Le Cellier menu change?

[DiszyDeanette]

You know, that really stinks. We think DDP is a great value even when we are paying for it. We are DVC members and don't get the "free" dining. I'll have to make sure we don't travel during the promotional period from now on so we can experience the full menus.

For what it's worth, there are those that blame the DDP period, free or not. And all of it is just speculation. It's not as if the restaurant knows when the DDP is free or paid for, and I never met a restaurant manager that didn't prefer a full/busy restaurant to a half empty one.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I am one of those taking advantage of Free Dining and I am starting to get a little offended with the way they are changing the menus because of it. If Disney didn't want to offer it on a level playing field, then don't offer it all. Right??? I'm starting to feel like a mooch.

Again, this is all speculation. And if it is true (and it's not as if servers would know the real reason) I would bet it's less "We can't afford to have X on the menu with free dining!" and more "Love it when the restaurant fills up like this, heck we don't even have to offer X to get people to come in anymore".

 

[LizinSTL]

I am one of those taking advantage of Free Dining and I am starting to get a little offended with the way they are changing the menus because of it. If Disney didn't want to offer it on a level playing field, then don't offer it all. Right??? I'm starting to feel like a mooch.

The server at Le Cellier (in June) said that they tend to change the menu about 2-3 times a year to make sure they take full advantage of fresh, seasonal products. She said that the desserts are regularly updated (we visited the first week or so after the introduction of the summer dessert - strawberries in balsamic...they called it the summer dessert when they described it). She said that the "core" entrees stay the same, but they always update and change the menu for the season. I suspect much of the "changes" that people are talking about now would have happened regardless of free dining.

 

[bicker]

You know, that really stinks.

I wouldn't worry about it. There is little reason to believe it is even true.

 

[scoutsmom99]

You know, that really stinks. We think DDP is a great value even when we are paying for it. We are DVC members and don't get the "free" dining. I'll have to make sure we don't travel during the promotional period from now on so we can experience the full menus.

I agree. He kind of explained it as they are getting a larger colume of diners and some places have ahd to take off more labor intensive items or ones that are not cost effective...his words not mine. This was told to us on the culinary tout at AKL. One thing that they took off the menu at Jiko was the firecracker rolls as an appetizer and a lot of places had no cheese plates (Le Cellier and CA Grill come to mind).

 

[Scraper]

I don't know about the change. I had booked Lecelllers because everyone realy likes it and I like the way it looks. After seeing the menue my DH did not want to go. He loves stake but wants a baked potatoe or french fries. he will not eat vegtables. So I canceled. Do they have these if you ask?

 

[scoutsmom99]

I don't know about the change. I had booked Lecelllers because everyone realy likes it and I like the way it looks. After seeing the menue my DH did not want to go. He loves stake but wants a baked potatoe or french fries. he will not eat vegtables. So I canceled. Do they have these if you ask?

They would accomodate your DH if he wants fries as they have them on the menu. Does he eat mashed potatos at all? because those are quite tasty at Le Cellier.

 

[thunderbird1]

We were just there for lunch a couple of weeks ago, and they removed the cheese sampler, the crab roll, and the tofu dish is now a portabello mushroom dish. There were probably other changes as well, but those were the ones I noticed (and can still remember 3 weeks later).

And those mashed potatoes are heavenly.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

One thing that they took off the menu at Jiko was the firecracker rolls as an appetizer and a lot of places had no cheese plates (Le Cellier and CA Grill come to mind).

No!!!! Not the firecracker rolls!!! Please, please say it ain't so

We eat there in a week (and pay OOP) and a big reason is for those rolls. The menus still have the rolls listed. Is this a very recent change?

Man, this was our only ADR at WDW.

You know, what's the deal with duck at WDW? Getting a little scarce there or what? First it's gone from Chef's and now this?

 

[scoutsmom99]

No!!!! Not the firecracker rolls!!! Please, please say it ain't so

We eat there in a week (and pay OOP) and a big reason is for those rolls. The menus still have the rolls listed. Is this a very recent change?

Man, this was our only ADR at WDW.

You know, what's the deal with duck at WDW? Getting a little scarce there or what? First it's gone from Chef's and now this?

I know we went on the culinary tour on Wednesday Sept 6th and they were off the menu and we were told they would not be back until after free dining. I should have kept the menu we were given. I have ressies there in two weeks and I'm bummed about them not being on the menu.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Thanks, Scoutsmom.

After I posted, I called WDW dining. The CM read the new menu to me, and it appears that not only are the firecrackers gone, but the filet over mac & cheese has been replaced with a sirloin. It doesn't say anything about whether it's on mac & cheese with the red wine sauce anymore.

She gave me the number to Jiko and suggested I call after 12 today and speak with someone there direct.

The filet on mac & cheese, as well as the firecracker appetizer, was going to be our anniversary dinner. If these things are gone during the free DDP, there will be a cancelled ADR for next Friday night at 7:10 if anyone's interested.

 

[Cass]

Okay, I've read this whole thread and I'm still not even sure what the change was? (or was not)

Can someone make it simple for me?

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thanks, Scoutsmom.

After I posted, I called WDW dining. The CM read the new menu to me, and it appears that not only are the firecrackers gone, but the filet over mac & cheese has been replaced with a sirloin. It doesn't say anything about whether it's on mac & cheese with the red wine sauce anymore.

She gave me the number to Jiko and suggested I call after 12 today and speak with someone there direct.

