Is anyone else disappointed about AR?

[butiflfeet]

I also recommend to keep calling. Don't worry about annoying the CMs, just keep calling. I called to make our ADRs for our upcoming trip in June and was told then that there was no availability during our entire stay at LC. Last week I called and was able to get a lunch ADR at LC for early October so things do open up.

Also, I remember reading on these boards that the filet is still on the lunch menu so that may be an option for you. I haven't been lately though so I can't be sure.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Unfortunatly the lunch menu doesn't include the Filet Mignon with Mushroom Risoto (the only thing we ever order at Le Cellier)...only the dinner menu.

While that used to be the case, that is no longer true. The Mushroom Filet is now on the lunch menu. We had it there a couple of weeks ago.

 

[DisneyKidds]

It's most definitely due to the dining plan popularity.

It's 1 TS credit for a theme park restaurant that serves steak. People stampede there because they feel they want to max out their dining plan credit.

Did you ever consider that people go there because the food is excellent? While it has gotten more difficult to eat there since the dining plan was instituted, there were plenty of times before the dining plan that it was difficult to get a reservation if you didn't call well in advance. Now it is just about impossible, and any time of year, but Le Cellier was popular before the dining plan.....because the food is excelent.

As others have said, you really need to call as soon as the ADR window opens up. If you can't do that, try for a lunch reservation. If you don't get anything, keep calling because availability does change. We have reservations for our post Thanksgiving trip, but even calling five and a half months ahead I couldn't get it. I was able to snag a table when they started booking Candlelight Processional dinner packages, as they were holding some availability for those.

 

[sherlynn]

Keep trying! I booked our trip 4 months ago and called about once every wk or two to see about openings in certain spots....
Last wk, I scored 2 separate ressies at Le Cellier; both for dinner.
Good Luck!

 

[ajleone]

During free dining I would say its the dining plan. However you are trying to book a very popular restaurant the weekend following Thanksgiving and its less than 90 days out. I think its more a timing issue than anything.

 

[SoonipiLady]

Keep trying! I booked our trip 4 months ago and called about once every wk or two to see about openings in certain spots....
Last wk, I scored 2 separate ressies at Le Cellier; both for dinner.
Good Luck!

I just wanted lunch while we were there, no go! Maybe next time. What's the earliest date I can call for a February 21st arrival? Sometime in November isn't it? We're still on the 90 days thing right?

Karen

 

[Uno Mas]

I tried lunch at Le Cellier for the first time in August and it was very good - they have a steak sandwich that kept me filled up for the rest of the day and most of the next day! I did not have a reservation but just tried as a walk in- going at the last possible time. We were seated (party of four) in less than five minutes.

 

[cheesekate2005]

I just wanted lunch while we were there, no go! Maybe next time. What's the earliest date I can call for a February 21st arrival? Sometime in November isn't it? We're still on the 90 days thing right?

Karen

Right now you can book ADR's through February 22! I just cancelled one for Feb 21 at Le Cellier at 4 pm (I got one for the 19th instead). Go try and get one!

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

Last year when I went for lunch I was disappointed because the mushroom risotto filet was not on the menu. Everyone who is saying it's on there now is correct. I hadn't realized that they had added it to the lunch menu. So anyway, I called today to get a lunch or dinner reservation (and asked for a table of 3)...no such luck.

 

[SoonipiLady]

Right now you can book ADR's through February 22! I just cancelled one for Feb 21 at Le Cellier at 4 pm (I got one for the 19th instead). Go try and get one!

perfect time for our party of 7!!! thanks for the heads up!

Karen

 

[BriarRosie]

Did you ever consider that people go there because the food is excellent? While it has gotten more difficult to eat there since the dining plan was instituted, there were plenty of times before the dining plan that it was difficult to get a reservation if you didn't call well in advance. Now it is just about impossible, and any time of year, but Le Cellier was popular before the dining plan.....because the food is excelent.

As others have said, you really need to call as soon as the ADR window opens up. If you can't do that, try for a lunch reservation. If you don't get anything, keep calling because availability does change. We have reservations for our post Thanksgiving trip, but even calling five and a half months ahead I couldn't get it. I was able to snag a table when they started booking Candlelight Processional dinner packages, as they were holding some availability for those.

