Sorry, long vent about reservations...Updated post #26

[ems_mom]

Soooo depressed... After months of pre-planning, I called Disney Dining at 7:00 AM sharp this morning and got right through. Asked for a dinner reservation at Le Cellier on 9/22, any time, for a party of 2. They are full up, sold out!!! Nothing is available, perhaps she could check a lunch time for me. Noooo....its 181 days out and I can't get in for dinner? So after a very sad morning and some commiserating with my DH and DD, I decide to call back and ask what's up with this. A very nice CM said yes, their are no tables for 2, but if I make my party into 3 he'll check....Alas by now its after 1:00PM and the only dinner times available are 4:10 or after 8 (to late to see Illuminations, esp. as we are on the DXDPP). He pretty much implied I should have just asked for a party of 3 ressie this morning when I called, and also seemed to be trying to tell me I could have called 10 days ago, like other guests staying onsite, theyby eliminating competition for tables from off-site guests and locals. What ????? Did I completely misunderstand the rules? Sorry for the whining (made our fall back ressie at Chefs de France) but this was the one dinner my daughter had specifically requested and I feel like I let her down, now our trip won't be all I had built it up tp be...

 

[sunlover13]

That stinks! All I can tell you is not to give up hope. We wanted to go to LeCellier for the first time last Sept. We didn't even book our trip until June so there was no openings for LeCellier at all. I found a thread for cancelling / transferring Sept ADR's. I found someone that was cancelling a perfect time for LeCellier dinner (around 6:30ish). That wonderful DISer called and transferred the ressie to me.

So, if I were you, I'd book something else, but keep trying for cancellations. I'm sure a thread for Sept ADR cancellations / trades will pop up soon enough, if it doesn't already exist.

Good luck!

 

[mom2aredhead]

Sorry for the whining (made our fall back ressie at Chefs de France) but this was the one dinner my daughter had specifically requested and I feel like I let her down, now our trip won't be all I had built it up tp be...

There's still plenty of time - keep calling and maybe something will open up.

I'm sure you will still have a wonderful time regardless of where you end up eating. I've been to WDW several times, have never eaten at Le Cellier, and have never been disappointed with my trip. Don't give so much power to one restaurant - your trip will not be ruined - I promise!

 

[Laney1]

I have been trying for weeks to get into Ohana on our last night. I finally got a reservation for 8:45 pm. ( a little too late for us with two little ones) I just kept calling each day and today we got a 5:45 ressie. (perfect) You still have time. Just keep checking and watch the boards for anyone cancelling. Good Luck...

 

[Pakey]

If you are staying onsite you can book all of your meals from the date you check into your resort, up to 10 days. So that means if you are staying on site you get the 180+10 rule. Example: you were checking in on the 19th but wanted Le Cellier on the 22nd, you could call on the 19th (180 days from your check in date) and that's what everyone is doing to be the offsite guests to the ADR's.

Since you are on Deluxe, you might consider going to Yachtsman Steakhouse. It's a signature (2 credits) but their steaks are much better than LeCellier and it's a quick walk from Epcot.

I'm sorry you missed out. We had to take a 4:10 at Le Cellier on our last trip for the same reason. It ended up working out fine as we had plenty of time for Illuminations.

 

[Lynne M]

No restaurant is that important, and not getting into a certain restaurant will not make your trip "less than you'd built it up to be". It's one meal, out of a whole, wonderful vacation.

I've eaten at Le Cellier once, it was a nice place, the food was tasty, I'd go back. Was it a life changing experience? No. Would my trip have been an utter disappointment if I'd had to get a steak someplace else? Of course not.

You'll love Chefs de France. I've eaten there several times, lunch and dinner, and have never had a bad meal there. Le Cellier will still be there the next time you visit WDW.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I think all the hype about LeCellier is that it is a nice steak for only one TS credit. We've really enjoyed eating there. We preferred Concourse Steakhouse when we ate there for steak - also only one TS. Unfortunately we've eaten at Yachtsman Steakhouse twice, thinking we just got a bad day the first time, and were disappointed both times. It looks great, but was ultimately not very flavorful - sad at that price. We have had repeated fabulous steaks at both Jiko and Artist Point if you're willing to use two TS credits. So we've had steak at least twice at Le Cellier, Concourse Steakhouse (closing?), Jiko, and Artist Point and been very happy each time. We've had steak twice at Yachtsman and been disappointed both times... Read the reviews and posted menus to see which would best satisfy what you want.
I agree with the post that basically said Le Cellier was nice, but it's not going to make or break your vacation.
California Grill, however...

 

[sandisuze]

I will have to agree with everyone else- keep trying!!
there were times last year I wanted places for the CP and would call and nothing- I just kept calling back - so many people make all these ADR's and change their minds and cancel..
Last minute I was able to get a perect CP dinner package ( like 2 days before)

Just keep trying.. (or what I keep saying through out my day : just keep swimming , just keep swimming

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Try again tomorrow. Some restaurants hold back tables until the 180th day (not sure if Le Cellier is one of them or not)

I think a lot of people are holding ressies right now in anticipation of free dining. Keep trying as some of those ressies will slowly be cancelled as people change their mind.

