Why is Le Cellier so disliked on here?

[Bolt4Life17]

Something I've learned on here (I'm guilty too) over the past couple years lurking, is that DISers do not like change for the most part. When there is change, there is a lot of griping and doom/gloom postings.

I'm wondering why Le Cellier is so hated on here but loved on review sites like Trip Advisor? Is it because it changed from a 1 TS credit to 2 TS credits? Or is it because some of the menu has changed? Or is it just plain bad and not worth 2 TS credits?

What is your reason for disliking Le Cellier so much. I'm so torn on it because I read good things on review sites but DISBoards keeps turning me off to it.

I haven't really been able to pin point exactly why this place is so unpopular, but it seems to be a common general theme on here.

 

[supersnoop]

I like Le Cellier. It's great food and worth the price they charge. However, it is not worth two credits. When it moved up to the signature category, nothing really changed. So, people on the dining plan avoid it because it's not worth the credits, but it's still a great restaurant.

 

[Teddyman]

I have only been to Le Cellier once. I was in a party of two adults and two children. The other three people received their meals, but my steak never came. The restaurant was quite busy and hectic. The waiter, who had never come back to check on us, only noticed my missing meal when he came to clear plates away. At that point he offered to bring me a meal, but I declined. My steak was taken off the bill. The people who received meals were happy with them. I have no desire to ever go back. My last experiences at the Yachtsman were relaxing and the service was excellent. I have a couple of other favourite places at Epcot, and I will be trying two new ones this summer (as well as returning to Yachtsman). I'm sure that that sort of thing is a rare occurrence, but it was bad enough that I don't want to risk two TS credits (or even one for that matter) to give it another try. There are other places to go. I'm Canadian, and I would have loved to love Le Cellier!

 

[Ambear]

I loved eating at le Cellier. Their poutine is soooooo worth it. I actually did not like their cheese soup, so I'll skip that next time. But that poutine... I also loved that when the guy asked where we were from he knew what city we were talking about cause he's from toronto haha. I know, that's a small dumb thing but still was fun. Most people think we're from nyc or something. We liked the atmosphere and poutine so much that I made an ADR and we're going back on our next trip. No steak, but we're getting poutine and dessert. I know I've said poutine too many times in this post.

 

[maggiew]

I'm not sure LeCellier is really disliked on here (Although I just posted a negative thread about it.) I think it has to do with the history of the restaurant.

LeCellier was really good pre-dining plan. That was the last time I was there. Then when the dining plan started, lots of people went there because you could get a steak and it was only one table service credit. But then it made it really difficult to get an ADR after that. So some people were really happy (those that could get the ADR) and those who were mad because they couldn't. Then they switched it so that LeCellier became a signature restaurant and require 2 Table Service credits. Not such a good deal on the dining plan anymore.

But they had to ramp up the menu to make it more worthy of the signature status. Then they made the lunch and dinner menu the same. I think the cost for dinner is not out of line of a higher end steakhouse (although a little too high, in my opinion). But to have the lunch costs be what they are is crazy, in my opinion. They should have something that is reasonable on the menu for lunch.

Maggie

 

[holden]

LeCellier was really good pre-dining plan. That was the last time I was there. Then when the dining plan started, lots of people went there because you could get a steak and it was only one table service credit. But then it made it really difficult to get an ADR after that. So some people were really happy (those that could get the ADR) and those who were mad because they couldn't. Then they switched it so that LeCellier became a signature restaurant and require 2 Table Service credits. Not such a good deal on the dining plan anymore.

But they had to ramp up the menu to make it more worthy of the signature status. Then they made the lunch and dinner menu the same. I think the cost for dinner is not out of line of a higher end steakhouse (although a little too high, in my opinion). But to have the lunch costs be what they are is crazy, in my opinion. They should have something that is reasonable on the menu for lunch.

Maggie

The above is very true. Those who remember the pre-dining plan days know that the quality of food in general at table service restaurants was better then than it is now. Now many places are just like a chain - Outback Steakhouse, etc. There are a few good ones left (like Jiko!), but many are just "ok"/average or downright poor.

I put Le Cellier in the "just ok" category. I'd rather eat where I enjoy the food than settle for mediocre food. That's just my opinion though.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

It awesome. What you mostly hear is a bunch of old folks whining about the old days when things were nirvana.

Edit: Sorry if I offended some of you with this. The backlash is apparent. Carry on.

 

[POOHsie]

It awesome. What you mostly hear is a bunch of old folks whining about the old days when things were nirvana.

That was intentionally rude.

Le Cellier is disliked, not hated. Because the steak quality is less it should be for the price. Because the tables are so close together. Because lunch is same menu-same price as dinner. Other Signature TS restaurants have a much better space between tables, and the ones open at lunch offer some lighter fare. Le Cellier leaves people with the impression that they are more intent on maximizing profit than giving guests a Signature experience. DDP has only been around since 2005. If one remembers Le Cellier before DDP, they could still be in their mid-thirties. "A bunch of whining old folks" was an undeserved criticism.

