Any Pre-DDP Le Cellier Fans???

[melomouse]

Hi All -
Some part of me is curious about the power and influence of these boards on large groups of people, and some is a tad frustrated since I called Disney Dining 3 weeks ago and there was ONE 7:50 slot left on a Thursday in late September at Le Cellier(we booked Chefs instead, and I am happy).....

Are there any Dis Vets out there who enjoyed Le Cellier prior to the "bang-for-the-buck" DDP theory??? What was your experience? If you paid OOP then, would you do it again without DDP?

And those who have tried it on DDP - where it "seems", or IS, in the case of FDP - would you go there and pay OOP??

Seen the menus and read the rave reviews - I am debating whether it's worth calling DD everyday to find a slot...

Comments?? TIA!

 

[hezreck]

We ate at Le Cellier 2 year ago without the dining plan, but with one of those dining vouchers I bought on Ebay. This year we are doing the dining plan, but we are NOT going to Le Cellier. I only went there last trip because I read about it on here and it didn't live up to the hype for me or my DH. Sure, the cheese soup and the pretzel bread were good, but the rest of the meal was "just okay for me" in the words of Randy Jackson. Sorry, too much American Idol for me

So, no we are not going back and we are not on the Le Cellier bandwagon.

 

[curiouser]

We don't do the dining plan, its just not a good value for us, plus we're APers so its not an option for us either. That said, we visit Le Cellier every trip. Its our favorite and we salivate for it frequently between dinner trips. Its the only time during the year I eat steak-- honestly! I'm not a big steak fan, but I adore the 14 oz. New York Strip Steak at LC.

I almost wish it wasn't so popular now because it makes it harder for us to get ADRs! Just a week for me before I get my beloved cheddar cheese soup! (I should mention I'm also a soup-a-holic. Mmm soup!!)

 

[jlovesee]

I've never done the DDP and love Le Cellier. We ate there once about a year and a half ago (January 2005) the Pretzel bread is just like they say! We will be eating there again this June (have had the ADR for several months) and in November for the Candlelight Processsional Package (if they ever come out with it!)

Jennifer

 

[chris1gill]

We have been big fans of LeCellier for the last three years (maybe 4), we hit it at least once every trip.... We just always paid OOP for it.... I'm glad to have the dining plan now

 

[Magical JenK]

Last year we had the FDP & yes, did go to Le Cellier on it because of the rave reviews of these boards. This year we were going to pay for the DDP & go to Le Cellier, but then they came out w/FDP again. But to answer your question, yes, I would pay OOP for Le Cellier. We really enjoyed it.

Last year we didn't have ADRs for everyday but we were still able to call the same day & get into quite a few restaruants while we were there. So I guess you could keep calling before you leave, but I wouldn't rule it out altogether as you could call when you get to WDW as well.

Good luck!
Jen

 

[crisi]

We've never traveled on the dining plan and eat at Le Cellier and pay out of pocket. I think its a good value...but it isn't the best steak on property (not by a longshot), its simply the best steak for the money (and its also the most convinent steak for the money - most of the other good steaks are in the resort hotels).

 

[hellokitty86]

I love Le Cellier!! I have never had the dining plan, am getting it because its free this September. (Can't beat free!) I am a passholder, but I think paying $126 for 1 day 1 park passes for the free dining plan is worth it. Otherwise, I don't think I would purchase it and I would still go to Le Cellier.

I too, hope the popularity dies down because it IS hard to get reservations...I am eating there twice for my trip in September though =)

 

[kcashner]

We were at Le Cellier last week and loved it. I called about noon and was told there were no slots open for the next 3 days. I called at 4 pm and was told that they had a 5:45 cancellation.

So....I definitely think it is worth taking the less than optimal time and calling to get a better time if one opens up.

The food was good, the service fantastic.

 

[jonimce]

Our first time here was in August 2001 and it was just as wonderful then. We did use a dining plan, although not the same one as they offer today. Back then on this trip we had app., salad, entre, dessert, Icetea and coffee. I think it was called discovery magic. We were full all the time. Never had any snacks in the parks because we were never hungry. LeCellier will always be one of our favorites. We go every trip.

 

[cassi06403]

We've paid OOP for LeCellier and would do it again!

How wonderful for us we have FDP for our next trip so we get to eat at LeCellier for free!

For the most part, Le Cellier is as good as everyone says. Certainly one of our favorites!

 

[minkydog]

We have never used the DDP, but you bet your booties we'll be going to Le Cellier. We love, love, LOVE the soup and breadsticks! In fact, we'llbe there for Thanksgiving week and our plan is to order teh soup as take-out for our evening meal and hot-foot it over to FW to eat at our camper at the end of the day

 

[01Sweetpea]

We ate lunch there in 2004 and LOVED it! LOVED the cheese soup & the pretzel bread... in fact my kids STILL talk about the preztel bread!

We are definately going back in November, in fact it is only 1 of 2 restaurants that we are going back to... all our other ADRs will be "new" restaurants to us.

 

[POLY1985]

We love Le Cellier and have eaten there on the last 2 trips. We have never had the dining plan and don't plan to get it in the future (unless it's free ). We will still go to LeCellier since all of us like it so much.

 

[BillSears]

I almost wish it wasn't so popular now because it makes it harder for us to get ADRs! Just a week for me before I get my beloved cheddar cheese soup! (I should mention I'm also a soup-a-holic. Mmm soup!!)

I feel the same way. We've been going to Le Cellier for years. It used to be our secret little hideaway where we could almost always just walk up to the podium and be seated without ADRs. Now I've got to plan it 6 months in advance. But I'll still go there DDP or not.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Le Cellier was one of my favorites pre the DDP. It is still a must-do for me each trip.

 

[DawnaJean]

I've never had the DDP either, yet Le Cellier is a must-do for us.

Pretzel Bread, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, Filet, Creme Brulee......

Perfect meal for me!!!!

Dawna

 

[La2kw]

never mind...

 

[PrincessRianne]

I absolutely adore Le Cellier! It is a must for me and my family every Disney trip. It's sad to see that its becoming harder to get reservations, but I guess thats all part of it.

Unfortunatly, my Aunt just surprised me and my next youngest sister Cait with a trip two days after Cait graduates from high school which is in roughly a month. (Theres no unfortunate part about a free trip to Disney!! ) Thing is, I wanted to make a few reservations for the two of us to eat at our fav places. I was planning on Sci-Fi and Le Cellier and Garden Grill to start off. Hearing now that I might not get to eat at Le Cellier is certainly dissapointing. Guess I should check on that tomorrow. Here's to hoping!

 

[Amyrlin]

Not used DDP yet, but le Cellier is good.