Le Cellier: The worst meal we've ever had on Disney property

[Jaybrad]

We have dined at Le Cellier (sometimes 2-4 times) every trip we make to WDW. It is one of our favorite restuarants on property. We have received excellent service on every visit and the food has always been superb. We have dined at the Shula's at the Dolphin, Yachtsman's and the Concourse and the service may have been a little better at Shula's but the food quality at Le Cellier was as good or better than all.

 

[MichellT]

I wrote a negative review of Le Cellier on these boards during our trip last September. There were a few "me too" responses but mostly "not me" responses on the boards. However, I did get a few PMs that were very strongly negative. It's odd how this board is very pro-Le Cellier and sometimes people write it off as a one-off experience if theirs was poor. I have had another not quite as negative, but certainly unpositive experience, since then.

I agree with a couple posters here who said that Le Cellier used to be better than it was. We used to love it. But, I don't know if the dining plan or something else made them so popular, and then there is the issue of most of the servers being there for a short term, and not always interested in serving jobs.

But for some reason they seem completely unequipped to handle the full slate of reservations they have every night. I would think that the steady flow would allow them to know exactly what to expect. But it seems like everyone working there is surprised at how busy it is, every single night. The food is often still good, but there's usually a long wait for a table, a long wait for service (by which I mean being served something, not just being greeted), and inappropriate reactions by their managers to problems that ultimately will come up in such a packed place.

When we had our problem, the manager's solution was to "zero the grat," or stiff the server's tip, even though we were on the dining plan. I asked for my credits back instead (I'm not looking to punish someone out of meanness, I'm looking to have a better dinner elsewhere!). The manager promised to return our credits, even gave me her card, and then never did. I got it fixed at the resort later instead.

 

[robinb]

I had a very similar experience at Le Cellier and I didn't go back for years. We were seated a full hour after arriving (after IllumiNations for an 8:00 PS) with no clue that the wait was going to be that long. The staff at the desk just took our name and told us to wait. Our DD was a toddler and it was difficult to entertain her in the waiting area for so long. The staff *knew* it was going to be a long wait because I overheard the people exiting talk about how long they waited before they were seated. If we had known, we would have picked up Counter Service instead. Once we were seated, service was terrible and our steaks were just so-so.

After hearing so many raves I finally returned to Le Cellier for lunch last year and our meal was OK. Not great, but OK.

 

[WDW LOVR]

We go to Disney 2-3 times a year and eat at LeCellier at least once a trip and have never had a bad meal or service.

I hope everyone that goes there hates it so it makes it easier for me to get ADR's when I want them

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow you guys are giving me alot to think about. I made my ressies 180 days out, and all I could get was 7p.m. Wouldn't be bad if it was just adults, but I don't think my 6 yr old niece will want to wait an hour after that to be seated and eat. And I would hate to be one of those people who makes a reservation then doesn't show up. Something to mull over....

 

[RyMickey]

We didn't have any problems with Le Cellier like you had, but we definitely think it's overrated and overpriced. We won't be going there again (and if we do, it'll be a long time from now). We get better cuts of meat from the Outback down the street and it's cheaper there.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I am sorry you had a bad experience, we're trying this place out this year!.

No offense, but I'm a young twenty-something. I shouldn't look like I have kids in tote.

okay i'm a YOUNG 20something too and incredibly short 4'10, but i have 2 kids and i just don't see what how you look has to do with it??? people look different ages, they aren't going to just guess.

I chalk it up to, once again, poor service skills at the restaurant.

Because of the 4 not 2 people thing, you say poor service?? it was a misunderstanding that's all.

I replied, "Well, we were made to wait quite awhile and we were good and hungry before we ever arrived."

Depending on how you said this, it could come across as rude AND could be why he decided to just skip over your table, bad service on his part, yas, but you also had a bad attitude due to the fact that you were starving. (we get cranky too, but they've been working hard all day).

and said, "Did you want a tip?"

This was rude, no matter what. okay you had bad service in your op, but did you have to be rude on top of that?? i don't understand this comment at all.

I hope the rest of your trip went better!

