Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant and Lounge

The Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat at Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort. If you are looking for a quiet place to escape the sights and sounds of the Resort, you will definitely want to check out Carthay Circle. However, if you are eating on a budget, this is one restaurant you will probably want to skip.

Carthay Circle is a replica of the original Carthay Circle Theater which premiered Snow White in 1937. The interior of the restaurant is amazing. It is a throwback to the 1930s and 1940s where you will find elegant chandeliers, old photos and classic architecture. Disney definitely did their research.

The Carthay Circle restaurant is one of the pricier restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. In addition to their a la carte menu, they also offer a special World of Color menu. The World of Color menu offers a three course meal and Fastpasses to the World of Color show in a reserved section. The World of Color menu is a great deal and I would recommend it, especially if you’d like the chance to see the World of Color show.

I usually prefer to go to Carthay Circle for lunch as it is cheaper than the dinner menu. Entrees range in price from $20-$35 for lunch and are $30-$45 for dinner. The lounge is also offers a smaller dining menu (including a kid’s menu) that is lower priced, but with much fewer options. If you are looking for a break from the parks in a quiet setting, I’d highly recommend the lounge. I’d also recommend the restaurant if you want a nice meal or even just a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Despite the higher prices, the food quality, level of service and atmosphere are well worth it.

In addition to offering different menus for lunch and dinner, Carthay Circle also offers a spring menu and a winter menu. So, if you order an item in November that you really liked, it may not be on the menu in June. They do have a few items that remain on the menu throughout the year. Your server is a great source of information on menu recommendations if you are unsure what to order. Although the menu is a little smaller than some other restaurants, they offer a wide variety of foods. So, everyone should be able to find something they like; even kids.

As with many of the restaurants within the parks, Carthay Circle accepts reservations and I’d highly recommend making reservations well in advance, especially for large groups. However, I have also been able to make reservations the day before or even the same day of my trip. You may make reservations 60 days in advance on Disneyland’s website or by calling their dining number so you can find a time that works best for you. Note that if you need to cancel your dining reservation, you’ll want to cancel at least 24 hours in advance as Disney will charge $10 per person on the reservation if you do not show or cancel 24 hours in advance.

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