Disneyland Axes Dining Reservations After Killing Early Entry

Is Disneyland deliberately attempting to sabotage its guest experiences? First, it was removing early park admission, and now it appears that dining reservations have also been eliminated.

First Early Entry, Now Dining Reservations: What Is Going on at Disneyland?

It’s the kind of moment Disney fans dread: you’ve set your alarms, prepped your devices, and even rehearsed the clicks needed to snag that perfect dining slot. But right before the highly anticipated Beak and Barrel reservations open, Disney has flipped the script. The My Disney Experience app, once a reliable tool for booking, now shuttles guests away from the app entirely.

For fans, this sudden adjustment feels less like a simple tech update and more like Disney quietly rewriting the rules of vacation planning. Dining has always been a battlefield at Walt Disney World—and now, the ground beneath it has shifted again.

So why the change, and what does it mean for your next trip? Let’s take a closer look.

Disney Pulls Dining Search From the App

Earlier this summer, Disney gave the dining system a big refresh. With added filters, cleaner layouts, and better availability searches, it was widely celebrated as a win for guests.

But as of today, those upgrades are nowhere to be found in the app. Selecting “Check Dining Availability” or “Reserve Dining” no longer loads the in-app tool. Instead, you’re redirected to a web browser. Other features—like Mobile Order—still work as usual, but dining reservations have essentially been cut out.

Booking Dining Reservations the New Way

If you’re trying to secure a table during your vacation, here’s how the system currently works:

• Go Through the Browser: All dining reservations must now be handled on DisneyWorld.com or the browser the app opens.

• Know the Timing: New slots drop most mornings at 6:00 a.m. EST—be ready a few minutes early.

• Search Broadly: Look at time ranges instead of exact slots to increase your odds.

• Stay Persistent: More reservations often pop up as the trip date gets closer.

💡 Tip from repeat visitors: Having a backup restaurant in mind can make the difference between leaving disappointed and landing a hidden gem.

Hidden Tricks That Give You an Edge

Veteran parkgoers have their own toolkit for nabbing those hard-to-get spots:

• Keep Multiple Devices Active: Running searches on a laptop and phone at the same time boosts your odds.

• Use Walk-Up Waitlists: Same-day lists open on the app at many locations.

• Target Off-Peak Hours: Late lunches or late dinners often have openings others overlook.

• Check Restaurant Lounges: Lounges attached to popular spots can serve food without a reservation.

Why Fans Are Paying Attention

This change comes just hours before Disney’s second attempt to open reservations for Beak and Barrel after the failed rollout on August 14. At that time, heavy demand crashed the system before it even got started. By removing in-app booking, Disney may be trying to prevent another fiasco.

The move has stirred debate among fans online. Some welcome the browser-based system if it avoids technical breakdowns. Others see it as a step backward for convenience, questioning why an app built for all things Disney suddenly can’t handle one of its most important features.

Either way, it signals how seriously Disney is taking the opening of its newest Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, a venue already generating massive buzz.

Final Thoughts

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World in the coming weeks, don’t count on the app for dining. Head straight to your browser and set those alarms—because the competition isn’t going anywhere.

For Disney fans, every small change matters. And with Beak and Barrel on the horizon, this one could mean the difference between celebrating with a drink in hand—or watching from the sidelines.