Plaza Inn Paint the Night Dining Package reviews and info

[LKing]

The map above is not 100% correct. Seating starts facing the train station and wraps around the corner. The front row was seated and there were maybe two rows standing behind those that were seated. I am still out but will share more pics when I get home. It started at the banner behind the horse.

They are still working out the kinks so little things can change.

Also, a pic of the popcorn. Supposedly it had chocolate and sprinkles.

 

[crystal1313]

Hopefully this link works…I just came across this on fb.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C34TiwUT6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[Pluto468]

Hopefully this link works…I just came across this on fb.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C34TiwUT6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thanks, this was very interesting. I think she's right about the viewing area. Maybe it will change? It's nice to know you can get something besides meatloaf! I'm allergic to chocolate, I wonder if I could get a different dessert.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

For those who have done it, was it really necessary to show up at 7 pm, like the one reviewer said? The primary reason my group is doing the package was to avoid having to show up 2+ hours early to hold a spot (11 people with almost half of the group being under 6 years old...there's no way the kids will be patient for 2 hours, and only having 1-3 people holding a spot for 11 people isn't being a good guest). We're fine with having "okay" viewing, but having a curb seat for the littles would be nice (most of the adults can just stand in the back).

 

[joseph821]

For those who have done it, was it really necessary to show up at 7 pm, like the one reviewer said? The primary reason my group is doing the package was to avoid having to show up 2+ hours early to hold a spot (11 people with almost half of the group being under 6 years old...there's no way the kids will be patient for 2 hours, and only having 1-3 people holding a spot for 11 people isn't being a good guest). We're fine with having "okay" viewing, but having a curb seat for the littles would be nice (most of the adults can just stand in the back).

The viewing area opens at 8pm. They will not let in before 8pm.

 

[crystal1313]

The viewing area opens at 8pm. They will not let in before 8pm.

Are they enforcing that now? We did the electrical light parade plaza inn package and arrived 10 min before they said we would be allowed in, and there was already a ton of people in the viewing area. We got 3 rows back. They made a big deal about not arriving early, but then allowed people early. It turned out fine for us and we could see, but if you really want or need a curb spot, it would have been an issue.

 

[joseph821]

Are they enforcing that now? We did the electrical light parade plaza inn package and arrived 10 min before they said we would be allowed in, and there was already a ton of people in the viewing area. We got 3 rows back. They made a big deal about not arriving early, but then allowed people early. It turned out fine for us and we could see, but if you really want or need a curb spot, it would have been an issue.

According to the ticket you get it says it opens at 8pm. On all my recent 2023/2024 parade packsges yes they enforce it.

 

[LKing]

This was opening weekend. The vast majority of guests were local and have the ability to visit frequently. Their focus for this visit was to enjoy the entertainment and they didn't mind lining up early. Just like for Fantasmic, everyone has a different priority. Some people don't mind arriving early to get a front row seat. Others want to show up just before the show starts and don't mind sitting several rows back.

We were told to meet at the flagpole at 8 pm. The YouTube video that @disneychrista posted said that, similar to Fantasmic, they started walking people down 15 min before the time they were told to arrive. Around 6 pm, I saw people sitting on benches around the flagpole with dining packages lanyards on. There were many guests sitting in the area who did not have their lanyards on but were also waiting for the dining package queue to begin. When the queue started, they put their lanyards on and I realized how people were waiting in the area. Just after 6 pm, CM started putting up ropes. Daisy was still taking pictures in the area so there was a queue for her. The popcorn cart was selling Mickey buckets, so there was a queue for that. When the ropes went up, it was not clear (there was no sign) where the dining package queue would be. There was no CM to direct guests. I got in line behind other people with neon lanyards. By 7 pm, the line wrapped down and around the flagpole then out to the street. At 8 pm exactly, they walked us down and let us sit anywhere we wanted within the roped off area. The second row could sit down, but were asked to stand a few minutes before the parade.

You know I'm a visual person. Below is a map.
Purple shows the parade route
Red is the dining package seating
Teal is the tour seating
The blue line with the arrow is where the dining package queue started

The tour area can hold up to 80 people. There were 61 popcorn boxes on the cart the day we went.
The dining package area can hold up to 170 people




Tour seating. Photo taken around 8:15 pm. For this parade, the better seats are as far away from City Hall as possible so that you can see the parade coming towards you.



