Hey there, Chuck!
One of the hardest decisions I have to make when planning to visit the Walt Disney World Resort is where to dine during my magical vacation. With so many delicious
dining options, it really makes it tough to decide! Of course budget and availability are two deciding factors so I try to plan early and make Advance Dining Reservations. When these are made, a credit card is required to either guarantee the reservation or pay for the meal in full. If the credit card is just being used as your placeholder, you will not be charged any amount in advance on that card. There is a no-show or cancellation fee charged per-person if you don't cancel during the designated period, which is usually 24 hours in advance.
Chuck, there are only a handful of dining venues that ask for full payment at time of booking. At this time, this includes Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue Dinner Show, Polynesian Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Mickey's Backyard BBQ, and the Fantasmic! Dining Package. The good news is that you can get your advance payment back if you cancel a full day ahead of time. I strongly recommend you always check the cancellation policy for each reservation you make in advance just in case!
Good luck with your dining plans, Chuck! Please let us know if you have any other questions about your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth!
Nancy