Le Cellier ressies and 2 credits - what do you think?

[Lisa S.]

So since it's almost impossible sometimes to get a dinner ADR at Le Cellier, do you think it's going to become easier when lunch is only 1 credit and dinner is 2? Or do you think it won't make a difference?

 

[The_Aviator]

I read an article recently about some of the reasons why Le Cellier is so popular. This one to be exact. http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/08/22/le-cellier-at-epcot-worth-the-hype/

It suggests a few reasons...

1) The food is pretty good
2) A lot of visitors would be more comfortable eating Canadian food than food from the other pavillions
3) With the dining plan, Le Cellier became good value for just one table service credit. With free dining, all hell has broken loose!

I suspect that mainly as a result of that third point, it may become slightly easier to get a table than it was before. however, from what I understand, as part of the transition to 'signature restaurant' they will have to make some major changes to their menu, utilising seasonal menus and such to provide extra value for the increased cost. Lunch may retain the same menu they have today, or something very similar.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think you can make reservations for March now....try the online reservation system and see if availabilty comes up for dinner.

 

[Faldred]

I would imagine that dinner will be easier (though likely not easy) and lunch will be close to impossible.

Of course, a lot will change once we know what the menu changes (if any) will be for each meal.

 

[Praying Colonel]

So since it's almost impossible sometimes to get a dinner ADR at Le Cellier, do you think it's going to become easier when lunch is only 1 credit and dinner is 2? Or do you think it won't make a difference?

I think there won't be much difference on dinner because there are so few tables now, and rumor is they'll be taking some of those out, too. So while there may be reduced demand, already reduced capacity will get even smaller.

As for lunch: I expect lunch ADRs @ Le Cellier will be the toughest ADR in WDW. All the folks who don't want to use 2 credits will be trying to book lunch.

 

[Lisa S.]

I read an article recently about some of the reasons why Le Cellier is so popular. This one to be exact. http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/08/22/le-cellier-at-epcot-worth-the-hype/

It suggests a few reasons...

1) The food is pretty good
2) A lot of visitors would be more comfortable eating Canadian food than food from the other pavillions
3) With the dining plan, Le Cellier became good value for just one table service credit. With free dining, all hell has broken loose!

I suspect that mainly as a result of that third point, it may become slightly easier to get a table than it was before. however, from what I understand, as part of the transition to 'signature restaurant' they will have to make some major changes to their menu, utilising seasonal menus and such to provide extra value for the increased cost. Lunch may retain the same menu they have today, or something very similar.

Good point, I'd forgotten about the menu changes.

I think you can make reservations for March now....try the online reservation system and see if availabilty comes up for dinner.

Great idea - I'll try that.

I would imagine that dinner will be easier (though likely not easy) and lunch will be close to impossible.

Of course, a lot will change once we know what the menu changes (if any) will be for each meal.

Yeah, I figured that with lunch remaining at 1 credit it would become difficult.

I think there won't be much difference on dinner because there are so few tables now, and rumor is they'll be taking some of those out, too. So while there may be reduced demand, already reduced capacity will get even smaller.

As for lunch: I expect lunch ADRs @ Le Cellier will be the toughest ADR in WDW. All the folks who don't want to use 2 credits will be trying to book lunch.

That's what I was thinking too.

Thank you all for your input!

 

[quirty30]

I just tried 6 months out - every night 3/19 thru 3/22 - no Le Cellier dinner availability (not that I really wanted to go & use 2 TS credits - we are staying over this period and I was curious.) But interesting to see that it was still booked up 6 months out even with the change. I think it's a good restaurant but I don't know if it's Signature good.

 

[Colleen27]

It is still extremely hard to get as far as I can tell. I checked for both our Epcot days (7:30am, 180+1 & 3) and nothing came up for a party of four. I thought it might be fun to be one of the first to have a signature dinner there, but I'm not willing to stalk the website to make it happen so I guess it'll wait.

 

[Lisa S.]

Well this is interesting. . .just for the heck of it I started with March 16 and went through March 23 - there was absolutely no availability for dinner for 2 on any of those dates, but lunch was available every single day.

 

[quirty30]

Well this is interesting. . .just for the heck of it I started with March 16 and went through March 23 - there was absolutely no availability for dinner for 2 on any of those dates, but lunch was available every single day.

And wouldn't you think it would be just the opposite? I like Le Cellier very much, but unless they make some significant changes to the menu after it goes to 2 TS credits, I'd be hard pressed to dine there using the DDP. Let's just look at the desserts - they are good, but certainly not the same caliber as the desserts at California Grill or Yachtsman's. And the cheese soup - I like it, but I'd rather have the scallop appetizer or seafood salad at Yachtsman any day of the week.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Truly, IMO, it was only a matter of time. I was kind of surprised it took this long. It's kind of a matter of supply and demand, IMO.

