DME return vs. dinner @ Le Cellier

[firecracker]

On our last day at WDW this July, we have a seating at Le Cellier for their first dinner time: 4:00. Our SW flight leave MCO at 8:55 pm, which means we'll probably have a DME time of about 6:00 to leave OKW. Do you think that's enough time, or should I cancel Le Cellier. OR, When I get the DME schedule the morning of our checkout, can I request a slightly later time?

WWYD??

TIA. Carmen

 

[Sammy]

I really don't think that's possible at all. Don't forget that after dinner, you have to get back to OKW in the first place. Even if you get seated right away at 4:00, that's only 2 hours for the meal and getting all the way back to OKW. Personally, I wouldn't be doing it....

I haven't used DME yet, so I don't know about requesting a later pick up time. Considering what the security lines at MCO usually look like, arriving 2 hours prior to departure is always a good idea.

 

[CleveRocks]

On our last day at WDW this July, we have a seating at Le Cellier for their first dinner time: 4:00. Our SW flight leave MCO at 8:55 pm, which means we'll probably have a DME time of about 6:00 to leave OKW. Do you think that's enough time, or should I cancel Le Cellier. OR, When I get the DME schedule the morning of our checkout, can I request a slightly later time?

WWYD??

TIA. Carmen

You'll get your assigned DME time on the morning BEFORE the day of your checkout.

No, they won't let you negotiate a later bus pick-up time. And I totally agree with Sammy, no way you'll be able to eat AND get back to OKW.

Are you flying a participating airline? If so, here's a far-out option: use Resort Airline Check-in so your checked luggage will be taken care of; since it's the way home, forget about taking any carry-ons, except for a backpack or something similar you'd take in the parks anyway; take a taxi (or arrange for a car service) from the Epcot main entrance to MCO. If you don't need to return to OKW, you'll have PLENTY of time to have a nice dinner and then take a taxi to the airport. Just a thought ....

 

[faindrops27]

OP, as I remember DME picks you up 4 hours before your departure time. So you would not be able to do it. Lecieller' is so worth it. We are eating dinner there 2 times, on our upcoming vacay. If I wanted to do this. I would schedule a shared van to pick me up to take me to the airport. Hope everything works out for you.

 

[englishteacha]

Can you do a lunch at Le Cellier? Can you change your reservation to another night?

 

[missmun52]

I believe that they pick you up 3 hours before flight.

What about doing lunch instead of dinner?

 

[LeftCoaster]

I think it is doable. While you are waiting to be seated, peruse the menu and figure out what you want. Then, after dinner, exit through International Gateway, walk to the Boardwalk and take a taxi back to OKW.

I have taken many a taxi from the Boardwalk back to OKW. There are always plenty waiting there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

OP, as I remember DME picks you up 4 hours before your departure time.

Magical Express picks up domestic passengers 2-3/4 to 3 hours before flight departure; international travelers do get an hour sooner pickup.

take a taxi (or arrange for a car service) from the Epcot main entrance to MCO.

Then, after dinner, exit through International Gateway, walk to the Boardwalk and take a taxi back to OKW

Or, head to the Beach Club from the International Gateway. Even that five minute walk could make a difference.

 

[firecracker]

I'm really surprised that no one has advised me to take the chance, live on the edge, hope for some pixie dust...you all are not big risk-takers!!

Here's what I'm thinking: if we're at Le Cellier by 3:45, we know what we want when we sit down, we'll be done before 5 pm...we don't dink around between courses and stuff like that...we've got 2 kids (10 and 11), we're there to eat not lollygag. Anway, if we're done by 5 can't we walk to the entrance and get a bus back to OKW in an hour? That time of day won't be busy, bus-wise like closing time....

C'mon! I don't want to cancel and I'm too cheap to get a taxi! Anybody out there with me?? Show me some love!

Carmen

 

[disneyagain]

Okay....Go for it!

If you don't make it back to the resort in time to catch DME, you'll have to take a cab to the airport......$$

If the cab comes in a timely manner and gets you to the airport, you'll just have to go through the line to check your luggage and then through security.

If the cab doesn't come in a timely manner, you may miss your flight, just reschedule when you get to the airport on another flight....$$$$

Seriously thought.....I'm not so sure I would risk it, we are having breakfast at Ohana's our last day, so we've rented a car for the last day, we'll use RAC for our luggage, put our carry-ons in the trunk and leave directly from the POLY to the airport, instead of having to try and get back to POP for the DME bus.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm really surprised that no one has advised me to take the chance, live on the edge, hope for some pixie dust...you all are not big risk-takers!!

Here's what I'm thinking: if we're at Le Cellier by 3:45, we know what we want when we sit down, we'll be done before 5 pm...we don't dink around between courses and stuff like that...we've got 2 kids (10 and 11), we're there to eat not lollygag. Anway, if we're done by 5 can't we walk to the entrance and get a bus back to OKW in an hour? That time of day won't be busy, bus-wise like closing time....

C'mon! I don't want to cancel and I'm too cheap to get a taxi! Anybody out there with me?? Show me some love!

Carmen

I'll show you love, but only if you promise not to call me for a ride back to Indiana.

10 minutes from restaurant to bus stop. Up to a 20 minute wait for the bus. Then a 10 minute ride. Puts you at OKW by 5:40 p.m.

Seriously, the other issue is retrieving your luggage from Bell Services (because it's likely they are storing it for you). That could take 1 minute, or it could take 15 minutes (I've had it both ways). So even if you get back with 5 minutes to spare, you might miss the bus because your luggage isn't ready for you.

 

[seashoreCM]

Show me some love!

