The Plaza Hotel in New York City offers a "Home Alone Sundae" as part of its room service menu, inspired by the scene in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" where Kevin McCallister orders an elaborate ice cream sundae. This extravagant dessert, which includes 16 scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, M&Ms, maraschino cherries, and chocolate, caramel, and raspberry sauces, is priced at $350. However, this base price does not include additional charges such as a 22% service charge, 8.875% sales tax, and a $12 delivery fee, pushing the total cost to approximately $470.06.
The sundae has gained significant attention, particularly through viral social media posts by influencers and content creators like Amira Harvey and Jenna Sinatra, who "accidentally" spent around $500 on the dessert. Many online reactions express disbelief at the high price point. For comparison, a standard three-scoop sundae at the Plaza costs $24, meaning the 16-scoop version charges nearly three times more per scoop, despite larger orders typically receiving volume discounts.
Analysts and observers suggest the exorbitant pricing might be a strategic move by the Plaza Hotel. It's speculated that the high cost itself serves as a talking point, encouraging guests to share their experience on social media, thereby generating significant publicity and "clout" for both the guests and the hotel. This makes the sundae not just a dessert but also a social media phenomenon, with some viewing the extra cost as a "social media tax" for the bragging rights and views it generates.
While the sundae is an attraction on its own, it is also included in a larger "Home Alone 2" experience package offered by The Plaza. This package, which starts at around $2,898 per night for a December 2025 booking, includes a room, a four-hour limousine tour of New York City filming locations, a cheese pizza, and the infamous 16-scoop sundae, allowing mega-fans to fully immerse themselves in Kevin McCallister's holiday adventure.
