Plaza Inn Paint the Night Dining Package reviews and info

The tour. Then pivot to watch WJ.
You can watch from the the area around the flag pole if you like. Most people walked down Main Street. We walked down the center of the street and had plenty of time to get to the end. Sure, it was getting more crowded the farther we went, but it was doable. In the end, I decided that I wanted to watch the 2nd PTN parade and see it as it rounded the corner near the Emporium. We backed up and watched Wondrous Journeys from near the Main Street Cinema. As the fireworks progressed, we noticed that people were starting to gather on the curb for the 2nd PTN so we backed up and stood on the curb for the end of the fireworks show. We could see the projections on Main Street, but our view of the fireworks wasn't the best. It was our choice because the parade was a bigger priority for us that night.
 
We just did this a couple days ago. Two adults, no kids.

It didn't have a good start... at the restaurant the entire thing was annoying. First, our reservation was at 1 and they didn't let us check in even five minutes early. So, we stood under the sad umbrella trying to stay cool. Then the check in process was excruciatingly slow - one person checked us in outside by name only, then we waiting in another line inside to pay and get the lanyards and fastpasses and instructions. It was a long talkthrough...lots of instructions and back and forth.

We overhead two groups ahead of us asking for different food options - you can no longer get the actual fried chicken, but they will give you a fried chicken breast apparently. I went with the meatloaf and my friend asked for the kids meal instead. The person was asking very specific questions about why you wouldn't eat the meatloaf (allergies, dietary restriction, or just preference?). If you say you don't eat red meat she will remind you the salad comes with bacon... UGH. It was just awkward as heck.

This whole time quick service diners are streaming past you to get their food....

Once you get in there, you go to a special spot and get your food. The team there was not trained well, so that took a while. We went through checkout, and then there was no designated seating inside the restaurant either... so we had to stand around and wait for people to leave (we lucked out, someone was cleaning up so we didn't wait long, but the people behind us did....). It was very hot so no one wanted to be outside.

The food was.... MEH. I was hungry and it was fine, but most of our conversation was about why they don't just let you eat the regular food and use maybe a special appetizer and/or dessert to "make the package special". It was really annoying to see people sitting down with delicious fried chicken and carrot cake when I was eating strange spongy meatloaf. They tried to make it feel more upscale but it just didn't work. The salad was the best part.

So, at the other end of things... the parade seating. We decided NOT to get there before 8 since we heard there are lines anyway... getting a curb spot was not critical. We got popcorn and mickey bars and headed to the line. It was already really long... no idea how long people were waiting but clearly some had been there for a while. By the time we got tot he front, the curb was fully taken and so we took a spot near the rails facing the train station (at least we had a backrest).

I know some would prefer to face main street, but I actually liked our spot. We could see it coming down main street, and then around the loop, and then it came right by us. We got to enjoy a very long view... and very close.

Another annoyance... at around 8:15 or so, they took the ropes down... so pretty much anyone could walk up and sit there??? Since everyone was wearing lanyards most people walked by, but we did have a family come fill in and fill a spot. On the one hand, good for them, it was open seating. But that felt wrong also... we paid a LOT of money for that place, and to know it could have been packed in in was pretty annoying too.

So - we expected mediocre food and great parade viewing. That's what we got. When we walked through to the seating, the crowds were already very thick.... so we did save the time for a couple more rides and snacks for sure, and got a place to sit for the hour long wait. We would have been standing anywhere else, with a view behind other people standing, much less than ideal.

We did the World of Color dessert party and one of the Fantasmic packages, and both were MUCH better than this... but, the parade was AMAZING and we did get great seating. But I still do not think I would recommend this... Disney needs to figure this one out.
 
When we were there last weekend, it was one fried chicken breast, not the whole chicken dinner. Did they offer you a salad option that did not have meat?

Regarding the family who jumped into the reserved area 15 min before the show, there should be CM preventing that. When I was there last week, I saw CM watching over the tour seating. I left to use the restroom and looked for a dining package CM to notify that I was leaving (like you do at Fantasmic) but couldn't find anyone. This is a problem. Disneyland/Plaza Inn needs to fix it.
 
We just did this a couple days ago. Two adults, no kids.

It didn't have a good start... at the restaurant the entire thing was annoying. First, our reservation was at 1 and they didn't let us check in even five minutes early. So, we stood under the sad umbrella trying to stay cool. Then the check in process was excruciatingly slow - one person checked us in outside by name only, then we waiting in another line inside to pay and get the lanyards and fastpasses and instructions. It was a long talkthrough...lots of instructions and back and forth.

