The Dining Plan & LeCellier Steakhouse

[jrogalny]

Okay, for 3 consecutive years I've been trying to land a dinner reservation at this restaurant (September 22 - September 25). We went on our honeymoon back in May 2005 when we paid for the dining plan and couldn't get a reservation. We went last year, again, no reservations available. Guess what problem we are having again this year? Here's the question ... are there any "tips" to getting a reservation at this place? I'm really at my end of the rope here. This Disney Dining Plan is turning out to be my worst nightmare in that I can't get a reservation for the one restaurant we've been trying to eat at for the past 3 years!!!! [/COLOR]

 

[janets]

I have always booked LeCellier at the 180 day mark for our trips. That said, some have had success booking a late lunch there.

There really aren't any tips other than calling all the time to see if something opens up. I made mine for my August trip at 180 days (for free dining through bounceback promotion) then at about 120 days or so (when they opened FD to the public) tried to get for a friend who is travelling and nothing the entire week. They go very, very quickly.

Call and see about lunch (either very early or late) and see if that will work for you. Otherwise, maybe if you're in the area, stop at the desk as soon as they open for dinner and see if they can seat you?

Good luck.

 

[Tink3Belle]

Hopefully someone will cancel or you can try the day of.

 

[EMom]

I got a lunch cancellation for late September about 2 weeks ago. I even had my choice of 2 different days. I almost choked! Just keep trying.

 

[joanjett1976]

i hear ya!

i've been calling every day trying to get a cancellation for either lunch or dinner at le cellier anytime between sept 2 and 8th and ZILCH!!

 

[jrogalny]

I sometimes wonder if I said I "wasn't" on the dining plan, if I would get a reservation. I'm sure there is some method to the madness over there!

 

[joanjett1976]

I GOT A LUNCH AT LE CELLIER 5 MINUTES AGO !!!!!

after posting, i thought it was time for my daily call and lo and behold i got a 12pm lunch adr at le cellier on sept 5!!!

they had no dinners from sept 2-8 but a cancellation on the 5th.

 

[jrogalny]

Excellent! Enjoy!

 

[JimMIA]

Okay, for 3 consecutive years I've been trying to land a dinner reservation at this restaurant (September 22 - September 25). We went on our honeymoon back in May 2005 when we paid for the dining plan and couldn't get a reservation. We went last year, again, no reservations available. Guess what problem we are having again this year? Here's the question ... are there any "tips" to getting a reservation at this place? I'm really at my end of the rope here. This Disney Dining Plan is turning out to be my worst nightmare in that I can't get a reservation for the one restaurant we've been trying to eat at for the past 3 years!!!!

If you've been calling 2-3 months out, like you are now, that's really just not realistic for Le Cellier. There was a time when LC was the best kept secret at WDW, but those days have been over for years.

We usually do not have any difficulty at 4 months, but we're traveling in May and November and we prefer to eat around or after 8 PM. If you are going during free dining, you really probably should book at 180 days.

As far as being on DDP or not, it makes no difference. If they have availability, they'll give it to you. If they don't, they can't. Most of the time we have not made a DDP decision when we call, so we don't even have an answer for that question.

 

[zzammmi]

I called a few times over the last couple of weeks with no luck...UNTIL TONIGHT! Just booked a 4:10 dinner for 3 on 9/27. Keep trying and you may get lucky. (We are on DDP btw.) If you still don't get lucky maybe you could trade another popular ADR with someone from the boards.

Here's another idea: wait until it's 45 days out and call like crazy on those days b/c if someone can't finalize their payment their ADR's will be cancelled. Best of luck to you!

 

[aubriee]

If you call at 180 days out, you shouldn't have a problem. I always make my ADRs using the 180+10 and have never had a problem getting a dinner ADR at Le Cellier. We really prefer dinner over lunch. I'd just keep calling, hoping for a dinner cancellation.

 

[inky dinky doo]

As others have said, your best bet is to call at 180 days out. However, if all else fails, pick your day and walk up to the restaurant just before they open for dinner. 4:30? 5:00 p.m.? It worked for my son and his son during spring break, and I'm guessing if it worked then, there's a chance it may work for you in September. Just remember, though, it is just a chance. There's no guarantee.

 

[Minnie0107]

I sometimes wonder if I said I "wasn't" on the dining plan, if I would get a reservation. I'm sure there is some method to the madness over there!

I dont think so. Last year we were not on the DDP and could not get a ressie. Tried about 4 months out and then kept trying. When we were there we tried to ask if they could fit us in. They about laughed us out of the resturant! Its just really hard to get one. We are on DDP this year and tried about 100 days out and it was booked. I never hurts to keep trying!

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

So glad you got it! It's a tough one that's for sure. We were able to score an early dinner, I think 4:30, but friends of ours were told they are booked solid until December.

 

[Tinkershelly]

I feel your pain. I've been calling for the last couple of weeks for Sep 20-30 and can't get Le Cellier, Coral Reef or Chef Mickey's on any of those 10 days! I didn't have the luxury of calling 180 days out since we only booked about 95 days out. I got every day filled for dinner, but I'll still try to call every once in awhile to try for Le Cellier!

Good luck

 

[Dalton5]

We were lucky enough to know that we were going to Disney before the 180 mark. We were going with or without free dining. I make all of my ADR's then. Thank goodness. LC was the one TS that we all agreed on.

Keep trying and here is some for you!!!

 

[LindyN]

Le Cellier steakhouse is harder to book than Cinderella's Royal Table. Its very small to begin with, and often sold out by noon right at 180 days prior to check in.

 

[mnasf]

Okay, for 3 consecutive years I've been trying to land a dinner reservation at this restaurant (September 22 - September 25). We went on our honeymoon back in May 2005 when we paid for the dining plan and couldn't get a reservation. We went last year, again, no reservations available. Guess what problem we are having again this year? Here's the question ... are there any "tips" to getting a reservation at this place? I'm really at my end of the rope here. This Disney Dining Plan is turning out to be my worst nightmare in that I can't get a reservation for the one restaurant we've been trying to eat at for the past 3 years!!!! [/COLOR]

I call at 4am CA time at 180 days out and that is the only way I can get it. If I want to change, I'm never able to.

 

[corgi_monster]

Keep trying! Last night, there was a 6pm dinner for 2 available on 9/21. I would have taken it myself, but we fly in at 6pm.

Just call everyday and ask the agent to check for ANY availability for your dates. You never know! I was able to snag a dinner on 9/22 this way. People cancel all the time!

 

[kmjmom]

I guess I must have just been sprinkled with Pixie dust! I called and asked for Le Cellier thinking nothing would be available and to my great surprise...we got a 7:50 dinner reservation for August 24th!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't believe I got all of the restaurants I had hoped for. It's our first time on the DDP.