This Is Where the Magic Lives: The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom

The Plaza Restaurant in Main Street USA

I was kind of having writer's block....between life going on here and running kids around like a crazy person....planning Disney vacations for other people, and not even having time to think about my own summer trip.....I was stumped for something - just a little something to put down here.....I asked my daughter for some inspiration and she said FOOD! lol....well there is a lot of food in WDW....too much for one little blog post. So I said, let's narrow it down.....together we decided I should write about a little secret we have. We love the Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. It's not so well known....many people just seem to pass it by on their way to Tomorrowland or the castle without giving it much notice, but this little gem at the end of Main Street is one of my family's favorite restaurants in WDW....my kids actually love eating here. Many trips we eat here twice. For my kids the Plaza even beats out some of the character meals - including.....Chef Mickey's....they serve just good fresh basic items and sometimes after the wild loud atmosphere of the character meals, buffet food & and some fancier but often heavy table service options....the Plaza Restaurant fits the bill for just good food. During vacations I sometimes find myself just craving home cooked food....and salads! The Plaza works for that craving.

The dining area is on the small side, so it is much quieter here than in many other Disney restaurants. The decor is pretty and Victorian but not overdone. It's very comfortable. The specialties are sandwiches and delicious ice cream desserts.

Once you check in at the podium right outside the entrance, you're given a pager. You can sit down at the yellow and white umbrella tables and just soak in the excitement all around between the castle hub, the entry to Tomorrowland, the people making their way into the park from Main Street....it's a lovely place to just sit and people watch. Sometimes the Dapper Dans will be roaming around the area and performing right there, too. It's a pleasant place to just sit and feel in the midst of the Magic.

We have often seen the Mayor of Main Street and his "Lady Friend" (yes...not his wife..but his girlfriend) stop in and visit and chat with guests in the Plaza. He makes a big production of the 100th guest of the day...that guest gets a Magical Moment certificate and free desserts for their party. The Mayor also enjoys going around from table to table and singing "Happy Birthday" to anybody celebrating. The kids always get a kick out of this. He doesn't let anybody hide from a birthday song or celebration. *I tried*

Sometimes the Mayor makes a spectacular entry all alone......

He's very proud to be the Mayor of Main Street

We have been "regulars" of the Plaza for about 15 years now. We've never had a bad meal there. Although....I do miss their fantastic potato salad. Things change....they now only serve fries or home made sweet potato chips.

This is their menu....you can't go wrong with anything here.....but my favorite is the Plaza Club.

Entrees
(sandwiches served with choice of broccoli slaw, homemade chips or French fries)
Add Soup of the Day $3.99 or Tossed Salad for $4.49)

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - grilled chicken breast topped with shaved ham and Swiss cheese served on a flour-dusted Kaiser $11.99

Angus Chuck Cheeseburger - served on a flour-dusted kaiser roll with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Choose from the following toppings: Cheddar, American cheese, Bacon, Grilled Mushrooms and Grilled Onions $11.99 (Veggie Burgers available on request.)

Cheese Steak Sandwich - shaved beef, grilled with onions, mushrooms, red peppers, and white American cheese served on a hoagie roll $11.49

Chicken Strawberry Salad - fresh garden greens, grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, gorgonzola cheese, tossed in a white zinfandel vinaigrette dressing $12.99

Tuna Salad Sandwich - tuna salad with lettuce and tomato on freshly baked croissant $10.49

Grilled Reuben - thinly sliced corned beef on grilled marble rye with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing $10.49

Plaza Club - smoked ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise layered on toasted multi-grain bread $11.49

Vegetarian Sandwich - fresh mozzarella, hummus, basil pesto, cucumber, roasted red pepper, tomato, and lettuce on a freshly baked foccaccia $10.49

Turkey Sandwich - smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce, vine ripened tomato and mayonnaise on toasted multi-grain bread $11.49

From the Fountain

Ice Cream Flavors - chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, no sugar added raspberry sorbet, no sugar added butter pecan or non-fat chocolate-vanilla swirl

Creamy Hand-Dipped Milkshakes $4.69

Ice Cream Floats (Made with Vanilla Ice Cream) Coke Classic, Diet Coke, Sprite or Root Beer $4.49

Desserts

Original Banana Split - chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream topped with hot fudge, strawberry sauce, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, whipped cream and a cherry $6.49

New York Style Cheesecake served with strawberries $5.49

The Plaza Restaurant Sundae - ice cream (your choice) with hot fudge, strawberry sauce, crushed pineapple, topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry $4.99

Brownie Sundae - vanilla ice cream and a fudge brownie topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry $5.99

No Sugar Added Ice Cream Shake - Vanilla-Chocolate Swirl or Butter Pecan $4.69

Beverages

Complimentary refills on soft drinks or iced tea $2.69, coffee/hot tea $2.19

Evian Spring Water (330mL) or Perrier Sparkling Water (330mL) $4.50

Tinker Bell and Friends or Lightning McQueen Raceway Punch - Minute Maid Light Lemonade Punch served in a souvenir Fairies or Cars cup with a glowing Tinker Bell or Lightning McQueen Clip On Light $6.49

Kids have their own menu..... and the Mickeylodeon is great...it's an upside down sugar cone on a scoop of icecream with two chocolate candy disc ears. My kids have had their share of those over the years. Anything can be customized, also.....change up the flavors for your own specialty.

For Mickey's little friends ages 9 and under
All meals served with 1% milk, bottled water or juice

French fries and soft drinks available upon request

CHOICE OF ONE APPETIZER, ONE ENTREE, AND ONE DESSERT $7.59

Appetizers

Tomato Soup

Mixed Salad

Entrees

Grilled Chicken Sticks with apple wedges, rice and BBQ sauce

Cheeseburger with carrots and ranch dressing

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with grapes

Mickey's Turkey Sandwich with apple wedges

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich with grapes and bananas

Desserts

Mickeylodeon

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk

The Plaza Restaurant is definitely on our MUST DO list each time we visit WDW. We have our WDW dining favorites, some have let us down over the years, some we just scratched off and said NEVER AGAIN lol, and there are some we have yet to try....but the Plaza is a staple that hasn't ever let us down & we make sure to stop in and enjoy a lunch here a few times a year.