Restaurant Reservations

[Angela Maloy]

We were able to reserve park days from August 4-11, and we have been trying to set up some restaurant reservations as soon as they are available each day. I have been on the site at 7:00 am every day and have only seen 3 restaurants available at any time on any day: Napa Rose, Cafe Orleans, and the GCH Craftsman Bar. I know other places are taking reservations, and I also know they are very limited, but is there is reason I am only seeing these 3?

[Mr_IvanStark]

That's crazy. Where are you seeing this? I'm going next weekend and the week after and I have not seen anything available inside Disneyland or DCA since the time they open up to take rsvp like a month ago.

[Goldendreamer]

People are making multiple reservations at park opening and letting them go as necessary. We went this weekend and it was impossible to get anything. Last night at 7:30 Blue Bayou had five people in the restaurant but they wouldn’t seat us because there wasn’t anything available on mobile ordering. Pack snacks with you because when it says not available it means for the rest of the day and you will have to constantly check the app. When you find something snag it because they are gone in the blink of an eye.

[Angela Maloy]

That's crazy. Where are you seeing this? I'm going next weekend and the week after and I have not seen anything available inside Disneyland or DCA since the time they open up to take rsvp like a month ago.

We are not going until August, so reservations are just now opening up for our dates. I am just looking at the dining reservation site on the app. I am surprised that I haven't been able to get anything for River Belle or Tortilla Jo's. I'm hoping there will be significant changes by the time we get there!

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

We are not going until August, so reservations are just now opening up for our dates. I am just looking at the dining reservation site on the app. I am surprised that I haven't been able to get anything for River Belle or Tortilla Jo's. I'm hoping there will be significant changes by the time we get there!

I think there are a couple reasons for this that should tell you not to worry. The first is that the reservation app still has capacity restrictions built into it. So a lot of the dining reservations for even early or mid-July are still confined to the 25% capacity restrictions. Remember, Disney has announced they are welcoming out-of-state guests on June 15, but hasn't announced when they're increasing capacity to 100% or if they're even raising it to 50%. CA is removing restrictions, but Disney is likely moving slower. That means the reservation system is likely not updated with the increased capacity. Even Carthay Circle is still set in "Al Fresco Dining" mode well after June 15th.

The second reason is that some of these restaurants just aren't updating their availability to keep pace with when the reservation window opens. Technically, the restaurants you are seeing are the only table service restaurants available, plus Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle/Lamplight Lounge. Everything from Plaza Inn to Carnation Cafe to Wine Country Trattoria are still closed. But because the open restaurants don't know what capacity will be, they just don't have a lot of lunchtime capacity beyond one or two parties. That will definitely change when your trip comes along, but unfortunately there's no way to tell when more reservations come available.

Once Disneyland starts easing capacity restrictions, I would suggest just checking the app once a day to see how the reservations are for your date. If you're already up at 7:00am every day, great, check it then. If not, I think you should be fine checking it just when you start your day. And update us with how it goes so we can use your tips!

[YeaDZNY]

We were able to reserve park days from August 4-11, and we have been trying to set up some restaurant reservations as soon as they are available each day. I have been on the site at 7:00 am every day and have only seen 3 restaurants available at any time on any day: Napa Rose, Cafe Orleans, and the GCH Craftsman Bar. I know other places are taking reservations, and I also know they are very limited, but is there is reason I am only seeing these 3?

Welcome to the Nightmare!! I would honestly just plan on getting in line to any of the restaurants in Downtown Disney...as this is one of the biggest headaches and PIA going to the parks now a days. Or hell, just bring a sack lunch

[ELD]

The website has been down for a few days and continues to crash. It's not you... I can't manage my hotel or even make park reservations. Hold tight and check a few times a day re restaurant reservations. I honestly would call the dining # to make your reservations or check Open Table for the DTD restaurants. My travel specialist also said that things are going to start to change very quickly on the 15th.

