Why on earth is Le Cellier so hard to get?

[DisneyCatMom]

I didn't understand what all the raves were about when i visited in April. It was 6 of us, my parents, husband and DD6, DS 9. We came from another park for dinner ressie and it was a long walk from front for my mom and kids.
We were just too tired to enjoy it after a long day at the parks.
So if you have young kids, it may not be worth the hype to bother.
And even with ressie we weren't seated for at least 25 minutes. So made for an even longer dining experience all total.

 

[catne]

we ate there 5/2008 and 5/2009...both for early dinner, around 5 or 5:30 p.m. or so. We waited no more than 5 minutes to be seated. Even ordering appetizers & cocktails, we were in and out of there in just over an hour.

Think it's a combination of popularity and small venue causing the difficulties in booking. One think I have noticed is that when you get within the 45 day mark there seems to be new availability, so if you really want it, keep trying...easy to check often now with the on-line system.

 

[DisneyGrampa]

I think it's so popular because when the Dining plan came out it was a great value because the prices are almost Signature Dining prices but it only uses one TS instead of 2.

Well, I'm sure that has some truth to it, but we eat there every visit, and this month was the first time we were on the dining plan. We eat there, because it's good!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

I know you don't want to hear this but I was online on at the second it turned 1:00am MST (3am central) last night and I couldn't believe what was open - I could have booked Le Cellier every night for 10 nights (I'm exaggerating I'm sure). My other trips were almost impossible to book Le Cellier - managed last trip to get one after calling about five times a day for months. We did enjoy it, and did book it again this trip because it is a 14 day trip but, even though we come from Canada it is not a must do for us. We like it, but enjoy the atmosphere, where the food is of equal deliciousness other places much more. So anyway, long story to stay - if you don't get one, don't worry and if you do enjoy!

 

[Scrooge Jr]

We have an ADR there for dinner, what's good? (I know it's all good,but what's good?)

 

[DisneyGrampa]

I'm hooked on the Risotto that comes with the filet.
Try the Maudite beer.
Finally-the cheese soup.

 

[Scrooge Jr]

I'm hooked on the Risotto that comes with the filet.
Try the Maudite beer.
Finally-the cheese soup.

Thanks

 

[PoohsFan1]

I have a quick question....is it better to horde the online ADR system everyday/night to try to get an ADR or to call the dining line, which would give me a better chance? Thanks.

 

[Scrooge Jr]

I have a quick question....is it better to horde the online ADR system everyday/night to try to get an ADR or to call the dining line, which would give me a better chance? Thanks.

Why not both, double your chance.

 

[mickey2000]

In my opinion, they have good food, but it's not amazing. Except the mussels, they were awesome. I don't order steak in restaurants so I don't have any idea how the steak is.

Le Cellier is probably one of the smallest restaurants at WDW. According to another post I read here somewhere, its maximum capacity is only 160 persons.

I don't think you could have brought a stroller in to keep a sleeping baby in. The room is too small and the tables too close together for strollers. I am pretty sure the strollers were parked outside.

My grandaughter in 2006 & 2007 was allowed at the table with a stroller.
No problem. Last year 2008 she sat at the table. There was the same amount of room in 2008 as in the past with tables and where they were .

 

[DisneyGrampa]

I've had the same experience. As with everything ar Disney-what they do varies. Generall, at LC, you leave your stroller outsude, but they will make exceptions.

 

[Charleyann]

What steak is the best? Can you substitute Potatoes?

Charleyann

 

[bluejasmine]

I dont know about what steak is best, I prefer the filet but thats personal and yes you can sub potatos.
I think Le Cellier is a great deal for the DDP and I am going next wk b/c my DS loves it but the trips I take w/o him we dont do Le Cellier.. I mean its not bad I just dont see the big deal..Pls dont flame! LOL

 

[camlace]

Keep trying if you can't get ressies. I am at WDW this week and had a Thurs Lunch ADR at Le Cellier that I booked at my 90 days. On Wed we decided that we wanted to try the Play and Dine at DHS and the only day we could get was Thurs. So I looked for any other Le Cellier ressies and got Fri at 1130. Perfect! People do cancel....so keep checking and good luck!

 

[dioxide45]

What steak is the best? Can you substitute Potatoes?

Charleyann

Yes, they allow you to substitute.

Le Cellier is small and very popular. I am not sure why it is so popular. It is very expensive for the portion sizes they serve. I don't think it is hype anymore as it has been popular for quite some time. Hype usually makes something popular for a couple of years and then it dies off. This place has been hard to book for many years now.

 

[TDC Nala]

According to posts I have read, they will allow you to substitute sides with an item that is served as a side with another entree. If you want to substitute an item that is available only as a separate side (like asparagus), they will not allow that.

If you order from the three-course fixed price menu, you cannot substitute anything - not even the sides.

 

[DisneyMom5]

We have an ADR there for dinner, what's good? (I know it's all good,but what's good?)

What steak is the best? Can you substitute Potatoes?

Charleyann

For perspective: We don't get to eat out much, and the steak we usually get is at Applebee's or Texas Roadhouse. Both good, but not fancy.
When we get free dining, it's really a treat to eat at places like Le Cellier.

Dh and my mom had the NY strip (I think that's what it was) with augratin potatoes, and both said it was the best steak they had ever had. And my dh is NOT the kind of person that says that about everything. If he says it, he MEANS it.

DS13 and I had the Filet, but substituted the mashed potatoes for the risotto. The potatoes were literally the most delicious I've ever had, and I loved the Filet (but my pregnant self has been craving the potatoes.) We were ready to lick the plate. LOL

The waiter says he substitutes potatoes for risotto ALL the time.

DD had the prime rib sandwich (lunch) and liked it, but missed the au jus they used to serve. She says next time she's getting a steak.

Maybe we're just hicks who don't usually get good food, but we really enjoy Le Cellier. And, the people I know who didn't enjoy it had really bad waiters. We've always had good waiters.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

It's a good restaurant but I am not sure it is worth the 3 month wait list.

 

[LaughingGravy]

Does it really take 2 hours to have a meal here? What about an early lunch reservation - around 11:30?

Yes. It took us over 2.5 hours. As a result, we completely missed Illuminations with a 7:15 reservation time on the one day we were there.
We were seated promptly, too.
Grrrr... this time we're doing Biergarten with 5:30.
I'm confident we won't miss it this time.

 

[mickey2000]

It's a good restaurant but I am not sure it is worth the 3 month wait list.

Soon to be a 6 month wait list ??