Victoria and Albert's vs Le Cellier

[SarahInMN]

Hi everyone-

I am looking for some input on an ADR.

My fiance and I are getting married at WDW in January. We had planned on having a special dinner - just the two of us - a few days after everyone else leaves. We had originally been thinking Victoria and Albert's, but, when we were there a few weeks ago, our waiter at Citricos recommended that we bypass Victoria and Albert's and try Le Cellier. We'll be at the Grand Floridian for the entire time, so we also liked the convenience of V and A's, but now we are both hesitant to try it based on our waiter's comments.

What do y'all think about Victoria and Albert's vs Le Cellier?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bella O]

I think the two are really distinct. The food is great at Le Cellier - but it's at a theme park! Think tired screaming kids, and lots of crowds. It's called Le Cellier because it is like a wine cellier of sorts - kind of dark. V and A is an extremely fine dining experience - definately the most romantic place to dine in the World. And the food was exceptional. If you're looking to eat at Epcot, and want a good steak, Le Cellier is it. If you want a quiet and fine dining, V and A is the way to go.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Gosh, I can't even begin to compare the two. And I can't believe a waiter did!

LeCellier would never be even a consideration for us if we wanted a nice romantic meal for the two of us. It's crowded, dark, in a theme park, no dress code, and you can eat off the person's plate next to you.

V&A is the complete opposite in every sense.

I can't imagine giving up the chance to celebrate a marriage at V&As to eat at LeCelliers, honestly.

 

[SarahInMN]

Think tired screaming kids, and lots of crowds...V and A is an extremely fine dining experience - definately the most romantic place to dine in the World.

I hadn't even thought about the screaming kids since Le Cellier is in a park. I'm glad to hear you describe V and A's as a fine dining experience. We were both taken aback that a waiter at another GF restaurant (literally down the hall from V and A's) tried to steer us away from V and A's, but we took him at his word, assuming that there was something wrong with V and A's.

I can't imagine giving up the chance to celebrate a marriage at V&As to eat at LeCelliers, honestly.

Thanks...that is exactly what I wanted to hear!!!!


I am going to try to talk my fiance into re-considering Victoria and Albert's.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Maybe the waiter at Citrico's had applied for V&A and been turned down. All of the waitstaff at V&A have at least ten years of experience at Disney restaurants.

A few years ago one of the "Victorias" told me that she had worked her way up and had been at Yachtman Steakhouse for a few years when her manager called her into his office and asked her to sit down. He said something to the effect of: "I have been told there is an opening and Victoria and Alberts and was told to ask you if you would be interested in transferring there." She said it was a good thing that she was seated when he said that.

 

[moparop]

I've eaten at both and would not bat an eye taking my one year old into LeCellier, but wouldn't take a 10 year old to V&A. The tables are so close together at LeCellier you hear other people's conversations and whatnot. Also, LeCellier is on the DDP and thus it gets a lot more traffic. Because V&A only does the two seatings, it's a slower meal with more attention given to you!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Also V&A is one of only 46 restaurants in the entire country which is rated with Five Diamonds by AAA.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wouldn't think it was any contest whatsoever between the two. V&A is way ahead of Le Cellier.

Le Cellier is by no definition a gourmet restaurant.

V&A does not admit children under 10 so a 10 year old would be the youngest that could be taken there in the first place.

 

[engle]

First let me say that I do like Le Cellier but V&A is a PHENOMENAL experience in EVERY sense....Le Cellier is just a restaurant. Please, do yourself a favor and do V&A.....it will be very special!!

 

[NejTheLion]

Yeah, that server must have some kind of a grudge against V&A. There is no comparison. Go ahead and book V&A as soon as you can!

 

[SarahInMN]

Maybe the waiter at Citrico's had applied for V&A and been turned down

Hmmm...I hadn't even thought about that possibility.

The tables are so close together at LeCellier you hear other people's conversations and whatnot.

So, definitely not romantic.

Also V&A is one of only 46 restaurants in the entire country which is rated with Five Diamonds by AAA

Really? That is good to know. Also, I just pulled out my Zagat's guide and V and A got great Zagat's reviews (better even than the Cali Grill).

I wouldn't think it was any contest whatsoever between the two. V&A is way ahead of Le Cellier.

Please, do yourself a favor and do V&A.....it will be very special!!

Go ahead and book V&A as soon as you can!

Excellent...overall this is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I will be on the phone at 7am est at the 180 day pre-check in point to get our reservations.

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[Tricia1972]

Excellent decision! There is absolutely NO comparison between the two. V&A is a dining experience and the best food that I've ever had in my life - anywhere. LeCellier is a nice meal in an ok atmosphere - nothing more.

