Driving to Disney World ... Dining questions

[Fantasmic23]

We are driving to the World (From CT) next week (We did this once before in February 2008). We'll be staying in a friend's condo in Kissimmee again. My husband will be turning 40 a few days before we leave for the trip. My mother wants to do something special for my husband (and for all of us) while we're in the World and she suggested that I book a meal at one of the restaurants (She'll pay). My questions are:

1. Is it too late to book a meal (i.e. Cinderella's Royal Table or The Crystal Palace)?

2. Can people who are not staying on WDW property (i.e. Disney's Contemporary Resort) still eat at the restaurants (i.e. Chef Mickey's)?

Sorry if I sound like such a dolt, but this is all very new to me.

Thanks so much!

 

[ksl5f123]

You never know when you might be able to get a dining reservation. Go to the Disney webpage

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/?sortBy=nG:hasReserveOnlineFacet&fv_221990=on

select the restaurant you want, enter your date, time and # of people and they will tell you if there is any availablility. You have a better chance at unusual dining times - like 3 PM.

And, yes, anyone can eat at any Disney restaurant. If you are driving, just tell the guard that you are going to eat. Have a great trip!!

 

[Fantasmic23]

Thank you so much!!!

 

[stelly02mom]

We are driving to the World (From CT) next week (We did this once before in February 2008). We'll be staying in a friend's condo in Kissimmee again. My husband will be turning 40 a few days before we leave for the trip. My mother wants to do something special for my husband (and for all of us) while we're in the World and she suggested that I book a meal at one of the restaurants (She'll pay). My questions are:

1. Is it too late to book a meal (i.e. Cinderella's Royal Table or The Crystal Palace)?

2. Can people who are not staying on WDW property (i.e. Disney's Contemporary Resort) still eat at the restaurants (i.e. Chef Mickey's)?

Sorry if I sound like such a dolt, but this is all very new to me.

Thanks so much!

Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney is always a hit for the whole family, Angels Seafood goggle it pretty good,

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

It is probably too late to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table...but it never hurts to call Disney and ask. You can always call a few times per day. Someone might cancel and you could get their spot. It has worked for me before. Their reservation # is on their web site. Also, if you can't get in at Cinderella's castle at Magic Kingdom, try the one called Akershus in Epcot in Norway. Usually you can dine with 5 different princesses there and it has a castle feel to teh setting / atom sphere. It is very nice. They do brkfst, lunch and dinner. And, they also do princess dining at Disney's Grand Floridian hotel / resort called 1900 Park Fare. They have Cinderella, the step mother and step sisters and Prince. They only do dinner. ( You don't need park tickets to do this one b/c it is at a hotel...not in a park)

Not sure about Crystal Palace.

Have fun!!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

this is the reservation phone number to call and ask...I'd just keep calling right up until you get there...

(407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463

 

[Fantasmic23]

Thank you so, so much for all of the wonderful information!!!