You know that feeling when you revisit a childhood favorite and realize it’s actually way weirder and more star-studded than you remembered? That is basically the experience of rewatching the Eloise at the Plaza movie. Released back in 2003 as part of The Wonderful World of Disney, this wasn't just some throwaway TV flick. It was a high-gloss, high-energy explosion of pink ribbons, rawther posh British accents, and the kind of chaotic energy that only a six-year-old with a limitless room service budget can provide.
Honestly, Sofia Vassilieva was a lightning bolt in that role. She didn't just play Eloise; she inhabited that specific, frantic brand of precociousness that Kay Thompson originally dreamed up in the 1950s. If you grew up with the books, you know the stakes were high. Eloise isn't just a character; she's a vibe. She’s the patron saint of girls who talk too fast and run through hallways where they definitely shouldn't be running.
The Cast Nobody Talks About Enough
We need to talk about the fact that Julie Andrews—actual Disney royalty—played Nanny. It’s kinda perfect. After Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, seeing her as the slightly exasperated but fiercely loyal Nanny felt like a passing of the torch. She wasn't just there for a paycheck; she gave Nanny that dry, "I've seen it all" wit that kept the movie from drifting too far into pure slapstick.
But look at the rest of that roster! Jeffrey Tambor is the quintessential Mr. Salomone. He’s the manager of the Plaza, and his entire life’s purpose is maintaining the hotel's five-star dignity while a small child systematically dismantles it. Then you have Christine Baranski as Prunella Stickler. She plays the "villain" (if you can even call her that) with the kind of delicious, sharp-edged theatricality that only Baranski can pull off.
It’s rare to see a made-for-TV movie with this much caliber. Usually, these things feel a bit thin, but the Eloise at the Plaza movie had a real budget and a real soul. Kevin Lima directed it—the guy who did Disney’s Tarzan and later Enchanted—and you can see that DNA in the pacing. It’s fast. It’s snappy. It feels like a living storybook.
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The Plaza as a Character
The Plaza Hotel isn't just a backdrop; it’s the entire world. Filming actually took place on location (partially) and on incredibly detailed sets that captured the 1950s essence of the original books while grounding it in the early 2000s. There’s something so specific about the "Plaza" aesthetic—the gold leaf, the heavy carpets, the Palm Court.
Eloise treats the hotel like her personal laboratory. Whether she's "skibbling" down to the laundry room or crashing a debutante ball, the movie treats the hotel’s rules as suggestions. It’s wish fulfillment at its finest. What kid wouldn't want to live in a penthouse and have a turtle named Skipperdee who wears sneakers?
What the Movie Got Right (and Wrong) About the Books
Kay Thompson was notoriously protective of Eloise. She famously pulled the books from shelves for years because she didn't want the "brand" diluted. So, making an Eloise at the Plaza movie was a bit of a gamble.
The film deviates by adding more of a traditional "plot." In the book, it’s mostly just a day in the life. You see her get bored, you see her annoy people, you see her go to sleep. The movie needs conflict, so they introduced subplots about a visiting Prince and a looming inspection. Some purists might roll their eyes at the "Disney-fication" of the narrative, but honestly, it works for the medium.
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One thing they nailed was the look. Hilary Knight’s original illustrations have a very specific line style—scratchy, elegant, and kinetic. The costume department, led by Christopher Hargadon, did an incredible job translating those drawings into 3D. The pink dress, the black suspenders, the messy hair—it all looked exactly right without feeling like a cheap costume.
Where is Sofia Vassilieva Now?
If you haven't followed her career, you might be surprised. After the Eloise at the Plaza movie and its sequel, Eloise at Christmastime, Sofia didn't just disappear. She went on to star in Medium for years as Ariel DuBois. She also turned in a devastating performance in My Sister’s Keeper alongside Cameron Diaz.
She eventually took a break to study at Columbia University (fittingly, in New York!), getting degrees in Linguistics and Business. She’s back in the industry now, popping up in things like Looking for Alaska and the Denzel Washington thriller The Little Things. It’s cool to see that the girl who started out causing chaos at the Plaza grew up to be a seriously respected dramatic actress.
Why We’re Still Obsessed with Eloise
There’s a reason this movie still pops up in Discover feeds and gets searched for every year around the holidays. It captures a very specific type of New York magic that feels extinct. The idea of a child being "raised" by a hotel staff and a British nanny is weirdly romantic, even if it's objectively chaotic.
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Also, the soundtrack by Bruce Broughton is fantastic. It won an Emmy for a reason. It has this whimsical, orchestral sweep that makes the mundane acts of Eloise—like pushing all the buttons in an elevator—feel like a grand adventure.
If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch, here is the best way to dive back in:
- Check the Streaming Platforms: It’s often tucked away in the Disney+ library or available for a few bucks on Prime.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Watch closely during the scenes in the lobby—Hilary Knight, the original illustrator, actually has a cameo as a street artist.
- Double Feature It: You can't watch the Plaza movie without following it up with the Christmas one. It’s a law of nature.
- Visit the Real Plaza: If you're ever in NYC, they still have an Eloise-themed suite and a dedicated gift shop. It's pricey, but even just grabbing tea at the Palm Court makes you feel like you're in the movie.
The Eloise at the Plaza movie isn't just a kids' film; it’s a time capsule of a specific era of New York and a masterclass in how to adapt a beloved, "unfilmable" book. It’s rawther wonderful, honestly.
To get the full experience, track down a copy of the original 1955 book and compare the "day in the life" vignettes to the movie's cinematic arcs. You'll notice how many of the iconic lines—"I am Eloise. I am six. I am a city child."—are woven directly into the script to keep that Thompson spirit alive. Afterward, a walk past the 59th Street entrance of the real Plaza Hotel is the only proper way to finish the journey.