Disney World Resort Restaurant ‘Know Before You Go’ Info
Walt Disney World has released new “Know Before You Go” information and policies for its resort hotel restaurants. In this post, we’ll share the latest news and offer commentary about what this means for dining at WDW in the near future, including ADRs, character meal changes, and more. (Updated July 27, 2020.)
Note that some of this info was previously part of our Walt Disney World “Know Before You Go” Resort Info page. However, as Disney continues to release new details about the dining and resort experiences, we felt it made sense to break them out into separate posts (as is the case on Disney’s website) for organization and clarity.
The first thing you need to know before you go to a Walt Disney World restaurant is the rules about what you’ll need to bring. The big one is that face masks for each guest age 2 and up must be worn in all public areas of the restaurant–including while entering and exiting–and can be removed while eating or drinking.
You’ll also need a confirmed dining reservation if you’re a visitor who is not staying overnight at the resort. Resort guests are also strongly encouraged to making ADRs. It’s also highly recommended to have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services enabled and cashless or contactless forms of payment.
‘Enhanced technology’ will be utilized to maximize your vacation time with family and friends–and minimize your contact with others. This will include increased use of the Mobile Order Service, cashless payments, and scannable codes for select Restaurant Menus. (This means that at a table-service restaurant, you can use your own mobile device to scan a code for access to the digital menu.)
Let’s discuss all of the changes…
Mobile Check-In
Select table service restaurants at Walt Disney World will utilize Mobile Check-in via the My Disney Experience app. This system is exactly what it sounds like–guests use the app to bypass the staffed check-in podium.
When your check-in window arrives, you’ll receive a push notification prompting you to check in via the app. Or, you can begin the check-in process by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check in.
From the push notification or QR code, you’ll be able to check in for your reservation–and confirm your arrival time and party details. Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location.
We’ve used Mobile Check-in a few times since the resort restaurants reopened and it has been…fine. Most of the time, the check-in kiosk has no line, no other guests around it, and a plexiglass barrier up (see above). So we’re just standing there using our phones to check-in when we could do the same thing faster by walking up to it.
Restaurant Health Screenings
A new policy as of July 28, 2020 is that guests dining in table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World resort hotels will undergo a temperature screening prior to entering the location.
As with Disney Springs and the theme parks at Walt Disney World, which also require temperature screenings before entry, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional re-screening. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either.
This change was just announced and has yet to be implemented, so it’s unclear whether the resorts themselves will have temperature screening tents outside their front entrances (like the parks) run by AdventHealth, or if a Cast Member will conduct the check at the restaurant itself. We’ll keep you posted.
Advance Dining Reservations
Previously, Walt Disney World cancelled all reservations, including Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs). Going forward, Disney has shifted from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
ADRs for theme parks have now reopened and can be made and modified via the My Disney Experience app. That’s the route we recommend, as it’s significantly faster and more efficient than calling. If you’d prefer, you can also contact the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 824-1391 to check availability and make reservations.
Resort Restaurant List
Here’s the resort by resort list of restaurants that are reopening at Walt Disney World:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village
- Sanaa
- Kidani Breakfast at Sanaa
- Sanaa Lounge
- Maji Pool Bar
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
- Beach Club Marketplace
- Martha’s Vineyard
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Trattoria al Forno (this excludes Character Dining, which is temporarily unavailable)
- Pizza Window
- BoardWalk Bakery
- Leaping Horse Libations
- AbracadaBar
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Centertown Market
- Banana Cabana
Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s (this excludes Character Dining, which is temporarily unavailable)
- Contempo Café
- Cove Bar
- The Wave… of American Flavors
- The Wave Lounge
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- P&J’s Southern Takeout
- Meadow Snack Bar
- Crockett’s Tavern
Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian Cafe
- Gasparilla Island Grill
- Enchanted Rose
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Olivia’s Café
- Good’s Food to Go
- Gurgling Suitcase
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Kona Cafe
- Capt. Cook’s
- Pineapple Lanai
- Barefoot Pool Bar
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Everything POP Shopping & Dining
- Petals Pool Bar
Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera (please note that the Character Dining experience will be modified)
- Primo Piatto
- Le Petit Café
- Bar Riva
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Artist’s Palette
- The Paddock Grill
- On the Rocks Pool Bar
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Whispering Canyon Cafe
- Roaring Fork
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Cancellation Policy
During this unprecedented period, some of Walt Disney World’s cancellation and payment policies have been modified:
- All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
- Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
- Disney Dining Plans are temporarily cancelled. If you have an existing resort package with a Disney Dining Plan, your reservation will be updated to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly, and you will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.
