Disneyland Dining Reservations and Instant Alerts

Last updated on November 14th, 2024 at 12:26 pm

Here is how to snag Disneyland dining reservations and get instant alerts so you can have the best seat in the house at any of these locations:

All sit down restaurants open reservations about 60 days in advance. And it’s now easier than ever to get dining reservations with my partners at MouseDining. Simply sign up for free Disneyland dining alerts to snag hard to get spots.

 

Disneyland Dining Reservations Alerts
This article outlines how to get a table at top Disneyland restaurants, including iconic locations, front row dining experiences, character meals, and more.

One of my top tips is to really enjoy Disneyland. And the best way to do that is by getting a Disneyland dining reservation. I highly recommend booking a place to sit down and relax during your trip. Plus it’ll help you enjoy all the delicious food Disneyland has to offer.

Do I Need A Disneyland Dining Reservation?

Yes, if you want to dine at any of the sit down restaurants inside the theme parks or Disney hotels it’s highly recommended to secure a reservation in advance. These are the Disneyland restaurants that almost always require a reservation:

All sit down restaurants open reservations about 60 days in advance. And it’s now easier than ever to get dining reservations with my partners at MouseDining. Simply sign up for free Disneyland dining alerts to snag hard to get spots.Discount Disneyland tickets

Bonus Disneyland Tip: Get discount Disneyland tickets here from our trusted partner, Get Away Today. 

How Do I Make a Disneyland Dining Reservation?

You can make dining reservations one of three ways, but when timing is tight I suggest calling first. They can give you all your available options over the phone without playing a guessing game online or through the mobile app.

  1. Via MouseDining, the alerts sent to your email takes you straight to the booking page
  2. On the official Disneyland App
  3. On Disneyland’s website
  4. Walk up options on the Disneyland app waitlist (you must be near the location to request a waitlist spot)

Disneyland Dining

Once you choose your desired location and time, select the party size, including all children (regardless of age).

You may also input any dietary requests or special notes. Should you need to cancel, most locations allow you to cancel up to 2 hours in advance, but check the policy when booking.

Best Disneyland Dining Reservations 

Here’s where you can make dining reservations at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels, including my top picks.

This section covers only sit-down restaurants, but if you’d like to look at quick service offerings, I suggest checking out my top 10 Disneyland meals for $10 article here

Blue Bayou (New Orleans Square)

Blue Bayou is the most notable Disneyland Park restaurant (besides the highly sought after Club 33 of course) tucked away inside Pirates of the Caribbean. You want to eat here, even if it’s not for the food.

This is a top pick for date nights or special celebrations. 

Open for lunch, dinner and specialty dining packages.

 

Disneyland Dining
Photo courtesy Disneyland Resort

The vibe is twilight on the bayou, this famous Disneyland restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Blue Bayou is the most sought-after dining reservations in all of Disneyland Park. This super romantic dining spot is a favorite to many! Located in New Orleans Square.

I recommend pan seared salmon for a lighter fare or the famed deep fried Monte Cristo sandwich if you’re ready for a serious meal.

Bonus tip arrive early for your reservation and ask for a spot by the water. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Cafe Orleans (New Orleans Square)

Cafe Orleans transports guests to the Big Easy with displays from Princess and the Frog inside and lovely patio dining under blue umbrellas outside. The famous Monte Cristo and pommes frites are served here.

 

Cheese Monte Cristo

 

Open for lunch and dinner.

The vibe is Big Easy casual at this Disneyland restaurant. Dine inside or outdoors with amazing views of the Rivers of America in New Orleans Square.

 

Cafe orleans food

 

I recommend the deep friend Monte Cristo sandwich is a Cafe Orleans favorite, but I prefer the pommes frites and lobster cobb salad.

Bonus tip split the massive Monte Cristo with another adult or two! It’s that big! Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Carnation Cafe (Main Street, U.S.A.)

Carnation Cafe is located on Main Street, U.S.A. is an iconic classic. Reservations are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll love dining under the red and white umbrellas on Main Street. 

My top pick for a spot the entire family will enjoy. Book an hour before a parade begins and watch it go by

 

Carnation Cafe Disneyland

 

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The vibe quintessential Disneyland restaurant with candy-striped umbrellas on the patio and a victorian indoor seating area. Located on Main Street, U.S.A.

I recommend anything with Chef Oscar’s name on it! The longest working Disneyland Resort employee retired in 2017 but you can still get some of his famous dishes from the menu at Carnation Cafe. For lunch or dinner, don’t miss the loaded baked potato soup and fried pickles on the side!

 

Fried Pickles Carnation Cafe

 

Bonus tip ask to sit outside if it’s a nice day (and it’s almost always a nice day at Disneyland!). Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Full Carnation Cafe review right here!

Plaza Inn Breakfast with Minnie & Friends (Main Street, U.S.A.)

Plaza Inn reservations are only available for breakfast character dining with Minnie & Friends.. Any other time of day you can walk right in to dine. We’ll cover more of their delicious food later in the quick service section.

Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park is a buffet breakfast with omelets and Mickey waffles, pastries cereals and more. Plus you’ll meet Minnie Mouse and other beloved Disney characters while you dine. Read my full review of Minnie & Friends breakfast here.

 

Disneyland Breakfast veggie omelet

 

Open for breakfast when dining with Minnie & Friends. While technically not table service as it’s a buffet, it does require a reservation so I wanted to include it here. All other meals do not require a reservation and are for walk up service only.

The vibe is casual fare with a lavish victorian backdrop. Eat indoors or dine under the pink umbrellas on Main Street, U.S.A.

We recommend Mickey waffles for breakfast, along with made-to-order omelets.

