So you’ve made your dining reservations, but now you want to catch a show in the meantime,

Well, as you know, there can be a number of hurdles you have to face when trying to get your dining reservations, especially with how busy Disney World gets for holidays, Festivals, and events. It’s like you’re constantly on the lookout because those dining reservations tend to book out FAST! But if you’ve already got those plans on lock and feel you want to take a chance on watching a show, you may want to think again!

Listen, we’re right there with you. It can be a lot to make all those plans for the day. Which ride are we going to do first? Where are we going to eat lunch? Does everyone have their hand sanitizer?! It really can bring on the stress, which is why it’s so understandable that if you’ve got a bit of time, you’d want to hit up a show before heading to that dining reservation. But let’s think about that for a bit.

One thing that they don’t really tell you is that some of those Disney World shows are much longer than you’d expect (and sometimes the hold-up has nothing to do with the show). And that can potentially throw a wrench in your dining plans. The last thing we’d want is to have you miss a reservation, so let’s dive into it!

1. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage (30 mins)

Now, you’d think that reliving the “tale as old as time” would be pretty quick, but this show actually runs for about 30 minutes.

30 minutes isn’t too bad, right? Well, sort of. You have to remember that the 30 minutes doesn’t account for the time it takes to exit the show building and trek to your restaurant.

2. Festival of the Lion King (40 mins)

Hakuna Matata, right? Not so fast.

The Lion King show is a 40-minute treat and it’s not in the middle of the park, meaning if you have a reservation at Rainforest Café, you might need to adjust your dining time accordingly (since it’s a bit of a hike).

3. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! (25 mins)

Nemo and friends take you on an underwater adventure that’s a bit shorter at 25 minutes, which is a good thing, right?

Yes (sorry that felt like a trick question). But you still have to remember that it can take a few minutes just to get out of the show building and if your reservation is for Tiffins, then you’ve got a trek ahead of you.

4. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (30 mins)

Elsa and Anna are set and ready to bring the cold to you for a FULL HALF-HOUR!

So, this one definitely requires a bit more planning! You may want to plan on checking out restaurants that are close to this show as opposed to grabbing a reservation for Oga’s Cantina.

5. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! (30 mins)

Ready to join Indiana Jones for an action-packed hour of excitement? Yep, you read it right. This one also takes about 30 minutes.

It’s an awesome show that is full to the brim with action, but between being seated beforehand and getting out of the theatre, it can challenge your dining schedule.

Here are our pro tips:

As we were trying to illustrate, the advertised show times are just one part of the puzzle. You’ll have to consider how long it’ll take to get out of the show building and how far you need to travel to your restaurant. Oh, and don’t forget about those crowds!

So you don’t miss out on your dining reservations, keep these things in mind:

• Add Some Buffer Time: If you’re trying to book dining reservations after a lengthy show, give yourself some extra time.
• Check out those nearby dining options: If possible, go for restaurants close to the show building. That’ll help you to cut down on travel time.
• Don’t forget about Mobile Ordering: Remember that some quick-service spots offer mobile ordering, which can be a real time-saver.
• Study the Park Maps: Get to know those park maps (make use of the My Disney Experience app)! They’ll help you figure out distances and plan your routes like a pro.

So, there you have it! By being “in the know” about show lengths and following these tips, you can make the most of your next Disney World trip. And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news!

What Happens When You MISS Your Dining Reservation in Disney World

 

Have you ever missed a dining reservation? Tell us in the comments!

The post This is the Leading Cause of Missing Your Dining Reservations in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.