#Disneyland60....Today In Disneyland History....September 7, 2011

Finishing Touches Put on Carthay Circle

September 7, 2011

On September 7, 2011, Walt Disney Imagineering put the finishing touches on the new Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure Park with its crowning feature – a cupola modeled after the one which sat atop the real theatre which was the site of the 1937 world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  

In June 2012, a fanciful larger-scale replica of the theater building was finally opened in the Buena Vista Street section of Disney California Adventure Park. Although this replica is larger than a version that opened as the "Once Upon a Time" gift shop on the Sunset Boulevard section in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, it is still slightly smaller than the 1926 original, and has a modified exterior footprint and interior floor plan. While there is no actual theatre inside, the building houses the "Carthay Circle Lounge" on the first floor, and both the "Carthay Circle Restaurant" and the members-only "Club 1901" on the second floor. The restaurant is located on a circular plaza known as Carthay Circle on the new Buena Vista Street giving the impression that the theater is named for its location on a circular plaza. Also, the original's signature circular floor plan is absent from the replica building, and the circular parapet is squared off from the outside. Carthay Circle Restaurant occupies the second floor of a detailed reproduction of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre. 

The decor reflects the romance and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including references to the accomplishments of Walt Disney and his original animators. See Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels—the only animated art ever to hang in Walt Disney’s home—and charming pastoral scenes from the movie painted on the vaulted ceiling of the main dining room. Advance reservations for dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant are highly recommended. For booking, please check availability and make your reservations online, or call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 up to 60 days prior to your visit. Reservations can also be made in person on a limited basis, subject to availability.  Better yet, take advantage of the World of Color Dining Package which includes a 3 course prix fix meal as well as seats in the preferred viewing area for the nightly spectacular World of Color.  Whether stopping in for a relaxing break in the Lounge, or enjoying one of the best meals Disneyland has to offer, don’t miss Carthay Circle Restaurant.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.  

ESPN Club Review

Down at the Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk, located just behind the Disney Vacation Club Resort Boardwalk Inn, is one of our favorite places to just roam around.  It usually isn't that crowded, there’s a lot to do and the scenery is superb.  With ESPN Club, Kouzzina’s, Flying Fish and Big River Grille all on site, the variety of food choices rival Downtown Disney.  After a long day of traveling, we decided that dinner on our first night back at Walt Disney World would be at ESPN Club since we hadn't eaten there before.   It helped that it is literally a few minutes walking distance from Epcot and a great place to spend some time before catching IllumiNations.

Look! No wait!

Unless there’s a major sporting event going on, advanced reservations aren't needed.  We were seated within fifteen minutes of arriving.  A true sports fans would revel in the attention to detail put into creating the ultimate sports cave.  Every inch of the restaurant is peppered with sports memorabilia. There are televisions everywhere, including over every stall in the bathroom, ensuring no play is missed on a game watched here.   There’s even a desk in the center of the restaurant where ESPN shows are actually taped when special events occur in the Orlando area.  This is the sports bar of all sports bars, but at the same time, very family friendly, despite the absence of booster seats.  Since our entire family was dressed in Michigan Wolverines attire, most people thought we were there to watch a Michigan game.  Some fans we are! We had no clue about any Michigan games being televised that night and just responded "Go Blue!" to anyone who asked us about it.

Yummy chicken nuggets

We were all pretty hungry and ordered as soon as we sat down.   The foodie in me was curious about the Over/Under burger, while poor hubby just wanted to eat.  Mr. UberPicky, quickly scanned the menu and just ordered a plain burger and fries.  Considering the reputation of “extreme burgers” at this restaurant, I thought his order was a bit disrespectful to the chef and after seeing my jaw drop, he called the waitress back to our table and ordered the Tailgate Pulled Pork sandwich in addition to his bare burger.  Our children were happy to split a kid’s chicken nugget meal; one eating the chicken and the other enjoying the fries and fresh fruit salad.

