Guests arriving at Disney’s Contemporary Resort on September 6 discovered an unexpected change to one of the hotel’s major dining options.
Steakhouse 71 suddenly closed for the day, leaving guests without access to the restaurant for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Even more frustrating, some visitors who already had reservations reportedly learned that their bookings had been canceled.
Disney hasn’t announced what caused the closure, and there is currently no confirmed explanation for the sudden interruption.
Thankfully, this doesn’t appear to be a permanent change. Disney’s calendar currently shows Steakhouse 71 returning on September 7, meaning the restaurant could reopen after only one day.
Guests Report Steakhouse 71 Reservations Being Canceled
Steakhouse 71 normally operates throughout the day inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, making the unexpected September 6 closure particularly disruptive.
Disney’s calendar showed the restaurant closed, but the impact went beyond guests simply being unable to make new reservations.
A guest reportedly shared on Reddit that their existing September 6 reservation had suddenly been canceled. Another commenter said they experienced the same problem. The original Reddit post was later deleted.
For guests already visiting Walt Disney World, a same-day cancellation can create an immediate planning problem.
Dining reservations often become anchors for an entire Disney day. A family may plan when they leave Magic Kingdom, when they return to their hotel, or even which transportation they use based on a restaurant reservation.
When Disney suddenly cancels that reservation, finding a replacement isn’t always easy.
Disney Hasn’t Revealed Why the Restaurant Closed
Disney has not provided an official explanation for the September 6 closure.
Some online commenters suggested maintenance could be responsible, but that hasn’t been confirmed. Without additional information from Disney, the exact cause remains unknown.
The restaurant’s calendar provides some encouraging news.
Steakhouse 71 is currently listed as operating again on September 7, although reservations weren’t available for that date at the time of the original report.
That suggests Disney may be dealing with a temporary issue rather than something that will keep the restaurant unavailable for an extended period.
Steakhouse 71 Has Been Open Since 2021
Steakhouse 71 opened at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in 2021 as Walt Disney World celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
The restaurant replaced The Wave… of American Flavors and takes its name from 1971, the year Walt Disney World opened.
It also serves as an East Coast counterpart to Steakhouse 55, the former Disneyland Hotel restaurant that permanently closed.
Unlike some steakhouses that primarily focus on dinner, Steakhouse 71 normally serves several meals throughout the day. That means a full-day closure can affect considerably more guests than an evening-only shutdown.
Its Contemporary Resort location also makes it convenient for Magic Kingdom visitors, particularly guests looking for a table-service meal away from the park.
Steakhouse 71 Could Reopen September 7
There is currently nothing suggesting that Steakhouse 71 is permanently closing.
Disney hasn’t announced a refurbishment, replacement, or other long-term change for the restaurant.
Instead, September 7 is the date to watch.
If Steakhouse 71 reopens as Disney’s calendar currently indicates, this could end up being an unusual one-day interruption.
For guests whose September 6 reservations were canceled, however, even a single-day closure can be frustrating.
Anyone with an upcoming Steakhouse 71 reservation may want to check the restaurant’s status before heading to the Contemporary Resort. Until Disney provides more information or the restaurant resumes normal operations, the exact reason behind the unexpected shutdown remains a mystery.