Bonus tip book your reservation for about 90 minutes after park opening so you can still get in plenty of rides when the park opens, then hop over to Plaza Inn for breakfast. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Oga’s Cantina (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)

Oga’s Cantina is a bar on the outskirts of the galaxy with a few snacks on the menu.

 

ogas drinks

 

Open for during most of the day for drinks at any hour.

The vibe is a packed bar with little seating, mostly standing.

I recommend booking a reservation to be certain you can get inside. 

Bonus tip is Oga’s Cantina appropriate for families? I dive into bringing a baby to a bar here. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

River Belle Terrace (Frontierland)

River Belle Terrace features American home cooking with a riverfront view. Enjoy sandwiches, salads and barbecue favorites at this cozy retreat.

Top pick chosen by my kids, they ask to go back here again and again. 

 

River Belle terrace food

 

Open for lunch and dinner and specialty dining packages.

The vibe is the heart of Frontierland with down home, southern cooking! Dine indoors or on the patio at this Disneyland restaurant.

I recommend the pulled pork sandwich with tangy coleslaw, delicious!

Bonus tip River Belle Terrace books fast for Fantasmic! dining so book early (60 days in advance). Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Full River Belle Terrace review is here. 

Top Disney California Adventure Restaurants

In addition to sit down restaurants, California Adventure has some lounge style options where you’ll be served by a waitress or waitor. Those do not require a reservation. Lounge options will be noted below in a separate section. For all others, I recommend making reservations at the 60 day window mark for the best availability.

Carthay Circle Restaurant (Buena Vista Street)

Carthay Circle Restaurant is a classic and contemporary fusion of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Also home to World of Color and Halloween Time dining packages. 

 

Carthay Circle buscuits

 

Open for lunch and dinner and specialty dining packages.

The vibe celebrates Hollywood’s Golden Age and pays homage to the first animated feature, Snow White. Dine indoors or on the patio at this Disney California Adventure restaurant.

I recommend the Carthay bring back their signature fried biscuits, stuffed with cheddar, bacon, and just enough jalapeño with an apricot-honey butter. But, anything on their seasonal menu is usually tasty. 

Bonus tip take a free tour of this gorgeous building on select mornings at California Adventure, look for signs outside to secure your spot on the tour. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Full Carthay Circle Restaurant review is here

Lamplight Lounge (Pixar Pier)

Lamplight Lounge is in the space formerly occupied by Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar. See what Pixar animators are up to in this amazing inside space which is available with advance reservations.

 

Lamplight Chilaquiles

 

Open for brunch, lunch and dinner.

The vibe is everything Pixar! Tables celebrate various Pixar films and no space goes untouched. You’ll marvel at all the details on everything from the walls, chairs and even to the bathroom doors.

I recommend the Lobster Nachos, but you can also sub them out for chicken, beef or vegetarian. 

Bonus tip dine just before World of Color and you may even get a nice view of the show from the outdoor dining space. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Top pick! Read my Lamplight Lounge review here.

Wine Country Trattoria (Performance Corridor)

Wine Country Trattoria brings you the finest of Napa Valley and Tuscan flavors at this popular restaurant. 

 

World of Color Wine Country

Open for lunch and dinner, also available for World of Color dining packages with reserved show seating.

The vibe is fine dining in the open air Tuscan patio with a beautiful ambiance.

Wine Country California Adventure

I recommend the salmon, it’s my absolute favorite location to order salmon in all of Disneyland Resort.

Bonus tip ask to sit outdoors as indoors can be quite noisy. Can’t find a reservation? I recommend signing up for free alerts with MouseDining.

Best Disneyland Character Dining 

Some of the best Disneyland restaurants could sneak right past you if you don’t venture off into one of the Disney owned hotels. You can dine at any of these locations without being a guest of the hotels. I’ve already mentioned Plaza Inn character dining in the Disneyland Park section above, but there are more options outside the parks. 

Goofy’s Kitchen for a meal with Goofy and other Disney characters at The Disneyland Hotel. Open for breakfast and dinner.

 

storytellers food

 

Storytellers Cafe brings you Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast along with table service dining for lunch and dinner with a la carte or buffet options. Inside Grand Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Napa Rose is available for fine dining reservations at Grand Californian Hotel & Spa including breakfast with Disney Princesses at Napa Rose. 

 

Princess breakfast drinks

 

While there are tons of places to dine and explore, space is limited. If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort over several days, I recommend reserving dining inside and outside the parks.

Delicious Downtown Disney Eats

Downtown Disney reservations aren’t in as high demand as dining reservations inside the parks, so you can often secure one of these best Disneyland restaurants last minute or by walk up. It’s worth having a nice relaxing place to sit and dine if you can’t find one inside the parks. 

See our complete Downtown Disney Dining Guide for more details on quick eat options too.

 

Naples outside disney

 

Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria serves pasta, pizza and other Italian style dishes with charming indoor and outdoor seating.

Jazz Kitchen is Louisiana fresh paired with southern hospitality. Beautiful dining areas, fun atmosphere. Full review here.

Splitsville is part restaurant, part bowling alley. Do one or do both, you’ll have a great time with memorable eats and fun.

 

Tortilla Jos Guac

 

And if you have room for dessert, Downtown Disney is your ideal spot with famous Crazy Shakes at Black Tap, ice cream at Salt & Straw and so many more places to explore, eat and shop.

After all, Downtown Disney is just a quick monorail ride or walk over. Plus, the vibe there is so relaxing when compared to the hustle inside the parks.

Now that you’re ready for all the Disneyland dining reservations and instant alerts, which Disneyland restaurants are your top choices? 

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