If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, keep reading for the ins and outs of making Disneyland dining reservations.

Do all Disneyland restaurants require reservations?

Disneyland dining can be broken up into three categories: quick service, table service and character dining. For the first option, reservations aren’t necessary, but they are often a necessity for the latter two. At quick-service dining spots, guests can purchase items a la carte either in person or, at most locations, via mobile ordering (which we’ll get to in a bit). Favorite quick-service locations include the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland Park and Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure Park.

There are four locations for character dining at Disneyland Resort, with three options located at the resort’s on-site hotels — which don’t require a park ticket to access — and one inside Disneyland Park at the Plaza Inn. These beloved experiences often book up well in advance and typically carry their own cancellation policies.

Table-service dining at Disneyland operates on a reservation system, with many experiences booking up well in advance. Here, guests are seated and then served by a wait staff. Meals range from casual eats along Main Street, U.S.A., to higher-end experiences, like Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Select lounges throughout Disneyland Resort — like the Hearthstone Lounge at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa — do not require reservations and guests are able to dine at the bar or in lounge seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do you book Disneyland dining reservations?

Disneyland dining reservations are available 60 days in advance, with bookings opening around 6 a.m. (PT). Guests can book reservations online or in the Disneyland mobile app. An active credit card linked to your account is required to hold a reservation but you won’t be charged unless you miss your reservation or do not cancel within the allowed cancellation period.

After your booking is confirmed, reservations are linked to your Disneyland mobile app or online under “My Plans.” If your reserved dining location is inside of a theme park, you must also book a park reservation for the date of your visit, as the dining reservation alone won’t allow for entry.

How do I cancel a Disneyland dining reservation?

Reservations can be canceled in the Disneyland mobile app or by visiting the resort’s website and logging in with the account under which you made the booking. Most restaurant reservations can be canceled up to two hours before reservation time to avoid the missed-reservation fee of $10 per person. Character dining and other experiences may carry their own cancellation policies so it’s best to refer to the mobile app for the most up-to-date information. Reservations can also be switched to a different time or day, based on availability.

Can you still get a table if all the reservations are booked?

Disneyland’s most popular options are known to completely book up the same day that reservations become available — remember, we’re talking 60 days ahead of time. If you don’t get your desired reservation, there are still some options. More reservations may be released on a rolling basis ahead of your visit and previously booked slots are known to pop back up as other guests change their plans, so it’s important to check frequently.

Paid services, like MouseWatcher, are also available and can alert you if and when reservations to any restaurant you are targeting become available. If you still aren’t able to make advance dining reservations, last-minute tables may become available using the Disneyland’s mobile app “walk-up” feature. These last-minute table bookings become available to guests in close proximity to the restaurant, so be sure to open the app and check when you get close to the place you were hoping to check out.

How does Disneyland mobile ordering work?

Mobile ordering is part of the Disneyland app and is a way to place your order and pay for it in advance, skipping the line that can often come with Disneyland’s quick-service restaurants. Guests who use mobile ordering simply arrive at the location during their designated time window and grab their food without missing a beat. Mobile order time windows can be adjusted, if any are still available, and guests who don’t arrive during their window are refunded.

Does Disneyland sell alcohol?

Disneyland Park is pretty restrictive on alcohol sales and only serves it inside the park at the Blue Bayou Restaurant and Oga’s Cantina. Guests may not take their beverages outside of these locations, which is in stark contrast to Disney California Adventure Park, where alcoholic drinks can freely be carried around and purchased from most eateries. You can also buy alcoholic drinks at Disneyland Resort’s three on-site hotels.

How much does food cost at Disneyland?

The cost of food is based on the restaurant you pick and the items you order but, as a general rule, meals at quick-service locations typically range between $12 and $15 for adult entrees and around $8 for children (considered between ages 3 and 9 by the resort, but adults can order a children’s meal for themselves at quick-service locations). After totaling the expenses during a recent trip to Disneyland, we found that dining was where we spent the most money, after tickets, with two adults combining to rack up nearly $200 on food alone. So, plan your food budget accordingly.
 
If you’re looking for a discount on Disneyland dining, you’ll want to consider buying a Magic Key. Holders of this annual pass may be eligible for discounts up to 15% on dining.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].