Many Walt Disney World eating places are hotly in demand, with reservations being extremely tough to guide if you happen to aren’t up early 60+ days prematurely. 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 if you happen to can’t rating the hardest spots. (Up to date April 14, 2024.)
Earlier than we get to our listing, we must always most likely provide some fundamentals on Advance Eating Reservations at Walt Disney World past simply “make them.” Standard knowledge is that you need to guide ADRs as early as potential, both by way of the My Disney Expertise app or DisneyWorld.com.
Though it’s gotten barely simpler to guide in current months, there are some powerful ones–particularly for bigger events. You’ll nonetheless must 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 concerning the 60+10 rule, and extra.
Talking of which, that 60+10 rule is fairly vital right here. Anybody could make ADRs 60 days prematurely. In case you’re staying at a Walt Disney World on-site resort resort, this implies you may guide 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 important, as ADRs are sometimes absolutely booked by the 60 day mark, which means off-site visitors don’t actually have a likelihood at them until there are cancellations.
Most individuals don’t know the place they need to eat 60 days prematurely, and this downside is compounded by the truth that Walt Disney World virtually by no means releases closing park hours 60 days prematurely. If you end up confronted with this downside, 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 is because we are inclined to journey extra on the final minute now, and partially it is because reserving same-day ADRs or scoring walk-up availability is simpler than ever.
Then there’s the ultimate half–that we now have a child. She’s going to set plenty of the schedule and tempo, so we don’t need 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 keeping 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 total schedule months prematurely and have our day be beholden to these plans–or “fail” at following via on these plans. There are plenty of eating places we actually take pleasure in in every park, and normally just a few of them have same-day choices.
Your mileage might fluctuate on that, although. In case 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 prematurely. 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’ could be a bit self-defeating, however it’s sincere. We really feel planning is important in some circumstances, however mixing planning with spontaneity makes for a wholesome and balanced method.
As one closing word earlier than we get going, each the Disney Eating Plan and Free Eating influence Advance Eating Reservations. We already know the influence of the Disney Eating Plan, because it’s now obtainable and has already prompted some adjustments in demand since its return in 2024 as in comparison with final yr.
Free Eating remains to be a wildcard, however we’re anticipating it to be much more impactful, as (statistically talking) the next share of visitors shall 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 influence on each ADR availability and what acquired booked.
That all the time occurs and, earlier than you ask, it’s not an indication that crowds shall be excessive. It’s sometimes fairly localized to eating places. (This was the case even in August and September 2019, when the parks had been largely quiet however desk service eating places had been packed.)
Anyway, we’ve digressed from the purpose, so let’s reduce to the chase–the powerful ADRs that you just will need to guide as far prematurely as potential, plus alternate options if these are absolutely booked…
California Grill – This Signature Restaurant loved a resurgence just a few years in the past due to 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 numerous causes.
The large one is its transfer to a prix fixe menu, which was in style at first–however the novelty has worn off. It additionally takes California Grill off the desk for many who need to order smaller parts or dine in any approach 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 fascinating to see if reputation falls additional and California Grill will get one other menu overhaul or begins accepting the DDP in 2025.
Options to California Grill can be just about another 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 suits. Below the identical roof, Steakhouse 71 is a superb possibility, however it’s within the “basement” of the Modern slightly 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 situated on the second flooring of the the Mitsukoshi Division Retailer adjoining to Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (previously Tokyo Eating).
Teppan Edo has been top-of-the-line goal values on the Disney Eating Plan for years, and it claims the #1 spot on our Checklist of the ten Finest Makes use of of Desk Service Disney Eating Plan in 2024. That alone most likely 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 provide a fireworks view, in order that doesn’t clarify the dinner rush. Except individuals are confused concerning the (lack of) view. Provided 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 might be outside 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 “incorrect” get together sizes) for just a few years, however now virtually falls off the listing. However, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant might be tough to guide, particularly for bigger events.
