Part of the head-spinning updates put out by Walt Disney World to Travel Professionals includes a complete change to Dining Plans and reservations as we have known them prior to COVID19.
In the past, you might have added one of the 4 different Disney Dining Plans to your Disney World Resort package. These plans, if used correctly, could really save money while at the Walt Disney World Resort.
You probably also had plans to book your ADR’s (advanced dining reservations) 180 days out for such prized character meals as Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest for dinner.
Well…. hold on to your hats, because everything has changed.
Previously, you, or your Travel Advisor, would book your dining reservations exactly 180 days before you planned to be at the parks.
>>>>NOW ADR’s can only be made 60 days in advance and currently “ONLY for Disney Resort Guests.” <<<<
Disney states “When reservations resume, Guests will be able to make dining and experience reservations up to 60 days in advance to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits. In addition, Disney Resort hotel Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days).”
This mirrors Disneyland’s method for booking ADR’s (Advanced Dining Reservations). Disneyland also has NO dining plan for its parks/resorts.
Another big change guests will notice are the increased social distancing while dining and the absense of in-park dining.
Dining Reservations
Reservations for Guests Staying at Disney Resort Hotels
Guests with Disney Resort hotel reservations for arrivals June 22 through July 10, 2020 can make dining reservations for select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and available Disney Springs dining locations beginning June 18, 2020. Call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 824-1391 to check availability and make reservations. Or, if you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Note: At this time, a valid Disney Resort hotel reservation will be required to make dining reservations. Online reservations are currently available at select Disney Springs dining locations. Online reservations for other dining experiences will reopen at a later date.
In-Park Dining
At this time, dining reservations are not available for in-park dining experiences. Reservations will resume at a later date.
When 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.
So to recap (from Disney’s Travel Advisor site:
I guess the real question everyone might be asking is “are these changes to the Dining Plans and Reservations permanent or temporary” because of COVID-19?
I personally find it interesting how much Walt Disney World seems to be mirroring Disneyland in many aspects from how they book ADR’s to the elimination of WDW’s Fast Pass system and magic bands.
Could these changes have something to do with the installation of Josh D’Amaro, as president of Walt Disney World Resort in November of 2019? Mr. D’Amaro was previously head of Disney’s California Resort and the rumor mill had already started pre-COVID-19 about changes to the FastPass system at WDW.
Be sure to check back often as we work hard to keep up with current changes to Disney parks on both coasts!
Until then, stay healthy so you can Disney like a Mouse too!!!
