Hi Kristy,
I think that is a great thought, I have actually done this myself before and it turned out to be a good idea. If you cannot get your reservations for the restaurants you really want, then I would make back-up reservations. Just in case by the time your trip comes along, you still have not secured the one's that you would like, at least you have your second and third choices already "in hand". If you are lucky enough to end up getting all the dining experiences you were looking for, that is the time that you would cancel the one's you don't mind forfeiting! There are a few dining experiences that have a 48 hour cancelation policy and
do require a credit card to secure the booking if it is not canceled within this time period (for example: "
Princess Character Dining", at Akershus in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot), and a few more extravagant one's as well (i.e.
Dinner Shows). Most others require a 24 hour cancelation time frame, but they are not enforceable with a credit card (except for "
Cinderella's Royal Table" which may incur charges if not canceled within the 24 hour time period), but it's the honorable thing to do, so others can still book if you do not want your reservation!
Have a magical stay!
Brigitta