We overhead two groups ahead of us asking for different food options - you can no longer get the actual fried chicken, but they will give you a fried chicken breast apparently. I went with the meatloaf and my friend asked for the kids meal instead. The person was asking very specific questions about why you wouldn't eat the meatloaf (allergies, dietary restriction, or just preference?). If you say you don't eat red meat she will remind you the salad comes with bacon... UGH. It was just awkward as heck.

This whole time quick service diners are streaming past you to get their food....

Once you get in there, you go to a special spot and get your food. The team there was not trained well, so that took a while. We went through checkout, and then there was no designated seating inside the restaurant either... so we had to stand around and wait for people to leave (we lucked out, someone was cleaning up so we didn't wait long, but the people behind us did....). It was very hot so no one wanted to be outside.

The food was.... MEH. I was hungry and it was fine, but most of our conversation was about why they don't just let you eat the regular food and use maybe a special appetizer and/or dessert to "make the package special". It was really annoying to see people sitting down with delicious fried chicken and carrot cake when I was eating strange spongy meatloaf. They tried to make it feel more upscale but it just didn't work. The salad was the best part.

So, at the other end of things... the parade seating. We decided NOT to get there before 8 since we heard there are lines anyway... getting a curb spot was not critical. We got popcorn and mickey bars and headed to the line. It was already really long... no idea how long people were waiting but clearly some had been there for a while. By the time we got tot he front, the curb was fully taken and so we took a spot near the rails facing the train station (at least we had a backrest).

I know some would prefer to face main street, but I actually liked our spot. We could see it coming down main street, and then around the loop, and then it came right by us. We got to enjoy a very long view... and very close.

Another annoyance... at around 8:15 or so, they took the ropes down... so pretty much anyone could walk up and sit there??? Since everyone was wearing lanyards most people walked by, but we did have a family come fill in and fill a spot. On the one hand, good for them, it was open seating. But that felt wrong also... we paid a LOT of money for that place, and to know it could have been packed in in was pretty annoying too.

So - we expected mediocre food and great parade viewing. That's what we got. When we walked through to the seating, the crowds were already very thick.... so we did save the time for a couple more rides and snacks for sure, and got a place to sit for the hour long wait. We would have been standing anywhere else, with a view behind other people standing, much less than ideal.

We did the World of Color dessert party and one of the Fantasmic packages, and both were MUCH better than this... but, the parade was AMAZING and we did get great seating. But I still do not think I would recommend this... Disney needs to figure this one out.
Thanks for the detailed review. I've been considering if I want to keep my reservation or not so this is very helpful.

The CMs should really prevent random people from taking a spot in the reserved viewing area. As you said, you spent alot of money and time to have the reserved area. To me, standing somewhere that won't be packed with people is part of what's appealing about the parade package.

The meal sounds so annoying! That CM shouldn't be arguing with people who don't want the meatloaf. Did your friend like the kid meal? That's what I'd probably get if I couldn't get fried chicken.

I'm glad you had a good view of Paint The Night, at least!
 

So you can still get a fried chicken breast then? That's good. That's the only part I ever eat when I get the chicken there anyway. 😁

I think it's really horrible that they let people into the viewing area! That's the main reason people buy this package. Hopefully they put a stop to that.
 
Thanks for the detailed review. I've been considering if I want to keep my reservation or not so this is very helpful.

The CMs should really prevent random people from taking a spot in the reserved viewing area. As you said, you spent alot of money and time to have the reserved area. To me, standing somewhere that won't be packed with people is part of what's appealing about the parade package.

The meal sounds so annoying! That CM shouldn't be arguing with people who don't want the meatloaf. Did your friend like the kid meal? That's what I'd probably get if I couldn't get fried chicken.

I'm glad you had a good view of Paint The Night, at least!
The kids meal - the tenders were very good. The mac n cheese was not very good, it wasn't kraft fakey yum and it wasn't warm creamy yum it was just orange coated noodles with little flavor. My friend ate the tenders and the baby carrots. It was an expensive snack :)
 
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In general I’ve learned the dining packages for the parade are not great. In 2018 I did the Halloween blue bayou parade package. The reserved area was packed and they were making everyone sit. My body just couldn’t sit on the ground. They had us wait and we ended up having a small rod off area all to ourselves.

I did the holiday tour the seat for the parade was amazing! The band did a short show and stopped right in front of us. I thought for the money the tour was worth it. We’ll see how the 70th tour is. I’m doing it in a week.
 
No, I am looking for the one with the characters on the back. It just makes me happy when I see it. I am sure I will be able to get it soon. Going to try to make it over again this Saturday!
Was it this one? If so, I saw it at the Emporium yesterday. They had all sizes except for M.

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I finally got one for July....finally

I know many don't care for the food....I've never had a bad meal here and mainly I'm paying for the spot.

They are still selling out in mins, so I just doubt Disney listens to any feedback on this ordering because of how well its selling
I'm so glad you got a reservation!
 













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