Hi Tom,
We visited Disney World for the Independence holiday a few years ago. What a blast!
Yes, a huge advantage to staying at a Disney World resort is that guests are able to book their dining reservations 180 days in advance, plus an additional 10 days, all at one time. This is great as it allows a slight edge on some of the hard to get locations, plus saves time when you don't have to call every morning. You will only be able to make the first ten days of your stay on the 180th day, and will need to make your last four days of reservations a few days later.
You can make these dining reservations by calling 407-939-3463 or online at
www.disneyworld.com under the dining option. In order to take advantage of this additional ten day window, you will need to have your resort room/package confirmation number handy. If you call the dining line, the Cast Member will need that number. If you choose to book online, simply enter your resort confirmation number and it will allow you to book the additional dining reservations.
Good luck getting your favorite spots!