 

[Jesussavedme]

I wouldn't have been very happy either.
I did get a steak there with LOTS of fat down the middle which made it awful to deal with. They took it back, but took forever to bring me a new one. I finally got it, when the rest of my family was done eating.
I hate eating when no one else is!

We are trying it again next month, since my DH just loves it there.
I hope it's better than all this mess!!!!!!
Maybe I'll print this post out and take it with me!!!!

Maybe you should PM me the waiters name...so I can make sure I don't get him!!!!!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Just quoting you becuase you've mentioned things several other posters have asked... and I don't know how to do the multiple-person quote in one post.


I can understand this. But, the change was made 72 hours in advance. The problem that came up was that they put us down as party of 4. While we were waiting for the ADR AT the restaurant, they discovered the mistake in a party of 4 vs. 2. ETA: We had aleady waited half an hour. We went from the top of the list of a table of 4 to the bottom of the list for a table of 2. Add more than another 45 minutes to the wait after our ADR time.

I'm sorry, but that's not my fault or my problem. Next time, the hosts can't assume and need to ask the right questions... and a manual over-ride on the computer. There's no sense in the host becoming upset with me when I mention that we've waited nearly an hour past our ADR becuase they made a problem in the computer programming.


I could go on and on about him. After someone blatantly lies to your face and walks by you for 20 minutes without adressing you as even existing, all bets are off. Customarily, you ask if the food is all right and offer to get something else if needed. He didn't bring our food from the kitchen and we never got the courtesy of his gracing us with his presence after that fact.

And for the person who mentioned writing a letter, we've already taken that step for DIsney to address the issues at hand.

I know we have 2 minutes to return to the table after we deliver the food, we make sure everything is up to par if not we fix it.. Shame on the server, I know being a server not every server is perfect 100 percent of the time. But he should of returned to your table to make sure everything was okay.

 

[lisajl]

Off Topic, wondering if you can just order cheese soup and pretzel bread?

 

[Kay1]

We've moved away from all Disney TS restaurants. We think the prices may have moved beyond the actual quality.

 

[deany]

We have an ADR in October and I am really looking forward to it. It is for lunch and I sure hope we have a better experience and we don't have to wait so long. Definately the server should have come back to your table to check on your meal within 5 minutes of serving. That is standard. Unfortunately, you had one bad thing after another happening here and the waiter was not the only one to blame. Some was just miscomunication with the ressie. Now if Le Cellier has gotten so much busier and is now more in demand with the DDP, why don't they such hire some more staff so each waiter can serve fewer tables at once and the tables are cleared away swiftly so that others can be seated ASAP? Seems an easy solution. It may cost a couple of salaries but it will generate more money for the restaurant in the long run.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I just want to add that because you are young twenty some does not mean you can't have kids in tow

I was 19, married and hada child.

Now I have three and am 29.


I don't think a 20%off and a fastpass is a terrible thing actually.

They are not obligated to do anything and most places out of WDW do not.


I can say I am sorry for your bad experience

to each his own


I do not like CRT or Teppanyaki (both HIGHLY rated on the board) and I just tell what my meal was and what the low and high points were and leave it at at that

I would never presume to tell someone NEVER go there and try it for yourself...

esp since thousands here know and LOVE that place.


I do thank you for a review.

Have a nice day.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

okay i'm a YOUNG 20something too and incredibly short 4'10, but i have 2 kids and i just don't see what how you look has to do with it??? people look different ages, they aren't going to just guess.

I am told regularly I look about 18 with my hair down. I just turned 21... like last month. Apparently, they did just guess because DH and I walked in TOGETHER to change the times on the reservations. I know the original reservaiton was for 2 becuase I called the Dining line to confirm times, dates, and party sizes before we left. How we went from a group of 2 to a group of 4, I'm not really sure. I certainly didn't pop kids out in 72 hours. It was meant in jest.

Becuase of the 4 not 2 people thing, you say poor service?? it was a misunderstanding that's all.

No, this combined with the rest of our stellar experience at Le Cellier has left me with an impression of poor service and poor managerial service.

