Walt Disney World Resort has wrapped up another round of refurbishments on Main Street, U.S.A., this time focusing on one of Magic Kingdom Park’s most iconic dining locations: The Plaza Restaurant. Though not as high-profile as Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest Restaurant, this turn-of-the-century eatery has been a staple since the park opened on October 1, 1971. Now, after more than five decades, Disney has refreshed the beloved spot.
The Plaza Restaurant: A Longtime Magic Kingdom Favorite
Tucked at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., The Plaza Restaurant offers casual American fare at mid-range prices, serving up burgers, sandwiches, and its signature ice cream sundaes. While reservations are required, it often has more availability than other table-service locations at Magic Kingdom Park, making it a hidden gem for guests looking to enjoy a sit-down meal without excessive planning.
A Subtle but Noticeable Refurbishment
In February, construction walls suddenly appeared around The Plaza Restaurant’s exterior, signaling an unannounced refurbishment. The dining location remained open, but parts of the building were hidden behind themed scrims, leading to speculation about what updates might be in store.
On Tuesday, crews removed the scrim covering the upper levels of the restaurant, revealing that very little had visibly changed. While some flowers were missing from the second-floor window planters, the facade itself looked essentially the same.
By Wednesday, the construction walls had come down completely, marking the official end of the refurbishment. According to a report from WDWNT, the changes appear to be minimal—if there were any at all. While it’s possible that crews freshened up the paint, no noticeable alterations to the color scheme or design were observed.
Work on Main Street, U.S.A. Continues
Although The Plaza Restaurant’s refurbishment is complete, some elements still seem unfinished. WDWNT notes that the black roof remains faded, the yellow paint on the side of the building is chipped, and the second-floor window boxes are still missing their usual flowers. While the walls have come down, there’s still a chance that crews could return to complete more updates soon.
Meanwhile, just down the street, work continues at The Emporium. Since January, sections of Magic Kingdom Park’s largest gift shop have been blocked off as crews reportedly work to improve guest flow inside the store. Walt Disney World Resort has not officially commented on these changes, but the construction suggests that more enhancements to Main Street, U.S.A., could be on the way.
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