Aurora; Sleeping Beauty: Cinderella's Royal Table; AA; girl with tiara; meet and greet; Magic Kingdom
  • On Jan 2, 2026
    Angelo from MA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Do I need to buy a theme park ticket to make reservations at a restaurant.

    Hello, Angelo, and welcome to planDisney! As a self-proclaimed Disney food connoisseur, I'm ravenously excited to answer your question about dining in Walt Disney World!

    There are a lot of amazing things you can do inside a Disney theme park, but eating is definitely one of my favorites! On one hand, there's a laundry list of iconic snacks to choose from (DOLE Whip, anyone?). And on the other? Dozens of magical restaurants, each with incredible food and its own unique, highly immersive atmosphere. Just step inside, and you'll feel like you've been transported to a whole new world! 

    Your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth is just around the corner, Angelo, and you're smart to start thinking about your dining options ahead of time. You should know that if you're planning to dine at a restaurant located at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, or Disney's Hollywood Studios, you will need valid theme park admission for that park. However, you can book your advance dining reservation before you purchase your park ticket.

    If this wasn't the answer you were hoping for, I do still have some good news! What many guests don't know is that some of Disney World's most popular dining experiences aren't inside a theme park at all - they're scattered all over Walt Disney World property, including at Disney Springs and Disney World's many (MANY) resort hotels! And since they're not inside a theme park, you won't need a park ticket to enjoy all the fun!

    In case you're interested in dining outside the parks, I'd love to recommend a few of my favorites. For character dining, I always suggest breakfast at Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera over at Disney's Riviera Resort. My family adores this one for its top-tier food and panoramic views. Not to mention interactions with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald! If a high-spirited dinner show is more your style, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is always a must-do for me. With an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu (including a selection of wine, beer, and sangria), this silly, quirky, comedy spectacular is Disney dining at its best. And in case you're looking for something a bit more romantic, Narcoossee's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a great pick for elegance and sophistication. Wherever you dine in Walt Disney World, magic is sure to follow!

    Thanks for stopping by planDisney, Angelo! See ya real soon!

    Allison






thumbnail image for Allison

Meet the Panelist: Allison, New Jersey

Hello, I'm Allison. I'm a wife, mom, and writer with a lifelong love of Disney magic! Like Belle, I’m a book-loving dreamer who’s always ready for the next adventure...especially if it involves castles, pixie dust, and Mickey-shaped treats! To me, every Walt Disney World vacation is a story waiting to be told, and I can’t wait to help you write your most magical chapter yet! Learn More About Allison

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so.

Ask a QuestionOpens the Ask a Question dialog box.
x

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer.


Or you can continue browsing without updating.