Visit the Walt Disney World website (disneyworld.disney.go.com) to begin researching the dining options. The "Where to Eat" tab includes links to cuisine types, price ranges and menus, as well as the location of each restaurant and whether character meals are available.
Start a list of the restaurants that appeal to you and where at the resort each is located. Don't worry at this point if the list is long. If you are using a meal plan, also note how many table service credits each meal costs, since some restaurants and shows require two credits.
Make a tentative plan for where you will be each day. If you won't have the Park Hopper option on your theme park tickets, you will be limited to visiting one park per day, so choose your restaurants to match your park plans. Think about travel time between resorts and parks as you plan, and allow a buffer so you can check in at the restaurant a few minutes early. Disney transportation can take as long as 90 minutes to get you from one place to another.
Make two simple spreadsheets or charts. For each sheet, create or draw columns for the days of the week during your trip and rows for each meal. Note the park you plan to visit next to the day of the week. In each meal square on the first chart, list your top two or three choices for restaurant and the approximate time you'd like to eat. Leave the spaces on the second chart blank.
Make your reservations 180 days before your trip, or as soon after that as you know your dates of travel. Write the date on your calendar so you don't forget. Make dining reservations online or by calling (407) 939-3463.
Write your actual reservations on your blank spreadsheet to help you keep track of the confirmation numbers and times. You can also track your bookings online under the "My Reservations" tab. After you have completed your reservations, go back through your list of confirmations to make sure you didn't make any mistakes, such as booking consecutive meals in different parks without purchasing Park Hoppers.
Follow up on any first-choice restaurants that weren't available. You can continue calling or checking the online system for time slots released by other diners who changed their plans. Be aware that the reservation system won't allow you to book overlapping reservations at different restaurants and some bookings must be guaranteed with a credit card.
Check in at first-choice restaurants once you are in the park to ask about openings. You may have luck getting seats if other diners have canceled at the last minute. Don't forget to cancel any other reservation you may have made as a backup.
