Some Disney World Reservations Now Open!
Per updates to Walt Disney World’s official reopening update pages, select guests will be able to book Experience and Advanced Dining Reservations beginning June 30, 2020. In this post, we’ll cover the details and offer some advice if you’re eligible to make ADRs.
By way of recap, Walt Disney World previously cancelled all existing reservations, including Advance Dining Reservations. Going forward, Disney will shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits, which will work better with the new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system.
At present, guests with Walt Disney World hotel reservations for arrivals through July 10, 2020 can make dining reservations for select restaurants in the Disney Vacation Club/Deluxe Villa Resorts that are presently open. Additionally, anyone can make reservations for operational Disney Springs restaurants via Disney, OpenTable, or the locations themselves…
The new addition to the booking options will be this List of Reopening In-Park Walt Disney World Restaurants (table service only) for July and August 2020. However, this option will only be available to guests who had an active dining reservation on or before September 2, 2020 that was cancelled as of May 28 due to the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Resort.
If that describes your circumstances, you’ll have the opportunity to make new dining reservations beginning on June 30, 2020 up to 60 days in advance of your arrival.
June 30, 2020 Update: Advance Dining Reservations reopened for select guests and the system…worked correctly?!
After a few minutes waiting on the “We’re Almost in Orbit” page, we were able to search for restaurants, and go through the motions of the process. Every date we spot-checked had full availability. (While eligible to book, we opted not to, as we have no desire to do indoor dining at this point.) It’s possible others had issues, but we had none.
After being skeptical that online booking would work, we’ll admit to being wrong on this one. “Kudos” to Disney IT on a job well done. Batting .200 isn’t totally terrible…if you’re a pitcher!
June 29, 9 pm UPDATE: Literally 30 minutes after we published this, a new banner appeared at the top of DisneyWorld.com with the heading: Dining Reservations Available Online Beginning June 30 for Select Guests with Cancelled Reservations.
“Beginning June 30, Guests who had a dining reservation on or before September 2, 2020 that was cancelled as of May 28 due to our temporary closure can begin to make dining reservations online for select Walt Disney World dining locations up to 60 days in advance. New reservations will be available to all Guests at a later date.” (Emphasis added.)
Well, that answers that question about online v. phone, and renders most of the below commentary moot. Here’s hoping the online ADR system works tomorrow!
Note that when Walt Disney World in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
Here’s what the email says that went out to guests who are eligible to book:
If there are restaurants for which you absolutely must-have Advance Dining Reservations, our advice would be to log on to DisneyWorld.com tomorrow morning. If the system is working, awesome. Book your ADRs.
If it’s not working, check back at 8 am. If it’s still not up…wait. Do nothing. We would not encourage calling to book over the phone.
Obviously, waiting and doing nothing is a gamble. When resort restaurant bookings opened, we (Sarah) called bright and early on the first day–it was a frustrating experience detailed in our post: Advance Dining Reservations Now Open in Part.
Had we held off on calling until later in the day, or even the following day, we could’ve waited on hold for 10 minutes instead of 2 hours. (Lesson learned–we will not be calling tomorrow morning, or at all in the next several days.)
Most importantly, the results would’ve been the same. We were concerned the modified character dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace would book quickly. Instead, we were one of three parties in the entire restaurant.
When the parks reopen, there will be more guests visiting. It’s thus possible some spots, especially more popular ones like the prix-fixe lunch and dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant or Garden Grill (the only in-park character meal) will book faster.
However, many guests in the first couple of months will be Annual Passholders who will do quick service restaurants–or eating at home before arriving or after leaving.
Moreover, when the parks reopen, they will do so without the Disney Dining Plan. Without that prepaid option, many tourists will balk at table service menu prices.
In short, even with reduced restaurant capacity, we have a difficult time believing that restaurants at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios will fill up quickly. That has certainly not been what’s happening thus far–quite the opposite, in fact.
Again, not being part of the opening ‘call center tidal wave’ (and inevitably treading water on hold for hours) does present some risk. If you hold off, there’s always the possibility you won’t get what you want. However, we think that’s highly unlikely. If you’ve already spent an inordinate amount of time waiting on Walt Disney World’s phone lines, sitting this one out might be better for your sanity.
Of course, all of this is assuming our fear that the online system won’t be working comes to fruition. Maybe all of this is moot, and you’ll be able to use DisneyWorld.com flawlessly. Who knows? Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.
Additionally, guests who had an experience reservation on or before September 2, 2020 that was cancelled as of May 28 due to the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll have the opportunity to make a new experience reservation beginning on June 30 up to 60 days in advance of your arrival.
