If you’re trying to decide whether or not to book the Paint the Night Dining Package at Plaza Inn in Disneyland Park, go no further!

The Plaza Inn Dining Package for Paint the Night is a great way to save you time and the stress of battling crowds, but it also costs money.

This might not be for everyone, and that’s where I come in. Allow me to break down exactly what this package includes and if it’s worth if your time and money.

The following includes photos and information from my Paint the Night dining package on June 17, 2025.

In this article

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Plaza Inn Dining Package for Paint the Night

What is the Plaza Inn Dining Package?

The Plaza Inn Dining Package guarantees you lunch at Plaza Inn (between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) and reserved parade viewing for the first performance of Paint the Night later that same evening.

How much does the Paint the Night dining package cost?

Pricing for the Paint the Night dining package is as follows:

• $55 per adult
• $28 per child (ages 3 to 9)

*This does not include tax or gratuity, with the latter not being required. 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.

You can book the Plaza Inn Dining Package online or directly in the Disneyland app.

Can you cancel your Plaza Inn Dining Package?

You must cancel at least one day prior to your reservation to avoid a $10 per person cancellation fee. If you fail to cancel timely or are a no-show, the credit card provided at the time of reservation will be charged.

No refunds or exchanges will be available, even if the show is cancelled due to technical or weather issues.

How do you check in for the Paint the Night dining package?

Lunch Reservation

For your lunch reservation, you will arrive at Plaza Inn up to 10 minutes prior to your scheduled reservation time.

During my reservation, the check-in sign was to the left of the main stairs. Then, a group of us had to wait outside of the door until they called each party in one by one. It didn’t take long, but, at first, it was a bit confusing.

After we were called inside, the Cast Member working the register told us everything we needed to know and asked if we wanted the regular meal or if we needed a plant-based/vegetarian option.

This is where you also receive your Paint the Night voucher and badge, which you will need for later so do not lose either.

After you pay, you’ll walk over to the counter that reads “Dining Package Check-In” to hand the Cast Member your receipt and pick up your food. Lunch operates as Quick Service, meaning you’ll pick up your meal on a tray, fill your fountain drink, and then find any table you’d like inside or outside.

Paint the Night Reserved Viewing

When it comes time for the parade later that same evening, you will check in at the flag pole on Main Street, U.S.A. They ask you to not arrive any sooner than 10 minutes prior to your reservation time.

Make sure you’re wearing your badge and then hand your voucher to the Cast Member. They will direct you to the reserved viewing section.

Important: early and late arrivals will not be accommodated.

Where is reserved viewing for Paint the Night?

The reserved viewing is on Main Street, U.S.A. near the flag pole and directly across from the Disneyland Railroad station. The area also stretches around to the left across from Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and The Mad Hatter.

How early do you need to arrive for reserved parade viewing?

Our check-in time for the parade started at 8 p.m. at the flag pole. We got in line at 7:40 p.m. and there was a decent line.

They let us into the reserved viewing section right at 8 p.m. If you want to sit on the curb, you should arrive as early as possible.

We got front row for the parade and ended up having a great view. The Cast Member who checked us in at Plaza Inn told us the reserved viewing area fits 200, but they only book it for 170 people to ensure there is space and no one is sitting on top of one another.

There were several last-minute dining package guests who squeezed in beside us right before the parade started and it made for a tight squeeze, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Is reserved viewing for Paint the Night wheelchair accessible?

Yes, reserved viewing for Paint the Night is wheelchair accessible. There is even a specific wheelchair section available for those who want to utilize it.

We sat here, because my mom was in an ECV. Don’t worry, if it gets filled, wheelchairs can still access the rest of the reserved viewing area. From my understanding, everyone in front is required to remain seated for the duration of the parade as to not block anyone in the back, especially those using a wheelchair.

Here is where my mom parked her ECV for Paint the Night:

Guests with anyone in a wheelchair can stand behind them or sit in front if there is space on the curb, like my dad, sister, and I did.

Per the official Disneyland website, “Due to overwhelming demand, special seating requests or preferences will not be accommodated except for wheelchair accessibility.”

What kind of food is served with the Plaza Inn Dining Package?

There is a set menu for the Plaza Inn Dining Package. That said, you are able to order other menu items, but you will have to pay an additional price. If you do this, remember to pay at the cash register for the extra items.

