Where to Eat at WDW at the 11th Hour

We’ve been there.

You pull the trigger on a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World, pack your bags, and make a beeline for Orlando. Somewhere along the way, you start planning park days and realize that your favorite table service restaurants are booked solid for your whole stay. 

Even if you planned your trip well in advance, it can be easy to miss or dismiss the 60-day reminder to book your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). 

So what are your options? Before you Google the nearest golden arches or start assembling the pb&js – albeit a sneakily excellent option for big families or busy park days – check out some of our tips for last-minute dining at Walt Disney World.

Keep Trying

If you haven’t already done so, download the My Disney Experience app. This app will be your golden ticket not just for wait times and PhotoPass, but especially for last-minute dining options. Just tap the + sign from the main menu, and you’ll be able to Check Dining Availability for your chosen date, time or party size. If mobile apps aren’t really your thing, you can always keep trying for reservations through Disney’s dining website. 

Disney experts will be the first to tell you that last-minute bookings are often the hottest tickets in town. Reservations can be kept up to 24 hours in advance without penalty, so if you’re still looking for tomorrow night’s dinner spot, make sure to try right around that 24-hour window for open tables.

Of course, you may not want to be glued to a search engine in order to get a good meal. If so, sign up for notifications when a reservation becomes available. Online trackers like Mouse Dining will let you set up alerts, so you can hop on and book your table right away. Each service varies by price or how you’re notified, so be sure to find the one that suits you best. For example, Mouse Dining will send you free email notifications for up to six active searches. For a small fee, however, you can upgrade to text alerts and up to 100 active searches.

When all else fails, Disney’s Walk-Up Waitlist is a great option if you’re nearby and willing to ride it out.

Just open the My Disney Experience app and check availability at the restaurant of your choosing. If the restaurant has openings and supports a walk-up waitlist, you can add your party details and will be notified when a table is ready. 

The catch? This is only available day-of, and you have to be nearby the restaurant to add your party to the waitlist. If you’re willing to take the chance, we know plenty of people who have been able to snag hard-to-get tables at favorites like California Grill or ‘Ohana thanks to thanks to the walk-up waitlist.

Spread the Love

For those who have traveled with large groups, you’re probably well-aware of the hassle of finding a reservation, and Walt Disney World is no different.

If you’ve exhausted the options on My Disney Experience, why not try breaking your party up in to smaller groups? It’s very possible that you may not find a table for 10 for a 6p.m. seating, but opting for two parties of six and four may just land you at your top choice. 

Keep in mind that some WDW restaurants are perfectly designed for large groups. Among our favorites for the whole family include the Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion, Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge, ‘Ohana at the Polynesian, Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary, and The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom.

Plus, if your group is flexible with mealtimes, you could snag some of the most elusive reservations, like a late seating at California Grill or an early breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace. 

Graze Around the World

If you’re like us, there’s truly something to be said for not planning out every last minute of your trip. In fact, you could miss a lot of the best bites by spending all of your mealtimes in restaurants.

When there’s no available reservation calling out to you, try following your senses and snack your way through the park. We love grabbing a giant pretzel at the Germany Pavilion (don’t forget a pint!), cheeseburger egg rolls or Cheshire Cat tails in the Magic Kingdom, Dole Whips, popcorn, churros and almost anything Mickey-shaped. They may not all be the healthiest of options, but you’ll be burning plenty of calories walking between rides and snack carts. Plus, you’re allowed to treat yourself on vacation.

Under-the-Radar Hot-Spots

Disney has some world-class menus to choose from, and they may not all be at signature restaurants.

In fact, several members of the MVT family swear by the park and resort lounges. You can often walk right in to the Polynesian’s Tambu Lounge, or the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom and dine on small plates straight out of their neighboring restaurants. If you’re having a quiet day or resort hopping at Wilderness Lodge, Geyser Point is a relaxing hangout right on the water with a solid menu of appetizers, salads, handhelds and ultra-refreshing cocktails.  

And while many hard-to-get ADRs don’t always live up to their hype, there are plenty of excellent sit-down restaurants that you’re likely to see available, even at the last minute. 

Some of our tried and true picks for the 11th hour are Skipper Canteen or Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness. 

Don’t forget, dining popularity comes in waves. Menus and chefs are always changing, so if you keep your ear to the ground, you could be among the first to test out the latest hot spot.

If you’re still stuck on where to look for a last-minute reservation, or just need some ideas to suit your group or itinerary, be sure ask our agents. At Magical Vacations Travel, we’re always following the latest Disney news and trends, ready to plan a trip to suit your schedule and taste buds.