Hi Emily,
Thanks for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. I have recently had this conversation with one of my fellow Disney Parks Moms Panelists because I was able to book my dining at Cinderella's Royal Table with a credit card hold and she had to pay upfront. The reason for the discrepancy is in fact the Disney Dining Plan. When making your dining reservations online there is a spot where you can
link your confirmation number with your dining reservations in order to book without having to pay upfront. If you prefer to book with a Cast Member, all you need to do is provide them with your confirmation number and you should only have to use your credit card to hold your reservation. If you do not have the Disney Dining Plan, you will have to pay for your reservation upfront.
With that said, if you have already pre-paid for your Cinderella's Royal Table dining reservation, you have two options. The first option is to wait until you arrive and inform the Cast Member you would like to use your Disney Dining Plan and you will be credited the amount you had previously paid. Your second option is a little more risky. You could cancel your reservation, receive a refund and then re-book your reservation linking it to your Disney Dining Plan. This is risky because Cinderella's Royal Table is extremely popular, and there may not be any reservations available, even if it is right after you cancel. I would recommend looking to see if there are reservations before cancelling to ensure you will not lose your spot.
I hope you have a magical time at Walt Disney World Resort Emily. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I would be happy to help!
Stephanie