We’ve discovered that Sci-Fi Dine-In is best 60+ days prematurely or on the last-minute. Now that the brand new restaurant odor has worn off Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ, that is the hardest ADR within the park. (It’s additionally price noting that Sci-Fi routinely overbooks, so the wait to be seated might be prolonged.) As for alternate options, the aforementioned Roundup Rodeo or 50’s Prime Time Cafe are your greatest choices.
Breakfast at Crystal Palace – As a basic rule, character breakfasts are tougher to guide than their lunch and dinner counterparts. That is fascinating however not completely stunning. Breakfast is normally cheaper and has much less ADR stock, however presents worse bang for buck on the Disney Eating Plan.
Crystal Palace just isn’t a tough ADR for lunch or dinner. In any respect. However breakfast is a special story, particularly for later seatings that bleed into lunch. Nonetheless, if you happen to guide early…and even wait till the final minute (Crystal Palace tends to have stable 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 in style (their Boiled Cabbage and Pineapple Upside Down Cake is to die for!). Joking apart, Walt Disney World followers have come to like ‘Ohana due to its good enjoyable, jovial ambiance, and engaging Polynesian delicacies. That is very true for dinner, however breakfast can be in style.
Options embody Sebastian’s Bistro (our favourite!), Liberty Tree Tavern, Boma, Backyard Grill, or Cape Might Cafe. Every of those provide 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 case you’re unable to get dinner, you may think about “settling” for breakfast at ‘Ohana. We predict dinner has by far one of the best meals, however breakfast has characters and an honest slate of meals (by Walt Disney World breakfast requirements).
Breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera – Topolino’s Terrace is principally two completely different eating places, each of that are fairly in style. For dinner, it’s a Signature Restaurant with a high-end meal that makes for an ideal date evening. Though we’ve achieved ‘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 in style as a result of it’s greater finish than Chef Mickey’s or Cape Might 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 tough Walt Disney World ADRs for ages. Lengthy earlier than I began protecting Disney–presumably since I used to be in diapers. (Don’t Google “Howie’s Angels” until you need to go down a fascinating-but-weird rabbit gap!)
Whereas lunch and dinner have eased up a bit, breakfast remains to be extremely tough. That is most likely partially 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 large followers of dinner right here and suppose it’s arguably “price it” (air quotes as a result of you may’t actually put a worth on eating with royalty inside their citadel, however if you happen to may, ~$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 just like California Grill, besides that it opened with a prix fixe menu just a few years in the past slightly than being an current venue with a redone menu. House 220 Restaurant additionally doesn’t settle for the Disney Eating Plan and in addition has obtained extra combined opinions just lately.
For our half, we’re large 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 shocked that at its enduring stratospheric reputation. The brand new restaurant odor hasn’t worn off, and there’s probably not any signal that House 220 will “want” to make adjustments in 2025 or transfer to the Disney Eating Plan. Possibly 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 below (actual) water. That’s a lot simpler to guide, distinctive in its personal approach, however not fairly pretty much as good.
Brunch at Chef Artwork Smith’s Homecomin’ – This has turn into my white whale. I’ve been making an attempt to guide brunch at Homecomin’ ever since we final did it just a few years in the past, as a result of I “want” to strive a pair extra issues earlier than publishing my assessment. (An amazing excuse for pigging out additional, albeit one I believe Sarah sees via.) My effort stage hasn’t been that prime…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 downside. It’s solely obtainable on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am till 1pm. That alone means a much smaller pool of ADRs than simply about another restaurant on this listing. Add to that its cult following amongst locals and (most likely?) someday WDW diehards, and Brunch at Homecomin’ is exceedingly tough to guide.
All of that’s most likely a spoiler for our full assessment, 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 Previous 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 places employees up and hit their stride. There’s undoubtedly some extent of that with 1900 Park Fare, too.
Nevertheless, this restaurant has additionally been reimagined in a approach that hasn’t occurred with different character eating experiences, main us to conclude that it most likely has extra longevity. At minimal, its “new meal odor” will maintain bookings via its first few months at which level Free Eating demand will takeover and carry it via the remainder of the yr. However we’re anticipating 1900 Park Fare to be a sizzling ticket properly into 2025, and maybe past.
