Cinderella's Royal Table

Cinderella's Royal Table is one of the most popular restaurants in the whole of Walt Disney World. And no wonder. It is your only chance to dine inside the Magic Kingdom Castle.

If you want to dine here you really do have to make Advance Dining Reservations either online or by calling 407 WDW DINE up to 90 days ahead. Disney resort guests have an advantage - they can call 90 days ahead and make bookings for the first 10 days of their stay.

You can now also make Disney Advance Dining Reservations online at Disney World Restaurants

As this is a very popular restaurant I would suggest you make reservations as early as possible. But don't give up if you can't get reservations the first time you call. Guests do cancel so persistence can sometimes pay off. I was lucky enough to get a walk in once (yes it was early December but I was still surprised).

How Do I Increase My Chances of Getting A Reservation?

Lines open at 7am EST. And yes it really does book up within minutes. There are only 130 tables and lots of people out there want one! So be prepared to start calling a minute before 7am. Have the redial button ready. I have known people even have more than one phone dialed out at slightly different times - one in each hand! OK yes so perhaps that was me but it worked.

When your call connects you will encounter a series of menu options. Hit the right button as quickly as you can. When you get a reservationist on the line immediately say what you want. Be quick, or believe me someone else will be.

Now the new online reservation system is up and running it may be even more difficult - as some of the spots are going to be taken by internet bookings. I haven't personally tried this for Cinderella's Royal Table yet but what I would suggest is having the right screen up in front of you at least 5 minutes before the reservations open. Ideally if you have more than one computer get someone to help you! About 20 or 30 seconds before the reservations open try booking. If this doesn't work keep trying.

You could of course try simultaneously trying to book on the internet and calling. Perhaps you could get a friend to help with this one!

I know it sounds like a finely tuned operation to get a table - but if you want one then you do have to do this. Or take your (small) chances of a cancellation or a walk in.

This is a Disney Signature Dining Experience. So if you are using the Disney Dining Plan this will use up 2 table service credits.

Remember too that there is a 24 hour cancellation policy. Your credit card details will be taken when you make the Advance Dining Reservation and will be charged unless you cancel at least 24 hours beforehand.

Photos used under Creative Commons from armadillo444