Rumor..Le Cellier

[BrerGnat]

Maybe the restaurant management WANTS Le Cellier to be better than "not bad". Maybe they want to serve higher quality cuts of steak, and higher end side dishes. I have read of cutbacks here in recent years (since the DDP) regarding menu items being removed and such. Perhaps by making it a 2TS signature restaurant, they can expand the items offered and/or increase the quality of the ingredients.

I have ALWAYS found it odd that you can get a filet mignon at Le Cellier and it is only 1TS. With the amount of money they are making on the DDP, they can't really afford to offer prime cuts of beef, so it ends up being, like, Outback Steakhouse quality.

[DizneyRox]

... so it ends up being, like, Outback Steakhouse quality.

That pretty much sums up Le Cellier... As others have said, without getting rid of tables AND increasing the quality/selection on the menu, Le Cellier is NOT a signature meal. If they go signature without those changes, they will definitely go back to a walk up, any time of the day, restaurant.

It will also be interesting if they lower the cost of the DDP next year. I am going to guess they will keep it the same price and we won't see an actual price increase until 2012 (if the DDP lasts that long). There will be a huge backlash at the removal of the dessert, more than the removal of an appetizer. People aren't THAT stupid...

[Stu29573]

I just booked it for Nov 20 and its still 1.

[Tinkerfreak]

That pretty much sums up Le Cellier... As others have said, without getting rid of tables AND increasing the quality/selection on the menu, Le Cellier is NOT a signature meal. If they go signature without those changes, they will definitely go back to a walk up, any time of the day, restaurant.

It will also be interesting if they lower the cost of the DDP next year. I am going to guess they will keep it the same price and we won't see an actual price increase until 2012 (if the DDP lasts that long). There will be a huge backlash at the removal of the dessert, more than the removal of an appetizer. People aren't THAT stupid...

sorry to get off topic but I must have missed something. Are they changing the dining plan again and taking away the dessert?

[Strmchsr]

sorry to get off topic but I must have missed something. Are they changing the dining plan again and taking away the dessert?

That's the rumor. not confirmed.

[DizneyRox]

sorry to get off topic but I must have missed something. Are they changing the dining plan again and taking away the dessert?

That's the rumor. not confirmed.

I think our friends overseas have stated their bounce back offers with dining plan for 2011 DID NOT include dessert. There won't be two different dining plans. So, if they aren't lying, then it's as good as confirmed to me.

[BrerGnat]

sorry to get off topic but I must have missed something. Are they changing the dining plan again and taking away the dessert?

Considering that restaurants make their profits on appetizers, desserts, and alcoholic beverages, this move doesn't surprise me at ALL. Disney is probably realizing that they are losing money on this plan. Hopefully, they'll do away with it altogether in the near future...

[DisneyFr33k]

I know that things can change on a dime, but when I called the dining line and they confirmed Le Cellier was one table service for 2010, we both commented that they cannot change things after ressies have been made - that would be "bait and switch". I would see it fit for any big changes to be made - Le Cellier or changes to dessert /appetizers to the plan - it would be for the new dining years of 2011 or 2012.

I purchased the dining plan for October and made my ressies at 180. Le Cellier was one table service and the plan when I purchased it included a dessert. If Disney decided to hold me accountable to new rules they made after my purchase and ressies (in the middle of 2010 effective for the 2010 plan), they will have a fight on their hands. And I am sure I won't be alone in expressing my disgust. And if they hold firm, they can pay me back my money as I will cancel my trip.

From what I have seen, most changes to dining plans (especially ones that take away from the guests) have happened from one year to the next- not in the middle. Anyone observe differently?

[HoosierDisneyFan]

Has anyone heard an update on this?

[Ian]

No, but I will say that if they do away with the desserts on the plan and don't lower the price they'll have taken a loyal DDP customer and turned him into a guy who may consider eating offsite.

The nickel and diming is getting annoying.

[Crow]

I agree, if on DDP there is no way Id go to LC. I like but think its a little overated. Didnt even go there last trip. Id go w CG or AP long before LC if on DDP

[Goofster]

I think our friends overseas have stated their bounce back offers with dining plan for 2011 DID NOT include dessert. There won't be two different dining plans. So, if they aren't lying, then it's as good as confirmed to me.