For reference, 1900 Park Fare ADRs had 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 enchantment. Nonetheless, it’s not iconic like a number of different Walt Disney World character eating experiences, so we finally anticipate 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 guide than dinner. On the 60 mark, I can discover a wide range of choices for dinner. In contrast, 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 in keeping with what we’ve seen for different breakfast vs. dinner character eating spreads.
With that stated, we do marvel 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 visitors 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.
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, however it’s additionally far more tough to guide. 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 may’ve achieved it by way of walk-up just a few instances, however that meant sitting on the precise bar with no view into outer house.)
House 220 Lounge is such a tough 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 favor the view from these seats, however I actually don’t suppose 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 evening. The principle eating room is simpler since there are extra tables, however it nonetheless generally is a large problem due to shortage.
Victoria & Albert’s profitable accolade after accolade most likely doesn’t damage with demand, both. This is likely one of the few Walt Disney World eating places that’s elite by actual world requirements, seemingly making it interesting to 4 Seasons, Golden Oak, and so on. visitors on the lookout for a classy eating expertise.
Sadly, there isn’t a appropriate different to Victoria & Albert’s. The closest you’ll most likely 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. Possibly just a few different third get together choices I’m forgetting.
No Longer or Not Presently Tough 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’ visitors to make use of 2-credits from the Disney Eating Plan or pay for an costly meal out of pocket has discouraged many visitors from doing Be Our Visitor Restaurant. It additionally hasn’t helped that the tides have turned and visitor sentiment is now largely unfavorable in direction of it.
We’re maintaining Be Our Visitor Restaurant right here as a result of we may see that altering. It appears like one thing’s gotta give. Its menu, DDP standing, meal companies–one thing. It’s uncommon for any restaurant to go from that in style to being mid-tier, however that’s roughly what occurred right here.
Dinner alternate options embody Skipper Canteen if you need a enjoyable themed setting, or Akershus and Cinderella’s Royal Desk if you need a eating in a royal setting expertise. The latter two eating places are additionally tough to guide and are dear, in order that is probably not a lot assist.
Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast – Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is not a tough ADR as a result of the Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast remains to be (quickly?) suspended. It really boggles my thoughts that it hasn’t returned, which I beforehand attributed to a princess scarcity. Now…I dunno? Possibly they’ve found tables flip over a lot sooner with out characters?
In some unspecified time in the future, 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 plenty 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 in style consequently. The 1-credit breakfast remains to be moderately in style, however not impossibly so.
Whereas we’re on the subject of character eating that just lately grew to become 2-credits, we must always word that Storybook Eating at Artist Level is borderline. It has dropped off lots within the final yr, however it’s nonetheless removed from simple to guide–particularly for bigger events. And we wouldn’t be shocked to see it make this listing throughout Free Eating when households have credit to burn and don’t actually care concerning the one vs. two credit score worth proposition, because it was a “free” (air quotes) Disney Eating Plan, anyway. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless too early to inform whether or not this shall be a extremely coveted ADR, or if it would settle into extra modest reputation.
Options embody Backyard Grill if you need an EPCOT character repair (with higher meals, in my estimation) or Cinderella’s Royal Desk in Magic Kingdom. Despite the fact that the latter is costlier, we predict it’s the higher character meal. Plus, who can exist eating inside Cinderella Citadel?!
Eating places that didn’t make the reduce however that may be pretty tough embody Seashores & Cream, By way of 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 number of others which were traditionally tough embody Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, and Chef Mickey’s. Extra just lately as a consequence of worth will increase or coverage adjustments, I’d say these eating places have turn into a lot simpler to guide. That doesn’t imply they’re downright simple, however gone are the times of those being must-book eating choices 60 days out.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts 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 Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets 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 start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you must know!
Your Ideas
Which Walt Disney World eating places do you suppose are probably the most tough to guide? Do you agree or disagree with our listing? Any powerful ADRs we didn’t point out? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