Adult Plaza Inn Dining Package meal:

• 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

Child Plaza Inn Dining Package meal:

• Crispy chicken tenders
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Apple sauce and baby carrots
• Dinner roll
• Paint the Night-themed dessert
• Choice of one fountain beverage

Important: Character dining is not offered at Plaza Inn during lunch, dinner or during dining packages.

What is the Plaza Inn Dining Package vegetarian option?

There is a vegetarian option offered, which I got during my reservation. If this is something you’d also like, tell the Cast Member checking you in at the cash register.

The vegetarian option for the Plaza Inn Dining Package includes:

• Penne pasta with marinara, shredded parmesan cheese (you can get it without), and a breadstick
• House salad with dressing (I chose ranch)
• Chocolate and raspberry dome cake with a chocolate Mickey piece

I went in with extremely low expectations regarding the food at Plaza Inn. I tried the dining package here in May 2022 for the Main Street Electrical Parade and the food wasn’t good.

I’m happy to report I really enjoyed my meal this time. Is it the most outstanding lunch? No, but Plaza Inn also operates as a Quick Service location for lunch and dinner, so you’re not going to be served upscale food.

However, everything was good. You get a ton of pasta, a decent-sized salad, and a delicious dessert. I’m not even a chocolate and raspberry or a dome cake fan, but this themed-dessert was lovely.

The baby wedge salad that is offered with the regular dining package option is replaced with a house salad. The salad was a nice change, especially after eating all of the snacks and sweets.

After receiving your pasta and dessert at the “Dining Package Check-In” counter, you’ll walk over to the center salad bar (shown below) and ask for a house salad and dressing (there are a range of options).

I walked away happy and full. What more could I ask for?

If you’re vegan, the penne pasta with marinara is vegan, but make sure to hold the shredded parmesan cheese. I’m not sure if the breadstick is vegan, but I don’t believe so. It’s best to ask, just like with the dressing for your house salad, which is vegan without the croutons.

As for the dessert, I asked several Cast Members and they believe the vegan dessert is a sorbet. It’s unclear what kind of sorbet is offered.

Is the Paint the Night dining package worth it?

So, is the Paint the Night dining package at Plaza Inn worth it? Yes, but only if the following reasons apply to you:

• You don’t want to camp out hours in advance
• You don’t want to fight the crowds
• You aren’t picky about a parade spot or view
• You don’t get to visit Disneyland often
• You don’t mind spending extra money for an adequate meal and reserved parade viewing

If you want front row and are going to spend hours waiting for the parade, do not pay for the dining package. In my opinion, the whole point of the dining package is so you don’t have to find your parade spot hours prior to showtime. The dining package guarantees you a spot — and a decent one at that.

The dining package ended up being worth it for me and my family. We don’t get to travel to Disneyland often, so we were able to go enjoy other park experiences without having to grab a parade view hours ahead of time. Plus, we really enjoyed our lunch at Plaza Inn.

Knowing we already had a spot for the parade made a portion of our time at Disneyland less stressful, especially since it was very busy during our viewing of Paint the Night.

There was even an announcement made that all viewing areas were completely full for the first parade! Keep in mind that there’s a “no waiting until 6:30 p.m.” rule, meaning you can only claim a spot up to two hours in advance.

The parade doesn’t officially begin at 8:45 p.m. on Main Street, U.S.A., since the first parade starts by “it’s a small world.” For us, the parade arrived around 9:15 p.m. and ended at 9:35 p.m.

The dining package is only offered for the first parade. The second parade kicks off on Main Street. Again, you cannot book a dining package for the second showing.

As for the view, we arrived 60 minutes before the parade officially started (technically 90 minutes before it arrived at our location).

We were at the very end of the parade and we still had an awesome view, even as the parade made its way backstage. This is truly the best nighttime parade I’ve ever seen.

It’s also important to note that if you need to exit the reserved viewing area to grab a snack or use the restroom before the parade starts, ask a Cast Member in the area and they will give you a voucher so you can access the viewing area when you return.

Compared to what I’m used to paying for dining packages and dessert parties at Walt Disney World, the Paint the Night dining package is priced decently at $55 per adult and $28 per child (plus tax; gratuity is not required).

If you’re interested in the Plaza Inn Dining Package for Paint the Night, I highly recommend booking it as soon as you can. This is a popular option with limited spots. Reservations go fast! Paint the Night is slated to run through the 2025 Halloween season.

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Have you tried the Plaza Inn Dining Package for Paint the Night? Did you think it was worth it? Share your thoughts in the comments!