I'm optimistic that it means that the restaurant finally put it's foot down to say, "We can't offer the kind of quality we'd like to offer at the rate DDP is reimbursing us." Whether that means the general food quality of single credit dinig is continuing to decline property wide , or the quality at Le Cellier is going to increase, I don't know. It seems to me that for quite some time the quality at LE Cellier was above many single credit offerings, even if th quality at Le Cellier has seen some decrease in quality.

I also wonder if there are other policies in place at WDW. It seems most single credit dining is locked into serious supplier limitations, whereas double credit locations have broader flexibility in the what they are allowed to offer. I hope that makes sense. I think it goes beyond just the cost. Single credit locations are now extremely homogenous across WDW. The difference in some cases between QS choices and most 1 credit choices is minimal.

Order something like a Caesar salad with chicken and you'll see what I mean. Order macaroni and cheese, and you'll see the same thing. Once upon a time, every restaurant made it's own Mac and cheese. They also offered different pasta. Now it's all the same, really lousy stuff.

Or try finding fresh fruit at WDW.

Also, why does nearly every 1 credit dining establishment have creme brulee on the dessert menu? Seriously, that must be a cheap dessert to make.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I just tried 6 months out - every night 3/19 thru 3/22 - no Le Cellier dinner availability (not that I really wanted to go & use 2 TS credits - we are staying over this period and I was curious.) But interesting to see that it was still booked up 6 months out even with the change. I think it's a good restaurant but I don't know if it's Signature good.

You need to call to book dinner because it's not showing up online. I did and got a ressie for mid-March. CM said there was lots of availability... because folks are only checking online and not calling!

 

[Lisa S.]

You need to call to book dinner because it's not showing up online. I did and got a ressie for mid-March. CM said there was lots of availability... because folks are only checking online and not calling!

I wonder why it's not showing up online - but good tip - when it's time to make my August ressies I'll try calling if I can't find anything online. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Colleen27]

You need to call to book dinner because it's not showing up online. I did and got a ressie for mid-March. CM said there was lots of availability... because folks are only checking online and not calling!

Interesting. I sort of wondered about that when I couldn't find anything, especially when after reading this thread I went back and checked my dates for lunch and found it pretty much wide open! Now I need to think about whether it is worth rearranging the schedule again...

 

[quirty30]

Also, why does nearly every 1 credit dining establishment have creme brulee on the dessert menu? Seriously, that must be a cheap dessert to make.

Eggs, Milk, Sugar.....and a blowtorch. I can't imagine it costs that much (and I do like it...it's not something you can easily make at home.)

 

[Debbie Jean]

Interesting. I sort of wondered about that when I couldn't find anything, especially when after reading this thread I went back and checked my dates for lunch and found it pretty much wide open! Now I need to think about whether it is worth rearranging the schedule again...

Actually, I only know because someone else posted the tip on another thread... so I guess the thanks really go to that person for kindly letting the rest of us know

I'm interested to see what the new dinner menu looks like

Edited to add: Here's the original thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2554508

 

[Tammy296]

We've eaten at le cellier 4 times. We loved it every single time and it's my BF's favorite place to eat. However.... it is not worth 2 TS credits. Then again I have never ate at a place on WDW property that was 2 TS credits before. I can see how some would be because of the entertainment involved (like Mickey's Backyard BBQ or Hoop Dee Doo Review) but come on... this is just a regular restaurant. the desserts here are not that great.

What makes this place so popular? One word... everyone eats American food. So go figure....a lot of people are afraid of the unknown. So eat American, you're safe.

No this place is NOT worth 2 TS credits and I'd never eat there for 2TS credits -- EVER

 

[cjsm&d]

So since it's almost impossible sometimes to get a dinner ADR at Le Cellier, do you think it's going to become easier when lunch is only 1 credit and dinner is 2? Or do you think it won't make a difference?

If I'm gonna blow 2 credits, I'm doing the Yachtsman Steakhouse or something at the GF! LeCellier is good, but not that good.

 

[TheRatPack]

We didn't even like it 4 years ago when it was a 1TS credit with tip and appetizer included LOL I realize we're not really 'fancy' meal kind of people but that stuff really made us raise our eyebrows and go "HUH?, this is what all the hype is about?" I would definitely not use 2 TS credits for it.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

we stopped trying to get it about 2 years ago . It just was not worth the stress my DH said LOL

I remember being able to just get in where I wanted years ago . Now everyone is educated on the ADR's so it is not so easy