What's with Le Cellier?

[poohj80]

This morning was 180 days until out check-in date and the only Le Cellier dinner I could get for our entire week (which is farther out than 180 days) was 9:10 PM on Weds. I was online in the middle of the night and everything was already gone. What gives? We have not been able to get a reservation there on our previous two trips either. Why is Le Cellier more difficult to book than Cindy's Royal Table? They can't be hold all reservations for the CP dinner packages can they?

 

[kittycat9]

This morning was 180 days until out check-in date and the only Le Cellier dinner I could get for our entire week (which is farther out than 180 days) was 9:10 PM on Weds. I was online in the middle of the night and everything was already gone. What gives? We have not been able to get a reservation there on our previous two trips either. Why is Le Cellier more difficult to book than Cindy's Royal Table? They can't be hold all reservations for the CP dinner packages can they?

This morning was my 180 date for ADRs, but yesterday was my 180 date for checkin (I have a room only for day of arrival), so I was on last night looking, and saw that I couldn't get Le Cellier's either. However, IPO was able to get it for me at 1:05PM on 11/28 (I had request 1PM, 11/28). So either they have some incredible magic, which it's been reported on the boards that they do not - or something is messed up with the online system. I would call and try to get the hard to reserve ADRs, if I was you. It seems that at a minimum, the Disney staff has access to a better system. I managed to get everything we were looking for; including CRT and Chef Mickeys on the 11/29 as well as several signature and other hard to get dinner reservations.

 

[sjs314]

I had a similar situation and I am not going during when the CP packages would be for, on my 180th day for the two days during my stay I was only able to book a 8:15 on one of the nights, I kept checking for a week or more then finally ended up changeing to a lunch ressie not wanting to have dinner that late and miss Illuminations.
I blame the 180+10 while it is good since it allows you to book for your entire stay, it also means places are already booked for the early days of your stay by others booking the 180+10 and unless you are staying for more than a week yourself, it can be very hard to get ressies for the popular places.

 

[Inkmahm]

This morning was 180 days until out check-in date and the only Le Cellier dinner I could get for our entire week (which is farther out than 180 days) was 9:10 PM on Weds. I was online in the middle of the night and everything was already gone. What gives? We have not been able to get a reservation there on our previous two trips either. Why is Le Cellier more difficult to book than Cindy's Royal Table? They can't be hold all reservations for the CP dinner packages can they?

See this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2474755

My guess is that people staying on property started booking days ago at the 190 day mark.

 

[TDC Nala]

Why is Le Cellier more difficult to book than Cindy's Royal Table?

It is smaller, costs only one dining credit instead of two (for now - if the rumor is true it will cost 2 credits at least by next year), serves steak, and is open for only lunch and dinner instead of all three meals.

 

[kamik86]

I know when I did mine I had to take an early meal in order to get a reservation on the day I wanted. However since it will be a big meal I don't mind eating at 4:00 (I'll have brunch, an early dinner and a late snack)

 

[Pumbaa_]

Disney may also be holding back siginificant number of tables in anticipation of the CP packages, since Le Cellier is the favorite dining destination

 

[poohj80]

Thanks to all for the responses! I did call and they confirmed that some dining times are being held for the CP packages but also mentioned they knew about the online glitch and were working to rectify it immediately. Let's hope this means some reservation times open up.

 

[CR88]

This morning was 180 days until out check-in date and the only Le Cellier dinner I could get for our entire week (which is farther out than 180 days) was 9:10 PM on Weds. I was online in the middle of the night and everything was already gone. What gives? We have not been able to get a reservation there on our previous two trips either. Why is Le Cellier more difficult to book than Cindy's Royal Table? They can't be hold all reservations for the CP dinner packages can they?

We ran into the same thing this morning. We are arriving on Nov 28 for 8 days. I was on the website at exactly 180 days 6:00 am to the second and could not get anything better than 7:45 PM on a few different days. Then I called right at 7:00 AM, got right through and couldn't get anything better than 8:15 and the other days we looked at were gone! I couldn't believe it. She said it is the most difficult reservation to get. So we took the 8:15.