Dining package area starts where the popcorn box is on the ground. You can see that the man with the grey spirit jersey and shorts has a yellow lanyard on. Those are dining package lanyards. The rope extends straight from the light pole with the 70th banner. For the dining package, you want to sit facing the train station. If you are around the corner, you really don't get to see much of the parade.



The corner.



The dining package section ends just before the white reserved sign that you can see hanging from the ropes. I believe the lady in the FB post was in this area.

 

[joseph821]

This was opening weekend. The vast majority of guests were local and have the ability to visit frequently. Their focus for this visit was to enjoy the entertainment and they didn't mind lining up early. Just like for Fantasmic, everyone has a different priority. Some people don't mind arriving early to get a front row seat. Others want to show up just before the show starts and don't mind sitting several rows back.

We were told to meet at the flagpole at 8 pm. The YouTube video that Crystal posted said that, similar to Fantasmic, they started walking people down 15 min before the time they were told to arrive. Around 6 pm, I saw people sitting on benches around the flagpole with dining packages lanyards on. There were many guests sitting in the area who did not have their lanyards on but were also waiting for the dining package queue to begin. When the queue started, they put their lanyards on and I realized how people were waiting in the area. Just after 6 pm, CM started putting up ropes. Daisy was still taking pictures in the area so there was a queue for her. The popcorn cart was selling Mickey buckets, so there was a queue for that. When the ropes went up, it was not clear (there was no sign) where the dining package queue would be. There was no CM to direct guests. I got in line behind other people with neon lanyards. By 7 pm, the line wrapped down and around the flagpole then out to the street. At 8 pm exactly, they walked us down and let us sit anywhere we wanted within the roped off area. The second row could sit down, but were asked to stand a few minutes before the parade.

You know I'm a visual person. Below is a map.
Purple shows the parade route
Red is the dining package seating
Teal is the tour seating
The blue line with the arrow is where the dining package queue started

The tour area can hold up to 80 people. There were 61 popcorn boxes on the cart the day we went.
The dining package area can hold up to 170 people

View attachment 966451


Tour seating. Photo taken around 8:15 pm. For this parade, the better seats are as far away from City Hall as possible so that you can see the parade coming towards you.

View attachment 966453

Dining package area starts where the popcorn box is on the ground. You can see that the man with the grey spirit jersey and shorts has a yellow lanyard on. Those are dining package lanyards. The rope extends straight from the light pole with the 70th banner. For the dining package, you want to sit facing the train station. If you are around the corner, you really don't get to see much of the parade.

View attachment 966454

The corner.

View attachment 966455

The dining package section ends just before the white reserved sign that you can see hanging from the ropes. I believe the lady in the FB post was in this area.

View attachment 966457

Thank you. The tour viewing area is better than the dining package. Opening weekend probably attracted a substantially larger audience. Honestly for the number of people buying the dining package the viewing area should be bigger and better.

 

[LKing]

Based on availability on the app, the dining package is selling much better than the tour. Unfortunately, even the best seats in this area aren't as good as just about anywhere else along the parade route.

 

[joseph821]

Based on availability on the app, the dining package is selling much better than the tour. Unfortunately, even the best seats in this area aren't as good as just about anywhere else along the parade route.

Agreed. But they make almost 2X the money with the tour. I agree you can get a better spot elsewhere to watch the parade.
The dining package viewing area is horrible and the tour viewing is slightly less horrible.

 

[LKing]

But they make almost 2X the money with the tour.

But you get a pre-recorded tour, popcorn, and a pin.

 

[joseph821]

But you get a pre-recorded tour, popcorn, and a pin.

LOL. Yeah I know. But no meatloaf for me.

 

[Carlieseuss]

This was opening weekend. The vast majority of guests were local and have the ability to visit frequently. Their focus for this visit was to enjoy the entertainment and they didn't mind lining up early. Just like for Fantasmic, everyone has a different priority. Some people don't mind arriving early to get a front row seat. Others want to show up just before the show starts and don't mind sitting several rows back.

