Disneyland Dining

[thanxfornoticin]

I apologize in advance, because I'm sure this has been asked a million times, and the answer is out here to be found. But I'm an east-coaster who will occasionally enjoy a trip to DL every several years. We are looking to go this fall. Do I understand correctly that online dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance, beginning 7AM PT, 10AM ET? Also, does DL work the same at WDW in that if I have a multi-night reservation at a DL hotel (which I do), I can make dining reservations for the length of my stay starting at 60 days out? Or do I need to book each reservation 60 days (or less) out from the date of the reservation?

Thanks to all who might be able to summarize the process for me. It's appreciated.

 

[Jaina]

It doesn't have anything to do with where you're staying or how long your trip is. It's basically just 60 days out from whatever the date is you want to book for. And right now, not all the restaurants have bookings available yet, so it's a bit of a "just keep checking" thing. before Covid, very few of them filled up that far out, and you could usually get most places you wanted just a couple weeks out, but no idea how it's all going to play out and settle post-covid! I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone will correct me if so, but this has been my experience!

 

[DLgal]

Yeah, it's not consistently 60 days out for all places. It never has been. It's a rough 60 days for most Disney owned places, but it varies a LOT. Basically, you can start trying 60 days out, but you'll have to continually check back for more availability.

 

[dreynolds1982]

Also I don't think that they are released at 10 AM ET. We're not yet 60 days out but I've been testing the system to get an idea of how early I need to check to get the things that I want (namely Blue Bayou). I've been checking as early as 7-7:30 a.m. local (ET) and see that things are already available for that 60 day out date. FWIW, I've found that if you check in the morning for a weekday ADR, most things seem to be available. Blue Bayou has been showing lunchtime availability, but they get snatched up fairly quick as the day goes on.

 

[MikeRx]

It's been as early as 6am Eastern (3am PT) for things to release on your 60 day mark, but it's so inconsistent that you read post after post of those out west getting up at 3am and nothing is updated (me today).Today it was close to 6:30am PT before things released on a day that many things were to be available. Even then, Oga's only opened reservations through June 30th, not the 60 day window we hoped.
With that said, through persistence and luck we were able to craft a very nice meal plan for July 9-12.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thank you all for sharing your information and experiences. As I approach 60 days, I'll check early and often!

 

[Chelsea524]

I’ve been booking my days all week and it’s gone live exactly at 3am pst. Today they had more release at 6am, but I booked my Blue Bayou at 3 am today too.

 

[Aaron Blanchette]

I’ve been booking my days all week and it’s gone live exactly at 3am pst. Today they had more release at 6am, but I booked my Blue Bayou at 3 am today too.

I've been trying to reserve dining for our August 17-20 trip at 3am each day. I managed to find an Ogas Cantina and Lamplight, but I've seen nothing for Cafe Orleans, BB or any DTD resturant during our trip. I've found some limited availability on sooner dates and was wondering if they just haven't released all their reservations yet?

 

[GoingSince1990]

In my experience, on most days availability for 60 days out is released at 6 AM Eastern Time, at least for some restaurants. The safest approach is to get up at 5:50 AM to try for what you want 60 days later, then if by 6:15 it has not shown up, set up alerts in the paid subscription Disney Dining reservation finder that cannot be named here but is well worth subscribing to, and grab your reservations when they are eventually released and you start getting text alerts.

Bear in mind too that some Downtown Disney restaurants such as Catal also can be booked on Open Table, even if there is no availability showing through Disney.

 

[wishing4PA]

I've been trying to reserve dining for our August 17-20 trip at 3am each day. I managed to find an Ogas Cantina and Lamplight, but I've seen nothing for Cafe Orleans, BB or any DTD resturant during our trip. I've found some limited availability on sooner dates and was wondering if they just haven't released all their reservations yet?

We're going the week before you, and I've made reservations and then shuffled a few around this week, so maybe your experiences will be the same. (Edited to add I mean maybe some of the restaurant availability might be similar?)
Oga's: I got this on the day they released it. They didn't release (at least not my dates) at 3 a.m. PDT, so I checked a few times that day, and saw a note here on the DIS that they had released an hour or two before I saw it, and I was able to get one for an off time. Since then, as I've browsed and made changes, I've seen only one Oga's pop up during my 5 days.
CO is one that isn't "always" there, but does pop up quite a lot. I wouldn't give up on that one quite yet, just keep checking.
BB: I got mine on the 60 day mark, and may have seen one or two open slots as I browsed. But not as many as CO. And not usually at normal meal times.
DTD: Just isn't loaded for my dates yet. Right now July 31st shows available times, but Aug.1st says "no times available." So my guess is that in a couple of weeks my dates will become available for reserving through Disney's site, though as a PP mentioned, you may be able to reserve using another method.

 

[amyg1975]

For some reason DTD is not 60 days out right now, not sure when that will happen. Someone on Facebook chatted on the app and Disney said mid-August dates were not loaded yet for some restaurants (Cafe Orleans was one) and they weren't sure when it would be loaded.

 

[wishing4PA]

Disney said mid-August dates were not loaded yet for some restaurants (Cafe Orleans was one) and they weren't sure when it would be loaded.

Ah... well, I can confirm 8/13 is loaded. Hopefully they get the later dates up soon for those who need them!

 

[amyg1975]

Ah... well, I can confirm 8/13 is loaded. Hopefully they get the later dates up soon for those who need them!

Yeah, and I think part of the 14th as well, but not much after that. I am still impatiently waiting for August 1st for DTD.

 

[wishing4PA]

Yeah, and I think part of the 14th as well, but not much after that. I am still impatiently waiting for August 1st for DTD.

I understand. I booked what I could, but some of those DTD restaurants look good. I might end up changing again once they open for reservations.

 

[Aaron Blanchette]

Yeah, and I think part of the 14th as well, but not much after that. I am still impatiently waiting for August 1st for DTD.

Thank you. This fits what I'm seeing. I have seen a smattering of reservations for 08/13 and earlier. I just hate not knowing when the reservations will open up because then I have no idea when to look for them.

 

[wishing4PA]

Wow! DTD restaurants appear now for Aug 10. I haven't checked past then yet.
ETA -- also the 14th at least -- prob more

 

[kappyfamily]

I would also add there’s no need to wake up at early morning hours at your 60 day mark anymore, at least for now. I’m at 54 days out for September ADRs and all of my dates still haven’t opened yet. So just a heads up from someone that set early morning alarm…. Not needed!

 

[Aaron Blanchette]

Yes. I have a trip coming up August 17-20. Park and resort restaurant reservations sort of trickled out between 60-54 days out. I noticed Oga's cantina and Lamplight Lounge were always promptly at 60 days for some reason, and fairly popular. Cafe Orleans was several days late and still had reservations available for weeks (at off hours at least). Downtown Disney restaurants are WAY behind, and just opened up today for 08/08 and beyond (at least through 08/20). I checked several hours into the day and pretty much everything was still available. I think for most of these restaurants if you just check the app once a day you will likely get anything you want when it opens up.