Hi, Nancy! Welcome back to planDisney! Your trip is getting so close, and I bet you're ready for some Florida sunshine. Based on your question, I know you're getting ready for some delicious food. Thanks for bringing your
Disney Dining Plan question to us. Let's dig in!
The Disney Dining Plan can only be purchased for the entire length of your reservation. So, for a 7-night reservation, you would have the dining plan for all 7 nights, but I do have an idea for you. If you only want the dining plan for 5 nights, have you thought about a split stay, which is two or more reservations back-to-back? Since you only want the dining plan for 5 nights, you could book a 5-night reservation followed by a 2-night reservation. Because your dining credits may be used all day on your check in day and all day on your check out day, that will give you 6 days to use your 5 nights of dining credits. Or you could do the 2-night reservation first, followed by the 5-night.
If you're concerned about being able to use all of your credits for a full week of the dining plan, you could consider using some of your Table-Service credits for meals that require 2 credits. This means you won't have a Table-Service meal each day of your trip. Personally, on the days I have a Table-Service meal, I like to use more snacks throughout the day and save my Quick-Service meals for days when I don't have a Table-Service reservation. The flexibility is one of the great things about the dining plan. Use it however it works best for you.
Speaking of snacks, did you know
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will be in full bloom while you're there? Snack credits can be used for many of the items offered at the
Outdoor Kitchens. If you're like me, that, in and of itself, might be enough reason to get the dining plan for the entire week.
Nancy, I hope you have a delicious, warm and wonderful time during your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth. If you have any other planning questions, please bring them back to us here at planDisney.
Have a magical trip!
Melanie