How to Book Disney Dining

Planning your Disney dining from the UK? You're in for a treat – and a bit of a learning curve! Disney World has over 200 restaurants, and knowing how to book them can save you both time and money during your magical holiday.

Whether you're after a quick bite between attractions or a memorable character meal, this guide covers everything UK visitors need to know about Disney dining reservations.

Key Information for UK Visitors

Booking Times (This is crucial!)

• Dining reservations open at 7am EST, which is:
  • 12pm UK time during GMT (November-March)
  • 1pm UK time during BST (March-October)

Currency Expectations

• Budget around £45-60 per adult per day for food
• Quick service meals: £12-18 per person
• Table service meals: £35-80 per person
• Signature dining: £80-150 per person

Quick Service: Your New Best Friend

Quick service restaurants are the backbone of Disney World dining. These counter-service locations offer fast, affordable meals without the need for reservations – perfect for busy park days!

Mobile Ordering: A UK Visitor's Guide

Here's something that might surprise you coming from the UK – you'll order most of your Disney meals through your phone! The My Disney Experience app lets you order and pay ahead of time, then just collect your food when it's ready.

For UK visitors, here's what you need to know:

• Download the app before you travel (it's free on iOS and Android)
• Your UK contactless card works perfectly for payment
• Don't worry about tipping for quick service meals
• Portion sizes are typically much larger than UK equivalents
• You can customise meals for dietary requirements

How Mobile Order Works:

1. Open the My Disney Experience app
2. Select "Order Food" and choose your location
3. Browse the menu and add items to your basket
4. Customise orders (allergies, preferences, etc.)
5. Pay with your UK card
6. Head to the restaurant when you're ready
7. Check in on the app when you arrive
8. Collect your order from the Mobile Order window

Pro tip: Order 30-45 minutes before you want to eat, especially during busy periods. You can order from anywhere in the parks!

Traditional Counter Service

Don't fancy using your phone? Traditional counter service is still available at all quick service locations. However, during peak times, you may experience longer queues compared to Mobile Order.

UK Payment Tips:

• Your contactless card works everywhere
• Chip and PIN is widely accepted
• Apple Pay and Google Pay work perfectly
• No need to carry much cash

Table Service: Book Early or Miss Out

Table service restaurants require advance reservations and offer a more relaxed dining experience with waiter service. This is where planning ahead really pays off!

Making Reservations: The 60-Day Window

This catches out many UK visitors! Here's the timing you need to know:

• Resort Guests: Can book 60 days in advance of check-in for their entire stay
• Day Guests: Can book 60 days in advance for each individual day
• Booking Window: Opens at 7am EST (12pm/1pm UK time)

Why This Matters for UK Visitors: Popular restaurants like Be Our Guest, Cinderella's Royal Table, and Chef Mickey's book up within minutes of the window opening. If you're staying on-property, you get a massive advantage – you can book your entire trip at once, including days 61+ from now.

Step-by-Step Booking Guide

60 Days Before Your Trip:

1. Set an alarm for 11:55am UK time (to be ready for 12pm/1pm opening)
2. Have the My Disney Experience app open and logged in
3. Know exactly which restaurants you want and your preferred times
4. Be ready to book alternative options if your first choice is full
5. Book the hardest reservations first (character meals, signature dining)

What to Book First:

1. Character dining (Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, Crystal Palace)
2. Signature restaurants (California Grill, Monsieur Paul, Victoria & Albert's)
3. Popular themed restaurants (Be Our Guest, Ohana, Boma)
4. Any specific celebration meals

Understanding Disney Dining Categories

Quick Service (£12-18 per person):

• Counter service with no reservations needed
• Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or quick dinners
• Examples: Pecos Bill, Pinocchio Village Haus, Flame Tree Barbecue

Table Service (£35-80 per person):

• Sit-down restaurants with waiter service
• Reservations required
• Examples: Liberty Inn, Tusker House, Be Our Guest

Signature Dining (£80-150 per person):

• Disney's finest culinary experiences
• Upscale atmosphere and premium ingredients
• Examples: California Grill, Monsieur Paul, Flying Fish

Understanding Tipping Culture

For UK Visitors - This is Important!

Unlike in the UK, tipping is expected at all table service restaurants in America:

• Table Service: 18-20% of the bill is standard
• Quick Service: No tipping required
• Signature Dining: 20-25% for exceptional service

Most bills include a suggested tip amount, making it easy to calculate. Many UK visitors find this unusual, but it's simply part of the American dining culture.

Character Dining: Worth the Splurge

Character meals are often worth the premium for families. You'll meet Disney characters while enjoying a buffet or family-style meal.

Most Popular Character Meals:

• Chef Mickey's (Contemporary Resort): Mickey and friends
• Tusker House (Animal Kingdom): Donald Duck safari
• Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): Winnie the Pooh characters
• Akershus (Epcot): Disney Princesses

UK Family Tip: Character meals often replace the need for expensive character photos elsewhere, making them good value overall.

Money-Saving Tips for UK Families

Before You Go:

• Consider the Disney Dining Plan if staying on-property (can offer good value)
• Make breakfast reservations at resort hotels (often better value than park dining)
• Pack snacks from the UK (customs allows sealed foods)

During Your Visit:

• Share large portions – American servings are typically twice UK size
• Look for kids' meals – often plenty for smaller appetites
• Take advantage of free ice water at all locations
• Consider late lunches instead of expensive dinners

Currency Considerations:

• Use a fee-free travel card to avoid exchange rate markups
• Budget in £ to avoid surprises
• Remember that menu prices don't include tax (6.5% in Florida)

Dietary Requirements and Allergies

Disney is excellent at accommodating dietary requirements – often better than many UK establishments!

Available Options:

• Extensive gluten-free menus
• Vegan and vegetarian options everywhere
• Kosher meals (with advance notice)
• Multiple allergy-friendly options

How to Get Help:

• Mention allergies when making reservations
• Speak to a chef at any restaurant for assistance
• Download the Disney allergy-friendly menu guide
• All cast members are trained to help with dietary needs

Common Mistakes UK Visitors Make

1. Not booking dining early enough – Popular restaurants fill up fast
2. Forgetting about time zones – Missing the 7am EST booking window
3. Underestimating American portion sizes – Order less than you think
4. Not understanding tipping culture – Budget an extra 20% for table service
5. Assuming dietary requirements can't be met – Disney is very accommodating
6. Not using Mobile Order – Standing in unnecessary queues
7. Booking too many table service meals – Can be exhausting with young children

Advanced Booking Strategies

For Popular Restaurants:

• Book exactly at the 60-day mark
• Have backup options ready
• Consider breakfast reservations (easier to get)
• Try for lunch instead of dinner (often available when dinner isn't)

Walking Up vs Reservations: Some restaurants accept walk-ups, but don't rely on this during busy periods. Always have reservations as backup.

Cancellation Policy: You can cancel dining reservations up to 2 hours before your reservation time without penalty. This means you can book multiple options and decide later!

Summary: Your Dining Game Plan

1. Before Booking: Research restaurants and make your wishlist
2. 60 Days Out: Set that alarm and book your must-have reservations
3. During Your Trip: Use Mobile Order for quick service
4. Be Flexible: Don't over-schedule – leave room for spontaneous discoveries

Remember, Disney dining is part of the magic, but it shouldn't stress you out. With proper planning and realistic expectations, you'll have amazing meals that become part of your favourite holiday memories.

Next Steps:

• Download the My Disney Experience app
• Create your dining wishlist
• Set that 60-day booking alarm
• Start budgeting in pounds for your food adventures!