Plaza Inn Paint the Night Dining Package reviews and info

[Pluto468]

I watched the first parade to the right of the entrance to Small World on Sunday evening. This is an ideal spot because the parade comes towards you and it's narrow so no one can fit behind your group with the queue railing. We showed up 2 hours before, but you could probably show up 1.5 before and find something in the area. The area immediately in front of the parade entrance opened up less than an hour before and quickly filled. We found the 2 hour wait worthwhile, and actually lots of fun. We alternated holding the spots and riding Runaway Railway, Small World, and getting food. The kids played around with bubbles.

The spot is also excellent because you simply turn around for a front row view of Wondrous Journeys and then Tapestry of Happiness. Highly recommend Small World for all three shows if you can swing it!

We were near Small World to watch all 3 shows, too. It worked out great!

 

[Pluto468]

Here’s my review from July 3rd! Overall I don’t recommend the package for nights where the parks are not that busy, which is how it ended up being over the holiday weekend.

The Plaza Inn is a bit chaotic as you wait outside to be brought to the register inside, pay, and then circle back for your food and then bypass the registers. So if you have multiple people in your party just be prepared to be in tight quarters and carrying lots of trays. (I’m sure it always like this but I haven’t eaten there in a number of years.)

I said I was vegetarian right away as I wanted the pasta and didn’t really feel like asking for fried chicken. That was no issue but they don’t have a plan set up for this at all…it involved telling multiple people and they asked if I was fine with bacon on the salad (sure) and I just thought this was funny since I’m sure many people legitimately are vegetarian and they didn’t seem to think that through with this offering.

Anyways, here was my meal!

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The wedge salad was very good, I think it was ranch and there was blue cheese which I don’t like but was able to eat around. Best part of the meal for sure. The pasta was about as good as it looked, lol. The dessert was a typical Disney mass produced dessert, like you’d get at a dessert party and not the kind that you’d pay for by itself. Not a big fan of the chocolate and raspberry jelly, it was okay but I only had a few bites. Maybe I should have just risked the meatloaf?

I headed to the check in area at 7:45 and there were maybe 30 people ahead of me? I think I ended up somewhere in the middle of the overall line. Along Main Street there was so much open space in the viewing areas as I was walking over, most of the curbs had just been taken but plenty of space 2nd row. So I was already regretting it at this point.

They started taking tickets and letting us sit at 8:00, they were very quick. I snagged a front row spot but was probably one of the last ones to do so, easier since I was solo and didn’t need much room. So if you showed up at 7:50 you’d probably be second row which you could have gotten for free along Main Street!

Here is where I ended up:
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They took the ropes down around 8:40. Much more filled in across the street by then:
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It was a bit cooler that night but I was warm enough without a sweater in that area. The characters stopped by a few times to entertain and a few front row families got selected for photopass pictures.

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I started hearing the music at 9:02 and it started going by us at 9:10 and finished at 9:30. This was a great spot for leaving the parks as soon as the parade was over!

The view was good, I’ve never seen PTN before and actually think it would be been better viewing straight on instead of from the side.

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Everyone being seated during the parade was nice, of course I forgot my mat to sit on!

On Saturday I walked up and caught the parade going by just outside guest services, plenty of room and the view was equally as close but a bit more head on and you could watch the floats approach.

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Overall the food is very meh and the package viewing was not necessary this weekend. Perhaps it’s more valuable on busier weekends? But it’s not always easy to know how busy it will be ahead of time. I paid about the same for the Cafe Orleans Fantasmic package which was 100% worth it and I’ll do a separate review on that. Definitely recommend that over the PTN package if you have to choose between the two.

I was too tired to make it to the second parade but I have to imagine it’d be very easy to get a good viewing spot just walking up with how late it is.

Thanks for the detailed review and pictures! It seems hard to justify the dining package unless it's a busy night, as you said. I watched the second showing from across the street from where you were sitting one night and there was hardly anyone there.

 

[OlliePop27]

Do you mean the area marked in red in the attached photo?

Yes. It's to the right of the entrance sign. There are two garbage cans marking the start of the area, then a chain link fence and rope at the far side. It is normally ECV parking during the day, but starting two hours before you are allowed to sit there.

 

[crystal1313]

Yes. It's to the right of the entrance sign. There are two garbage cans marking the start of the area, then a chain link fence and rope at the far side. It is normally ECV parking during the day, but starting two hours before you are allowed to sit there.

Thank you!!!