Several Le Cellier / Epcot dining questions...

[goofyredraider]

I have several questions, and I'd like some feedback. My husband is a sweetheart, but seriously is so "go with the flow" that it drives me batty when I'm planning.

1) How long would a dinner at Le Cellier typically take? I am asking because I could only get a 7:30 ressie on the one particular night I wanted to have it. Would we be finished by the time Illuminations started?

2) We will have an out-of-pocket meal (dining plan), and in looking it over, it looks as if Le Cellier is better OOP rather than using 2 credits. Does that sound right? Our TS meals on this leg of our trip (BC portion) are 'Ohana, Akershus, Cape May breakfast, Rose and Crown, and 50s prime time.

3) If the 7:30 ressie won't get us out in time for Illuminations, I can switch our family meal to Rose & Crown...and DH and I's "date night" meal to Le Cellier (Date night is a few days away from the night we want to take the kids to see Illuminations). Which would be better for a family, and which for a kidless "date"?

I appreciate any feedback!

eta: Of course, after I posted this, I read another thread that said Le Cellier takes a LONG time. I can get a 4:30 reservation on the day I planned the 7:30. Should I do that instead?

 

[B-Ride]

1) The first challenge with Le Cellier is getting seated. It is small and if people don't leave you will wait up to 30 minutes. IMHO, 7:30 is way too late if you want to see Illuminations.

2) I would agree OOP is better than using 2 credits and any restaurant, Le Cellier included.

3) I would do Le Cellier for the kidless night and Rose and Crown with the kids. You might even get a seat which has a view for Illuminations.

 

[goofyredraider]

1) The first challenge with Le Cellier is getting seated. It is small and if people don't leave you will wait up to 30 minutes. IMHO, 7:30 is way too late if you want to see Illuminations.

2) I would agree OOP is better than using 2 credits and any restaurant, Le Cellier included.

3) I would do Le Cellier for the kidless night and Rose and Crown with the kids. You might even get a seat which has a view for Illuminations.

Fantastic! That is what I was thinking....sometimes it just helps to have someone confirm it. I do appreciate it!

 

[Tara D]

Le Cellier seemed slow to me. It was about 20 min to get seated but the food service was on the slow side too. My kids were bored... Nothing really for them to do or see. They are good diners but I wouldn't do this one again with kids.

 

[figment_jii]

1) How long would a dinner at Le Cellier typically take? I am asking because I could only get a 7:30 ressie on the one particular night I wanted to have it. Would we be finished by the time Illuminations started?

How many courses are you ordering? Disney estimates that tables turn over in about 90 minutes, but my experiences have been closer to two hours for any Signature TS meal. LC tends to seat late, so factor that in as well. As others have said, you would be cutting it close to see Illuminations.

2) We will have an out-of-pocket meal (dining plan), and in looking it over, it looks as if Le Cellier is better OOP rather than using 2 credits. Does that sound right? Our TS meals on this leg of our trip (BC portion) are 'Ohana, Akershus, Cape May breakfast, Rose and Crown, and 50s prime time.

I'm guessing you're on the regular DDP, so yes, Le Cellier is not a good use of two credits at dinner. If you have extra credits that you wouldn't use, then go ahead a use them. Better to use them than to waste them!

3) If the 7:30 ressie won't get us out in time for Illuminations, I can switch our family meal to Rose & Crown...and DH and I's "date night" meal to Le Cellier (Date night is a few days away from the night we want to take the kids to see Illuminations). Which would be better for a family, and which for a kidless "date"?

Le Cellier is defiantly more of a "date night" type venue than R&C. I would do the family meal with Illuminations at R&C and then date night (but no Illuminations) at LC. If you're at R&C you can watch Illuminations from the reserved viewing area or your table (if you're lucky and get a patio table with a good view). The reserved area has an excellent view.

eta: Of course, after I posted this, I read another thread that said Le Cellier takes a LONG time. I can get a 4:30 reservation on the day I planned the 7:30. Should I do that instead?

It really depends on if you're trying to see Illuminations afterwards. My family enjoys walking out of Epcot when it's quiet after dinner. If you're going to do the childless "date night" at LC, I would stick with the 7:30 ADR. If you want to see Illuminations after dinner, then go with the earlier time (but know that you'll be out way before the show).