Le Cellier Dilemma

[THEJOEL]

We snagged a Le Cellier ADR for the first time last night for our trip in December. There was a lot of debate in my household between it and Coral Reef simply because DD9 wanted to eat there for the aquarium.
I made the executive decision and picked Le Cellier simply because I wanted to go and told her we would hit Coral Reef when we go back in April.
We are not on DDP and we are only doing one sit down dinner per trip. Did I make the right decision? Is Le Cellier worth it out of pocket?

 

[RS Applecore]

It was worth going when it was 1 table service credit on the DDP. Worth it now for 2? No. Worth paying out of pocket? IMO, no.

It's cozy, great atmosphere, and feels like an escape from the heat & hustle-bustle of the park. The service is pretty good (not what I would expect at this price point--I expect Brown Derby service for that much moolah). Steaks are good, but... I've had as good and better elsewhere.

Coral Reef does have the aquarium. Pretty cool.

My pick would be Brown Derby for a great, out-of-pocket meal, or Shula's Steakhouse at the Dolphin for steaks and service that are phenomenal. But if the kids are young, Shula's will be too stuffy.

If you want a restaurant inside Epcot, then Coral Reef or maybe Garden Grill.

 

[Disfor3]

I agree. If I were going to only have one sit down meal in that price range I would opt for California Grill or Jiko... Both of those are always awesome and we go every year! Good luck!

 

[TeachTink]

I am trying Le Cellier for the first time on our December trip too. Do what you want!! Everyone has an opinion about something. I let myself form my own. A coworker of mine went to Ohana and HATED it. My husband and I LOVED it when we went. I say you need to try something once to form your own opinion. If you don't like it, don't go again. Keep Le Cellier!

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

We snagged a Le Cellier ADR for the first time last night for our trip in December. There was a lot of debate in my household between it and Coral Reef simply because DD9 wanted to eat there for the aquarium.
I made the executive decision and picked Le Cellier simply because I wanted to go and told her we would hit Coral Reef when we go back in April.
We are not on DDP and we are only doing one sit down dinner per trip. Did I make the right decision? Is Le Cellier worth it out of pocket?

We have done both several times and Le Cellier wins hands down. Coral Reef is ok, but if you are only going for the aquarium you can see that without eating there. We are paying out of pocket this time and it's worth it for us.

 

[figment_jii]

My family really enjoys Le Cellier (we don't use the DDP either), so I think you made a fine choice. In terms of the "worth" that depends a lot on each individual family. The prices are high, but it's on par with what you'd expect for WDW (and theme parks in general). I think as long as you go with realistic expectations and an open mind, you can have a great meal.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Le Cellier was my favorite meal on our recent trip! Prices are definitely high, but I can honestly say that it's the best steak I've ever had. We ate at Coral Reef for lunch the same day and it was just ok.

 

[hedberg1661]

I don't know that it is worth paying OOP. I think that if you are looking for a Steakhouse on property and want to pay OOP I would go to the Yachtsman. Much better steak.

I think Lecellier is nice and their food is good but not outstanding. For a similar price, I would do Yachtsman.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We are not on DDP and we are only doing one sit down dinner per trip. Did I make the right decision? Is Le Cellier worth it out of pocket?

1) I think Coral Reef was the better decision.
2) Le Cellier is not special any longer
. . . the tables are far to close to one-another, and VERY cramping
. . . when you ask to have the salt passed, it should be your family passing it, not guests at the next table
. . . the menu items were not significantly upgraded when the price was doubled
. . . in fact, to make the meat "taste better", major amounts of sodium is added (old restaurant trick)
3) In our opinion, Le Cellier is not worth two DDP coupons, let alone the OOP expense.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Anyone ever just stop and think what privileged lives we lead when our dilemmas revolve around choosing the correct nice restaurant at Disney World to dine at while on vacation? Sometimes it hits me that we are all very, very lucky people indeed.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We never ate there OOP as we do the dxdp so I can't comment on pricing, but we love Le Cellier and its a must do at least once per trip (although DH insists on more than once thanks to the pretzel bread). Appearance wise, I think Coral Reef is more attractive to a kid though - Le Cellier is dark.

 

[THEJOEL]

Anyone ever just stop and think what privileged lives we lead when our dilemmas revolve around choosing the correct nice restaurant at Disney World to dine at while on vacation? Sometimes it hits me that we are all very, very lucky people indeed.

Yes it's definitely a "first world problem" and pretty much what I said to my DD9 when she pouted a bit about not going to Coral Reef.

 

[Nancyg56]

If the two, I would choose Coral Reef. I think Le Cellier is vastly overrated. If I was spending that kind of money on dinner I would choose one of the signatures listed by ithers

 

[Pumbaa_]

Agree with a PP about the difference btw 1 credit and 2.

For the price point alone I would go with Coral Reef.

Lots of choices between Epcot and the BW area (which is just steps away from Canada by the way....)

 

[n2mm]

We took lecellier off our list a few years ago. We always paid oop. Our last trip we looked at what we got for what we paid and all decided to not return. However we go to coral reef every trip (about 4 times a year). It never disappoints us. I'm still a fan of cheese soup and miss it, but also miss the great lunch menu lecellier use to have.

 

[disnut8]

We snagged a Le Cellier ADR for the first time last night for our trip in December. There was a lot of debate in my household between it and Coral Reef simply because DD9 wanted to eat there for the aquarium.
I made the executive decision and picked Le Cellier simply because I wanted to go and told her we would hit Coral Reef when we go back in April.
We are not on DDP and we are only doing one sit down dinner per trip. Did I make the right decision? Is Le Cellier worth it out of pocket?

You get Le Cellier this time and you get Coral Reef next time. I'm sure you know the menus and the atmosphere and you picked the one you want now and the one you want later. And, well, your nine year old will have something to look forward to on her next Disney trip! You could buy her a fish to take into Le Cellier.

 

[ojeight]

Look at the menus and note the selections and prices of both restaurants and see which one you think you might like better and are in your budget. You may also want to think about the other activities you are doing on the trip. If they are more geared towards your children you may have to explain to them that this is the restaurant you want to go. We don't like see our children unhappy and this is something they might not want to do but we can't always do what we want to do and children have to learn that. And don't feel guilty about it because think of all the wonderful things she can do at Disney World. I will say this being born and raised in New York City, I never looks at a menu in Disney and think that it is over priced. If anything I think, wow these prices are so cheap. I know I am in the minority there.

 

[itchin2go]

We have paid for it out of pocket, and we enjoyed it. I don't think it was the best meal of the trip (that was Sanaa), but the service was good, and the food ranged from good to outstanding.

The tables are close together. It's not my favorite dining room. (That would be Flying Fish.) But I do like the place. If it's something that interests you, go for it.

I really feel like I read a lot of terrible reviews about Coral Reef.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

You chose yourself over your kid? I must be whipped because the little girls in my house always win over my choices.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I have a hard time paying $50 for a steak of that quality. It's good--but not "Wow, that steak was worth $50" good. Even within the WDW Reality Distortion Field, I can't do it anymore.

If my only choices were Le Cellier and Coral Reef, I'd choose Coral Reef. But there are other TS restaurants in EP I'd choose over either one. YMMV.