4. Chef Mickey’s
While virtually all character meals at Disney are popular, this meal at the Contemporary Resort outpaces the rest. The primary Disney characters are enticing to most people, while the inimitable view of the monorail running directly through the building heightens demand even more. Chef Mickey’s is also one of the best meals for children in terms of food and activities, starting with an introduction to Mickey Mouse right when you enter the hosting section. After the initial Mickey greeting, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald all interact with guests during the meal. Since family photos and the other aspects of character meals are so memorable, Chef Mickey’s towers above the other character meal options. As such, demand guarantees sellouts during all but the slowest times of the year at Walt Disney World. You’ll need an Advance Dinner Reservation to secure you and your children’s happiness during the trip.
5. Spirit of Aloha/Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue/Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Disney’s shows are extremely popular, especially with frequent guests of the park. They present an opportunity to enjoy something new and original the first time. On return visits, they offer the comfort of memories of prior Disney trips. As an example, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has provided roughly the same jokes since the Nixon administration. Employees brag that the script is largely untouched over the past four decades. So, the same experience you enjoyed a child is one you can pass along to your children and grandchildren when you take them to the show.
Attaining a reservation to one of these beloved shows is tricky. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ is a seasonal show, so you’ll have to verify that you’re traveling at the right time. Theoretically, that’s March to December, but this is an outdoor event. Inclement weather can wreak havoc with your plans. Targeting late spring or summer is your safest bet. Meanwhile, Spirit of Aloha and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue have tiered seating options, and if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, not all of them are covered. All the shows also cost two credits, even if you pick the right tier.
So, look at a seating chart for the show prior to calling to book and allow for potential usage of the Disney Dining Plan when you make your selection unless you’re absolutely confident you won’t purchase it. Also note that prepayment is expected for all Disney shows, so you’ll pay the instant you make your reservation. On the plus side, you’ll have diner paid for seven months before you eat it.
6. Victoria and Albert’s
Arguing which of Walt Disney World’s many fine dining experiences is best is akin to picking your favorite child. To wit, each time anyone provides a list of “Best” or “Worst” restaurants, internet villagers grab their torches and pitchforks and head the writer’s way. While everyone has a favorite, food critics have identified the best of the best.
Victoria and Albert’s claims some of the highest accolades in the culinary world. It has earned the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award every year for more than a decade. Zagat’s identified it one of the 15 most iconic restaurants in America, and it’s a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award winner. Doing the math on this one isn’t complicated. The most popular theme park in the world offers some of the finest dining in the world. Obviously, people want to eat there. If you want to be one of them, you’ll want to book your reservations the first moment you possibly can.
7. Cinderella’s Royal Table
While I cannot prove that the first Advance Dinner Reservation ever made was for Cinderella’s Royal Table, it stands to reason. The legendary restaurant is the anchor of all things Magic Kingdom. The moment you enter the park, your line of sight is drawn to the building that houses it. Every meal there is a memory that will last a lifetime. If you have any hope of eating there, you’re going to need to get a reservation seven months out. Note that like the dinner shows above, Cinderella’s Royal Table requires immediate payment when you make the reservation. This is not an expense you will ever regret, though. As much as anything else at any Disney theme park, eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table is magic.
Due to its status, reputation, and continued excellence, Cinderella’s Royal Table maintained the alpha position as the premiere reservation at Walt Disney World right up until the end of 2012. At which point, it was surpassed by…
8. Be Our Guest
Since debuting at the end of 2012, Be Our Guest has usurped Cinderella’s Royal Table to become THE hardest ticket in town. If you have any hope of eating there for lunch, dinner, or the recently added breakfast option, you must plan ahead. Out of all the selections listed here, Be Our Guest is the one that you should prioritize.
You’ll want to call exactly at 7 a.m. on the morning 180 days out from your stay. The instant you reach a Disney customer service agent , ask for Be Our Guest reservations first. Because the +10 days count for other guests oftentimes precedes yours, the early days of your trip may already be booked. Still, the last day of your trip should have availability as long as you call right at 7 AM. You may not feel quite the onus if you are booking during the off-season, but this is the ultimate example of better safe than sorry.
Is Be Our Guest worth all the fuss? Yes. Whether you are eating with small children or as a single adult, the experience will feel just as special. Disney has spared no expense in recreating The Beast’s castle, with three dining rooms that each bring to life a key scene from the movie. I also maintain that the best special effect at any Disney restaurant is a simple outside snowflake addition that makes the entire experience more magical for me.
Comments
I honestly do not believe that any of these restaurants are impossible to get reservations at. I am planning a vacation for August of this year, and while I did book Be Our Guest 180 days out, I wasn't happy with the time I got. I checked back yesterday, (April 29) and got the time I originally wanted. The reservations are also in 5 or 10 minute increments. As long as you are willing to change up your plans based on what time you get, you shouldn't have a problem. Keep checking back, if you're really particular.