Where to use OpenTable at Disney World

Mary Yanni May 28, 2019

2 minutes read

Disney visitors are used to making dining reservations on the My Disney Experience app. But there are drawbacks: It can be hard to get reservations if you don’t do it months in advance, and you’ll be charged a fee if you cancel at the last minute.

We’ve stumbled upon a pretty neat trick that can help blunt those complaints: You can use OpenTable to make reservations at most Disney Springs restaurants and a handful of resort restaurants, including some of the best on Disney property.

There are two big advantages to using OpenTable:

There’s no cancellation fee if you cancel within 24 hours of your reservation. If you cancel a reservation made through the My Disney Experience app on the day-of, you’ll be charged $10 per person.

Many of these restaurants hold back half of their tables for reservations on OpenTable, so there’s better availability — including at the last minute. We often get same-day reservations, although the times can be either on the early or late side.

Another neat trick: Getting a reservation on the spot.

One night, we walked into a half-empty Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill only to be told it would be more than an hour to get a table. We walked outside, opened the OpenTable app, and made a reservation for 15 minutes later. We walked right back to the restaurant and were immediately seated. (They didn’t even look at us funny.)

The only downside of OpenTable is that the restaurant choices are somewhat limited at the resorts. But we think if you can be a bit flexible, you’ll find something to suit almost anyone’s taste — and you won’t be penalized if you change your mind.

Among the restaurants we’ve found on OpenTable: