Rumor Le Cellier

I've been hearing grumblings about this for some time... We don't do the DDP, so it's no big deal for us, but it would be nice to have a better chance to get into the restaurant for dinner.

We've gone two or three times and never had a problem getting ADRs for it. Not thrilled with this since Le Cellier has been a staple for us and we always get the plan.

I'm pretty sure it's going to pass from rumor to fact this time.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I think Le Cellier is a victim of it's own hype. It's hard for any restaurant to deliver when the bar is set that high, much less one that is as unspectacular as Le Cellier.

This isn't going to affect us too much either. We never do DDP and don't have any Le Cellier plans anytime soon.

__________________

Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

I think it's a positive for those who pay out of pocket. Easier to get a (dinner) ADR and I doubt they will raise the OOP prices much.

I think it would be a poor decision if they make many significant changes like this before addressing the issues with DDP. Disney is apparently not happy with the 'performance' (read financial ramifications) of the Dining Plan - as they change it every year; removing features, raising the price, and restructuring plan basics. I don't believe they can continue on stripping away features while raising the price much longer. For me a lot of the value has already diminished and it is now on the proverbial precipice (value?).

I don't understand how the DDP isn't a huge money maker for them. Which is more important in terms of money making for them for an individual customer:

1) the customer buys the plan spending more for the food than they actually eat

or

2) the customer buys the plan buying way more (and pricier) meals than they ever would otherwise?

I know Caitie and I are in the second category. Yes, we try to come close to our allotment each day, but we would NEVER get that kind of food or spend that much money without the plan. They are EASILY getting more money from us with the plan than they would without. I suspect that's true of most people. Even if they eat up to or even more than the price paid per day, would those same people spend as much without the plan in the first place? I doubt it. Makes me wonder why they keep changing things...

I completely agree. I don't see how it could not be a great money maker. That's why I don't get why they keep changing it. The only thing I can figure is that it's such a good money maker, they're using to make up lost ground elsewhere.

I think it's very strange that they keep knocking "extras" off of the dining plan. I always thought that when you introduced a deal, you should ADD things to it.

Interesting..I really wonder if and how this will effect the ability to get an ADR there.

I like Le Cellier but I think I've expanded on this before..I am not the biggest Le Cellier fan and now that it's bumping up to two credits I doubt I'd go back.

I've never done any "signature" dining before..for those of you that have how do you think Le Cellier compares to California Grill or Jiko?

This is an interesting point. We usually pay cash so we don't care much. I'd typically rather give up my trip to California Grill than my trip to Le Cellier on any given trip, BUT I'd be willing to pay more for California Grill than Le Cellier. Most of the signature dining restaurants are really "experiences." While I love Le Cellier's food, it definitely doesn't have the same feel as other signature dining.

At the same time I think it's a wise move for Disney given the restaurants near impossibility to book. Although I doubt it will do much to help lunch, I might at least be able to get dinner there.

Thanks for your opinion. Le Cellier was OK but I def. don't see how it could be worth two dining credits.
It seems like Disney may be milking its popularity a bit.

Poorly. It also compares unfavorably to Hollywood Brown Derby in my opinion too.

__________________

Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

I agree 100 billion %

__________________

Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

That's a lot of percents; you must REALLY agree.

Haven't been to LC yet, but am looking forward to it this next trip. That said from everything I know about it, it is not worth two TS credits as it is now. Has anyone considered the possibility they may be changing the restaurant/menu to warrant making it a signature dining experience?

That's a good thought..I hope that they would upgrade it a bit. That would be the only thing that would make sense.

Hope I didn't sound like I was poking fun at Imagineer. If so, that wasn't my intention. Just thought it was funny, as I say things like that myself.

I think Le Cellier is pretty much worth two credits by the law of supply and demand. You can't get in there now so they have to charge more. It will be interesting to see how it affects the crowds. It might reduce them more than intended and then they'll either have to make it a bit nicer or compensate somehow.

Thanks for this info. I'm intrigued to see how they change the menu! It's been getting a bit "stale" lately.

Just don't get rid of the filet or the burger and everything will be okay. Also don't mess with the bread.