Cindy,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
Yes, you need to purchase your
theme park tickets before you can secure a theme park reservation. When you visit the
Disney Park Pass page, it will prompt you to select your reservations based on either having already purchased theme park tickets, or having an annual pass. If neither apply, there is a link to purchase tickets.
I do recommend that when you purchase your theme park tickets that you immediately select your theme park reservations. Why? Well, if you secure your theme park reservations now, but down the road you feel like you would rather change up your plans, you can still do that. As long as the park that you would want to change to has availability, you can cancel your initial park reservation and then book your new park. But ALWAYS check that the park you want to change to has availability at the
Theme Park Reservation Availability page before you cancel that initial reservation.
Another reason to secure your reservations is that while all four parks are likely available for that vacation date off in the future, as the actual date nears some of the parks will reach their reservation capacity. As an example, at the time of this answer I am looking at the upcoming month and already see 1 day where all four parks are booked up completely, and 6 more days where anywhere from 1 to 3 of the parks are also filled. So early planning will help you ensure the most magical of visits.
Write me back if you have any follow up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!Doug