Is Le Cellier worth it?

[Praying Colonel]

Agree. It seems that a lot of people's problem with LC is the restaurant changing from 1 to 2 credits. I've heard it said several times here that people "loved" it when it was 1 table service, but now they "hate" it since it's 2 credits. IMO, the food hasn't changed, but the "value" has for people on the ddp. It's always been pricier for OOP, relative to other Disney restaurants.

We've eaten there several times in the past, and always enjoyed the food and had good service. We will go back. It's never been a "must do" on our list for every trip, but we generally hit it at least every other trip.

IMHO there are 2 things going on here: what the OP asked (is it worth it?) and what many people are offering (is it good?) To answer the OP's question, value definitely has to be taken into account IMHO. I've been before and after the change. The filet/risotto entree cost $28 before they went to 2 credits and the false economy adjusted the price upward. Now you pay 75% more for the exact same entree. I can't justify $49 for that entree. Maybe others can, more power to them. But I'd rather spend my $49 elsewhere. Everybody's got their opinion, but I'm an expert in mine.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

DDP


IMHO there are 2 things going on here: what the OP asked (is it worth it?) and what many people are offering (is it good?) To answer the OP's question, value definitely has to be taken into account IMHO. I've been before and after the change. The filet/risotto entree cost $28 before they went to 2 credits and the false economy adjusted the price upward. Now you pay 75% more for the exact same entree. I can't justify $49 for that entree. Maybe others can, more power to them. But I'd rather spend my $49 elsewhere. Everybody's got their opinion, but I'm an expert in mine.

Thanks, that's sorta where I was going with this question.... A $50 steak is a big splurge for me, and I want it to literally knock my socks off.

Everyone's replies are very appreciated.

 

[alex9179]

I checked out the prices between Le Cellier, Yachtsman, and Shulas and they are pretty close. The side is included at the Disney owned TS and it's about $10 extra for most of the sides at Shula's. They all seem to serve Choice cuts, while using the better end of that spectrum. Shula's website goes into more detail about how they choose what they serve but I can't say that the other places don't follow something similar since their websites don't go into that kind of detail.

For the money, I'd choose Shula's. I've never been to Yachtsman, so I can't comment on that option.

 

[ellie05]

NO! Probably the worst expirince we had.

 

[OKW Lover]

What are your thoughts/experiences?

If you were planning 2-3 similarly priced meals for your vacation week, would you make Le Cellier one of them?

No, not at all. Le Cellier is pricey only because it seems to be in such demand. Unfortunately its food and service doesn't live up to those other restaurants that you could dine at for the same price.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We've eaten at Le Cellier MANY times since 2005. We always enjoy it, and rarely have a trip when we don't go. We've been lucky enough to eat at some extraordinary restaurants around the country, and we find Le Cellier to be worth it at their prices. And we've always experienced good service there. I suppose I can't compare with any of the "chain restaurants" mentioned as we haven't been to those.

To give you a sense of our tastes... Our favorite dinner locations in WDW are probably (in order of preference): Jiko, California Grill, Via Napoli, Le Cellier.

 

[Ensusieasm]

What are your thoughts/experiences?

If you were planning 2-3 similarly priced meals for your vacation week, would you make Le Cellier one of them?

Yes, I love LeCellier! It's worth it. It sure is!

 

[goldfinger]

I last dined at Le Cellier last June, two nights after having dined at Yachtsman's. The Le Cellier steak compared quite favorably with what I had had earlier (Yachtsman's is my favorite steakhouse on property). The prices at Le Cellier are not outrageous, in line with other steakhouses I've been to in NYC and Las Vegas (perhaps slightly higher given that it's in a theme park). My meal was delightful, and I made sure to let the manager know. How consistent is the quality of the food/service? I couldn't say; obviously it is hard to get there frequently enough to tell, so it's entirely possible that one could dine there on an "off" night. But I believe that it has become chic to put the place down over the last two or three years, and I think that is on the whole undeserved.

