Hi, Lute!
Great question!
When Guests book an Advanced Dining Reservation for any Table Service meal at Walt Disney World (Character Dining included), they are given a confirmation number which will help them expedite the check-in process once at the restaurant. IF that reservation required a credit card guarantee (currently $10 per Guest on the ADR), then that credit card will only be billed if those Guests do now show up for the reservation and failed to cancel it at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, there is no charge prior to dining.
Once you've checked in to the restaurant for your dining experience, if you are using a
Disney Dining Plan (which are pre-paid, by the way), you'll give your server one of your party's Key to the World Cards; this will help the server to inform you of what's included on your particular plan. If you are not on a Dining Plan , then you'll pay for your meal as usual. At the end of your meal, you'll be presented with the check which you can pay by cash, check, gift card or by charging to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room account, if you've enabled charging privileges on that account. Of course, if you are on a Dining Plan, your account will be charged for those meal entitlements that you used during that meal.
Please send another question if you need more information, Lute; I'd love to help!