Dining at Disney just got a whole lot easier

Disney Parks Just Made a Major Change to Its Dining Reservation System—And Fans Already Love It

Planning a trip to any Disney park is a big undertaking. From booking flights to making hotel reservations to securing park admission, you have your work cut out for you to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. But for many Disney guests, there’s one more step to planning the perfect Disney trip, and it might be the most frustrating of all: making dining reservations.
Disney’s dining reservation system has been notoriously difficult. Park-goers have to wake up early precisely 60 days before their trip to use the Disney park apps to try to score coveted reservations at restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World or Blue Bayou at Disneyland. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can’t get your desired reservation at all! But a big change is headed for Disney’s reservations system that makes booking your Disney dining experiences so much easier.
Keep reading to find out what change Disney is making to its dining reservation system and when Disney park-goers will be able to start using it.
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What change is Disney making to its dining reservation system?
Disney is revamping the way guests can search for available dinner reservations by introducing a brand-new dining availability calendar on its mobile apps and website. The new dining reservation system will allow guests to quickly and easily get an overview of which dates a dining location has available reservations. The dates that have reservations available will have a green dot displayed on the calendar, making it easy to see at a glance.
But wait, there’s more! Guests will also be able to search for multiple dates at all dining locations as opposed to only being able to view a single restaurant’s availability within a specified date range. You’ll also be able to use a time range slider to see available reservations by hour.
Why are fans loving this change?
Though the new changes to the Disney dining reservations system have only been live for a short while, Disney fans are already loving them. While the updates won’t necessarily guarantee you get the reservations you want, you’ll be able to see everything that’s available, so you can plan your dining itinerary quickly and efficiently. Plus, it will make it easier to get a seat in the event of a last-minute cancellation.
“Finally! So much easier now,” wrote one Instagram user on a post by Disney Food Blog announcing the system-wide update. “Just used it last night and it is loads easier!” said another Disney fan. “I am planning our trip for this Christmas. I am so happy they are making this easier,” said a third. The fan feedback is overwhelmingly positive so far, and that’s a good sign!
When does the new reservation system begin?
If you’re headed to Walt Disney World or Disneyland any time soon, you’re in luck! The new Disney dining reservation system has already rolled out on the mobile apps and online, so booking your dining reservations will be easier than ever before.
What other Disney dining news was announced?
The new dining reservation system isn’t the only big Disney dining news. Disney also announced that park guests who purchase a Walt Disney Travel Company package receive a free dining plan for all children ages 3 to 9. This is a huge value for parents and guardians, because it means there’s no need to worry about kids’ food at Disney World or Disneyland, or how much it costs, because it’s already included! As long as your vacation package includes a stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel and a dining plan for each guest age 10 and up, smaller children eat for free. Guests arriving in 2026 will be able to take advantage of this fantastic deal.
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Sources:
- Disney Food Blog Instagram
- Disney World: “FREE Dining Plan for Kids (Ages 3 to 9) in 2026”