 

[holden]

That was intentionally rude.

Le Cellier is disliked, not hated. Because the steak quality is less it should be for the price. Because the tables are so close together. Because lunch is same menu-same price as dinner. Other Signature TS restaurants have a much better space between tables, and the ones open at lunch offer some lighter fare. Le Cellier leaves people with the impression that they are more intent on maximizing profit than giving guests a Signature experience. DDP has only been around since 2005. If one remembers Le Cellier before DDP, they could still be in their mid-thirties. "A bunch of whining old folks" was an undeserved criticism.

Well said

 

[jrmasm]

We've had several good meals there but haven't returned since they changed the meal to same for lunch and dinner.

 

[NjMamaMouse]

It used to be a must stop for us every trip, but then we found a steak here at home that was just as good if not better..... So it just wasn't as special anymore.
We went back recently and I have to say the quality for what you pay just isn't worth the money to me.

 

[jenjersnap]

I want to like Le Cellier! That is why I have given it multiple chances. I don't mind that it went to signature status (though I wish they had beefed up - see what I did there - the menu when they did). My issue, and it was an issue in 2004 and it was an issue in 2014 and every time in between, is that food is salted to the point that I wonder if the chefs have some sort of secret tastebud killing hazing ritual for new hires back there. I don't order the soup anymore as a result and, even when I requested lighter seasoning on the steak, it was, for me still not enjoyable. Add in frequently unprofessional deer-in-headlights and inexperienced service (not cool at a signature, sorry) and it just isn't a priority for me anymore.

We did enjoy the specialty poutines and I could see us trying to catch a last minute opening for apps, poutine and dessert, if we had a taste for it.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

That was intentionally rude.

Le Cellier is disliked, not hated. Because the steak quality is less it should be for the price. Because the tables are so close together. Because lunch is same menu-same price as dinner. Other Signature TS restaurants have a much better space between tables, and the ones open at lunch offer some lighter fare. Le Cellier leaves people with the impression that they are more intent on maximizing profit than giving guests a Signature experience. DDP has only been around since 2005. If one remembers Le Cellier before DDP, they could still be in their mid-thirties. "A bunch of whining old folks" was an undeserved criticism.

Perhaps old folks was incorrect. How about "most criticism comes from those that recall what it was like before the DDP changed how Disney planned menus to match venue and customer service expectations" better? It's a forum.

 

[Disneylover99]

The best steak I ever ate was at Le Cellier. But I found the seating cramped and the service rushed.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The seating is tight but the filet was fantastic. This was last September. We loved it.

 

[Mainemama]

We had a great lunch with 1 TS credit our first trip (2012), then a not so great lunch for 2 TS credits in 2013. We ordered the exact same items, but way over salted. One steak was almost in edible. And the server argued with me over my child's no pepper steak that had pepper all over it. We also discovered all the other restaurants in Epcot! At this point, we are just trying a new one each trip.

 

[maggiew]

Perhaps old folks was incorrect. How about "most criticism comes from those that recall what it was like before the DDP changed how Disney planned menus to match venue and customer service expectations" better? It's a forum.

I was slightly offended by your earlier remark because I don't consider myself an old folk and whiny. However, I find this post hilarious. Thanks.

Maggie

 

[Micca]

Well I don't mind being called old. No way I could have made 60+ trips to WDW and remained 23 years old. I always felt that LC was somewhat overrated here on the boards. I was in the minority though based on the rave reviews and the difficulty in obtaining an ADR. With the advent of Free Dining, nearly all Disney eateries reduced portions and/or quality, and the prices increased. What really hit LC is when it became a signature restaurant and the dining credits increased. So a perfect storm of reduced portions/quality, increased prices, a pain in the neck to get an ADR has finally made it "more trouble than it's worth" to many guests.

 

[SouthJersey]

It's hated on the board because of the many self-proclaimed food critics say so!

But really, the problem is it's marketing as upscale, it's priced as upscale, but being in the park it brings a loud atmosphere with tight seating, mostly park attire and loud/cranky kids at times. When you're opposed to the atmosphere and layout, now you're going into the perception of the actual meal already miserable and it's downhill from there for those people. I've seen people claim to have better steak and service at Outback, which is just absurd or they had a really off night.

Is it amazing? No, but we've enjoyed our meals there as good as we enjoy our meals at $200/couple steakhouses back home. Why? We expect and enjoy the park vibe, our meals have been cooked perfectly and we've enjoyed ourselves there.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Le Cellier is a great many things, "awesome" is not one of them. It is "okay".

TripAdvisor is not a great site for restaurant reviews, Chowhound gives a more realistic look.

I wouldn't say "don't go", I'd ask what else you were considering...... then I could judge relative value.