That's ridiculous. If they remove dessert than its barely worth the money for the plan anymore....unless you do all buffets.

[princessgirls]

No, but I will say that if they do away with the desserts on the plan and don't lower the price they'll have taken a loyal DDP customer and turned him into a guy who may consider eating offsite.

The nickel and diming is getting annoying.

So annoying! We are one family that hates that!!
Julie

[Mickey91]

Though no one is reporting it other than the inital rumors, others are lending credibility to the rumor saying that with the addition of the new eateries in Mexico and Italy as casual dining experiences it only makes sense to upgrade Le Cellier to a signature dining experience and that the menu for Le Cellier would completely change to keep it line with that level restaurant. If that's true, I guess I had my last meal at Le Cellier last week. Wish I had known. However, I still don't see how they could possibly change it over to a signature place when they have current ADRs as is. I think it's more likely it'll switch in January or so.

Or they could make very late calls with a comp for inconvenience as they did when Japan's restaurant closed and did a complete make over. We already had ressies and was very close to our vacation when they called with the news it would be closed. They could call and offer a comp and the choice to stay with the ressie as a 2TS or change to something else(good luck).

[Mickey91]

Calling never gives you a straight answer. I've found that when something new is going on, we know better than the CMs on the phone. Or they just play coy. You'll never get a rumor confirmed by calling unless it has already become general news.

Knowing the way the DP is going, maybe they're planning on bumping all 1 TS to 2 TS and 2 TS to 3. More money paid, less given in return. I'm joking (let's hope)! But I'm already uneasy about continuing with the plan if they eliminate dessert next year and don't lower the price by more than a dollar.

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll go up in price by $5 to make it worth it! LOL!

[Mickey91]

That's ridiculous. If they remove dessert than its barely worth the money for the plan anymore....unless you do all buffets.

And actually, the buffets are where Disney comes out for the better to start with. Without dessert, cause you're talking about the CS and TS locations,the DDP is NOT worth it! And, Le Cellier is so not worth 2 TS.

[kronk99]

Perhaps Disney is changing the DDP all together. I just recently returned and in 2 of the 3 non-buffet reservations we had, there were two menus handed to us. At Chefs de France and Le Celier one menu was the regular a la carte menu and the other was an all-inclusive menu with choice of 2-3 appetizers, 4-6 entrees, and 3-4 choices for dessert. Could they be altering there menu selections at the restaurants to something like this so they can better control costs and limit big ticket items? Just a thought...

[DizneyRox]

Perhaps Disney is changing the DDP all together. I just recently returned and in 2 of the 3 non-buffet reservations we had, there were two menus handed to us. At Chefs de France and Le Celier one menu was the regular a la carte menu and the other was an all-inclusive menu with choice of 2-3 appetizers, 4-6 entrees, and 3-4 choices for dessert. Could they be altering there menu selections at the restaurants to something like this so they can better control costs and limit big ticket items? Just a thought...

LeCellier has the LeCellier Experience, which is what you are referring to. It's altered to allow it's use on the DDP (priced appropriately for profit). I've heard that de France has a similar setup.

Nothng new...

[Mickey 101]

We do OOP and our checks at Cali Grill, Le Cellier, & Tutto Italia all pretty much were the same.

I had a similar observation. We also pay OOP. The cuisine/atmosphere may not really compare to the signature dining locations, but our checks are very similar at California Grill, Flying Fish, Hollywood Brown Derby and Le Cellier. I've thought for quite some time that Le Cellier is a great value as a 1TS on the ddp for that reason. I wouldn't be that surprised to see it go to a 2TS location.

[Mickey91]

I had a similar observation. We also pay OOP. The cuisine/atmosphere may not really compare to the signature dining locations, but our checks are very similar at California Grill, Flying Fish, Hollywood Brown Derby and Le Cellier. I've thought for quite some time that Le Cellier is a great value as a 1TS on the ddp for that reason. I wouldn't be that surprised to see it go to a 2TS location.

It is a good value as 1 TS but no where near worth 2TS. The ambiance just isn't there. Cali Grill gets by with it because of the magnificent view of the MK and fireworks, plus the quality of food is so much better. I'm going to guess that is the case with the others. Le Cellier, while a pretty good meal (much better in the past) is still just a dark, crowded steak house.