Hey, Brandy! This is a really great question (and you have a great name!), so I am glad you stopped by to chat with us. There are a variety of dining events offered in all of the theme parks that combine a great meal with that evening's nighttime spectacular. My family has done several of these over the years, with the Candlelight Processional Dining Package being our favorite seasonal offering. The dining packages really make seeing its combined show much easier, as the package usually includes vouchers to access a reserved seating area.
Each of the various dining packages work similarly, yet there are some differences. The time you reserve is generally the time you will check-in at the dining location for your meal. The Cast Member serving you at the dining location will provide you with your vouchers, which should have stamped on them the time for the "show" part of your evening. You can check
My Disney Experience for the scheduled timing of that evening's fireworks so you can plan ahead. In the case of an event like the
Candlelight Processional Dining Package or the
Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package, there are multiple dining and show times, so you will need to pay careful attention to what is offered as you book it online.
In my experience, I usually find the dining times for dining packages to mostly be before 6:00 p.m. This is done to give your family plenty of time to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed to get to the show venue. Since I am not sure which packages you are looking to book, I cannot say for sure if the 5:00 p.m. time is the standard time or simply what is available. Considering the dates you put into the intake form, your trip is quickly approaching so I do want to encourage you to finalize your plans as soon as possible. The dining packages are very popular and I would love for you to be able to experience them.
I hope this information helps you plan a magical evening! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Brandy