The Plaza Inn vs. The Plaza Restaurant Reviews
Plaza Inn - Disneyland
This review will give a sweeping evaluation of the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, and a few tips for your visit too. I will also include the main differences between Disneyland’s iconic version of this restaurant and Orlando’s take on a classic eating spot in Magic Kingdom. Let’s get started!
First we need to make a clear distinction so that we do not create any confusion. In Magic Kingdom Orlando this is called the Plaza Restaurant. In Disneyland this eatery located in the same location of the park is called Plaza Inn. Also, for consistency and to avoid confusion, breakfast pictures are all from Plaza Inn (Anaheim) and lunch/dinner plate photos will all be of Plaza Restaurant (Orlando).
Breakfast Corndog - Plaza Inn
Plaza Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is currently unavailable at the time of writing, but you should expect that to return relatively soon. My best guess would be sometime during the 50th anniversary celebration as they will likely need the extra occupancy at restaurants at that time. Reservations are needed, but in Magic Kingdom Orlando, they are traditionally not very hard to come by. Disneyland is an altogether different story at this point because here character dining is included with breakfast. Breakfast was being served at the time of our visit with character dining in place. The Disneyland version of this beloved spot has been around since opening day and has been satisfying the hunger needs of guest since 1955. At that time however the Plaza Inn was called the Red Wagon Inn. This was a VIP club for Walt’s friends, and the decor was picked by his wife, designer Lillian Disney!
Disneyland’s Plaza Inn
Disney describes the Plaza Restaurant’s atmosphere (Orlando) as early 20th-century style. In contrast they describe the Plaza Inn (Anaheim) as late 19th century. Looking through photo’s you will see some differences but to be honest, unless you really try to notice it will feel like the same place. There is a special touch of excitement in the Disneyland Plaza Inn, even without character dining, that is hard to put a finger on. Some corners of Disneyland are just like that and it can only be attributed to Walt’s special touch and imaginative genius even though many changes have been made after his time. Either way, be prepared to feel what “elegance” was at the turn of that century!
High praise to the breakfast food quality at Disneyland’s Plaza Inn. Characters or not, it was great. There were creative spins on things my kids enjoyed eating. If all my kids enjoyed the food and ate well, then that says something itself. Lunch and dinner are good here. It is American style food with embellishments and pretty straight forward. This is a good menu if no surprises is your thing. The view is great too. You are simply surrounded by windows and mirrors that reflect what the windows are showing at the end of Main Street closest to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. In this atmosphere, with the view and the comfort food, it really feels like you stepped back into time - just as Walt intended.
Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Restaurant
BLT Salad
We love this version of the iconic restaurant in Orlando too; however, I will give an honest review, and in comparison, it falls slightly short of Plaza Inn (Anaheim). This review comes after eating here less than 24 hours ago so the perspective is definitely fresh. Although it is located positionally at the same place in the park as Disneyland’s it lacks the same “feel” - which is very subjective and hard to quantify in words. This is not to say it is bad- by all means we think you should try it out- it’s just missing that “I was transported into another place” quality that you get at Disney.
PB&J
French Dip
As I always say, the food matters, and that will not change anytime soon. My selection was a French dip sandwich with Au jus for dipping. I love this sandwich and typically am very picky about this offering. I find most restaurant’s version of this iconic sandwich to be less than acceptable. This however ranks very high on my list of French dip plates. The BLT salad was also great in my opinion, but my other half was less excited about it giving it a 5/10 while I would find it to be a 7/10. It’s not gourmet and isn’t supposed to be either. It’s just a simple salad with green “goddess” dressing as Disney calls it. I’m actually not sure what I tasted but it was good and I like dill so that makes sense, but my spouse thought it too strong. As always, some of this depends on what YOUR personal food preferences are. I walked away happy and all the kids ate very well. It helps that you can choose dessert with your kids meal and then expect them eat “real” food in anticipation of ice cream.
Tips
Dessert - As far as dessert goes, it is a bonus is that the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is next door. You do not need to eat at the restaurant to get a sweet fix from here as they have a walk up window. If you have room for sweets I can say their milkshakes are fabulous. I love milkshakes anyway, but this is done well and you should expect a premium shake that’s nothing like a fast food version. You can choose between chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, strawberry, and mint. We chose mint and were happy we did.
Reservation - Make reservations early if you are trying to snatch a character dining meal at the California location. When I mean early, I mean do not procrastinate even a day. You can make reservations 60 days out and I recommend waking up early and booking your reservation. This is a case where the early bird gets the worm, and the procrastinator gets another option. In Magic Kingdom (Orlando) you will likely see reservations available many times people will take up the last few available spots as that day gets closer
If you can’t find a reservation, keep checking in. It is not a rare thing for someone to dump a reservation for whatever reason, cost, timing conflict, etc. Though it may be annoying, if you want that reservation keep checking through your official Disney app and you just might be rewarded for your diligence! You can also walk up to the restaurant when you arrive and ask it they can put you on a standby list. Sometimes they can fit you in, cast members love to make dreams come true!
This place is kid friendly at either location. They love the views, and with very down to earth foods like PB&J, grilled chicken strips, burgers and ice cream, you will probably get a good worthwhile sit down meal in an air conditioned room well worth the price. Everyone will feel better after this if it has been a long day.
If you are not very hungry from all the snacking, a lot of adults can get by just fine with a salad or appetizer. The appetizers are delicious too (I’m looking at your crab cakes) so if your day has already involved as much eating as it has riding rides, opt for a lighter side.
Plaza Restaurant Rating:
couples - 6/10
kids - 7/10
Plaza Inn Rating:
Couples - 7/10
Kids - 9.5/10
The Plaza Inn rating reflects character dining at breakfast. Any other meal would take 1 point of the couples rating and 2 from the kids rating.
