Time Commitment for Meal at Carnation

[Cal-Pie]

Due to my grogginess from daylight savings time starting this morning, I was late making my dinner reservation for Star Wars Nite, and the only restaurant with availably was Carnation Cafe. I have 2 questions. First, how is the food lately? I know things were pretty rough after the covid closure, have things improved? Second, how likely is a party of 2 to be seated and served in a timely manner? Since we only have from 6pm to 1am in the park (and we're not doing other park days on this trip), I don't want to commit to a table service meal if it will be a tremendous time suck. Thoughts?

 

[Sillysox]

this doesn't really answer your question but we are going to plan on eating an early light dinner outside the park then order a few mobile things for later night snacks so as to try not to impact on our time for starwars night

 

[Lisa24jks]

I know there have been mixed reviews on breakfast, but I've been there for lunch/dinner several times post-pandemic closure and it's always been good when we go. And time-wise, we get seated quick and in and out in a reasonable amount of time. That said, I don't know how it would be on the night of an After Dark event as I haven't done any of that.

 

[dieumeye]

I’ve been to Carnation Café a couple times in the last few months. Last time I had short ribs and enjoyed it. So, no complaints from anyone in my group about the food. Of course food likes and dislikes are very subjective.

As far as speed, I didn’t experience any unexpected slowness. If you have a reservation for two, I would expect to be seated in a timely manner. If you are in a hurry, look at the menu beforehand and order as soon as your server comes over.

However, it is a table service meal, which will take longer than quick service. So, if time is a factor, consider doing quick service or some other grab and go option, especially if there are other things that are higher priority for you than Carnation Cafe.

 

[ParkHopper1]

That is a regular dinner stop for us and always leave happy. You can be in and out in an hour.

Only time we have ever been delayed was when it rains they have limited outdoor seating depending on how hard it is raining which can back them up as they loose seating capacity…raining or not, one way to prevent delays is to check in riser than later

Now that being said a table service meal is a great break and way to get off your feet for a while…with a 6p entry I wound just grab some quick grub on the go

 

[Gypsybear]

Due to my grogginess from daylight savings time starting this morning, I was late making my dinner reservation for Star Wars Nite, and the only restaurant with availably was Carnation Cafe. I have 2 questions. First, how is the food lately? I know things were pretty rough after the covid closure, have things improved? Second, how likely is a party of 2 to be seated and served in a timely manner? Since we only have from 6pm to 1am in the park (and we're not doing other park days on this trip), I don't want to commit to a table service meal if it will be a tremendous time suck. Thoughts?

Food has been hit and miss with us lately at Carnation Cafe.

That said, in terms of Star Wars nite, I recommend what a previous poster stated, and grab something nice for lunch (make it a later lunch if you're going to be there all day). Then just mobile order some snacks during the party.

We will also be there, and last year was our first After Dark in California. We lost time here and there, trying to get some food. Won't be making that mistake again this year (we'll be there 5/4), and plan on eating before arriving for the event (we get there that day). Then we'll just snack during the event.