Disney Updates Dining Search with Improved Calendar, Filtering

Update: We previously noted some display issues for users on smaller desktops and laptops. Those have been addressed.

The Walt Disney World and Disneyland websites and park apps are rolling out a significant update to their dining reservation tools. The revamped experience features a more intuitive calendar interface that lets users search for specific dining times with ease. The multi-day search and location filtering tools have also been improved.

The latest updates build on the tools Disney released in March of 2024. Now, guests will spend less time hitting the back button to refine their searches. Instead, the ever-present tools allow them to quickly find their desired reservations. That’s a good thing when you’re trying for princess dining at 6 AM.

Unfortunately, today’s rollout has some display issues, notably for laptop users. In particular, the “location” tab and some buttons are inaccessible on smaller screens. The good news is that the tools work perfectly on the mobile view of the website and in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps.

Improved calendar

When searching for reservations at a single restaurant, the dining calendar now automatically displays availability. The interface, borrowed from the park reservation calendar, mitigates the need to click or tap a date to see if a restaurant has openings. This streamlined interface will help speed things along when guests are frantically booking restaurants 60 days out.

Specific time requests

Previously, Disney only let guests choose timeframes like “morning,” “afternoon,” “evening,” or “all day” when searching for reservations. The latest update replaces those options with a slider, giving them greater control over the results. I dig this tool, but it could be a hindrance to quick searches if narrow time slots are selected.

Multi-day search expanded

Disney has also expanded its multi-day search functionality, a game-changer when first introduced. Originally, it allowed guests to check availability across a 10-day window, but only for one restaurant at a time. Now that feature applies to all table-service restaurants at once, giving guests a much better view of what’s available throughout their vacation.

Simplified filtering

Finally, Disney introduced cleaner filtering. Rather than having to sift through multiple columns of checkboxes, users are now greeted with a more intuitive interface. The simpler tools will be a welcome addition when my brain isn’t functioning at 5 AM Central, 60 days before our next vacation.

Display issues (fixed)

The post-search filtering is where the display issues show up. The four filters – date, time, party size, and location – have fixed widths. If a user’s screen is narrower than the four boxes, one or more could be cut off. On my computer, I wasn’t able to scroll sideways to view the location box. I was able to do that on my iPad.

Another issue results from the dining tools being “sticky.” Sticky means they stay pinned to the top of the screen even as a user scrolls. When I clicked on the location tool, the resulting panel was taller than my screen. And since it’s part of the sticky header, scrolling doesn’t help. The button for the “location” tool was partially hidden on my computer. Users with smaller screens might not see that button at all.

These are minor issues that should be addressed quickly. As I mentioned, the website’s mobile views and the MDE and Disneyland apps are working beautifully. If you’re not seeing everything you need to refine your search, switch over to your phone.

Regardless of a few bugs, these new dining tools are game changers. I might actually be looking forward to waking up at 4:55 AM (Central) the next time I have to book a Disney restaurant.

Eh, maybe not.

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