We were told to meet at the flagpole at 8 pm. The YouTube video that Crystal posted said that, similar to Fantasmic, they started walking people down 15 min before the time they were told to arrive. Around 6 pm, I saw people sitting on benches around the flagpole with dining packages lanyards on. There were many guests sitting in the area who did not have their lanyards on but were also waiting for the dining package queue to begin. When the queue started, they put their lanyards on and I realized how people were waiting in the area. Just after 6 pm, CM started putting up ropes. Daisy was still taking pictures in the area so there was a queue for her. The popcorn cart was selling Mickey buckets, so there was a queue for that. When the ropes went up, it was not clear (there was no sign) where the dining package queue would be. There was no CM to direct guests. I got in line behind other people with neon lanyards. By 7 pm, the line wrapped down and around the flagpole then out to the street. At 8 pm exactly, they walked us down and let us sit anywhere we wanted within the roped off area. The second row could sit down, but were asked to stand a few minutes before the parade.

You know I'm a visual person. Below is a map.
Purple shows the parade route
Red is the dining package seating
Teal is the tour seating
The blue line with the arrow is where the dining package queue started

The tour area can hold up to 80 people. There were 61 popcorn boxes on the cart the day we went.
The dining package area can hold up to 170 people

View attachment 966451


Tour seating. Photo taken around 8:15 pm. For this parade, the better seats are as far away from City Hall as possible so that you can see the parade coming towards you.

View attachment 966453

Dining package area starts where the popcorn box is on the ground. You can see that the man with the grey spirit jersey and shorts has a yellow lanyard on. Those are dining package lanyards. The rope extends straight from the light pole with the 70th banner. For the dining package, you want to sit facing the train station. If you are around the corner, you really don't get to see much of the parade.

View attachment 966454

The corner.

View attachment 966455

The dining package section ends just before the white reserved sign that you can see hanging from the ropes. I believe the lady in the FB post was in this area.

View attachment 966457

Wow! Thanks for all the detail! I might keep the tour and ditch the dining package, for a better view on one of my other nights

 

[katyringo]

Thanks everyone for the info. I've decided to forgo both the tour and dinning.

I think the reserved location is intentional to not face the castle... no 2 for 1 from Disney...

 

[Pluto468]

This was opening weekend. The vast majority of guests were local and have the ability to visit frequently. Their focus for this visit was to enjoy the entertainment and they didn't mind lining up early. Just like for Fantasmic, everyone has a different priority. Some people don't mind arriving early to get a front row seat. Others want to show up just before the show starts and don't mind sitting several rows back.

We were told to meet at the flagpole at 8 pm. The YouTube video that Crystal posted said that, similar to Fantasmic, they started walking people down 15 min before the time they were told to arrive. Around 6 pm, I saw people sitting on benches around the flagpole with dining packages lanyards on. There were many guests sitting in the area who did not have their lanyards on but were also waiting for the dining package queue to begin. When the queue started, they put their lanyards on and I realized how people were waiting in the area. Just after 6 pm, CM started putting up ropes. Daisy was still taking pictures in the area so there was a queue for her. The popcorn cart was selling Mickey buckets, so there was a queue for that. When the ropes went up, it was not clear (there was no sign) where the dining package queue would be. There was no CM to direct guests. I got in line behind other people with neon lanyards. By 7 pm, the line wrapped down and around the flagpole then out to the street. At 8 pm exactly, they walked us down and let us sit anywhere we wanted within the roped off area. The second row could sit down, but were asked to stand a few minutes before the parade.

You know I'm a visual person. Below is a map.
Purple shows the parade route
Red is the dining package seating
Teal is the tour seating
The blue line with the arrow is where the dining package queue started

The tour area can hold up to 80 people. There were 61 popcorn boxes on the cart the day we went.
The dining package area can hold up to 170 people

View attachment 966451


Tour seating. Photo taken around 8:15 pm. For this parade, the better seats are as far away from City Hall as possible so that you can see the parade coming towards you.

View attachment 966453

Dining package area starts where the popcorn box is on the ground. You can see that the man with the grey spirit jersey and shorts has a yellow lanyard on. Those are dining package lanyards. The rope extends straight from the light pole with the 70th banner. For the dining package, you want to sit facing the train station. If you are around the corner, you really don't get to see much of the parade.

View attachment 966454

The corner.

View attachment 966455

The dining package section ends just before the white reserved sign that you can see hanging from the ropes. I believe the lady in the FB post was in this area.

View attachment 966457

Thanks for all the great details! Were there any benches in the reserved area?

 

[LKing]

No benches in the reserved area.

@katyringo we walked from the dining package seating down Main Street with plenty of time to watch fireworks. We stopped near the cinema because that is where I wanted to watch the 2nd PTN from. We had time to walk farther down Main Street if we wanted.

