Welcome to planDisney, Laura! I hope you’re finding our group to be helpful as you plan your visit to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! I’m really glad that you brought that question to us today!
Yes, Guests with a dining reservation for a restaurant located inside any of the four Disney Parks must have valid theme park admission (and, at the present time, a
Disney Park Pass reservation) for the park in which the restaurant is located. For example, if you wish to dine at (my favorite)
Be Our Guest Restaurant, you must have theme park admission for Magic Kingdom Park and a Disney Park Pass reservation for Magic Kingdom Park because the restaurant is located inside the park.
Now, if you have a dining reservation for any of the restaurants located in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, you need not be staying in that resort hotel. For example,
Chef Mickey’s is located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Any Guest can make a reservation for that dining experience. You don’t need to be staying at the hotel.
Also, Laura, don’t forget that you can make Disney Dining reservations 60 days prior to your vacation arrival date! Mark your calendar for that special date! Make your reservations as quickly as possible! Many Disney Dining reservations go quickly due to their popularity!
Happy Planning!
Jonathan