Christmas Fantasy parade dining packages?

[theluckyrabbit]

I just wanted to share that we watched the 3:30 parade yesterday (Saturday, 11/13). It was a crazy crowded day and we weren’t going to watch so we exited the park right before the parade made it to the end of Main Street, but when my son heard the music he asked to go back in so we did. We were able to watch it easily from the area right in front of City Hall. A CM saw us standing in the back on the sidewalk and motioned us over under the rope. Lots of people were sitting here especially on the curb so it was easy for my son to see. If everyone was standing it would have been harder. But all in all it was a pretty sweet spot for walking up as the parade was coming down Main Street. We were a party of four but could have easily fit more people right there. Not sure if it was a fluke or typical.

Our view:
View attachment 622828

We also got good viewing (for the second parade on 11/13) by IASW. This was about 10 minutes before showtime.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I did the package on Saturday. Definitely not worth the money!
the food was just fine. Steak was decent enough (but the green sauce was too vinegary for me). Mac and cheese was really more slightly cheesy pasta with bread crumbs. Veggies was just a scoop of chopped up carrots, squash, maybe turnips and onions? Bread pudding was fine but had been sitting for a while. It was just ok, definitely not worth the price (oh and they did apply a Magic Key discount even though the sign said no discounts).

Viewing was south of the flagpole.You were supposed to show up 5-5.30 for 5:30 parade. I came up at 5 and all of the curb spots were taken. I ended up sitting on ground in second row. The second parade was definitely busier than the first one but I probably could have gotten just as good a view from walking up at the same time somewhere along the route. It did mean during the parade everyone wasn’t shoulder to shoulder, but it felt oversold.

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

 

[Steven G]

thanks for your review, really appreciate it! sorry it was NOT a great experience for you.

 

[Calidisneyfam]

I watched a You Tube video, and it showed three different menu options. The Disney website makes it sound like the only choice is the New York strip with macaroni. For those that have attended--were there three options? I have a reservation, but am trying to decide if I should keep it. The beef looked a little sad; if I know I can get the fried chicken, I'll probably keep it. Once you add in the drink and dessert, it's not too much extra for the reserved viewing area.

 

[epcotrulz]

I did the package on Saturday. Definitely not worth the money!
the food was just fine. Steak was decent enough (but the green sauce was too vinegary for me). Mac and cheese was really more slightly cheesy pasta with bread crumbs. Veggies was just a scoop of chopped up carrots, squash, maybe turnips and onions? Bread pudding was fine but had been sitting for a while. It was just ok, definitely not worth the price (oh and they did apply a Magic Key discount even though the sign said no discounts).

Viewing was south of the flagpole.You were supposed to show up 5-5.30 for 5:30 parade. I came up at 5 and all of the curb spots were taken. I ended up sitting on ground in second row. The second parade was definitely busier than the first one but I probably could have gotten just as good a view from walking up at the same time somewhere along the route. It did mean during the parade everyone wasn’t shoulder to shoulder, but it felt oversold.

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Thank you! I’m cancelling my ressies now.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I watched a You Tube video, and it showed three different menu options. The Disney website makes it sound like the only choice is the New York strip with macaroni. For those that have attended--were there three options? I have a reservation, but am trying to decide if I should keep it. The beef looked a little sad; if I know I can get the fried chicken, I'll probably keep it. Once you add in the drink and dessert, it's not too much extra for the reserved viewing area.

Yes you can get any of the meals, but it still costs the same. (They were training someone as I was at the counter so I heard the explanation.) You can only get the steak if you have a dining package. You just tell them at the register if you want a different meal.

 

[Pluto468]

From what people are saying it sounds like the main reason for buying the parade package— Nice, reserved viewing area— is not really worth it. I was really hoping for seats or at least something like only 2 rows of people so there would be a good view. I will probably cancel my reservations unless they change the set up, which doesn't seem likely at this point.

I'm glad you can get any of the meals. The one advertised sounded just ok.

 

[rihardxl200]

Reserved parade viewing sounds great in theory. Most of the time though they sell these dinner packages to completely fill the reserved area multiple rows deep with guests. So unless you want to stand behind others, you’ll need to show up at the space early - which defeats the purpose.

 

[SpaceCapt69]

Thanks for the review! I’ve seen other reviews of Plaza Inn parade viewing and it totally lines up with your experience. I think WDWNT called it the worst dining package at any Disney park.

 

[tenneycjt]

I was just able to snag a reservation for for dec 8th, i did this in 2019 and i thought it was worth it, my mom is in a wheelchair so it worked out well we were right in front so she could see, it rained a little so we got a condensed parade with no dancers so hopefully we can see the whole thing this time. I love the plaza inn and am excited to ge tsteak but irs good to know that u can get the fried chicken if u want.

 

[JMommyof3]

Not sure how I feel about the spot. We have it reserved for our 3rd park day so if we can watch it during the first 2, we will likely cancel.

On a side note, has anyone heard anything about the NYE parade? It doesn't have that blurb about it on the site anymore.

 

[Calidisneyfam]

We attended tonight, and I was happy I kept the reservation. Check in was very easy, and we could choose any entree item there. We both picked the fried chicken and requested white meat. We got two large pieces, more that we could eat. The food, including dessert of bread pudding, was very good. The viewing area was perfect. We arrived about 4:50, and they opened up the area at 4:55. We sat on the curb facing the train station. The barbershop quartet sang for about 15 minutes. The area filled in, but didn’t feel overly crowded. The parade was almost 30 minutes long. Overall, great experience and worth the additional cost which was about $15 per person more than what lunch would have been.

 

[tenneycjt]

We attended tonight, and I was happy I kept the reservation. Check in was very easy, and we could choose any entree item there. We both picked the fried chicken and requested white meat. We got two large pieces, more that we could eat. The food, including dessert of bread pudding, was very good. The viewing area was perfect. We arrived about 4:50, and they opened up the area at 4:55. We sat on the curb facing the train station. The barbershop quartet sang for about 15 minutes. The area filled in, but didn’t feel overly crowded. The parade was almost 30 minutes long. Overall, great experience and worth the additional cost which was about $15 per person more than what lunch would have been.

When u checked in for the parade was it in the square and was it clearly marked where to check in, last time in 2019 I had a hard time finding where to ck in?

 

[Calidisneyfam]

When u checked in for the parade was it in the square and was it clearly marked where to check in, last time in 2019 I had a hard time finding where to ck in?

Yes, it was clearly marked. It’s right next to the flag pole, facing the train station. Everyone was milling around, then they said form a line, so that was a little chaotic. Everyone just bunched together and they took tickets. They did require you to wear the lanyard at the event. The person who gave them to us at Plaza Inn said it was optional to wear them. Not a big deal.