Paint the Night Reception review

[Pamela M]

So on May 7th I did the Paint the Night Reception.

For those that will be doing it here's my thoughts.

Get there early - not all seats are created equal. Some people had to look around a pole. I asked NOT to be sat next to a pole and I was rewarded with a PRIME seat - So much so that another guest actually stood behind me taking video/pictures the entire time.

Drinks - you are allowed 2 alcoholic drinks. If you like sweat drinks try the Sangria - it was really good! You are allowed as many non-alcholic drinks - I had water & tea on top of my Sangria

Bread - they bring you 3 pieces of bread per person. There is a herb, cheese & pretzel. The only one that was edible was the pretzel one. The bread would have been sooo much better if they just heated it up or served butter with it. The cheese bread could break your teeth it was so hard.

Charcuterie tray- grapes and the 2 of the cheeses were really good. The rest was either ok or close to inedible. I could only eat so many slimy mozzarella balls - which they seemed to have piled on the plate.

Conclusion - for $79 this is WAY overpriced. They really need to change/update/improve the food for me to think it was worth while.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Send a detailed comment to Disney about your experience (if you haven't already done so). They really need to hear guest feedback on this if they want to keep selling these viewing parties and receptions. So far, reviews on this board of this particular experience haven't been stellar, and Disney needs to know why.

 

[Sjwillia]

I was also there on the 7th. Our view was great and having a chair wonderful. They assign seats for groups 5 and larger ahead of time because it is a small area and need to be able to sit everyone together. I agree with the OP about the cheese bread but liked everything on the charcuterie plate.

 

[Sjwillia]

Note: The kids plate had grapes, mandarin orange, strawberries, ham, turkey, a mild white cheese, and gold fish crackers.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Drinks - you are allowed 2 alcoholic drinks. If you like sweat drinks try the Sangria - it was really good! You are allowed as many non-alcholic drinks - I had water & tea on top of my Sangria

Bread - they bring you 3 pieces of bread per person. There is a herb, cheese & pretzel. The only one that was edible was the pretzel one. The bread would have been sooo much better if they just heated it up or served butter with it. The cheese bread could break your teeth it was so hard.

Charcuterie tray- grapes and the 2 of the cheeses were really good. The rest was either ok or close to inedible. I could only eat so many slimy mozzarella balls - which they seemed to have piled on the plate.

Conclusion - for $79 this is WAY overpriced. They really need to change/update/improve the food for me to think it was worth while.

My experience was a little different than yours. I was not offered Sangria. There was wine, beer, and a special cocktail that I passed on. I was able to order 3 glasses of wine, but the pours were small and I had to flag the server down.
We also asked for and got a second basket of bread. The hard bread you mentioned was a bread stick and meant to be that way. I enjoyed the mozzarella and peppers. The only thing I didn't like was the zucchini.
I agree it was over priced given that we got in line at 7:50 and were not seated until 8:20 and then waited 10 minutes for pre plated food. It was as if they didn't know who was coming. Much confusion as to where to seat people. Having been to the dessert party in WDW, which cost the same but has no alcohol, I think that is a much better value and much more organized.

 

[Darkhaund]

This just makes me be perfectly OK with looking for a good spot in the sidewalk

 

[MaleficentRN]

This just makes me be perfectly OK with looking for a good spot in the sidewalk

And I agree with you as there seemed to be plenty of room. We were celebrating a special occasion and capping off the day sitting on the ground just wouldn't have felt right.

 

[WillowHaven]

Any chance an adult could get the kids plate??? It sounds tastier to me.

 

[Pamela M]

We also asked for and got a second basket of bread. The hard bread you mentioned was a bread stick and meant to be that way.

I normally like bread sticks but the cheese ones were so thick and hard that I tried to bite off a piece and couldn't. I think if they made them thinner they would be easier to eat.
With the yummy sourdough bread across the street I was surprised we didn't have sourdough slices or rolls. It would have been nice to eat with the pate.

 

[Pamela M]

And I agree with you as there seemed to be plenty of room. We were celebrating a special occasion and capping off the day sitting on the ground just wouldn't have felt right.

I also agree but I too was celebrating. It was my opportunity to try things at Disneyland I wouldn't do for future visits.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Any chance an adult could get the kids plate??? It sounds tastier to me.

Right?!

 

[ktlm]

Thanks so much for posting this! I was debating this, but we have seen Paint the Night a few times when it was at DL, and while we love the parade, since we have seen it before, I wasn't sure this was something that would be worth it for us. Definitely don't think it would be, so you saved us some money!

 

[dorchrislen]

The dinner at Carthay is only $20 more; sounds like a much better deal since you get a non-rushed 4 course meal and also a guaranteed seat.