A visitor to the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City has expressed fury after being presented with a bill for nearly $500 for a single ice cream sundae. The extravagant dessert is a recreation of the one famously ordered by Kevin McAllister in the 1992 Christmas film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
The Viral Moment of Sticker Shock
In a video that first surfaced in September but gained widespread attention this week, a woman named Jully Patel is seen in a hotel robe with her mother-in-law. A waiter enters their room with a lavish cart bearing a massive silver tray. The centrepiece is 16 scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, crowned with whipped cream and encircled by a vast selection of toppings including sprinkles, M&Ms, brownie bits, cherries, and sauces like fruit, caramel, and chocolate.
The festive scene turned to shock when Patel was handed the check. The total came to $477.98. "My mother-in-law ordered a $500 ice cream sundae to the room without telling me the price," Patel explained. "When the waiter handed me the bill, that's when I realised."
Public Backlash Over Justifiable Cost
After a popular X (formerly Twitter) account reshared the clip, asking if the sundae was worth the price, it ignited a fierce online debate. Many social media users condemned the cost as absurd and unjustifiable.
- One user stated: "I don't even get how they think that price tag is justifiable."
- Another simply wrote: "That's ridiculous," while a third pointed out: "You can make this at home for $25."
- Further comments included: "I wouldn't pay that much for ice cream," and "$500 for a gallon of ice cream with candy and sauce topping is RIDICULOUS."
This is not the first time the sundae has caused controversy. Back in January, friends Amira Harvey and Jenna Sinatra also went viral after their shocked reaction to the bill. Sinatra later commented that while the dessert was "good, no ice cream is worth $500."
The Home Alone Connection and Package Deals
The sundae's exorbitant price is tied directly to its cinematic heritage. In Home Alone 2, Macaulay Culkin's character, Kevin, checks into The Plaza Hotel and orders a similarly enormous ice cream creation. The hotel now capitalises on this nostalgia.
Beyond the standalone dessert, The Plaza offers a 'Home Alone: Fun In New York' package. This experience includes a limousine ride, a large cheese pizza, and the infamous sundae. The package price varies based on room type but is reported to start at around $2,000 plus tax.
The story highlights the extreme premium attached to luxury experiences and brand-linked merchandise, leaving many to question the value proposition of a treat that, despite its Hollywood credentials, ultimately melts away.