 

[n2mm]

That is crazy. We are sometimes 2 and have never had any problems getting our ADRs. I just called for an lunch ADR for LeCellier for mid August (4 months away) and had no problem for a group of 7 to get in and she offered me several times. I didn't think I had a chance waiting this late after reading this post. I took the 1:00PM seating, but could've had the 11:30AM seating. Good luck!

 

[mnasf]

Try again tomorrow. Some restaurants hold back tables until the 180th day (not sure if Le Cellier is one of them or not)


I've had your experience and agree with the above poster. I did the reservations in advance for onsite but couldn't get everything. Then when I'd be on the phone at 180 out I'd get it. I agree with the above poster. Call first thing in the morning.

 

[rileysdad]

DD3 and DW and I will be there september 19 - 28'th and the inlaws will be there from 20 - 25 so we tried to get into LeCeiller on the 20'th 4 adults and 1 child and they couldn't do it. They could only do 4 adults. Told the CM my DD could sit on my lap but she said they go by head count. CM was very nice and did try hard to help us, we were able to get reservations the following saturday for us three and that is when the inlaws are leaving so they will miss out on LeCeiller. I actually called 181 days out. Figured all they could say is you have to wait till tomorrow. I called this past sunday and found some reservations hard to get but we were lucky and able to get into each place we wanted to. I can understand the frustration of planning and it not working out. Keep trying..

 

[eliza61]

Soooo depressed... ????? Did I completely misunderstand the rules? Sorry for the whining (made our fall back ressie at Chefs de France) but this was the one dinner my daughter had specifically requested and I feel like I let her down, now our trip won't be all I had built it up tp be...

Really all this because of not getting 1 dinner restuarant? Wow. Sorry your depressed. Can't say I understand though, no way would this ruin my pre vacation happy dance. What happens if it rains the entire trip, or your luggage gets lost? Hope you have a magical vacation anyway.

Hey look at it this way, this gives you the opportunity to try some place new. I think your daughter will be as positive as you make it.

 

[LilyWDW]

Kinda makes me glad I didn't really like the food there and thus don't have to worry about making reservations there again.

I'm sorry you didn't get the reservation you wanted, but you can keep trying up until the day of. Just keep calling back and maybe there will be some pixie dust sent your way. But honestly, even if you don't get the reservation you still get to go to Disney!!!

 

[CamColt]

Since you are on Deluxe, you might consider going to Yachtsman Steakhouse. It's a signature (2 credits) but their steaks are much better than LeCellier and it's a quick walk from Epcot.

If it makes you feel better, I totally agree with this. While we enjoyed Le Cellier it wasnt anything out of the ordinary. YSH on the other hand has completly WOWed us 4 times now. I cant even consider going back to Le Cellier now that Ive eaten at YSH.

 

[wezee]

Wow, I'm amazed....I called yesterday at 7am (180th day) and was easily able to get a 7pm dinner ressie on 9-20 and an 11:30am lunch ressie later in the week during the Food & Wine Fest. Sometimes, I just don't understand WDW's reservation system.

 

[ems_mom]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and support. I guess I did overreact but still, it can be disappointing when you try to plan everything so carefully. (Yes, I am a huge type A planner; my family doesn't always understand it, but they appreciate it.) A single dinner won't make or break our trip.

I'm not very computer savvy, (how to quote?) but thanks to those who offered encouragement to keep trying and suggestions for alternative dinners.

But I'm still wondering about the reservation process. Did I go about this the right way? Was the 2nd CM correct about when I should have made my reservations?

 

[Wendybird55]

Sorry to hear you didn't get your first choice, but it's not a real biggie. Le Cellier is a very nice restaurant and I enjoy it, but France is also very nice. I went to France for the first time in 06 (for some reason never had an interest in going) and DH and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was tastey and the service was excellent. So maybe this disappointment will turn into a big plus on the trip.

Personally I think this ADR thing is way out of control. I remember the good ol days (late 80;s and 90's) when the DDP included EVERYTHING (even V&A's!) and the only reservations you had to worry about were for the big dinner shows like the Hoop De Doo. Now you have to figure out 180 days in advance where and when you want to eat.
It can be frustrating.

I say take it as it comes, sometimes what we plan isn't as good was what we have no control over.

As far as making the reservations, from what I understand there are only so many tables for 2 at each restaurant and they can fill up fast. And even though there may be larger tables available, they won't put a party of 2 at a table for 4 (they'll lose money if they have to turn away 4 for 2). So yes, sometimes asking for reservations for a larger party helps.

As others have said, you can keep trying - there may be a cancellation. But if not, you'll enjoy France.

 

[CamColt]

But I'm still wondering about the reservation process. Did I go about this the right way? Was the 2nd CM correct about when I should have made my reservations?

If you are staying on site you can call 180 days from your check in date and book for that day (the 180th day) and up to 10 days more.

 

[RMulieri]

Now I called this am and had no problem.BUT I have a party of 3 and wanted to eat at 4:10 pm so I guess that helped.But I feel for you.I first called and made Le cellier for the wrong date, by the time I got thru my only choice left was 4:10...keep trying people cancel all the time.