Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS AT WDW RESTAURANTS
Walt Disney World's Advance Reservations system, while similar to a reservation, is not
nearly as rigid. Essentially, the system guarantees that you will get the next available table
that will accommodate your party after you've arrived at a restaurant (which should be
5-10 min. prior to the time you've reserved). In other words, a table isn't kept empty
while the restaurant waits for you. As such, it's likely that you'll end up waiting anywhere
from 15 to 30 minutes, even if you arrive at the time you scheduled your meal. You can
arrange Advance Reservations 180 days in advance at most full-service restaurants in the
Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney resorts,
and Downtown Disney. Advance Reservations can also be made for character meals
(p. 176) and dinner shows throughout the World. To make arrangements, call & 407/
939-3463; groups of eight or more can also call & 407/939-7707. In mid-2009, Disney
also started taking advance reservations online through the disneyworld.com website.
Nighttime dinner-theater shows (see chapter 9, “Walt Disney World & Orlando After
Dark”) can be booked up to 180 days in advance as well. Be aware, however, that these
dinner shows require full payment in advance and that cancellations must be made at
least 48 hours prior to the time of the show to avoid penalties. Note: Since the Advance
Reservations phone number was instituted in 1994, it has become much more difficult
to obtain a table as a walk-in for the resorts' more popular restaurants. I strongly advise
you to call as far ahead as possible, especially if you're traveling during the peak seasons.
It wouldn't hurt to mark your calendar and enter the phone number into your speed dial
either. Amazingly, some restaurants, especially the dinner shows and character meals, can
book up quite literally within only a minute or two of the phone lines opening (7am
EST) on that 180th day out.
If you don't make your dining plans in advance, you can take your chances by making
your Advance Reservations in person once you have arrived in the parks. In addition to
the places listed below, you can always head directly to your desired restaurant to see
what's available.
• In Epcot at Guest Relations on the east side of Spaceship Earth.
In the Magic Kingdom via the telephones at several locations including the Walt
Disney World Railroad station just inside the entrance, and at City Hall near the front
of Main Street, U.S.A.
In Disney's Hollywood Studios via the telephones just inside the entrance or at
Guest Relations near Hollywood Junction.
In Animal Kingdom at Guest Relations on the left near the entrance. (Note that
Rainforest Cafe here is a verrry popular place, so the sooner you call for Advance
Reservations, the better.)
• In Downtown Disney at Guest Services in the Marketplace and at West Side.
Also, keep these restaurant facts in mind:
All Florida restaurants and bars that serve food are smoke free.
• The Magic Kingdom (including its restaurants) serves no alcoholic beverages, but
liquor is available at Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios res-
taurants and elsewhere in the WDW complex. And the selection of liquors and wines
available at many of the hotels is both varied and extensive; Disney World, the largest
single-site purveyor of wine in the world, employs more sommeliers than any other
organization on the planet—more than 650 of them, including one advanced som-
melier.
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