Disney Vacation Tips: No ADR’s? Here’s the Scoop

Back in 1994 Walt Disney World implemented a Disney Dining change that has changed the way we view dining on property. Take a moment to guess what that was?  The Advanced Reservation phone number…adding this has made it much more difficult to get a walk-up reservation for most of the popular dining locations on property.

Just in case you are new to making Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) or have not been to the World in quite a few years, here is the deal; 180 days prior to your travel date, Disney opens up the phone lines at 7AM (and online at 6AM) and allows you to make your dining reservations. I know this may sound ludicrous as many people have no idea what they are having for dinner tonight.  I strongly advise you to make dining reservations at 180 days prior to travel.

However, there are the occasional Walt Disney World travelers that decide to rough it. What I mean by this is, you just don’t want to make a reservation and you are convinced you will get what you want when you are there. For those that would prefer to be more relaxed with their schedule, here is a list of ways you can make a Disney Dining Reservation once you are on property.

This is a park by park guide…

• Epcot-Visit Guest Relations which is located on the East side of Spaceship Earth. They can tell you what is available for the day.
• Magic Kingdom-There are telephones located at the Walt Disney Railroad Station just inside the entrance, and at City Hall near the front of Main Street U.S.A.
• Hollywood Studios-Head on over to the telephones just inside the entrance or head on over to Guest Relations near Hollywood Junction.
• Animal Kingdom-Visit Guest Relations which is near the entrance on your left.

Quick Tip: If you are a Walt Disney World resort guest you can contact your resort concierge to see if they can obtain a reservation for you.

In addition you may also head on over to the restaurant of your choice and see if they have availability when you arrive. Good luck!

We would love to know if you have had luck making your ADR’s while at Disney. Share your story with us!! :0)

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Kelly, her husband, and three children live in the Chicagoland area. Kelly has been traveling to Walt Disney World since the age of two. She considers Walt Disney World to be her primary vacation destination. With 20 plus trips under her belt she still enjoys researching and learning new things about the most magical place on earth!