The Chicken Plantation Restaurant was a quick-service dining location in Disneyland’s Frontierland, operating from July 17, 1955, to January 8, 1962. Sponsored by Swift’s Premium Meats, it was situated along the Rivers of America, near where Pirates of the Caribbean now stands, offering fried chicken dinners with scenic waterfront views. Known for its antebellum plantation-style facade, it closed to make way for New Orleans Square, with its architectural influence lingering in the Blue Bayou Restaurant.
Below are 10 fun facts about the Chicken Plantation Restaurant (1955–1962) in Disneyland’s Frontierland:
- Dual Architectural Styles: The restaurant’s front resembled a grand Southern antebellum mansion, while the back featured a Mexican adobe style, later enhanced with shutters after Swift’s feedback that it looked like a “mud hovel.”
- Swift’s Premium Menu: The signature Swift’s Premium Complete Fried Chicken Dinner, served with sides like mashed potatoes and coleslaw, cost $1.70 for adults and $1.00 for children, a popular choice for its hearty portions.
- Riverside Dining Patio: Guests dined on an outdoor patio with glowing lanterns, offering prime views of the Mark Twain Riverboat and Rivers of America, enhancing the Frontierland ambiance.
- Press Opening Perk: On opening day, July 17, 1955, press members and their families received complimentary meals at the restaurant, with special cards presented to the cashier after dining.
- Matchbook Souvenirs: Complimentary matchbooks, featuring a chicken graphic or the restaurant’s patio, were given to guests, serving as promotional keepsakes for Swift’s and Disneyland.
- Revenue Contributor: The restaurant generated $24,058 for Disneyland in the fiscal year ending September 29, 1957, and $21,950 the next year, reflecting its popularity and Swift’s lease agreement.
- Temporary Post-Closure Service: After closing in January 1962, a smaller version operated briefly from a pass-through window in a construction fence, serving guests during New Orleans Square’s development.
- Blue Bayou Inspiration: The restaurant’s antebellum facade heavily influenced the Blue Bayou Restaurant’s interior design, preserving its aesthetic in New Orleans Square after its 1962 closure.
- Adventureland Relic: Two columns from the Chicken Plantation’s structure were repurposed in an Adventureland gift shop near the Enchanted Tiki Room, visible as shelf supports.
- Dixieland Ambiance: The scent of fried chicken and sounds of nearby Dixieland music from Frontierland performances wafted across the Rivers of America, creating an immersive dining experience.
