With the return of Paint the Night as part of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary celebration, Disney has also brought back a special dining package at Plaza Inn that lets you enjoy a meal + reserved viewing of the parade. If you're planning a visit, this is a great way to combine food and a front-row style experience without camping out for hours.

What It Includes

• Location & Meal: The package is offered at Plaza Inn in Disneyland Park. You have lunch (between ~1:00 PM and 4:00 PM) under this package.

• Reserved Viewing: You get a ticket/voucher & credential that gives you access to a reserved (but standing) viewing area for the first performance of Paint the Night on that day.

• Menu:

  • Adults get a plated pre-fixe lunch (see the current menu on the Disneyland website). Plant-based options are available.

  • Kids (ages 3-9) get a plated pre-fixe kids meal offering (typically chicken strips, potatoes, a veggie, or similar).

Pricing & Availability

• Adult price is $55; kids (3-9) are $28.

• Dining time window is 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

What the Viewing Area is Like

• The reserved viewing is generally located in Town Square, across from the Disneyland Main Street Train Station / near the Opera House. It’s standing room only, unless you secure a spot on the curb—then you can sit.

• Because the area is reserved, you avoid having to wait for a long time in advance, but if you want front curb spots, you’ll still need to arrive early—even with the package. The area opens up ahead of the parade; seeing well depends on where in the reserved area you can situate yourself.

Pros & Drawbacks

Pros:

• Saves you the hassle of staking out a spot many hours ahead.

• Guaranteed viewing in a reserved area for Paint the Night, which, especially during high-crowd times like the 70th anniversary, is a real plus.

• Decent food, decent value considering what you get (meal + viewing + less waiting).

Cons:

Price is significantly more than just a regular Plaza Inn meal + finding your own viewing spot.

• Menu is somewhat fixed for the package; substitutions exist in some cases, but the primary entree may be limited. (Though a plant-based substitute is available).

• Because it’s standing viewing (no chairs), comfort depends on how early you arrive to get a better spot.

• Limited quantity of reserved viewing credentials, meaning the package can be hard to book, plus some dates are blocked.

How to Book & Tips

• You can book the Plaza Inn Dining Package via the Disneyland website or the Disneyland mobile app, usually up to 60 days in advance.

• If your preferred date is full, check often — cancellations do happen.

• Arrive early for your viewing. The lanyard they give you when you buy your meal indicates when to check in at the reserved viewing area (generally ~30 minutes before parade starts), but folks often show earlier to get better positions.

• If you have dietary needs, ask ahead at the Plaza Inn. Plant-based or alternate entrees are available in some cases.

Is It Worth It?

If seeing Paint the Night in a more comfortable, less stressful way matters to you, this package is likely worth the extra cost. For families, or anyone who dislikes standing in crowd control zones for long before a parade, the value is in reducing that stress.

On the other hand, if your priority is saving money, don’t mind staking a spot, and are comfortable in standing/viewing areas, you might decide to skip the dining package and find your own spot. The food is nice, but it’s not gourmet fine dining—it’s more about the convenience + guaranteed viewing. (You can also opt for the second showing of Paint the Night for a more manageable wait time/crowd level.)