Honestly, I didn't even know they take reservations for the chicken dinners (except on special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Vallentine's Day, etc.).
Historically they never did reservations and in fact the theme park was born as result of the popularity of the Chicken Dinner restaurant, giving people something to do while they waited for a table. So there may be a bit of a wait, but you should be fine walking up. If for some reason you can't, there is the Chicken Dinner to Go right next door that serves the same chicken. That being said, if you really do want a reservation, keep checking, I just checked online and can get one for dinner tonight.
Also, a word of warning do not get the chicken strips, stick with the bone in chicken. And definitely use anything Boysenberry throughout the parks, after all this is where the Boysenberry originated.
Secondly, while Canada's Wonderland and Knott's are both Cedar Fair parks and I have not been to Canada's Wonderland, based upon what I can see online, it does not appear that Canada's Wonderland has the very rich history that Knott's has, so be sure to take some time to explore that history as it is California's oldest theme park.
As for the dining plan, no locations that are outside the park are included, so Knott's Chicken dinner is not included (not even the to go option), so I would recommend doing that on a different day than a day that you are getting the dining plan, as the portions at Knott's are huge and the quality is actually really good on all of the food. Please know that this is the first year we got Knott's passes and we got the all season dining plan, so that is based solely on this and keep in mind with the all season we only get two meals per day, with the all day dining you can get food every 90 minutes and you can take food to go, hence why I say that trying to do the chicken dinner and the dining plan on the same day is probably not the best idea.
Also, please note that no stable service location is included and there are a few table service locations in the park.
At present, the following locations are included:
- Sutter's Grill
- Sutter's Pizza
- Calico Fry Co.
- Wagon Wheel Pizza
- Fireman's BBQ
- Wilderness Broiler
- Panda Express
- Grizzly Creek Lodge
- Boardwalk BBQ
- Coaster's Diner
- Beachy Keen's Pizza
- Cantina in Fiesta Village
- Fiesta Dogs
- Papa Loca
At Pizza places, you get a slice of Pizza and a Side Salad, you cannot order a whole pizza on the dining plan, at the BBQ locations, it is an Entree with one side and no bread, unless you choose that as your side, but Boardwalk BBQ tends to still give you the cornbread anyway, just know they aren't supposed to. Additionally, some locations like Coasters Diner offer add-ons at a small additional cost, such as being able to add chili or replace the fries with onion rings. I did both of those on my last trip and it was a little over $2 that I had to spend to do so. In my opinion the poorest value is Panda Express, you get a one entree plate with rice or chow mein, sometimes they will let you do half and half, but the portions are smaller than most other Panda Express locations. The best values are the BBQ locations, which are also really good.
There is a guide online that lists what is available at each location; however, depending on when you go there may also be additional seasonal items that are available on the dining plan and if you have any dietary needs, ask, as there are vegan, vegetarian, nut free, dairy free, gluten free, etc. items at most locations, including vegan mac and cheese at Grizzly Creek Lodge. Refer to their website at
https://www.knotts.com/help/dietary-needs for more information on special dietary needs.
No matter if you get the dining plan or not, the drink bottle is a good deal.