Hey, Megan, and welcome to planDisney. Just thinking about the delicious treats at Walt Disney World Resort gives me a Winnie-the-Pooh-sized "rumbly in my tumbly." I am glad you stopped by with this delicious question.
You do not need to have Theme Park tickets to make
advance dining reservations. Any Guest may make dining reservations as far out as 60 days in advance, however, those Guests who are staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel and
other select hotels may make dining reservations 60 days in advance plus the length of their hotel stay up to 10 additional nights. Reservations may be made online or through the
My Disney Experience app starting at 6:00 a.m. and by phone at 407-WDW-DINE at 7:00 a.m. Even though these are solid times I have been able to make reservations as early as 5:45 a.m. so login in early and keep checking. I recommend you start making dining reservations on the last day of your trip first as there will be the fewest Guests eligible to make dining reservations longer than 60 days in advance.
Please remember that restaurants within the Theme Parks that accept dining reservations will require an active
Theme Park ticket and a
Theme Park Reservation as the dining reservation does not guarantee your theme park admission alone.
I think you are going about this in the correct order. Dining reservations are much more limited than Theme Park Reservations so securing those first will help you choose which Theme Park to visit each day of your trip.
planDisney Pro Tip: If you do not get your desired dining reservation, keep checking daily. Guests change plans frequently and you may even score a same-day reservation or get on a
walk-up list.
Megan, I hope this information is helpful. Please
direct any follow-up questions to me to help plan your Disney adventure.
Enjoy making many Magical Memories in May.
~Jason