Hi Marilyn ~
Theme park admission is required if you are dining at any restaurants inside the parks. This is also true if you have reservations for things like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location in the Magic Kingdom or the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party. Theme park admission is required but not included in the price of the special experiences.
If you are planning to go to a park just to dine on a particular day but planning to spend most of your day at a different park, you will need to have the Park Hopper Option on your tickets.
Because
dining reservations can be made beginning at 180 days prior to your trip, it can be hard to get reservations. I'd recommend that you keep checking the link provided every few days. If you haven't had success prior to your trip, keep checking even once you arrive on property. Guests will sometimes make dining reservations early and once their trips get closer and start firming up their plans, they will cancel them which will free up some reservations.
You could opt for some of your second choices of dining locations or try new places. We've discovered some of our favorites that way.
You can also try walking up. There are last minute cancellations for a number of reasons or they may be able to squeeze you in. If you want to try walking up, I'd try going just as they start to serve (breakfast, lunch or dinner) so it gives you the widest opportunity. We've been successful at some character dinning locations by walking up. Just be careful if you're trying to do this if you have little ones in your party that may be disappointed if you don't get in. If you do try, you may want to send a "scout" ahead and distract their attention while you're trying.
There's still time so keep trying. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Wishing you minnie magical memories :-) Allison V.