Le Celliar - Why so popular? Last minute cancellations?

[gzh6464]

We are going in several weeks as a last minute decision (not peak time) and got into all ADRs we wanted without problem excluding Cinderella's castle - just tried on a whim but never expected to get in) and Le Celliar. Why is Le Celliiar so popular?

Are there ever ways to get into places like Le Celliar last minute (on site) as a result of last minute cancellations?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

LeCellier's popularity is mostly due to perceived value on the Disney Dining Plan, where people look at the prices and the fact that it is a 1 Table Service Credit meal. IMO, it's overhyped, and there are much, much better places onsite.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's also very small. Full restaurant capacity is only about 150.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

IMO, it's overhyped, and there are much, much better places onsite.

Meat and potatoes are safe. Safe food appeals to the masses. That, plus the DDP thing, makes it popular.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Meat and potatoes are safe. Safe food appeals to the masses. That, plus the DDP thing, makes it popular.

I'd replace safe with "pedestrian" or maybe even "boring".

 

[ccigliano]

Le Cellier was popular way before the DDP. I think the hype is that it really was a great table service restaurant with a delicious filet served over mushroom risotto as well as some other great entrees on the menu a few years ago. I think that the quality and service has slipped since the DDP. The last few times we ate there, the filet was very salty and the service seemed very rushed as they are trying to fit in all those ADRs. While I once thought they were the best at Disney, I have now had to re-think that. Tutto Italia is definitely higher on my list but in this case if I'm not doing the DDP, I have a really hard time rationalizing $25 for a pasta entree and $12 for my zabaglione dessert.

 

[RMulieri]

Meat and potatoes are safe. Safe food appeals to the masses. That, plus the DDP thing, makes it popular.

Exactly...It is relatively benign food in World Showcase, it is the ONLY steak place that is 1 credit on the DDP and it is so tiny and cramped and seats about 150 people.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Le Cellier was popular way before the DDP. I think the hype is that it really was a great table service restaurant with a delicious filet served over mushroom risotto as well as some other great entrees on the menu a few years ago.

I don't think it was ever great. The atmopshere is lousy. It's dark and cramped. We were there pre-DDP and it was decent, definitely not, "OMG THIS IS THE BEST PLACE EVERRRRRRR" like some posts would lead you to believe. If you can cook at all, it's hard to mess up steak. And my porcini risotto blows theirs away.

 

[rstamm]

Pretzel bread is fantastic and the best Filet I have ever had, and its a great value for 1 credit, around $50 for meal, drink, dessert and tax.

 

[goofy4prez]

It's good to see that there are others who feel that Le'Cellier is far from measuring upto all the hype this place gets. I did not find the service to be great; rushed as a pp stated would be correct. We encountered a rude manager when we asked if we could be moved away from the restroom entrance and server stations, which I should add the response from the manager was sit here or go somewhere else, but no. My impression of the food, it was good, but very far from great. To me it was an overpriced Outback Steakhouse. Stick a few Fosters Lager posters up and you would never know the difference.

 

[disneybliss2]

It's our favorite restaurant at WDW. We've always had a delicious meal there! Our overall experience has always been wonderful. Just like any restaurant, you'll find some who love it and some that don't.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

I love the place for Filets and pretzel bread plus creamcheese mashed are awesome .

 

[fla4fun]

I like Le Cellier, but I have had good and bad experiences there - once during the same trip! I had two lunches a week apart, at the same time of day. Ordered the same menu items. The first time, everything was superb - from the service to the food, it was hands down the best meal of the trip. The second time, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - a server who kept disappearing for 30 minutes at a time and food that was way overcooked and sat way too long waiting to be served. I was never so happy to get out of a restaurant! In general, my experiences have been pretty good, and my visit last month was excellent. If you can get an ADR, I'd go, but I wouldn't worry about trying to squeeze in if you don't get an ADR. Most of the time, if they're booked, they're booked.

I've had some luck booking close to last minute. My lunch last month was booked only two weeks out. I find that you can spot the openings easier if you go online and have it look at a date range. Then look in two hour increments (the system looks at the hour before and hour after the time you enter). That's how I found my spot.

 

[RMulieri]

It wasn't terrible , it just didn't live up to all the incredible hype this board gives it.I was expecting more I guess. I have had better steaks at chains like Ruth Chris.I was also surprised at HOW TINY this place is.I was crammed at a table wedged in between another family and the kitchen door.Not a lot of room to maneuver with a small child.It was ok food, but I found much better food elsewhere in World Showcase.

 

[zhazhazsu]

It is a good restaurant if you are on the dining plan, a good value for the credit.

The non steak entree options are very good ( as I don't eat steak ). The salmon was the best salmon I ever had in my life.

The decor is cozy, and the mac and cheese is out of this world!

I don't think it would retain it's popularity outside of the "DDP" bubble, but I am going off the dining plan this trip and still booked an ADR for lunch just based on the quality of my entrees last trip.

 

[desert_starr_57]

I had wondered about it too. I am on a mom board as well and they go on and on about it.

I got in on a cancellation for CRT so I will see if I can get in on any others.