Yes, I used to eat at Le Cellier back when I didn't need to call 180 days in advance. The last time I ate at Le Cellier was Mother's Day a few years ago, before the DDP was in full swing. I had no problems getting a dining reservation back then. Now I don't even bother because I don't want to be on the phone at 7am eastern 180 days before I want to eat there.

So I stand by my original assertion that:

1. Table service inside a theme park
2. 1 credit only
3. Serves steak

...are the reasons why it's nearly impossible to get an ADR there under reasonable circumstances. Last year, I wasn't sure what ADRs I wanted when family members joined me during my trip, but I was able to get Kona and Artist Point without a problem about 2 months before my trip. I would never have gotten in at Le Cellier. I actually recall asking for it, since my family did show an interest in it. It wasn't available, but that was no surprise to me.

I think opting for lunch is a good idea if someone MUST go to Le Cellier, or at least be as flexible as possible in the time slots. But I still think people have to get up at the crack of dawn to call 180 days out for it regardless.

I'm not worried about missing out on Le Cellier, because there are a ton of places I enjoy that don't have that insane ADR frenzy.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

I can't seem to get a dinner reservation for anywhere on November 29th!!! I've tried Le Cellier (obviously), The Garden Grill, Rose & Crown, Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree Tavern, CRT, etc., etc., etc.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

It shouldn't be this hard to get a reservation for dinner. You shouldn't have to plan 180 days in advance of when you want to eat dinner especially if it's a spur of the moment trip (and 2 and half months out doesn't seem to soon to me). Is it just me or are there other DISers that think Disney should cater to all of us that go every year. I know I'm being a spoiled brat but I'm VERY disappointed and needed to vent!

 

[cheesekate2005]

It shouldn't be this hard to get a reservation for dinner. You shouldn't have to plan 180 days in advance of when you want to eat dinner especially if it's a spur of the moment trip (and 2 and half months out doesn't seem to soon to me). Is it just me or are there other DISers that think Disney should cater to all of us that go every year. I know I'm being a spoiled brat but I'm VERY disappointed and needed to vent!

I understand your feelings! It is a bit ridiculous to have to plan so far in advance...Hopefully you will get what you want if you keep trying. As for Nov. 29th, have you tried out some of the not so extremely popular places? Such as the Turf Club (we have had a few wonderful meals there with last minute (literally that day) reservations) or Spoodles? Good luck.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

Where is the Turf Club? DH and I have never heard of it.

 

[cheesekate2005]

It is at the Saratoga Springs Resort. It is just nice and quiet and really great food. It is just a boat ride from DTD if you are in the area. Check out the reviews on allearsnet and see if it is something you would be interested in. My husband had the some tuna steak or something last time we were there and my daughter had a steak...I had a pasta dish and everybody was pretty happy! Sometimes the best meals are the ones where don't have high expectations.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

Thanks Kate! We'll have to try that out.

 

[B-Ride]

When you consider that the average daily attendance at the 4 theme parks is somewhere around 100,000 people and there are only so many TS restaurants on property, it is really no surprise that it is so hard to get a reservation.

However, the Dining Plan certainly contributes to the problem. On our first few trips to Disney it was all about the parks and we ate counter service or off property. In fact, I remember being shocked that we couldn't just walk in to a TS location (boy was I naive ).

Now that we always get the Dining Plan, we want to make sure we eat TS every night to get value for our credits. I don't "blame" the Dining Plan, it is just a fact of life.

Still, given the demand for Dining, I am surprised that Disney doesn't build more restaurants. I can even suggest a few attractions that could go to make room for a restaurant (Stiches Great Escape, Sounds Dangerous, Narnia: Prince Caspian the DVD advertisement).

 

[cdtommie]

The restaurant is no longer a good value if you are not on the DDP as their steak prices are now approaching the signature restaurant levels. But they do have the Unibroue beer and cheddar cheese soup which is now the main draw for us along with the location.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Where is the Turf Club? DH and I have never heard of it.

We have eaten at Turf Club the past two years and enjoyed it very much. We take the boat to DTD after dinner...very nice. You are going on Thanksgiving weekend..I'm sure that is anohter reason why the ressies are so hard to come by.