The filet on mac & cheese, as well as the firecracker appetizer, was going to be our anniversary dinner. If these things are gone during the free DDP, there will be a cancelled ADR for next Friday night at 7:10 if anyone's interested.

Filet with mac and cheese was still on the menu on 9/6. I would call over to Jiko when you get in to find out if it is still there.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Filet with mac and cheese was still on the menu on 9/6. I would call over to Jiko when you get in to find out if it is still there.

Called this afternoon and spoke with one of the chefs, "Bret." Filet on mac & cheese is here to stay and is not being "changed out" for anything else during the free DDP. Our anniversary dinner is too important to mess around with, and I really don't want any surprises. It was a toss up this year between Jiko or Tchoup Chop. If the filet was gone at Jiko, Emeril does a good one, too

Bret did say, too, that once the free DDP is over, the duck will be back on the menu. He didn't mention anything about it being "seasonal." Wonder if that's the case for Chef's, as well.

Sometimes I wish I had a spring wedding <sigh>

 

[midge3426]

We are going to be at Disney the last week of September. I forgot when our reservations for Le Cellier was, but all we could get at the time was lunch reservations. I was looking forward to that fine Prime Rib. It looks as though I will have to order something or cancel.

 

[rlduvall]

Bret did say, too, that once the free DDP is over, the duck will be back on the menu.

I'm beginning to feel like cheap trash. Seriously. Shame on Disney for offering Free Dining and then making the guest feel like a mooch using it. It's like, "Hey Irma, the Jones are coming over. Quick, put up the good crystal and bring out the paper plates."

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Rlduvall, I completely understand your frustration. I'm frankly very surprised Disney is doing this to their menus.

I mean, really ... did we really need any confirmation? I don't see the cheap stuff disappearing off the menus. I'm a Floridian. Scallops and duck ain't "seasonal" here. Tomatoes, yes, are seasonal here.

You're definitely not a mooch, tho. WDW offered a deal, many guests are well familiar with WDW dining and decided to opt for the deal. That deal involved you giving up other potential discounts on your room and park tix, as well as the option of going off site for a meal or two and not giving it a second thought. Talk about the rug being pulled out from under.

I can think of about 50 emotions I would have had I bought this "deal," and mooch is not one of them

It's really a shame for everyone, those on the free DDP and those paying OOP. I'm sure there are folks out there who might have wanted to try duck at, say, Chef's and signed up for a September vacation at WDW for free dining based on looking at menus back in June. Similarly, there are folks who don't mind paying OOP for a very special meal and are very unhappy to see a gourmet duck dinner 'temporarily' replaced with a cheeseburger.

WDW has been our anniversary destination for eight years now, and dining is a big part of it. I have no beef with anyone who gets a good deal for their family on vacation anywhere, but if this free thing is offered again next year, we will seriously consider another destination altogether if Disney is going to do this to their menus during the "deal" time.

Sorry for the rant, and I don't mean to hijack. Just commenting on menu changes, although not at LeCellier.

 

[blueangel]

Hey PlutoLuvr, the rant was fine by me! I'm a FL res, too and totally agree. I was tempted when free dining came around again, but didn't want to ask for the time off work. Now I'm glad I didn't! I'll keep my no DDP fall break Food & Wine trip over this mess any day. I haven't liked the changes I've heard of at Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Jiko, and Tony's. I've been trying to keep my ears open, but those are the only ones I can confirm have changed.

 

[esdras]

We were at Le Cellier for dinner this past Friday - and at Coral Reef for lunch the day before.

In terms of menus, things change - all the time. I'm a fan of East Side Mario's (an Italian Restaurant chain) - and was devastated when they took of Firecracker Shrimp Bowties. They're back. The chain was testing new dishes and seeing what kind of backlash they got from one's removed.

Anyway, in terms of dinner at Le Cellier - the Filet Mignon on the mushroom risotto is indeed still there and outstanding. When we ate there we still had one more Table Service to use on our DDP - I was VERY tempted to use another one to get another filet. Yes, they are THAT good.

As for the creme brulee - you now get a dish with two "half" creme brulees. One is the maple one with a cinnamon whipped cream, the other is a vanilla with regular whipped cream. The maple one is amazing, but the vanilla is also very good. If you take a small bit from both at the same time - well, I thought it was near perfect. You still get the maple flavour, but with a refreshing vanilla that cuts the intense sweetness a little.

Here's the question - look at the top Disney restaurants and check out when and how often they change menus. Do they change them for when Free Dining is on, or when it's value season? If I ran a restaurant, I would change the menu and get the staff to learn it when times are slower and the staff isn't being run ragged. Like value season - which is now and February. You can then change the menu twice a year with little disruption.

Now, I haven't gone back to see if this is when they do - in fact - change the menus, but it would make sense.

If, on the other hand, they changed them around August 13th, and change them again around October 1 - then you know they are trying to screw those on the Free Dining.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I'm beginning to feel like cheap trash. Seriously. Shame on Disney for offering Free Dining and then making the guest feel like a mooch using it. It's like, "Hey Irma, the Jones are coming over. Quick, put up the good crystal and bring out the paper plates."

I really doubt it has anything to do with being a "mooch". Some dishes are more time-consuming than others. When the restaurants are packed (which is what they want, do not doubt that for a second!), they have to stop making things that slow down the service. Not to mention all menus change, all the time. And plenty of people actually like the changes. Like Ohana- last year the pineapple and caramel was OK, but I can have that at home anytime I want, (and I cannot cook to save my life) and am SO looking forward to the new dessert!!