Hey There, Hi There, Ho There, Susan!
You are as welcome as can be here at planDisney! How exciting that you are planning your dream vacation, which looks like it is just around the riverbend. You are going to love the home away from home amenities at
Disney's Riviera Resort, which transports you to a whole new world with its European theming. I highly recommend a meal at
Topolino's Terrace. Their character breakfast is a favorite amongst planDisney panelists!
Susan, whether or not you need
theme park reservations depends on the type of ticket you have purchased for your visit. It is not related to your Disney Vacation Club Resort. If you purchase date-based tickets - which are tickets that are based on a specific date - you do not need theme park reservations. However, you do need valid theme park tickets to enter the parks.
If you have an undated ticket, such as an
Annual Pass or a military ticket, you will need a theme park reservation to enter the parks. This helps Mickey and friends plan for how many Guests will be visiting the kingdom on any given day.
If you are purchasing date-based tickets, you simply go to the
ticket page on the Disney website, select the number of days you need, the type of ticket you would like (single park, park-hopper, etc,) and for how many people. When you purchase tickets with a start date, you have a window (approximately five days) in which to use those tickets which do not have to be on consecutive days. For example, if I buy a three-day single park ticket, I have about five days to use those three entrance tickets before they expire, but I can use them on any three days within that window. With these tickets, again, you don't need a theme park reservation. But, if you have any undated ticket as I mentioned above, you do need a valid ticket and theme park reservation to enter the parks, and the reservation must match the park to which you are entering.
I hope this helps you, Susan! If you have any further Disney Vacation Club or planning questions, soar back here to see me. I'll be right here - at the second star to the right and straight on til morning - ready to help you.
Magically Yours,
Keri