Depending on how you said this, it could come across as rude AND could be why he decided to just skip over your table, bad service on his part, yas, but you also had a bad attitude due to the fact that you were starving. (we get cranky too, but they've been working hard all day)

Nope! I said it waith a smile on my face becuase the soup was quite good. We didn't come to the table with a chip on our shoulder or upset with him. I know he's got nothing to do with the snips at the host/hostess stand. Once we were seated, we were fine. We waited patiently for ten minutes while he brought drinks and appetizers. We had no qualms with him until the meal was served even if we didn't particularly like waiting 10 minutes for drinks and soup. We knew he was ringing up several tables.

Working hard or hardly working would be my position...

This was rude, no matter what. okay you had bad service in your op, but did you have to be rude on top of that?? i don't understand this comment at all.

I'm sorry, but he crossed the whole being rude line numerous times. Don't walk by a table, and avert your eyes to the floor. We gave him plenty of chances...six to be exact... before saying something. We gave him time in case he was ringing up other patrons, serving other patrons, needed to go to the bathroom. At twenty minutes, when you have to walk by the table to get to the others, with nothing said or asked, all bets are off. At that point, my steak was cold. Ice cold. You want a sure fire way to get a waiter hustling? Mention their tip. At $2 and change an hour, and the slow turns on the table at Le Cellier, they should all be working hard. He certainly doted on the older, married couples with children. My take- the better tips come from better, well-established, older families, so spend the time with them. The other table couldn't get rid of him and we couldn't get his attention.

I hope the rest of your trip went better!

It was swell, thanks.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Off Topic, wondering if you can just order cheese soup and pretzel bread?

Pretty sure. Soup is an appetizer item. The bread might just be for ordered entrees... Not really sure. I'm sure you can work something out with them if they don't just bring it complementary.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I don't think a 20%off and a fastpass is a terrible thing actually.

I didn't want anything except a hot meal to be served the way it was supposed to be. The manager approached us.

His fix was to take my meal back to the kitchen (fine, have at it, I no longer want it) and give us a FastPass. No, you need to fix the issues at hand, not give me a FastPass. To me, that was like giving a child a cookie when they scrape their knee. Does it fix anything? No, not really, but it takes their mind off things. Sorry, I grew out of that. ETA: I ride isn't going to clean up your mess or fix my awful dining experience at your establishment.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I forgot to add that I do think service makes your meal...

ITA with you


good service is expected, excellent service is even better!!

I also hope the rest of your trip was delightful!!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I am told regularly I look about 18 with my hair down. I just turned 21... like last month. Apparently, they did just guess because DH and I walked in TOGETHER to change the times on the reservations. I know the original reservaiton was for 2 becuase I called the Dining line to confirm times, dates, and party sizes before we left. How we went from a group of 2 to a group of 4, I'm not really sure. I certainly didn't pop kids out in 72 hours. It was meant in jest.

I would not assume at all that they just assumed you had kids. Someone probably just hit the wrong button....

DH and I are in our early 20's, and not once in either of our trips did anyone assume we had kids (I guess we don't look tired enough LOL ).

 

[Luv4Disney]

I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience.

We just returned a few days ago and had another excellent experience there. Our server was Lindsay and she was very nice and an excellent server. She was very prompt with everything. We know to expect a slight wait even with an ADR. Although they turn people away and there are tables waiting to be cleared, they may not have the waitstaff to accomodate a completely full house. We have encountered this on cruises we've taken. Just because there are empty tables, doesn't mean the staff can accommodate the people. Which just may have been the case based on the terrible service you described. We've been going to Le Cellier for years now, sometimes more than once a trip and haven't had an experience you described. DBF and I are also a young couple in their 20's. I hope you have better experiences in the future!

 

[poohs_hunny]

I've never heard of a restaurant giving out FP - that is very odd!!

Last August at Rose & Crown, it took forever for us to get our "bill" (on the DP, so the total was $0.00 ) because the computers were not working correctly. We didn't really mind, since it was our first night and we were just enjoying the sights, but our server offered us a FP for any ride. We were planning on leaving right after dinner, so we refused, but it is does happen, I guess. It's better than nothing, but if there were a major problem, I suppose the offer of a FP would not just make it okay.