Welcome to planDisney, Marisa, and thanks for stopping by with this great question. Choosing dining reservations is one of my favorite parts of planning my
Walt Disney World Resort visits, so let's talk about how the booking process works.
Near the end of booking most dining experiences, including many character meals, you will be asked to place a card on file. I chatted with a helpful Cast Member who confirmed that you can use a credit or debit card to secure the reservation. The card is not charged when making the reservation but is held in case guests do not arrive. You can cancel most dining up to two hours before your reservation time with no penalty, but if you do not show up, the card on file will be charged a fee depending on the dining experience. You can review the
full list of experiences and cancellation policies before booking.
When you arrive for your meal, you can use any payment method to pay your bill. You do not have to use the card you held the reservation with; I've found that restaurants usually have no record of that card, so be sure to bring your wallet!
For any dining experience that requires payment in full at the time of booking, such as
Cinderella's Royal Table and
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, you can use any valid payment method at checkout, even a Disney Gift Card.
My family loves to dine with characters for special occasions. Our favorite is Cinderella's Royal Table. We enjoy interacting and chatting with the princesses, and the photos inside the castle are gorgeous! My tip is to book breakfast there as early as possible because you'll be able to enter
Magic Kingdom Park when it's least crowded. Walking up Main Street, USA, in the morning is a magical memory I treasure.
Marisa, I hope you book some fabulous dining experiences for your upcoming visit. Please
stop by planDisney anytime!
Magic awaits,
Elaine