Dining areas at Carthay Circle

[julesann]

I've eaten at CC three times: once in the main room (lovely); a side room (just okay) and, with a big sprinkling of fairy dust for my birthday last year, I enjoyed a magical, special wonderful private dining room for my db and myself with Walt and Julie Andrews smiling at us from their portraits on the wall.

I want to take a best friend to dinner there and am wondering about sitting outside: what is it like on the balcony and is there more than one sitting area? Thanks so much--I've never even been out there so I have no idea about the ambience or views. It will be in the evening in mid October.

 

[julesann]

Bumping this up as I think it may be getting lost

 

[Agent 86]

I dined on the balcony for the WOC lunch in May 2016. I would not recommend it.

It was hot. The sun was bright and the awning didn't extend far enough to keep the sun out of your eyes (i.e. I kept my sunglasses on). The service seemed to suffer due to the location (i.e. being so far away from the main area, it seemed to take the servers a long time to grab drinks and there was no communication between servers so we didn't receive the starter bread until after the mains). The worst aspect for me was the noise. There were various mini-shows / concerts happening around the fountain and the noise carried a lot, which made it difficult to have a conversation without talking loudly.

We asked to be moved to an inside table, but were told that it wasn't possible (even though there were plenty of free tables inside).

All just my personal opinion of course! Others may have had entirely different dining experiences on the balcony.

 

[julesann]

Thank you Agent86--I wondered about the sound from the fountain area. I don't think it will be hot as it will be in the evening, but all of your info is very helpful.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It can still be quite hot in the evenings in October. Last October, the weather was very warm. We encountered 80+ degree weather after 10pm. So while the evening temps might be nice, be prepared that it could still be hot. Also, the CMs can't guarantee you a table outside when you request it. They'll do their best, but may have to seat you inside.

 

[AustinTink]

I prefer the balcony to the side room at CC. In the side room, we were seated in a banquette far too close to the next table. That is absolutely the worst seating in any restaurant. I always ask to be moved away from a banquette situation. When you are paying that much for dinner and a bottle of wine, a person expects some privacy. I don't wish to hear the next table's conversation all night.

We book a late meal, 7:30 or 8pm, and wait for the balcony to become available. It's never been too hot or loud for us.

 

[julesann]

Thanks Austintink; I appreciate the feedback. 80 plus feels cool here this evening so I know that weather is rather relative to what you are used to. Thanks for your feedback about the balcony--I also didn't like the side room seating at CC and thought the balcony might be a good alternative.

 

[China Expat]

hot, noisy and not as nice as inside

 

[Nonsuch]

...I enjoyed a magical, special wonderful private dining room for my db and myself with Walt and Julie Andrews smiling at us from their portraits on the wall.

You have already experienced the best seating for a small group, request the Hyperion or Buena Vista room -- and be willing to wait (and be lucky).
The Hollywood room has multiple tables and is furnished the same as the main dining room, but somewhat more intimate (and quiet).
The best table at Carthay Circle (and perhaps the entire resort) is the Premier Room (Wishing Well), located between the Hyperion and Buena Vista rooms. This room accommodates parties of 8 to 12, and a significant deposit may be required (the policy seems to change quite often).

I would not want to dine on the Patio or the side rooms leading to to the patio, unless we had a large group and could not secure the Premier room.

 

[GeneralTso]

For us, it's the main dining room or nothing at Carthay Circle. All the other locations are not nearly as nice. You literally feel shoved away and missing things. We've asked to be re-seated when they put us in a side room. No thanks.

It's like Blue Bayou, waterside or it's not worth it. We'll wait. It completely changes the experience.

 

[crystal1313]

We have sat outside, and yes, it was hot and bright. And also, we heard Pixar Play Parade go by, and it was pretty loud. And whenever I hear Pixar Play parade, I get the song stuck in my head for weeks at a time! LOL. But, we had great service and wonderful food!