EPCOT Lunch vs Dinner Dining Times

[chrystine]

Hi! I have a question regarding the lunch vs dinner dining times (particularly in Epcot) that maybe someone can help me with.

Based on my past visits, I thought that restaurants usually transition to their dinner menus for seatings starting at 4pm. We are heading to WDW next week and I previously made a lunch (or so I thought) reservation at LeCellier for 3:30pm (only time I could get) on our last day. I went on the site today in hopes (long shot I know) of getting an earlier ADR since our flight leaves MCO at 6:45pm and it would be cutting it close. I wasn't able to get an earlier ADR, however, I noticed dining times listed as:

Lunch: 11:30AM-1:25PM (Does Not Include Characters)
Dinner: 3:30PM-9:00PM (Does Not Include Characters)

I am almost positive that dinner started at 4pm when I made the reservations months ago. Was I imagining it? Has lunch always been cut-off that early (and dinner started that early)? I looked a few other restaurants and noticed similar times.

Thanks for any input!

 

[chrystine]

Just for the heck of it, I tried booking Le Cellier for January is it showed the following dining times:

Lunch: 11:30AM-3:00PM (Does Not Include Characters)
Dinner: 4:00PM-9:00PM (Does Not Include Characters)


I still don't know where a 3:30pm reservation would fit in January but I am thinking they changed holiday dining times due to the Candlelight Processional packages (which we don't have). If that is the case, it kind of stinks for me because my lunch reservation is now a dinner reservation and I made it a long time ago.

 

[Hopefully]

Just for the heck of it, I tried booking Le Cellier for January is it showed the following dining times:

Lunch: 11:30AM-3:00PM (Does Not Include Characters)
Dinner: 4:00PM-9:00PM (Does Not Include Characters)


I still don't know where a 3:30pm reservation would fit in January but I am thinking they changed holiday dining times due to the Candlelight Processional packages (which we don't have). If that is the case, it kind of stinks for me because my lunch reservation is now a dinner reservation and I made it a long time ago.

I don't have an answer to your question, but I do think that a 3:30 lunch/dinner is too late with a 6:45 flight. MCO security is often backed up. If there is rush hour traffic or an accident on the highway you could miss your flight. I would be heading toward the airport by 4:00, if it was me.

 

[starousse]

I think it's due to the Candlelight Packages in December.

 

[figment_jii]

Check you ADR confirmations to see if it says lunch or dinner. Back in October when I was making ADRs, the email confirmation would have all of the information in a box just below the confirmation number. This is an example from one of them:

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
Epcot
Date: Thursday, 10/20/2011
Time: 7:50pm (Dinner)
Party Size: 4 Guests

For Le Cellier it matters if you're having lunch or dinner because the menu changes and it becomes a Signature (2 credits on the DDP). However, as others have said, having a 3:30 pm lunch with a 6:45 pm flight is cutting it really close. Most sit downs are between an hour and 90 minutes (up to two hours for a Signature) and that is not including time waiting to be seated. Overall, I would try to get in as soon as the restaurant opens if you really want to eat at Le Cellier before flying home.

 

[chrystine]

Thanks for the input! I agree it is cutting it close which is why I was trying to get an earlier ADR. Maybe I will just go to the podium when they open and see if they can get us in earlier.

 

[purple figment]

Thanks for the input! I agree it is cutting it close which is why I was trying to get an earlier ADR. Maybe I will just go to the podium when they open and see if they can get us in earlier.

A 3:30 res is too late with your flight schedule. You'll be clock watching the entire time which wouldn't make the meal very enjoyable.

I would keep trying to get an earlier res, even after you arrive at DW. When we were in DW we were able to find some reservations one day in advance as people cancelled/changed their plans.

I agree that the CP package is why the lunch hours are limited right now.

In October we had an 11:30 lunch res at Le Cellier which is when the restaurant opens for the day. We checked in a few minutes early. While waiting for the restaurant to open at least 5 or 6 parties asked if they were taking walk ups. The CM explained that it would be at least half an hour before there might be any openings, that they did not have a walk up wait list and that they would be seated if there was an available table when they came back.

 

[chrystine]

A 3:30 res is too late with your flight schedule. You'll be clock watching the entire time which wouldn't make the meal very enjoyable.

I would keep trying to get an earlier res, even after you arrive at DW. When we were in DW we were able to find some reservations one day in advance as people cancelled/changed their plans.

I agree that the CP package is why the lunch hours are limited right now.

In October we had an 11:30 lunch res at Le Cellier which is when the restaurant opens for the day. We checked in a few minutes early. While waiting for the restaurant to open at least 5 or 6 parties asked if they were taking walk ups. The CM explained that it would be at least half an hour before there might be any openings, that they did not have a walk up wait list and that they would be seated if there was an available table when they came back.

I think we will try that. Thanks for the advice