Hi Charles! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
I love that you are already thinking ahead and planning for some dining reservations! I always highly recommend making your dining reservations in advance. Dining Reservations can be made starting 180 days before your Resort Check-In date.
Whenever you make an advanced dining reservation, for most of the restaurants you will need to place a credit card on file to hold your reservation. For most restaurants your credit card will not be charged unless you do not show up to your reservation. If you do not show up for your reservation your credit card will then be charged $10 per person on the reservation. If you do show up for your dining reservation your credit card will not be charged. There are some exceptions however to this and it depends on the restaurant that you choose to make a reservation at. For example if you make a dining reservation at the
Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue your credit card will be charged in advance for the total cost of the meal. If you have the Disney Dining Plan once you arrive to the reservation your credit card will be reimbursed for the cost of the meal if you are using dining credits.
Lastly most restaurants will take walk up diners however this is based on availability. There is not guaranteed availability at each restaurant so your best bet is to make an advanced dining reservation.
I hope that I have helped to answer your question. Feel free to come back any time with any additional questions that you may have!
~Heather~