[Honest Review]Plaza Inn Paint the Night Dining Package

[Honest Review] Is the Plaza Inn Paint the Night Dining Package worth the price tag?

Paint the Night parade is an after-dark spectacular with an incredible soundtrack that takes place at Disneyland Park located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

This stunning parade takes place twice each night along Main Street U.S.A. and is not to be missed.

It’s lit by more than one million LED lights and full of popular Disney characters for a mind-blowing technical delight. The parade route is flooded with stunning colors and fun surprises.

One of the most popular after dark experiences at Disneyland park, viewing spots along the parade route fill up fast! And often up to two hours before the first parade start time.

We decided to try the Paint the Night dining package at Plaza Inn for the first time in June 2025. Here’s an honest review, and my recommendation on whether this premium viewing experience is worth it for your next visit.

 
 

Dining Package Details:

  • May 16 to October 26, 2025

  • Dining Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

  • Showtime: All Guests will receive a voucher for the day’s first performance of the Paint the Night parade.

  • You also receive a keepsake lanyard to wear that gives you access to the viewing area.

  • (Paint the Night will go on pause for the holidays – I expect it to return in 2026)

Package Pricing:

  • Lunch: $55 per adult

  • $28 per child (ages 3 to 9)

Valid Disneyland Park admission and Disneyland Park reservations for the same date are required and not included in the package price. A reservation for this dining package does not guarantee Disneyland Park admission or a park reservation.

Adult Dining Package Menu

  • Mushroom gravy-glazed meatloaf

  • Baby wedge salad

  • Pea purée over creamy mashed potatoes

  • Herbed crispy carrots

  • Paint the Night-themed dessert

  • Choice of one fountain beverage

Plant-based options available.

Child Dining Package Menu

  • Crispy chicken tenders

  • Macaroni & Cheese

  • Apple sauce and baby carrots

  • Dinner roll

  • Paint the Night-themed dessert

  • Choice of one fountain beverage

 

Reservations and Check-In:

Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made up to 60 days in advance via the Disneyland app. Payment is made when you check-in for your reservation. We chose the latest reservation possible so that it was more like eating an early dinner.

Food:

 
 

My Foolish Mortal had the meatloaf: 8/10

 
 

I substituted the fried chicken due to an allergy ingredient in the meatloaf: 8/10

 
 

Everything else on the menu: 10/10

 

Viewing Area & Seating:

The reserved area is near the flagpole on Main Street U.S.A. facing the train station. It’s suggested that you arrive no more than 10 minutes before your viewing area reservation time. But most people will start showing up as early as an hour before. We arrived about 40 minutes early to a short line that quickly grew behind us.

Guests near the front of the line will be invited to sit on the curb. The rest of the area behind them is standing or sitting on the ground.

The pro of this area is that, at least on the day we went, it was far less crowded than non-reserved areas, which made for a more comfortable experience.

One con is that the parade begins near Small World, making this area the last one the parade reaches. So, while the parade begins at 8:30pm, it doesn’t arrive near the train station for about another 20 or so minutes.

Which means while the area is advertised as no waiting for the parade, overall from the time we arrived to the time the show began for us, it was still more than an hour.

One the upside, lots of characters came out to entertain the crowd during the wait, so it was still fun and full of magic.

 

Pre-parade characters & entertainment.

 

Rating for viewing area: 9/10


Overall Rating & Recommendation:

 

Great, up close, unobstructed view!

 

If you want to watch the first showing of Paint the Night and the menu appeals to you, this is a 9/10 do at least once.

✨ Ready to add a little extra magic to your Disneyland vacation? The Plaza Inn Paint the Night dining package is a tasty way to do it. Let me know if you want help planning your trip or snagging that perfect reservation — I'd love to sprinkle a little joy into your next adventure. Connect with me here.

Cathy Weiss is a huge Disney fan and lover specializing in trips to Disneyland, Disney World, and Aulani - a Disney resort in Hawaii, along with Disney Cruise Line, Universal and Epic Universe, Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, and luxury all inclusive vacations at Sandals Resorts. As an Elite Agent representing the top 1% of Mainstreet Travel’s agents, she has the expert answers you need for a truly magical vacation.

Planning and booking your next vacation with her is EASY…so you have the BEST TIME!

Whether you’re booking your first Disney - or other type of - vacation or 100th, having Cathy on your side as your personal go-to - especially as new informaiton and exciting announcements come out all the time - means you’ll have an unforgettable experience! Get started today.

Cathy Weiss