Dining Reservation Explained – Theme Park Definition

A dining reservation is an advance booking for a table-service or character-dining restaurant at a theme park, resort hotel, or associated entertainment complex. At Disney parks, reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance (with a 10-day head-start for resort hotel guests) and are considered essential for the most popular restaurants — failing to book in advance during busy periods can mean missing out entirely. Reservations typically require a credit card to hold; most Disney table-service venues charge a no-show fee if guests cancel within 24 hours or fail to arrive. In enthusiast communities, advance dining reservations are commonly abbreviated as ADRs. For parks other than Disney, the booking window is typically shorter and systems less formalised.