advance dining reservations | the disney food blog

News! Flying Fish to Reopen August 3rd on Disney World’s BoardWalk

We’ve got great news for those who have missed the presence of the Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk since it closed for a lengthy refurbishment in February. It is set to reopen on Wednesday, August 3rd!

©Disney

So this means that next week guests will be able to experience the all-new dining room and check out the goings-on in the new kitchen led by Chef Tim Majoras, who has been a member of the Flying Fish team since 2011.

Check out the updated menu here! I’m hoping this isn’t the FULL menu, as I don’t see the snapper OR the old-school steak on this menu, both of which were mentioned as coming back… . Fingers crossed that those items make their way back onto the menu soon… . [Read more…]

Rumor: Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Restaurant to Offer Increased Walk-up Availability

By AJ 16 Comments

Right on the heels of the announcement that the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen has started to accept Advance Dining Reservations comes another “ADR” switcheroo!

Learn About:The Plaza Restaurant

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

According to wdwmagic.com, The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom will begin to expand its availability to walk-up guests (those without Advance Dining Reservations) beginning July 17^th.

Of course, in order to do so, The Plaza will not be accepting Advance Dining Reservations for a majority of the day. Wdwmagic reports that Advance Dining Reservations will only be available for booking from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon daily. Guests interested in dining later in the day can visit the podium located just outside the restaurant.

And indeed, a search for Advance Dining Reservations for the week of July 17^th on the Walt Disney World website resulted in options available only in the 11:00 am hour for lunch. Here’s an example:

The Plaza Advance Dining Reservation screenshot

And though you are still able to search for “Dinner” options past July 17^th, nothing comes up in testing several dates. [Read more…]

News: Magic Kingdom’s Skipper Canteen Now Accepting Full Advance Dining Reservations

By AJ 14 Comments

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen

opened its doors in December 2015.

Learn About:Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Since its very first day, things have functioned differently at Magic Kingdom’s newest eatery based on the classic Jungle Cruise attraction. In its opening weeks, the Skipper Canteen deviated from its counterpart Table Service restaurants by accepting only walk-up guests.

Then this past February, Disney announced that reservations would be accepted for the Skipper Canteen after all — albeit in a unprecedented form. Same-day reservations became available for the spot which previously offered none at all.

But today a third — and presumably final — change has been announced. Like all other Table Service restaurants in Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen is now accepting Advance Dining Reservations for guests hoping to make future plans to dine there.

Skipper Canteen Entrance

Advance Dining Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance of your visit via the Walt Disney World website, the My Disney Experience app, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

S.E.A. Shu Mai

[Read more…]

News: Same-Day Dining Reservations for Skipper Canteen in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By AJ 4 Comments

Ahoy, Jungle Cruise Passengers!

Learn About:Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

If you have a trip planned to the Magic Kingdom in February, you may want to know about a new limited-time option for booking a same-day dining reservation at the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen (the Jungle Cruise Restaurant)!

Since the Jungle Skipper Canteen first opened its doors in mid-December of 2015, it has broken typical Advance Dining Reservation protocol for Table Service restaurants by retaining its status as a walk-up only location.

Perhaps in anticipation of one of Disney World’s first peak weeks of 2016, however, a same-day reservation system will be in place that will be unique to the Jungle Skipper Canteen, available from February 12 – 27, 2016. [Editor’s Update: Same-day Reservations have been extended for Skipper Canteen beyond the original trial dates, and continue to be available on a day-of booking basis.]

Skipper Canteen Entrance

The process will be much the same as making a standard Advance Dining Reservation; interested guests may visit the Jungle Skipper Canteen page on the Disney World website. Of course, being outside of those dates right now, it currently only lists the standard operating hours for lunch and dinner. Presumably, however, the standard booking engine should appear on February 12th with bookings for that day only, and so on through the 27th. [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 24, 2016

By Traci C Leave a Comment

Happy weekend! It’s time to dig in to our weekly round-up of the best Disney food news, and it’s been a busy week full of exciting annoucements!

Red Velvet Pancakes drizzled with syrup

If you’re traveling to Walt Disney World we have the scoop on the best character meals for kids of all ages! We also shared our favorite restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Did yours make the list?

We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…

Disney Food News

Disney announced a new travel discount for this summer that gives guests a FREE quick service meal each day of their vacation!
If you’re planning your next Disney vacation you’ll be happy to know that you can now modify your dining reservations online!
We loved breakfast at Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
The World of Coca-Cola is coming to Disney Springs!
Mickey-shaped Rice Krispy Treats are #OnTheList this week. Are they your favorite too?
A light-up lotus blossom popcorn bucket is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disneyland changed up their 60th Anniversary popcorn bucket.
Fulton’s Crab House in Disney Springs is now serving Sunday Brunch.
Keep your New Year’s resolutions at Earl of Sandwich with their new low-cal “Skinny Earl” menu choices!

