of the same items at Tambu Lounge, including the famous ‘Ohana noodles. This bar and lounge area is right next door to ‘Ohana, and you do not need a reservation (though there is sometimes a standby line for seating).
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Cinderella’s Royal Table – Magic Kingdom
When it comes to immersive dining locations at Disney World, it doesn’t get more special and unique than Cinderella Castle itself. Cinderella’s Royal Table is located inside the castle and features an array of Disney Princesses that visit your table as you dine.
If you’re visiting with a fan of the Disney Princesses, then Cinderella’s Royal Table is a must. Many guests say it’s a “one and done” restaurant due to the higher price point, but to this day it remains one of the toughest reservations to grab in all of Walt Disney World.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT): If you just want to meet some Disney Princesses and you don’t necessarily care where that happens, then you may find an easier time getting a reservation for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Located in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT, this restaurant serves its food family-style, which is a great convenience for families with younger ones.
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge): This under-the-radar restaurant is filled with a cozy, rustic vibe and character appearances from Snow White and her seven dwarf companions. This restaurant features a prix fixe menu. Located at Wilderness Lodge, it’s an easier resort to hop to during your day in Magic Kingdom.
- Be Our Guest Restaurant (Magic Kingdom): While you won’t find any princesses here, Be Our Guest Restaurant ranks high in immersive dining at Disney World. You are transported into the Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast where you can dine in the iconic ballroom, or perhaps you’ll find yourself in the West Wing. Over the years this has become a much easier dining reservation to come by and is worth a visit if you’ve never been.
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Victoria & Albert’s – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Victoria & Albert’s is the epitome of fine dining at Walt Disney World. You’ll find the restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s decorated with accolades, including the AAA Five Diamond Award annually since 2000, a MICHELIN star, and a 2024 MICHELIN Guide Florida Service Award for Maître d’Hôtel Israel Pérez. You can book Victoria & Albert’s (the Main Dining Room or Queen Victoria’s Room) online or by calling (407) WDW-DVNA or (407) 939-3862. The Chef’s Table is only available for booking by phone.
Booking a dining reservation at Victoria & Albert’s is especially tricky, in part due to its small size. The Main Dining Room has roughly one dozen tables, while Queen Victoria’s Room seats only four couples per evening. The coveted Chef’s Table has room for six guests. So, if this is a top choice for you, you need to be extra flexible in when you can book a reservation. Essentially, the rest of your Disney World vacation will revolve over when you get a Victoria & Albert’s reservation.
ALTERNATE CHOICES
Because Victoria & Albert’s is so singular in its experience, there are not many restaurants you can easily swap in if you cannot secure a dining reservation. That said, Disney World has several other signature dining experiences that you can consider if you’re looking for a romantic date night or to celebrate a special occasion:
- Citricos (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Narcoossee’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Flying Fish (Disney’s BoardWalk Inn)
- Takumi-Tei (EPCOT)
- Monsieur Paul (EPCOT)
I hope this roundup was helpful in preparing you for the sometimes challenging task of booking Disney World dining reservations! Booking reservations can be a lot of fun and signal that your vacation is quickly approaching, but it can also be a source of stress if you want to dine at a popular restaurant. Keep those tips at the top of the article in mind, and you are sure to find at least one of these restaurants in your future!
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