Beginning June 30, eligible Guests with experience reservations previously cancelled due to the closure can call (407) 939-6690 to make reservations for available offerings. Eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 for reservations. Guests can check availability for the following experiences:
Magic Kingdom:
- Capture Your Moment photo experience
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- Droid Depot
WDW Hotels:
- Fort Wilderness Archery Experience
- Horseback riding
- Wilderness Back Trail Adventure
- Fishing excursions
- Private pool cabanas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Finally, Walt Disney World announced online reservations for all guests will reopen at a later date. What they did not announce is when that date will be. If we had to guess (and that’s exactly what this is–a guess), our prediction would be that ADRs will open to the general public on July 6, 2020.
Our basis for picking this date is Walt Disney World stating that guests who had dining reservations “on or before September 2, 2020” will be able to book at first coupled with the new 60-day window. Subtracting 60 days from September 2 puts the calendar at July 4, 2020. Since that’s a holiday weekend, July 6 makes more sense. That’s assuming logic applies here–but we wouldn’t expect the online ADR system to open to everyone before that date. In any case, we’ll keep you posted and share any updates we run across during Walt Disney World’s reopening process.
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’s your prediction…will the online ADR system work, or will Walt Disney World’s call center be inundated when it opens? Will you be booking Advance Dining Reservations tomorrow? How long are you willing to wait on hold? Think July 6 is a good prediction for the general public ADR opening date? 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!
Oga’s just popped up on Dining Res available page, starting 7/15.
Thanks Ann! Booked Oga’s for Sept. 1st!!!
Awesome! Got one, too. 🙂
Any guesses on when we will be able to buy park tickets? We already have our resort reservations for early December, but can’t do the park pass without tickets, and tickets won’t be available for purchase “til a later date” whenever that is. It looks line you can buy tickets for 2021 now, but why not anything else in 2020? We are a bit worried about it. Any advice would be appreciated as this will be our first trip to the park for some of us. Thank you
So I have a reservation scheduled to arrive on Sept 5th falling just outside the window of Sept 2nd to receive that e-mail but we still had our dining reservations canceled back in May (they were canceled through Sept 26). Disney has not yet said what will happen to us who fall in that in-between time (Sept 3-26) whether or not we will be able to make reservations at our 60 day window which for us is July 7th and if we will have early access like the others. I certainly hope so but in true Disney fashion lately, when I called today nobody could give me an answer
Hi Janelle!
Everything that I have read is that today was the 1st day for some & for everyone else, you will be able to make dining reservations at your 60 day mark…just like at the original 180 day mark but for the time being…60 days ahead. My vacation is August 29th – September 5th & I was able to make all reservations this morning with no issues. However, on your submission, you state that your 60 day window is July 7th & that is not correct. Your 60 day date is July 5th. Good luck with making your reservations!
Hey Kat! Thanks for your reply! I’ve actually checked and our 60 day is July 7th because of the number of days in each month, it doesn’t always fall exactly 2 months to the date prior to your arrival. You can even search for Disney 60 day calculator and find your date that way. My concern mainly was that the people with arrivals from Sept 3-26 would be excluded from that “first opportunity” to schedule dining because we were canceled if everyone is allowed to book beginning on their 60 day window. Right now it is starting with people 60 days or less out from their arrival but the system is able to tell if you had a canceled reservation previously and if you did not, they will not allow you to make a reservation. I’m hoping that is still the case for us but nobody at Disney could give me an answer on that.
Hi Janelle!
I was wondering this same thing. We are arriving September 24th, and I’m hoping we have a chance to book before the general public since our original reservations were canceled. Hopefully Disney figures something out to give us the same advantage that the everyone arriving Sept 2nd or earlier is getting!
Hi again Janelle.
Oh…you arrive Sept 5th…I thought it said the 3rd! Sorry about that! I didn’t want you to miss the 60 day mark but was basing that from Sept 3rd. Oh well…thought I had your back! Everything I have seen points to you being able to make your reservations at your 60 day mark though…at 6:00AM EST. Sure hope you are able to get it all done as smoothly as I was able to! I couldn’t believe there were no glitches but then saw that other people did have issues. Good luck & stay safe!!!!
Kat, no worries!! I appreciate you looking out for us!! The Disney Dining cast member told me that we should be able to book at our 60 day window which we plan on doing (or at least attempting) but what she couldn’t tell me was if we would have that “early access” like the others so keeping my fingers crossed!!
Cassandra, yes I certainly hope they do for you and for all the others in that last September time frame. I’m curious though, do you have other reservations beyond the 26th that weren’t canceled? It’ll be interesting to see what happens to those as time goes on and if they do get canceled if you’ll also be given first opportunity to book other reservations again.
Kat, no worries!! I appreciate you looking out for us!! The Disney Dining cast member told me that we should be able to book at our 60 day window which we plan on doing (or at least attempting) but what she couldn’t tell me was if we would have that “early access” like the others so keeping my fingers crossed!!
Cassandra, yes I certainly hope they do for you and for all the others in that last September time frame. I’m curious though, do you have other reservations beyond the 26th that weren’t canceled? It’ll be interesting to see what happens to those as time goes on and if they do get canceled if you’ll also be given first opportunity to book other reservations again.