Other Dining Changes
Additional changes to Walt Disney World dining experiences include:
- Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant’s online menu when the restaurant reopens.
- Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera.
- Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
- Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
- Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
- Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels.
Commentary on Changes
As you might notice, Topolino’s Terrace is offering modified character dining during the phased reopening. We have already done this and share what you can expect in Our Experience with Modified Character Dining at Topolino’s Terrace.
It’ll be interesting to see whether other restaurants that offered character dining experiences open in modified form, or without characters entirely as the phased reopening continues. Some of these venues previously hosted ‘regular’ meals (in the case of Artist Point, in the not so distant past) and could easily be converted to standard dining.
Another interesting tidbit is that it does not appear that visitors will be allowed into resorts without dining reservations. This might seem like a colossal change, but Walt Disney World has been trending in this direction for the last couple of years. Trying to park at a resort to go to a lounge or see Christmas decorations can be nearly impossible, and security will routinely turn visitors away if they do not have ADRs.
Our expectation is that this is simply a codification of that informal policy, and not something more. Meaning that guests staying at the BoardWalk Villas probably are not going to be stopped from walking around Crescent Lake to Beach Club Villas, but guests staying at Kidani Village likely won’t be able to drive over to Disney’s Riviera Resort for drinks at Bar Riva.
Ultimately, a lot of these new policies are not seismic changes. While they’re billed as temporary, some undoubtedly will become permanent. Specifically, Mobile Check-In and Scannable Menus come to mind that front, as both are the sort of automation (like Mobile Ordering) that could potentially reduce labor costs will also making for a smoother and more efficient guest experience. Other modifications here, like the suspension of character dining, undoubtedly will be temporary. We’ll keep you updated as more changes are announced by Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think about these WDW dining changes? Any you view as positive or negative? Do you have plans to visit Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or have you cancelled? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Tom, have you heard if the Boardwalk itself is going to be open to non-guests? We’re local and love to stroll over there. Or do you think it’s going to be restricted as well? (I probably already know that answer.)
Tom, I have to say my husband and I are DVC members and we have never been shut out of parking at a resort when we did not have dining reservations but just wanted to visit a lounge. For us this is a colossal change that I really hope is only temporary. We visit WDW at least twice a year, and our vacations are more laid back with most of our time spent relaxing, visiting the Springs or the various resorts for the restaurants and/or the lounges. Not allowing guests on property unless they have a dining reservation or an overnight stay is, in my opinion, unduly restrictive, as you can’t make a reservation to visit the lounges or to just enjoy the atmosphere of a particular resort. It’s understandable while we are dealing with this pandemic and Disney is not operating at 100 percent capacity but once Florida lifts all restrictions and Disney is again fully operational I hope this policy change does not remain in effect.
Exactly. We are locals, passholders and DVC members. We enjoy going to get ice cream on the Boardwalk in the evenings. . We enjoy eating at quick service restaurants at the resorts. Again, understandable right now but hopefully, this is not a permanent policy change.
I think the idea is limiting the number of people in an area. I’m at a hotel in Oregon right now, and, in order to open, they had to agree to only allow resort guests to dine at their restaurant. Normally, people from all over come to eat here. To limit numbers in the restaurant and to limit numbers in the hotel, the change makes a lot of sense. If I wasn’t a hotel guest, I would be disappointed. I AM a hotel guest, so, instead, I appreciate that I can go down and eat breakfast and not have someone sitting within 15 feet of me. That’s important, as people take off masks to eat.
I understand it’s disappointing, but maybe you can look at it a different way. Instead of bouncing around to different resorts, you can get fully immersed in one. Stay at a deluxe resort if you like lounges and dining, and enjoy staying there and being immersed in that resort’s theme.
Wait: CRT will be open? Without any princesses? You’re supposed to pay those prices just because it’s in the castle?
LOL
Same for Akershus, although some might still want it to get on FEA if they do a PPO breakfast.
Ridiculous.
He stated that just because it’s on the list for online check-in doesn’t mean it will open right away.