[kjorgensen43]

We are going to be there on August 7 (DCA) and 8 (DL). We're 60 days out from the 7th. Nothing was showing available anywhere for Aug. 7. I'm glad to hear that it wasn't because I didn't wake up early enough to get reservations. I am sure hoping to score Blue Bayou reservations on Aug. 8! Good luck to everyone!

[Starcade]

The website and App are convennient but I have found when making reservations for rooms or restaurants at DLR calling and speaking to a guest services rep seems to yield more options as well as better options. I personally am not a fan of doing things over the phone but after years of finding it always outperforming the website/App. I know call every time.

[md6379a]

Also, are we certain that the time of day that reservations become available for booking online is 7:00 AM Pacific Time? I'm pretty sure that still stands, but you never know these days...

[PirateLover]

We are going to be there on August 7 (DCA) and 8 (DL). We're 60 days out from the 7th. Nothing was showing available anywhere for Aug. 7. I'm glad to hear that it wasn't because I didn't wake up early enough to get reservations. I am sure hoping to score Blue Bayou reservations on Aug. 8! Good luck to everyone!

I've been checking too, and I think the web site was not working properly the last few days. I just checked at 4am Pacific time and there are reservations available at BB for Aug 7th & 8th

[PhotoMatt]

Reservations open at 3am Pacific time (6 Eastern). I have confirmed this a few times. If the restaurant you want is not available then it's either booked or they made a mistake in loading the reservations. More often than not, everything becomes available at 3, so that's when you want to be online.

If you want to see for yourself, go to mousedining.com and create a reservation alert for a few restaurants. You will get the alerts shortly after 3am.

[kjorgensen43]

I've been checking too, and I think the web site was not working properly the last few days. I just checked at 4am Pacific time and there are reservations available at BB for Aug 7th & 8th

Got Blue Bayou reservations for Aug. 8 and the Craftsman at the Grand California for Aug. 7. Thanks for reaching out!

[Angela Maloy]

Welcome to the Nightmare!! I would honestly just plan on getting in line to any of the restaurants in Downtown Disney...as this is one of the biggest headaches and PIA going to the parks now a days. Or hell, just bring a sack lunch

Yes--I think we will swing over to Panera on our way to the park in the mornings!

[Angela Maloy]

Reservations open at 3am Pacific time (6 Eastern). I have confirmed this a few times. If the restaurant you want is not available then it's either booked or they made a mistake in loading the reservations. More often than not, everything becomes available at 3, so that's when you want to be online.

If you want to see for yourself, go to mousedining.com and create a reservation alert for a few restaurants. You will get the alerts shortly after 3am.

Thank you--I didn't know about this site! I signed up for some alerts.

[PirateLover]

I'm looking 60 days out for reservations at Blue Bayou, and it says "There are no schedules available for the date selected."
Is this due to the restaffing shortages and they just don't know how many reservations to make on any given day?

[YeaDZNY]

I'm looking 60 days out for reservations at Blue Bayou, and it says "There are no schedules available for the date selected."
Is this due to the restaffing shortages and they just don't know how many reservations to make on any given day?

Again...welcome to the Nightmare.

[Captain Andy]

Again...welcome to the Nightmare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0

[PhotoMatt]

I'm looking 60 days out for reservations at Blue Bayou, and it says "There are no schedules available for the date selected."
Is this due to the restaffing shortages and they just don't know how many reservations to make on any given day?

I don't think it's due to staffing anymore. I think the issue is that they don't know how many tables they are going to add and when. As recently as a few days ago, there were only 14 tables (give or take) in the entire restaurant. There used to be about 50.

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

I don't think it's due to staffing anymore. I think the issue is that they don't know how many tables they are going to add and when. As recently as a few days ago, there were only 14 tables (give or take) in the entire restaurant. There used to be about 50.

With all the restrictions gone, what are the limiting factors that would prevent them from adding tables to their previous full capacity? (genuinely curious)