Is the Cheapest Table Service Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Any Good? 

Nestled at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. is one of the most affordable table service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. The Plaza Restaurant is a small Victorian-style dining experience that offers views of Cinderella Castle and is great for those looking to enjoy a sit-down meal without breaking the bank. We stopped by to give it a try on a recent trip to bring you our full review of The Plaza Restaurant — let’s see what this restaurant has to offer!

About The Plaza Restaurant

When Magic Kingdom first opened in 1971, The Plaza Restaurant didn’t exist…well, kind of! It was actually originally a part of the ice cream shop located next door, The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. However, five years later, Disney decided to split the restaurant into two separate locations, creating The Plaza Restaurant and Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Since then, the restaurant has seen very minimal changes to its layout and décor. So, you can get a taste of what it was originally like dining in Magic Kingdom when you eat here!

Plaza Restaurant Review

While The Plaza Restaurant isn’t quite as popular as some other restaurants in Magic Kingdom, it can still be difficult to get a dining reservation during your trip due to its smaller size. We recommend making your dining reservation when your reservation window opens 60 days prior to your check-in date. You can check the My Disney Experience App for Walk-Up Waitlist availability on the day of your visit, but seating is only guaranteed if you have a reservation.

Overview & Pricing

  • Meals Offered: Lunch & Dinner
  • Price: $15-$34.99
  • Type of Meal: Casual Dining
  • Cuisine: American
  • Dress Code: Casual – Disney Park Attire
  • Disney Dining Plan: Table Service – 1 Dining Credit
  • Passholder Discounts: 10%

Atmosphere & Theming

Inside The Plaza Restaurant, you will find a twentieth-century style atmosphere with Art Nouveau décor and Victorian light fixtures and mirrors. This restaurant is on the smaller side of Disney restaurants, with around 25 tables for up to 94 guests. Due to this, you might find it difficult to maneuver through the restaurant, so you will most likely need to park your stroller outside. The seating near the windows offers an amazing view of Cinderella Castle, however, it is slightly obstructed by the ice cream parlor’s seating area.

Getting to The Plaza Restaurant

Getting to The Plaza Restaurant is easy — you just have to get to Magic Kingdom! All Disney World Resort hotels offer complimentary transportation to all four theme parks. If you prefer to drive your own car, you’ll park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and then take the Ferry Boat or Monorail to the park. Rideshare services are also available.

The Plaza Restaurant is located to the right at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. when you are walking toward the castle near Tomorrowland Terrace.

The Plaza Restaurant Menu

Now let’s dig into the eats! Here are some of the items that you can find on The Plaza Restaurant menu:

Appetizers

  • Onion Rings
  • Soup of the Day
  • The Plaza Loaded Fries

Entrées

  • Chipotle Barbeque Pork Sandwich
  • Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich
  • Impossible Chili Burger

Desserts

  • The Plaza Restaurant Sundae
  • Chocolate Layer Cake
  • Original Banana Split

Kids a la Carte

  • Seasonal Soup
  • Garden Salad

Kids Create-Your-Own Entrée

  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
  • Turkey Sandwich
  • Cheeseburger
  • Seasonal Veggies
  • Choice of Ice Cream
  • Mash Potatoes

Drinks

  • Assorted Fountain Drinks
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Specialty Cocktails

Artisanal Shakes

  • Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake
  • Chocolate Pecan Brownie
Plaza Restaurant Review

So, how do the eats and drinks compare to other Disney World restaurants? Here’s what we thought!

Eats

I stopped by The Plaza Restaurant for dinner and ordered the Plaza Loaded Fries as an appetizer, the Chicken Waldorf Salad as my entree, and the Cotton Candy Cheesecake for dessert.

The Plaza Loaded Fries ($15) are crispy fries with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, green onion, and spicy sour cream. It is one of the few appetizers on the menu and WOW! I absolutely loved these fries and found that they paired perfectly with my salad. I also learned that you can upgrade any side of fries with an entree on the menu to the Plaza Loaded Fries if you ask. The portion size is a bit smaller than the appetizer, but it’s well worth it if you want to give them a try and don’t want to share (because they’re THAT good!).

As my entree, I got the Chicken Waldorf Salad ($20) which is mixed greens with pulled chicken, glazed pecans, sliced apples, grapes, celery bites, and blue cheese crumbles tossed in Apple Cider Vinaigrette. The Cast Member mentioned that the salad tended to be dry, so they brought me an extra side of the dressing which I round was definitely necessary. With the extra dressing, the salad was well-portioned and balanced for a late-night meal. Plus, it was refreshing after spending a hot afternoon in the park.

Plaza Restaurant Review

For dessert, I went with the Cotton Candy Cheesecake ($10) which isn’t quite what it sounds like. It is a strawberry cheesecake served with a fresh mixed berry puree and topped with a piece of cotton candy. I found that it was the perfect size for a solo diner to enjoy and was happy that I didn’t need to share this sweet treat.

Plaza Restaurant Review

Drinks

Table service restaurants are the only spots where you can order cocktails, beer, and wine in Magic Kingdom. So, I decided to indulge in something special and ordered the Jake Rose cocktail ($14). This drink is made with Laird’s Applejack Brandy, hibiscus grenadine, lemon juice, and lime juice.

I enjoyed this drink a lot. It had a nice flavor and was especially good when combined with my salad and dessert.

Overall Plaza Restaurant Review

I really enjoyed my entire dining experience at The Plaza Restaurant (even as a solo traveler!).

Getting a reservation at the time I wanted wasn’t too difficult and the check-in process was simple. Since it is still a popular restaurant, they were running a little behind on seating at reservation time. However, I didn’t have to wait too long after my reservation time to be seated.

Because this is a smaller restaurant and seating is limited, I was seated towards the back of the restaurant. But, I didn’t mind at all! Dining at the back of the restaurant gave me a better opportunity to take in the atmosphere and enjoy my meal. Plus, I could even see the fireworks show from my table since I timed my reservation just right. So, it’s safe to say that there isn’t a bad seat in the restaurant!

The meal itself was simple and delicious. And, the service was efficient so I didn’t have to wait too long between courses which I appreciated.

Overall, The Plaza Restaurant is a great option if you want to keep your Disney vacation on the cheaper side and still experience a great table service meal.

Eat at The Plaza Restaurant if…

  • You’re craving an escape from the Florida heat and didn’t secure a dining reservation at a more popular restaurant in Magic Kingdom.
  • You are looking for a quick turnaround table service dining experience.
  • You are traveling with picky eaters who would enjoy the simple American menu.

Skip The Plaza Restaurant if…

  • You’re traveling with 6+ people in your party. The restaurant has very few large tables so it will be harder to get a reservation or find walk-up availability.
  • You’re looking for a more upscale dining experience.
  • You prefer a large menu with many options (the menu isn’t huge here).

Comments

Have you dined at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom? Give us your Plaza Restaurant review in the comments!

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