We arrive at Boardwalk on June 27 for 4 nights. I’m a DVC Member using DVC points.
Do I HAVE to call the DVC line for reservations? Or can I call the Reservation Center number as well? DVC offices usually open well after the dining reservations line is going.
Has their been any word on the supposed “priority” going to ppl that had previous ADRs that were automatically cancelled? My trip isn’t until November, so although the ADR system isn’t full now I foresee it will be as ppl can begin making hotel reservations again/buy park tickets.
Your photos are really nice.
You both are a sweet couple too.
I am looking forward to going to WDW in September…
I do not like the mask requirement, but I will do it.
And I hope we get a room, have a reservation at an All Star Resort.
Yay!!!!
I read the sentence in your post about how easy it would be to open Artist Point without characters and did a happy little wiggle. It used to be one of our favorite restaurants, and we have really missed it!
Tom – Thanks so much for the info!
I was bummed when I woke up early today to re-selected my ADR’s but only restaurants in Disney Springs were available.
Glad to know Disney is working towards allowing us to make dining reservations for the parks and resorts.
I guess there’s no time frame for when the ADR’s will be opened?
Or for park reservations?
Hey Tom! I see Boatwright’s Dining Hall listed. Hoping that means Riverside may be open by December as we have reservations 12/11- 12/21. Fingers crossed!
My reservations at the Boardwalk starts July 12th. That’s less than 30 days. Does anyone know when I should expect to hear from Disney to re-book my dinner reservations and make park reservations? I’m frustrated with the lack of communication. Starting to think they WANT me to cancel my trip.
Tom, we’re planning an early December visit and wanted to tour hotels to see decorations. We’d planned on all internal transportation or walking, no car. Will we be able to enter the lobbies at all? Will they be checking magic bands, etc?
I have mixed feelings. Obviously Character dining is a big deal. Modified could be acceptable. My reservation is early September so I am glad we will have the opportunity to cancel until the day before in case there hasn’t been any relaxation in policies and experiences available.
I don’t think there’s any way to know that right now. My guess would be you will NOT be able to tour other resorts besides the one you’re staying at.
I’ve been traveling in the western part of the country and have noticed an important change. For hotels that have reopened that normally attract people for restaurants and entertainment and such, there are now posted signs everywhere saying entry into the hotel/resort is limited to guests only. Even the outdoor patio at my current resort is limited to resort guests only. Also, housekeeping is not allowed. These aren’t changes that the hotels necessarily choose to make on their own. Rather, they are restrictions in place that they have to do in order to open and still limit the spread of COVID19. Also, for the record, I’ve noticed resort pools in some states (like Nevada) are open, but resort pools in other states (like Oregon) are closed. It depends on local and state laws, I believe. However, one thing is the same at the resorts we’ve stayed at: No outside visitors are allowed, only resort guests.
I’m NOT traveling in Florida, and Florida could be different, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Disney limited entry into each resort to people who are staying there. It’s one simple way to reduce exposure. Having people from all over the world walk into, say, the Grand Floridian to see the gingerbread house is a good way to spread coronavirus. Of course, things could be very different from now come December, so who knows? We could be at a different phase of opening, and maybe people WILL be allowed to go to other resorts. Conversely, maybe we get a second peak, and maybe theme parks have to close again. I think there’s just no way to know how things will be 6 months from now.
It would be a “magical” gesture on Disney’s part if those whose Dining Plans were cancelled still received a free refillable mug to use at their hotel.
Question: If you’re paying for parking for each night of your resort stay, what do they give you so that you can drive to the parks are park for free? And how will you get it if they want you to bypass the front desk?
For parking at the parks they just scan your magic band and sometimes also look at your ID.
No restaurants at Animal kingdom open? Was wondering about Rain Forest Cafe.. .
I noticed that as well! I also saw a rumor on a FB group that no Landry’s restaurants would be reopening, including Yak & Yeti. I don’t see that being true especially since T-REX is already reopened in Disney Springs, but who knows.
That’s simply a list of Mobile Check-In restaurants–not what is reopening right away.
Right now, there are no third party restaurants on the list. Either they’ll be added later, or will have to come up with their own systems.
We have a trip booked August 1st and well within the 60 day window. Any idea when we will be able to make dining reservations?
