The Carthay Circle "Theatre" opens today at DCA

In an earlier post, we followed the building progress of the new Carthay Circle "Theatre" at Disney California Adventure. Now the construction walls have come down and it officially opens (along with Buena Vista Street and Cars Land) today!

The far left marquee panel reads, "An Icon Returns"...

All photos courtesy of Connie at Life is a Journey (unless otherwise noted).

Back in January of this year, they were still laying the pavement around the front of the new structure...

Photo copyright Max Guggenheim via Disneyland News Today.

Official Disney photo from late May, side panels were not yet completed on marquee...

Image via Disney Parks blog.

But now the wait is over. The building will house the Carthay Circle Restaurant which will transport guests back to the evening of the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. "Re-creating the excitement of that night, Carthay Circle Restaurant will immerse guests in the post-screening atmosphere – as if they are celebrating alongside Walt and Lillian Disney, themselves."

On May 10th, the park opened reservations for the 200-seat upstairs dining room which is actually divided into smaller rooms for a more intimate setting.

Restaurant photos via the Disney Parks blog.

More Disney-released photos of the restaurant interior...

The Disney Parks blog also revealed photos from the menu...

In late May, these opening day announcement cards were being handed out by cast members in front of the Carthay Circle...

A beautiful facade and attention to details...

Image via InsideTheMagic.

Bill Cantos arranged all of the music that will be heard in the Carthay Circle Restaurant. "His task was to arrange classic Disney music and give it a timeless sound that blends into the atmosphere" of the place...

On the first floor is the Carthay Circle Lounge, which serves appetizers, desserts, beer, wines, and cocktails.

In addition, the Carthay Circle will house the exclusive 1901, a private lounge open only to members of Disneyland's Club 33. The name for the lounge comes from the year of Walt Disney's birth. It's described as a "warm, intimate space," walls decorated with personal artwork and photographs of early animators.

1901 images via the Disney Parks blog.

And out in front is the Carthay Circle Fountain...

Video of Buena Vista Street, the Red Car Trolley, and inside the Carthay Circle Restaurant...

Video posted by WDWNT.

The original Carthay Circle Theatre is long gone, but its legacy will now be re-introduced to new generations for years to come.