We're telling you how to do it so you don't miss your plane because we all love you. xxxxx

It is a good idea to aim to be back at your resort an hour before your scheduled DME bus back to the airport. You never know what kind of glitch you might run into, such as time for the bellhop to fetch your carry-on suitcase.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[zurgswife]

I'm really surprised that no one has advised me to take the chance, live on the edge, hope for some pixie dust...you all are not big risk-takers!!

Here's what I'm thinking: if we're at Le Cellier by 3:45, we know what we want when we sit down, we'll be done before 5 pm...we don't dink around between courses and stuff like that...we've got 2 kids (10 and 11), we're there to eat not lollygag. Anway, if we're done by 5 can't we walk to the entrance and get a bus back to OKW in an hour? That time of day won't be busy, bus-wise like closing time....

C'mon! I don't want to cancel and I'm too cheap to get a taxi! Anybody out there with me?? Show me some love!

Carmen

Unless you walk to BC or Boardwalk and get a taxi...I think you run to big a risk with the bus system and potentially missing your DME bus....Your risking an even bigger expense to get the airport by taxi if you miss your DME bus by not spending $20 or less to get back to OKW quickly.

 

[salmoneous]

Show me some love!

OK - go for it. What's the worse thing that can happen? You miss your ME bus and have to take a cab to the airport, which will cost you $50 including tip. It's not the end of the world; you aren't risking missing your plane.

Get to the restaurant a bit early, and know what you want ahead of time (see the allearsnet.com menu (http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_lcd.htm). As you are being seating, explain that you are in a hurry and want to get your order in as soon as possible. Be sure to take care of the bill long before you finish up.

You should be walking out before 5:00, giving you over an hour to get to the bus, wait, and ride back to OKW. Two things can make your timetable tighter - if your bus is scheduled before 6:00 (it could be 5:45) or of you can't use RAC and have to get your bags from bell services. If that's the case, you may have less than an hour to get from the restaurant to your bus. Can it be done? Sure. But it's up to you if you want to gamble. You either take the sure thing cab to OKW, or risk getting the cab to MCO. You've got to ask yourself one question. "Do you feel lucky?"

 

[helenk]

While I love eating at LeCellier I am not a risk taker. No matter what time I've eaten there the restaurant is always busy.
My choice would be to look a the menu choices on line so you have an idea of what you want to eat to be at Le Cellier right before you dining time. When you are seated and your waiter or waitress comes to your table explain that you are leaving today and your time is limited, that way you should get speedy service.
You say you want to then walk back to get the bus to OKW and this should not be a problem because its a slower time of day....this could mean that you may have a longer wait for a bus because they are not coming and going as frequently as they are during busier times, so you are taking a big chance.
I would walk back through the international gateway to the BC and then get a cab back to OKW.. this will give you plenty of time to get to your resort and then get your luggage so that you can relax and wait for the DME bus.

 

[Lewisc]

Many of us have had to wait up to an hour to be seated at Le Cellier, even with an ADR. I wouldn't expect a problem, you have an early enough reservation BUT LE CELLIER SERVES lunch and they could still be backed up.

You can take the chance, AS LONG AS YOU'RE PREPARED TO SPEND THE $$$ for a cab if you run late. DME won't give you a later pick up. Your bus might be scheduled to leave OKW at 5:45. Are you flying a participating airline? If not you may have to arrive at OKW by 5:30 so you can retrieve your luggage. Now assume you're not seated until 4:30...

Now do you see why many of us think a taxi to OKW or to MCO might wind up being needed?

Everything works perfectly you just have enough time.

I'm really surprised that no one has advised me to take the chance, live on the edge, hope for some pixie dust...you all are not big risk-takers!!

Here's what I'm thinking: if we're at Le Cellier by 3:45, we know what we want when we sit down, we'll be done before 5 pm...we don't dink around between courses and stuff like that...we've got 2 kids (10 and 11), we're there to eat not lollygag. Anway, if we're done by 5 can't we walk to the entrance and get a bus back to OKW in an hour? That time of day won't be busy, bus-wise like closing time....

C'mon! I don't want to cancel and I'm too cheap to get a taxi! Anybody out there with me?? Show me some love!

Carmen

 

[Piper]

Make you LeCellier reservation for a late lunch! Much better to eat a little earlier than miss your flight!

Think about it--do you want "love" or the truth!

 

[TDC Nala]

No meal is worth missing your bus and your flight...definitely not Le Cellier. Do lunch if you can. Or arrange alternate transportation to the airport if you want to pay for it.

Maybe it would work if you took a taxi from the Beach Club to OKW, which would not cost as much as taking one to the airport.

 

[tiki23]

Our last trip, we went to AK on departure day. We couldn't have asked for better timing on the busses, but I still was feeling a little panicked and rushed to get back to POP and on the DME bus.

I hate that feeling and I hated even more the fact that the rushed feeling was my last memory of the trip.

Book Le Cellier for a late lunch and save yourself any aggravation.

 

[goofy4tink]

It would seem to be that you really enjoy the food at LeCellier, otherwise it wouldn't be such a big deal to miss it. SO....it doesn't make sense to sit there, at a restaurant you obviously enjoy, wolfing down food, worrying about making the bus back to the airport. LeCellier is one of the restaurants I have routinely found myself waiting past my ADR time, and we eat early in the evening when it should be less crowded!! I would either try to move your ADR to an earlier time (for a late lunch) and not worry about the timing, or eat quickly and take a cab back to OKW. If your ADR is at 4:00, you 'may' have to cool you heels until 4:15ish, then wolf your meal down (and service can be slow in there!), then walk the 10 mins to the front of the park. If the OKW bus has just left, you face a 20 minute wait for the next one. No way are you going to make the bus at 6:00. It's just not worth the risk.