I would like to know just how anyone without a Smart phone is supposed to visit Disney anymore.Believe it or not a great many people do not have Smart phones and international visitors even if they do have one may not take it to the US. because of the cost of using it there.
Will all these people be barred from visiting Disney anymore as they will not be able to use mobile ordering, virtual queues etc. Disney must surely have a way they can be included also.
International visitors won’t be visiting right now & their immediate concern is getting through the pandemic, which means promoting contactless methods.
International visitors still bring their smartphones and use the WiFi, so shouldn’t be affected. But the other part is something I’ve been wondering as well. Unfortunately I understand the need for it at the moment.
My traveling party will be in 2 different resorts as we are DVC and my cousin’s family when allowed to rebook was booked into Fort Wilderness. We changed our reservation to Copper Creek (our Home) to be close to them thinking it would be easier to meet up.
But the “must have reservation” policy has made eating all our meals together very difficult. We can’t just go to any park and we can’t go to a resort counter service together. We do not want to nor can we afford to eat every meal at a Table service restaurant. We will have cars so I suppose Disney will be forcing us to eat more meals off site. Something we usually do only occasionally but my cousin’s family isn’t familiar with the area and is uncomfortable with having to drive off property. I understand the reasoning but I feel there should be exceptions for parties that may be at different resorts but have all shared plans in MDE.
So as usual Disney is pandering to on site guests-trying to get the hotels full. So when dining opens to locals (AP holders who don’t stay on property!) there will be little left for dining. So now getting an ADR might be like an elusive Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FP. I have been very positive and upbeat about how Disney has handled everything. I even renewed all of our AP’s (we pay up front) guaranteeing another year for us with Disney. But it will be interesting to see if I want to renew next year. I’m just not sure. They have switched so much of the experience to on-site guests over everyone else already and seems like they will continue that trend. And I have to agree about the phone comment above. If you don’t have unlimited data and a great phone you will have trouble. And I don’t need to mention the wifi for those who don’t have unlimited data.
Christi-
Disney is NOT pandering to onsite resort guests. In fact, I have not been informed of any advantage that this blogging group has mentioned. We are a month away from a resort stay and I can’t even make an advanced dining restaurant at the very hotel in which we are staying. Tom discussed the disappearing advantages of staying on site and that has become reality. Disney should theoretically cater to those who stay in their resorts but the benefits are minimal. It’s nice to stay at a Disney World resort because of the theming and overall charm, but I have not experienced any residual benefits.
I know I’m showing my age here, but this ‘gotta do everything by phone’ trend is getting out of hand. What’s next, I can only go to the restroom when my phone says so? I don’t go to a Disney park just to play with my phone all day.
You’ll have to schedule it in advance and also note if you will be doing a onesy or a twosey! Toilet paper will be charged to the card you have on file…, by the piece!
I would be very happy if they decreased the number of character dinning. For me I cannot enjoy a meal with the noise level in these places. I have never been anywhere else that had this level of noise while eating a 70-100 dollar dinner. Or they should have sound proof rooms for a hundred screaming kids. How do they eat while screaming. My kids never screamed at dinner in our house or out. I will just not go to them anymore!
Thanks for all the information! One of our APs that has been extended by Disney but is not showing an extended date is expiring in two days and we will need it to book ADRs. Guess I’m looking forward to a long wait to talk to the AP desk today! Unless anyone else has experience with this problem…
Hi Beth-
None of ours are showing extended either. Ours expire on the 27th of this month. I was told yesterday that they WOULD update (but they haven’t yet).
Good luck!!
Thanks, Jennifer! Just talked to an AP CM. Fortunately we still will not need park tickets to book an ADR. Also was told my AP will automatically extend since the FL part is paid in full. I did need to extend the payment plan portion by calling Disneyland.
We have a trip at end of August and had reservations at Victoria and Alberts, which were cancelled. The 60 day window to make ADRs for our trip will start June 24 which is fast approaching. It will be interesting to see how (or if) we can try to make reservations.
Hello guys! First of all Thanks for all the advices! I’m reading every page that you previously wrote. It will be great now that the dining plan system is down to have some tips on where to eat on site due to the cost of every restaurant and tips where to go close to disney?? We are just 4 and since we are staying a lot of days we don’t preffer going out (plus how does the parking system work) but if you recommended will do. Dont want to spend so much in food.