Both nights fireworks were slightly delayed. The first night I was by Small World and they started about 5 min late. The second night we were on Main Street and it was closer to 8 min late. We heard some booms and smelled fireworks but the show hadn't started. Someone mentioned that the booms might be from the end of Fantasmic. Maybe Fantasmic started late which pushed fireworks back by a few minutes.

LOL, I took this photo for reference when the end of PTN passed the train station.

 

[Artygal90]

This was opening weekend. The vast majority of guests were local and have the ability to visit frequently. Their focus for this visit was to enjoy the entertainment and they didn't mind lining up early. Just like for Fantasmic, everyone has a different priority. Some people don't mind arriving early to get a front row seat. Others want to show up just before the show starts and don't mind sitting several rows back.

We were told to meet at the flagpole at 8 pm. The YouTube video that @disneychrista posted said that, similar to Fantasmic, they started walking people down 15 min before the time they were told to arrive. Around 6 pm, I saw people sitting on benches around the flagpole with dining packages lanyards on. There were many guests sitting in the area who did not have their lanyards on but were also waiting for the dining package queue to begin. When the queue started, they put their lanyards on and I realized how people were waiting in the area. Just after 6 pm, CM started putting up ropes. Daisy was still taking pictures in the area so there was a queue for her. The popcorn cart was selling Mickey buckets, so there was a queue for that. When the ropes went up, it was not clear (there was no sign) where the dining package queue would be. There was no CM to direct guests. I got in line behind other people with neon lanyards. By 7 pm, the line wrapped down and around the flagpole then out to the street. At 8 pm exactly, they walked us down and let us sit anywhere we wanted within the roped off area. The second row could sit down, but were asked to stand a few minutes before the parade.

You know I'm a visual person. Below is a map.
Purple shows the parade route
Red is the dining package seating
Teal is the tour seating
The blue line with the arrow is where the dining package queue started

The tour area can hold up to 80 people. There were 61 popcorn boxes on the cart the day we went.
The dining package area can hold up to 170 people

View attachment 966451


Tour seating. Photo taken around 8:15 pm. For this parade, the better seats are as far away from City Hall as possible so that you can see the parade coming towards you.

View attachment 966453

Dining package area starts where the popcorn box is on the ground. You can see that the man with the grey spirit jersey and shorts has a yellow lanyard on. Those are dining package lanyards. The rope extends straight from the light pole with the 70th banner. For the dining package, you want to sit facing the train station. If you are around the corner, you really don't get to see much of the parade.

View attachment 966454

The corner.

View attachment 966455

The dining package section ends just before the white reserved sign that you can see hanging from the ropes. I believe the lady in the FB post was in this area.

View attachment 966457

I really appreciate all your detailed reporting on this (and marked-up park maps! I love a marked-up park map).

Your diagram of the dining package seating area really drives home how mid the location is. It literally is the last area on the first parade route! Between my toddler’s nap time being right in the middle of the dining package window, the need to relocate to watch the fireworks, and the additional time waiting for the parade to make it all the way to Town Square, I don’t see the dining package being a good value for our party, especially if Disney enforces the rumored 2 hour limit to camp out along the parade route.

Edited to add one question: what do you think is the absolute latest someone could have turned up to the dining package area and still had room to see everything?

 

[LKing]

You could arrive at the last minute, but you would be standing behind multiple people. If you have a toddler, your arms are going to get tired holding them. My suggestion would be to watch the parade from Small World. The top of the terraced area is nice because there are alcoves or sections where your toddler would be able to walk around in a somewhat confined area. Since the parade starts at Small World, you get a 15-20 min break after the parade ends before fireworks and projections on Small World start. Maybe 5 min after fireworks (at 9:50) Tapestry of Happiness is projected on Small World. It is a long night for a toddler, but you wouldn't need to move to view the different shows.

For those with little ones, Disneyland and DCA both came out with some great kids' maps. They have a limited number so wouldn't let me take one if I didn't have a child with me. You can ask for them at any of the guest relations kiosks.

 

[Pluto468]

My suggestion would be to watch the parade from Small World. The top of the terraced area is nice because there are alcoves or sections where your toddler would be able to walk around in a somewhat confined area.

Aren't there benches up there? I think last time I watched Electrical parade from that area I sat on the stairs but it wasn't super comfortable. I imagine if there ARE benches they're taken really early.