[Read more…]

News: Modify Your Disney Dining Reservations Online!

By AJ 17 Comments

Here’s some info for any of you who are well into planning-mode for your next Disney vacation… . The ability to change certain aspects of your Advance Dining Reservations is now an option via your online Disney Account!

Walt Disney World Account Sign In Screenshot

Disney Account Sign In Screenshot

[Read more…]

Our Favorite Magic Kingdom Restaurants

By AJ 15 Comments

Magic Kingdom, how we love you.

You are, for many of us, the source of our earliest Disney Memories. Heck, some of us remember when you were the ONLY Park. (Am I showing my age here?)

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

But even though you’ve been around the longest, we’re no less fond of you. In fact, coming back to ride old favorites or experience new attractions always feels a bit like coming home. [Read more…]

Even More Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

By AJ 5 Comments

We are back with some great advice some of the best experts around when it comes to planning your Disney Dining — DFB Readers!

Seriously, you guys are the best, and I’m always excited to learn new things from your experiences! So when it came time recently to update our Top Tips for Disney Dining, we turned to you for input and advice. And you responded with tons of great suggestions.

Check out just a few of them below, as we offer you even more Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

Have a Plan…and Don’t Blow Those Snack Credits on Things You Can Get at Home!

It was important enough for several different DFB readers to mention — and expound on! Do not waste those precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits on something as ho hum and common as a piece of fruit or a bottle of water.

And…I have to agree here. You can get a banana and a Dasani in your supermarket at home. But when was the last time you waltzed into Kroger and picked up a Carrot Cake Cookie or Schoolbread?

Yep, they can sometimes pile up on you toward the end of the trip. So spend a little time planning beforehand so you don’t waste a single one. Here’s a TIP: DFB Snack Guides can come in handy for this endeavor; we have one for every park at Walt Disney World with our recommendations for the best snacks!

Carrot Cake Cookie at Writer's Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Make Those Snack Credits Count with a Carrot Cake Cookie

Get the Dining Plan…And Don’t.

One of the most interesting suggestions for stretching your Disney Food Budget came from @Greg_Crowder: he suggested that you go halfsies on the Disney Dining Plan. He writes: “2 of us had the free plan a couple of years ago and 2 didn’t. The snacks and counter [service] meals were plenty for all 4 people.”

Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are Totally Shareable!

It’s true that Disney portions can be pretty big, and eating lots of large meals and rich snacks and then walking 100 miles a day may be a tall order. So if you’re willing to share, this can be an excellent way to keep costs down. It also means that you pre-pay, so your spending money goes a little further.

Just note that if you’re all staying in the same room, you all need to be on the same plan; so this tip only works if your compadres are in a different room.

Don’t Forget About Resort Restaurants.

Many readers chimed in that visitors should never forget to check out resort dining options, saying that you should definitely venture out of the Park for incredible food. Resort restaurants offer some of the most amazing dining on property.

Slow-cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well-seasoned Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo at Sanaa — Be Sure to Schedule a Meal Here

Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was mentioned lots of times. For instance, reader David Mendoza says: “Whether you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or not, make the trip to the Sanaa restaurant. Wonderful food and such a picturesque setting, watching the beautiful animals as you dine on some of the most awesome food in Disney World! A real must see! And when you are done you can take a stroll and get even closer to the animals. Truly a wondrous place.”

I couldn’t agree more! (Read my latest Sanaa review here.)

Allergies and Food Sensitivities? No problem.

We’ve written about it lots of times — Disney is tops when it comes to serving guests with allergies, food sensitivities, and special diets. And our readers are eager to agree that Disney routinely goes above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best experience possible, regardless of their dietary limitations.

Jiko Allergy-Friendly Menu -- Appetizers -- Click to Enlarge

Example of Jiko’s Allergy-Friendly Appetizer Menu

Ann Hooghuis Dealy weighs in by saying, “If you have food allergies or sensitivities [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: February 8, 2015

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

This was a BIG Disney Food news week! No worries though — we’ll get you caught up now. First up, you’ll want to know that Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant will start accepting Advance Dining Reservations for lunch starting February 25th. No more FastPasses for your afternoon meal at the Beast’s Castle.

Trolley Car Cafe sign

Now, let’s move on to the newest hot spot in Walt Disney World. Trolley Car Cafe, a Starbucks location, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now serving up your favorite beverages.

For all the details on the above news and more, just click on the links below!