 

[MrsDuck]

We really were not that impressed.

 

[Shellyb84]

We had a wonderful meal and great service at Le Cellier last summer (probably best filet I've ever had), but we are going to try Yachtsman next trip.

 

[Claudia1]

I go for the pretzel bread and cheese soup. We sometimes split an entree.

If you want an excellent steak in WS, go to Monsieur Paul. My filet was amazing and cheaper than LeCellier

 

[mikeyg1479]

For me, I enjoy the place and love the food- but its not a good value. Whether using the dining plan (signature dining or two table credits per person) or out of pocket ($50 steak entry, $13 soupits just too much for what you are getting.

Yes, its a good steak, if maybe just shy of TOP steak places, but most agree not worth the price. It just isn't THAT fancy for the pricing these days- there are nicer places to spend signature dining credits for steak- the Yachtsman comes to mind. Or if you are out of pocket and want to go on a high priced streak coma- go to Shula's instead.

When it was a single table service credit it was the place to go in Epcot, but now I have a hard time recommending it over others.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Le Cellier isn't bad, but Yachtsman Steakhouse is much better. It's a five-ten minute walk from Le Cellier and a similar price point/same number of dining credits, but the food quality there was so much better IMO.

 

[CraigInPA]

The only thing that is "signature" about LC is the price. For the price, neither the food nor the dining experience is great. The tables are so jammed together that you might as well be on a communal table. The last time my wife and I went, the server had to slip between the tables. The only way she could fit her tiny petite body between the tables was for us to physically move both tables to touch the tables on either side! Service was hit and miss, and not commensurate with other signature restaurants at Disney. The food, as others have stated, was Outback steakhouse quality.

If you want a good meal at WS at that price level, there are other options. If you don't mind leaving the WS, take the 15 minute walk from LC to the Yacht Club (via the International Gateway) and eat at Yachtsman Steakhouse. If you aren't glued to that area, consider California Grill, Narcoossee's, Citricos, or Artist Point as alternatives to LC.

 

[goofy4prez]

. But I believe that it has become chic to put the place down over the last two or three years, and I think that is on the whole undeserved.

I think that it was chic to reap high praise on the place prior to the last 2 or 3 years, and I think that on the whole was undeserved.

 

[PolyRob]

I have only heard positive reviews of Le Cellier from my "Disney Veteran" friends who have previously dined there. One even stated "it was the best steak he has had in WDW."

My original MYW package included dining, but after realizing I wanted many 2-credit table service meals, I quickly removed it from my package. Good thing I did not cancel my original ADR for Le Cellier!

 

[raddisneyfan]

I haven't been, so can't say for certain. However, I have almost booked a few times, but just can't seem to get over the pricing. I think maybe that's it looks so dark inside doesn't really interest me. I know I'm in the minority, because it is a really popular restaurant and really hard to get reservations. I much prefer to spend my money at some of the resort restaurants--California Grill at CR, in particular--dinner with a view!

 

[TiffanyA]

For me, the Le Cellier Filet with Mushroom Risotto is worth it, even at the inflated price. I've had many a fine steak at high end restaurants, yet this filet keeps us coming back, even after they raised the price. The one must-do for my family is Le Cellier. But see, for us, while the steak is phenomenal and continues to be, we have also intertwined great memories with it and Le Cellier in general over the years. It is a happy place for us, the place where we one time drank around the world and had to sprint across the park in pouring rain to make our ADR, the place where we took a much needed evening break with a glass of cognac and just chilled for about three hours... you get the idea. Without that sentiment, I do wonder if it would be our top restaurant. It definitely wouldn't be a bottom tier for us, no matter, but a perfect evening to me is a Le Cellier Filet, with Earl Grey Tea (cause dammit it may be as hot as Hades outside, but the restaurant is cold!) followed by a leisurely stroll over to France for the Lemon Meringue Ice Cream (cause I have melted 2 minutes after exiting the building).