 

[oybolshoi]

I have to agree with the others ... there is no comparison between the two establishments. Why on earth someone would tell you to have a special, once-in-a-lifetime meal at Le Cellier is beyond me. It makes me want to do this:

Go to V&A - it's romantic, the service is incredible, the food is exquisite, and you will have a memory from your honeymoon that you can treasure forever.

 

[LadyZolt]

Just a thought -- perhaps the waiter was concerned that you are a young couple and will be newly wedded, so finances can often be tight, especially when one is about to set up a new household. He may have thought that V&A, being quite pricey, might stretch your finances and therefore recommended a more affordable alternative. For a V&A dinner, figure on at least $300 for the meal, and more if you want the wine pairings or other special options available. Yes, for a special occasion like the one mentioned, many would think the price is worth it. But for those who are very budget conscious, $300 or more for a single dinner might be high. I don't know, but maybe this was what crossed that waiter's mind. Clearly, V&A gets consistenly outstanding restaurant reviews and is definitely an exquisite dining experience.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Le Cellier gets so much hype because it's hard to get an ADR. Not necessarily because the food is all that great but because the restaurant is tiny!



V & A is you best bet and it's right there in your hotel! I wish you a blessed event! I wish I had known Disney did weddings 11 years ago!

 

[iluvpluto27]

V&A is fantastic and you won't regret your decision to dine there. Le Cellier's good but not even in the same league as V&A, in fact none of Disney's other resturants are.

 

[OKW Lover]

Go with your original thought. While I'm sure the waiter was trying to be helpful, there really is no comparison. The differences are too many to consider and the only place le Cellier would come out ahead is in total price.

 

[BrerVeritas]

Hi,
I'm relatively new here, and don't post often, but I feel I need to give some love to Le Celier. Let me preface this by saying that I have never eaten at V&A, but as a Disney fanatic, i have seen it, read the menu, and watch many a food network special detailing the ambiance and care that goes into the food preparation.

Having said that, in you shoes, I would choose Le Celier. I feel the romantic atmosphere is stifled in a more stuffy environment like V&A. I don't believe in spending 300 dollars for a dinner. At some point there is a diminishing return on your money proportional to the increase in taste quality. I love children, and smile when there is a kid who just wants to "get out of this restaurant's and back to the rides". I think its cute.

I love Le Celier. I think the atmosphere is perfect. The food has a quality twice its price. And it is by far the greatest taste/value relationship on property.

I understand this is a minority opinion, but I just wanted to show that it was possible to prefer Le Celier before everyone starts jumping on this poor waiter for having that preference. I would have given t he same advice.

 

[Mickey_Man]

Having said that, in you shoes, I would choose Le Celier. I feel the romantic atmosphere is stifled in a more stuffy environment like V&A. I don't believe in spending 300 dollars for a dinner. At some point there is a diminishing return on your money proportional to the increase in taste quality.

I do agree with this statement, but I think the issue I have here is that if I were to change my mind from Victoria & Alberts, I would not turn to Le Cellier. It has the same isues of diminishing return on money for quality, as you are paying for hype and "in the park" location for Le Cellier.

DW & I are going to be back in the World for our 5th Anniversay in just a few weeks! We went to V&As the day after our wedding 5 years ago, and have returned twice since on annivesaries. It is a can't miss opportunity - you are guaranteed the best meal you are going to have on vacation. The only issue is the cost. I bring this up because we had this exact conversation last night - do we really want to go back to V&As and spend 3 hours and 400+ dollars on dinner? We brainstormed alternatives, and Le Cellier was NOT one of them. Jikos, Artist Point, bluezoo, Citricos (ironically enough), and even California Grill entered into the conversation, although I would not choose CG for a romantic night - too noisy and crowded. Had we thought longer, perhaps we would have come up with others (Le Chef de France, Wolfgang Punk (upstairs), and Shulas comes to mind) and I would put all of those ahead of Le Cellier. Not trying to trash Canada's finest, and certainly some people love it. It just isn't in V&As class or either of the two classes below V&A. It is a good park restaurant.

After a conversation, we both agreed that there is no alternative to V&As in Florida, let alone in WDW. The only issue left to measure is cost. If you have never been there and the $$ is not an issue, there is no question you should go for the experience, the quality, and the meal! Oh, and if you have the DDE, you do get the discount! If the money is too much - and really, it can be - then when you consider alternatives, think beyond a park restaurant. There are some great places to go to at WDW that do not involve passing through the gates of a theme park.

Good luck, and if you end up at V&As, I think you will love it! Just plan plenty of time - dinner can take 3 hours or more!

 

[Frothy]

Personally I would pick V&A as it is a really special experience... having said that, there are some really good restaurants off property that have a better ambience than V&A. Manuel's on 28th is one and it is a great shame that Arthur's closed down as that beat V&A hands down.