We had dinning reservations and droid depot in mid October that were cancelled. I am hoping I will get an early chance to rebook ahead of those who weren’t cancelled.
I was able to make my reservations except for 1. For some reason Sci-Fi Diner seems to either be fully booked, or didn’t have any availability to begin with. I’m booking from Aug 14 to Aug 24 and Sci-fi isn’t available for that entire trip. Anyone been able to book Sci-Fi.
Also – agreed that Disney had this one go smoothly. I had thought after the park reservation fiasco that ADR booking today would be a fiasco as well. Kudos to Disney for starting to get this sorted out.
Derrick
I was able to book Sci Fi for Aug 19th. I assume Hollywood Studios is going to be toughest to book restaurants for as it seems to be the most popular park right now. I was sad to see Oga’s taken off the opening list.
If your travel size is 2, that could be the issue. Others have been reporting that Sci Fi is currently only available for parties of 3 or larger–likely because with social distancing, they have to use an entire 6-seater car for each party rather than sharing as they used to.
But given that limits capacity a lot, it could just be sold out on your dates too.
I was able to get Sci-Fi for the date that I wanted (7/26), but it was really limited availability – there was only 1 time available on the two days I was looking. I’m guessing capacity is more limited because it will be 1 party per car now, whereas before they could put multiple parties in the car.
I had an existing reservation for July 26 & 27, received the email that I will be allowed to make new reservations, but the website says only visitors with previous reservations are allowed to make a new reservation. I’m signed in to my Disney experience and keep getting the same message. Been on hold for 2 hours now 407-939-6690.
Heading to Disney July 7. We are going to Hollywood Studios on July 17 and 18th. We really want to get reservations at Ogas Cantina but didn’t see any availability for the two days at anytime. I’m wondering if anyone knows if Oga’s is doing reservations at this time?
Hi Amy! Oga’s was taken off of the list & will not be opening at this time. Florida has new alcohol restrictions in place, which is why I am assuming Oga’s is now not opening. It’s a cool place & I wanted my adult son to get to go this trip, since he hasn’t been there, but I doubt if Oga’s will open before our end of August trip.
I was able to get all of my reservations booked this morning without any glitches though so that made me happy!
Just to clarify, it’s not reservations that were canceled by May 28, 2020, it’s if you had a reservation canceled between May 28, 2020, and Septemeber 2, 20202. I had reservations canceled in both April and October, but I am not eligible to book dining for my July trip…
The system isn’t checking to see if you have a park pass for the day before letting you make a dining reservation. I accidentally made one for the wrong park on one of my days. Hopefully they fix that or there are going to be some confused people at the gate claiming they have a reservation regardless of the stated policy.
Dvc had told me weeks ago that to make a dining reservation you would not need a park reservation. (1 person in our party does not yet have a ticket but is on our hotel reservation). I was able to making dining reservations for our entire party.
Tonja, it says on the website that everyone will need a park ticket, park reservation, and dining reservation in order to dine at an in-park restaurant. It sounds like they didn’t need the park reservation for you to book it, but they will need a park reservation in order to get into the park to go to their dining reservation.
Yes–this is similar to how they operated the Christmas/Halloween party dining, where guests without a party ticket could make the reservation, but they would not be allowed in the park to get to the restaurant if they did not have a party ticket (or would have to leave the park before their reservation, in the case of people who had a day ticket but not a party ticket).
I’m the same time as you and was able to make reservations on the 29th, my web browser made me sign back into my disney experience and then I was able to see the rest of my dates up to Sept 6th and made the reservations no problem.
What browser were you using? I’m on my phone and even tried private mode but still get the error when I try to search from the 30th on.
Anyone able to make dining reservations after August 29th? I’m in Disney august 29th-sept 5th and can only make a dining reservation for the 29th and every day after it says there was an error.
Make sure you are signed in! I booked for aug 26-sept 8 without issues
7:10 am waited in orbit for 5 minutes, then made reservations no problem for Mid August trip. Be our guest was even available for Lunch. I though reservations were for tables services only, not quick service.
BOG will be table service only when it reopens, for both lunch and dinner. No BOG quick service. 🙁
This am I noticed Be Our Guest lunch was the same menu (and price) as dinner so I think that may be a glitch.
Not a glitch. Lunch and dinner BOG are both prix fixe now, same price and same menu. Similar to how the Epcot restaurants all moved to same lunch/dinner prices and menus.
Thanks all for the info, now I know to cancel them, not worth the price.
Worked perfectly at 6:30am now I have a resort reservation at POP, dining reservations in the parks and still can’t get tickets added to MDE. We had MNSSHP tickets and were waiting to buy others I just hope “later this summer” is before our early August trip!
Beth, that is us to. With MNSSHP and park hopper cancelled, we’re hoping to add an additional park ticket too. Just waiting on the “later this summer” for our August trip. I would certainly think they’d let us stay and spend more money in the parks and I’m not that worried about it, I want want to plan everything out and be done with it.