I hear all the time that it is overrated and people don't understand the fascination but I can tell you that anytime we bring people with us on trips that is the one place that they insist that we go back.

As far as holding tables, I was told last year that they hold a number of tables for the CP Dining Packages. I do believe they probably block off quite a few because I booked 7:55 last year right at 180, then when the CP Packages were released I called just to see what was available and was able to get a 5:30.

 

[poohj80]

Sorry to hear others had the same issue but glad to know it's not just me. Le Cellier didn't used to be THIS difficult to get into but I blame the Dining Plan more than CP. It used to be we were waking up at the crack of dawn to eat in the castle, not Canada. ;-)

 

[drcandon]

I think that the CP is more the culprit for Nov/Dec time frame then anything else. Last time we went during the Christmas festivity craziness, almost everyone I talked to that night while standing in line waiting to get into CP had dinner at Le Cellier - including us. Yes, the steak was good and the atmosphere was okay but my wife found it a bit claustrophic...the tables are really close (I think, but have no proof they have shoved in a couple more).

Just for the heck of it, I tried to see if there are any openings for the Sept/Oct free dining range of dates and I did hit quite a few openings. Yes most were at 3 to 4 pm, but still, you could get in.

 

[lunapnp]

We ate at Le Cellier for the first time last month. Oh my! It is now on our definite to do list! It was delicious. But, in saying that, I think part of the reason is because the restaurant is very small. I really was surprised at how small it was and actually told my husband, "This is why it's so hard to get in to this restaurant!" Good luck! Keep trying. Things always open up. I have one for one of our dates in October, but really want it on another day. No luck so far, but I am very persistent!!!!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Why not try lunch? The menu is similar... includes the luscious mushroom filet CP wouldn't be an issue and since the restaurant doesn't have any windows, you won't even know that it isn't dinner!

Seriously we do both depending on the trip and always enjoy our meal

 

[poohj80]

Why not try lunch? The menu is similar... includes the luscious mushroom filet CP wouldn't be an issue and since the restaurant doesn't have any windows, you won't even know that it isn't dinner!

Thanks, we did try that too, but we are traveling with a 4 yr old (who still needs her naps at WDW to avoid annoying other families) and we try to be considerate of others. The only lunch we could find was around 2 (guess everyoen else is doing it too) which would put her in prime grouch mode.

We'll hold out hope for a CP package when they are released but will keep checking just in case.

 

[squirrel]

I think that Canada should open up a CS. If they sell the cheddar cheese soup and the pretzel bread that could open up some tables. They could also serve poutine's.

 

[poohj80]

I think that Canada should open up a CS. If they sell the cheddar cheese soup and the pretzel bread that could open up some tables.

I second that!

 

[tinka-belle]

I third this!

A few times we've used our mid day lunch or late night dinner ADR for just soup and sometimes dessert. That bowl of soup is quite filling. It would free up some ADR space.

 

[distherapy]

I think that Canada should open up a CS. If they sell the cheddar cheese soup and the pretzel bread that could open up some tables. They could also serve poutine's.

I read a trip report recently that said you could get take out of the pretzel bread and soup! They even had pictures to prove it. Now of course, I can't remember which report it was to share a link...

Okay - went back and found it. Thanks Dismoms for the hint!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2464920

 

[Tricia1972]

I read a trip report recently that said you could get take out of the pretzel bread and soup! They even had pictures to prove it. Now of course, I can't remember which report it was to share a link...

Okay - went back and found it. Thanks Dismoms for the hint!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2464920

I've read about this too, and it's hit and miss as to whether or not you can get it to go.

It never hurts to ask at the podium, but TS restaurants aren't set up for To Go orders, and Le Cellier has been known to turn down this request as well.

 

[distherapy]

I've read about this too, and it's hit and miss as to whether or not you can get it to go.

It never hurts to ask at the podium, but TS restaurants aren't set up for To Go orders, and Le Cellier has been known to turn down this request as well.

Thanks! I thought it sounded too good to be (consistently) true.