Have you ever heard Disney pros or friends mention ADR when giving tips on how to score reservations at Disney? ADR stands for Advance Dining Reservation, which is Disney’s system that lets guests book table-service restaurants up to 60 days before their visit. Knowing how and when to use ADR can make a big difference in getting the dining experiences you really want.

Dining at Walt Disney World is one of the most magical parts of the experience, whether it’s breakfast with Mickey, lunch inside a castle, or dinner with a view of the fireworks. But landing those dream reservations can be challenging, especially at popular spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Space 220.  The key is knowing when and how to book. Here’s a simple guide to help you plan smarter and enjoy a stress-free dining experience.

1. Understand the 60-Day Rule

It’s 2025, and many guests still get confused about Disney’s 60-day rule. Even experienced Disney fans can overlook it from time to time. This remains one of the most common mistakes among park visitors, especially first-timers. 

Some guests try to book too early, before their 60-day window officially opens, and find that no dates are available yet. Others try too late and miss out on popular dining spots entirely. Understanding this rule is the key to securing the reservations you really want.

Disney allows guests to make Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) up to 60 days before their visit. If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can book for your entire length of stay (up to 10 days) starting on that 60-day mark.

If you are staying off-site, you will need to make your reservations each day as your 60-day window opens for that specific date.

If you cannot access your target date yet, you might simply be trying too early. The system will only let you book once your 60-day window officially opens, so double-check your dates before trying again.

Still can’t get it? Here’s an example:

If your target date to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table is on December 30, the reservation for that date will open on October 31.

A simple way to remember it: count 60 days backward from your desired dining date. That’s the day your booking window opens, and being ready at that time gives you the best chance to grab your preferred table.

2. Be Ready at 6:00 A.M. Eastern Time

If you’re a tourist from a different time zone than Disney in Florida, make sure you keep an eye on the time difference. Dining reservations open at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, so being aware of this is important.

You can add a clock showing Eastern Time to your home screen to easily track it, or simply set an alarm as a reminder. Before that time arrives, make sure your Disney account is already signed in so you don’t lose precious minutes logging in. Reservations can disappear within minutes once the window opens.

If you’ve done everything right, logged in early, and still lose your spot while refreshing day after day as the 60-day window counts down, it’s time to set an alert on the DreamTable app. The app has helped Disney guests snag over 100,000 reservations. 

Missing spots is a common issue, but guests often cancel as they finalize their plans, creating new openings. Still, remember that you are not the only one watching for cancellations. 

Someone else out there is also refreshing the app, waiting for that small green dot to appear among the “no dining available” messages. Timing and preparation are key.  A few extra minutes of planning can make all the difference.

Tip: Use the Disney app or website instead of calling. It’s faster, easier to handle multiple searches, and gives you the best chance to book successfully. If you miss a reservation, DreamTable can alert you when a new spot opens.

3. Start with Your Must-Haves

With over a hundred sit-down restaurants across Walt Disney World, it is important to know exactly where you want to dine before your booking window opens. You cannot always just walk up and get a table. While some locations do accept walk-ins, availability is never guaranteed, especially for the most popular spots that fill up quickly.

Some of the most booked and hardest to get reservations include:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table

• Space 220

• The Beak and Barrel 

• GEO-82 

• Ohana 

• The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant

Start your booking session with your top priorities first. Go for these high-demand restaurants right away when your 60-day window opens. If you manage to snag one of these coveted spots, that is definitely something to celebrate.

4. Stay Flexible

If your preferred time is unavailable, try adjusting your search by 15 to 30 minutes or checking other dates within your trip. Even small changes can open up new availability.

You can also try searching for a slightly larger party size since sometimes a table for four appears when a table for three does not. However, be careful with this method because some restaurants may not accept incorrect party sizes during check-in.

Disney World restaurants can usually accommodate a smaller party than what was reserved, but they are less likely to seat a larger group than the one listed on the reservation.

5. Keep Checking for Openings

Guests cancel all the time, especially as their trip gets closer. Do not give up if you do not get the reservation you want right away. Checking again a few days or even hours before your visit can often pay off.

If you do not want to keep checking manually, the DreamTable app can send alerts when a reservation that matches your date, time, and party size opens. It is a hassle-free way to stay updated without refreshing your phone all the time.

Tip: If your trip is getting closer and there are still no alerts or available tables, do not remove your alert yet. People cancel last minute, sometimes just days or even hours before their reservation. Keeping your alert active until your trip can help you catch a last-minute opening, especially if there is a restaurant you really want to try.

7. Have Backup Plans

If a restaurant is still booked, consider trying a similar spot. For example:

• No Space 220? Try Coral Reef for an under-the-sea atmosphere.
  
  
  

• No Cinderella’s Royal Table? Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers princess dining too.
  
  
  

• No Ohana? Check out Kona Cafe for a taste of the islands without the long wait.

You might even find a new favorite this way. 

8. Keep Calm and Enjoy the Magic

Even if your dream reservation does not come through right away, do not stress. Many guests still end up enjoying great meals thanks to last-minute cancellations or same-day walk-up lists available in the app.

Dining at Disney is meant to be fun. With a little planning and maybe a little help from DreamTable, you can still make the most of your trip and enjoy the magic that comes with every Disney meal.