Over/Under Burger

The Over/Under burger was pretty darn good.  Who would have thought about lobster salad and lettuce on a burger?  There was more than enough lobster justify the $19 price tag, a number noted on this trip since we weren't on the dining plan for the first time since creation.  The aussie peppercorn crust on the burger came across a bit more salty than I expected, even then I wished it had bacon, but I would definitely order it again.  The chicken nuggets were crispy, juicy and tasty.  The pulled pork was cooked to perfection, but my husband thought the sauce was a little overbearing.  The fries that accompanied everyone’s meal were great, too.  The sangria wasn't my favorite, but a long day traveling meant an adult beverage was sorely needed.  There wasn't an empty plate (or glass) on the table as when left.

ESPN Club is a good option if you’re in the area and don’t have advanced reservations for dinner.  Remember to tell the wait staff if you have allergies because we found out the hard way that the seafood and fries are fried in the same oil, and missed IllumiNations looking for a remedy to my husband’s swollen lips.  Despite his allergic reaction, we enjoyed our dinner and would encourage any sports fan to stop by, especially if they are at Disney World during a major sporting event. I am certain that would make for an unforgettable evening!

Lottie Ferguson, Honorary Gal
@CrunchyDisneyMa

Join Us At Be Our Guest!! To See How We Liked It!

BE OUR GUEST

We were at Walt Disney World in December for a D23 Event – Magic and Merriment and the Magic did happen when the friends we met there for the event suggested that we go with them for their dining reservation at Be Our Guest on Saturday night and see if they would let them add us on.  The check-in line was quite long and when it came for her turn the guest relations person said she would have to check with her supervisor as they are quite busy, she returned with a big YES!! And told us we might have to wait a few minutes longer due to adding us, but we were all okay with that.

Hakuna Matata Monday-Ariel's Grotto Birthday

A Birthday Fit for a Princess

Ariel’s Grotto

For my granddaughter’s 5^th birthday, the whole family gathered at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland for an afternoon of fun and excitement with Pat E Cake and the main mouse himself, Mickey. This year however, for Moya’s 6^th birthday it was decided that she needed something fitting of any true Disney Princess so it was off to Ariel’s Grotto located in Disney California Adventure Park. Ariel’s Grotto is a Character Dining experience at its best-especially if you happen to have a 6 year old princess. It combines fabulous food befitting of any royalty along with laughter, music and all the excitement that accompanies meeting all of your favorite Disney Princesses. 

Guest Author Sunday-Christy Dudley

Guest Author Sunday

 Christy Dudley

     Meet this week's guest author Christy Dudley. Christy is a single mom who still manages to make magic happen for her daughter, all while staying on a budget.  We are so excited that Christy had a chance to dust off her journalism degree and put it to great use by sharing her story with us.  Here's hoping this is the first of many posts to come!

The Exploits of a Single Mom With Lots of Love and Little Money!

Hi! When I define myself to those that don’t know me; the words Single Mom almost always escape my lips first. For me, it is a way of saying that I am highly organized, able to multi-task, live on a shoe –string budget, have to be creative and think outside of the box and always looking for affordable and fun activities for my daughter – all in one breath!

 I have been to Disney numerous times as a single adult. All of those times I stayed off site and thought I was being wise with my budget and for those that punch numbers; I’m sure that the cost can be less when staying off site. However, when I chose to take my daughter, then 4 yrs. old for her first Disney trip, I decided I wanted to do it big and do it all!

Combating Food Allergies at Disney

I am a Disney Gal-Jewish Mother. I take my role seriously. I think feeding everyone fresh, healthy food is in my job description.

Granted, it’s within the realm of possibility that your eating habits have caused you to question dining outside your comfort level. You dream about a dinner uninterrupted by telemarketers, or the texting thumbs of your teenager. Maybe you dream of dining with characters from the most beloved Disney stories.  

The thought of eating food prepared by others conjures up images in my mind of trips to the restroom from being lactose intolerant or a ride to a nearby hospital due to anaphylactic shock.

Does this situation sound familiar? If your fear of cupcakes stems from an allergy to red food-dye rather than how far around EPCOT’s World Showcase you need to jog to burn off those calories, you are in luck at Disney. 

Disney Dining puts my mind at ease as I welcome each chef to our table to discuss my options.