Walt Disney World guests hoping to check out one of the newest additions to Disney’s BoardWalk won’t be able to plan their visit weeks in advance.
Hurly-Burly opens October 1, but Disney is skipping the traditional advance dining reservation system for the new lounge. Instead, guests will need to rely on Disney’s Walk-Up List if they want to get inside.
That puts a little more uncertainty into the experience, especially during the excitement surrounding a brand-new Disney World location.
No Advance Reservation Is Coming
Unlike many Walt Disney World restaurants, Hurly-Burly will not allow guests to make an advance dining reservation when it opens.
That means there’s no reservation to secure before your vacation.
Instead, guests will need to wait until the day they want to visit and use the My Disney Experience app. Disney’s Walk-Up List essentially acts as a virtual waiting list for participating restaurants and lounges.
Groups of seven or fewer can use the feature. Guests can open the dining section of the app, select their party size and choose the current date before looking for the Walk-Up List option.
However, guests cannot join the list several days ahead of time. It only works for the current day.
That distinction could become especially important for Hurly-Burly during its first few weeks.
A Spot on the Walk-Up List Isn’t Guaranteed
Even if Hurly-Burly uses a Walk-Up List, guests shouldn’t assume they’ll always be able to join.
Disney offers the feature at more than 50 dining locations across Walt Disney World, but availability can disappear when demand becomes too high.
In other words, opening the app doesn’t guarantee you’ll find an open list waiting for you.
That could make flexibility one of the biggest advantages for anyone hoping to experience Hurly-Burly.
Guests staying around Disney’s BoardWalk or the EPCOT resort area may find it easier to check the app and adjust their plans if an opportunity appears. Visitors coming from elsewhere may need to put more thought into when they make the trip.
Hurly-Burly will also have a walk-up window where guests can purchase select beverages without experiencing the full lounge.
Your Experience Depends on When You Visit
Timing matters for another reason.
Hurly-Burly won’t offer exactly the same atmosphere throughout the day.
During the afternoon, Disney plans to make the lounge welcoming to families, with activities such as trivia and other games led by a host.
Things change at 9 p.m.
At that point, Hurly-Burly becomes a 21-and-older live music venue. Guests can enjoy musical entertainment along with coastal-inspired cocktails and light bites.
Families therefore have a smaller window in which they can experience the location together, making Walk-Up List availability even more important.
Adults interested in the nighttime experience will face their own question: How busy will the list become once the lounge transitions into its evening format?
Guests May Need a More Flexible Plan
Disney has used Walk-Up Lists for years, and the company can add or remove the feature without notice. Disney previously adjusted Walk-Up List availability for The Beak and Barrel and GEO-82 in July 2026.
That means Hurly-Burly’s opening procedure doesn’t necessarily tell us how Disney will operate the lounge forever.
For now, however, guests have a clear strategy.
Don’t spend time searching for an advance reservation because there won’t be one to find. Instead, check My Disney Experience on the day you want to visit and watch the Walk-Up List.
It takes away some of the certainty that comes with having a reservation locked into your vacation schedule. On the other hand, it gives guests more freedom to make a last-minute visit when their plans allow.
For a brand-new Walt Disney World destination, the biggest challenge may simply be demand.
If Hurly-Burly proves popular during its opening weeks, guests may quickly discover that joining the Walk-Up List requires just as much attention as grabbing an advance reservation.
