Le Cellier Steakhouse dinner becomes 'Signature Dining' - see the new menu

[Buried20KLeague]

You are right on. The food prices have gone almost out of reach for a moderate sized family to dine out every night during a week long stay.

I have done a cost breakout for the DDP on here in the past (including plan price, tips, meal options etc) , but in short the DDP is worth approx 1/2 it's value today as it was just 5 years ago.

Ther are other things that can seem a little unfair with food pricing. One we have notice more now that our daughter is beyong the 11 Y/O range. Buffetts now are full adult price and dinner shows are the same. It is tough for me to justify a 55 lb child that will eat a scoop of macaroni and cheese a little garden salad and a dinner roll will get charged $30.00 for dinner? The the dinner shows which include alchohlic beverages for adults still charge for children 11 and older the adult price even though they will not or more importantly cannot consume alchohol. There really should be a teen price range for dinner shows. We have simply stopped eating at buffetts for now. I cannot think about feading a family of 5 at a place like Boma which costs $39 for an adult. You will be more than $250.00 for a buffett dinner and you didn't even see any characters!:hammer:

This runaway pricing has to stop at some point. I hope.

GREAT post. I agree completely.

And what drives me nuts are the people that don't see it... That refuse to believe that the DDP isn't the bargain it once was.

 

[Tigger1988]

Looks like I'll be canceling my ADR and checking every day to see if one opens up for Lunch.

 

[menamechris]

You are right on. The food prices have gone almost out of reach for a moderate sized family to dine out every night during a week long stay.

This runaway pricing has to stop at some point. I hope.

You bring up an excellent point. I have found it rather ironic that as of late, the marketing for Disney has been noticeably more targeted for small children (i.e., little girls) and families, but dining seems to be an experience they apparently only want couples to be able to realistically afford.

 

[Alektronic]

Disney says they made the change due to guest response. I guess many guests feel they need more expensive dining and shopping choices.

 

[Disneygal24]

Wow! They just lost me as a customer because I am not going to spend $41.00 for a fillet and risotto. I can make the risotto at home!

~Amanda

 

[Disneygal24]

You bring up an excellent point. I have found it rather ironic that as of late, the marketing for Disney has been noticeably more targeted for small children (i.e., little girls) and families, but dining seems to be an experience they apparently only want couples to be able to realistically afford.

I also have to agree.

~Amanda

 

[WDWFigment]

You are right on. The food prices have gone almost out of reach for a moderate sized family to dine out every night during a week long stay.

I have done a cost breakout for the DDP on here in the past (including plan price, tips, meal options etc) , but in short the DDP is worth approx 1/2 it's value today as it was just 5 years ago.

Ther are other things that can seem a little unfair with food pricing. One we have notice more now that our daughter is beyong the 11 Y/O range. Buffetts now are full adult price and dinner shows are the same. It is tough for me to justify a 55 lb child that will eat a scoop of macaroni and cheese a little garden salad and a dinner roll will get charged $30.00 for dinner? The the dinner shows which include alchohlic beverages for adults still charge for children 11 and older the adult price even though they will not or more importantly cannot consume alchohol. There really should be a teen price range for dinner shows. We have simply stopped eating at buffetts for now. I cannot think about feading a family of 5 at a place like Boma which costs $39 for an adult. You will be more than $250.00 for a buffett dinner and you didn't even see any characters!:hammer:

This runaway pricing has to stop at some point. I hope.

GREAT post. I agree completely.

And what drives me nuts are the people that don't see it... That refuse to believe that the DDP isn't the bargain it once was.

While it really es me off, the thing is, can you really blame Disney?

The Company's marketing has worked brilliantly, and the 'psychology' of the DDP is a draw for many people. This much is apparent when threads about it pop up here and people cite the "convenience" of the DDP as being some magical trump card, rendering reason, logic, or (gasp, worst of all!) math impotent.

We can complain about this from the perspective of "fairness" until we're blue in the face, but fairness isn't really a consideration (and shouldn't be). As long as people are not discerning with how they spend their money, Disney has carte blanche to keep raising prices.

However, expecting people to be careful with their money is probably unrealistic. I mean, this is America, after all. Price is no object when you can just put it on the good ole credit card!

 

[menamechris]

There is no question - they are the best at marketing. However, I have to admit - I am a little weirded out that that 3 of the 4 pictures on the Disney website are of children. They could switch it up there - at least show families together.... Maybe a young adult couple?

 

[Dwarful]

We have been going to LC since it was a caffeteria style dining option way back on our honeymoon. Last summer in July we had no problem getting dinner here and we were within 45 days of arrival. We even had 3 different options. This trip I'm not even going to bother with it...not even for lunch. The service was so so and we were squeezed in. Not my opinion of fine dining. From the looks of the menu it doesn't look they have changed much just increasing the prices to make people feel it is worth two credits. We can eat at better steak houses at home for less money. Talk about price gouging.

 

[Lucky]

The upscale dining thing just doesn't work in a Florida theme park. Guests will be sweaty and wearing t-shirts and tennis shoes or Crocs.

They should save the "signature" dining stuff for the deluxe resort restaurants & DTD.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The upscale dining thing just doesn't work in a Florida theme park. Guests will be sweaty and wearing t-shirts and tennis shoes or Crocs.

They should save the "signature" dining stuff for the deluxe resort restaurants & DTD.

I disagree. I think that it will work as long as guests are well informed. Bistro de Paris never seemed to have a problem with it's signature status.

 

[thehowiet]

We will most likely not go to Le Cellier now that they have taken prime rib off the dinner menu, it's the whole reason my DH wanted to eat there. We'll have to discuss......

I always got the prime rib as well, along with the cream cheese mashed potatoes, cheese soup, and the chocolate mousse for desert. I am definitely disappointed that it is no longer on the menu. Oh well, at least we got to eat there one more time this past Saturday to celebrate my 30th birthday before the change.

 

[WDWFigment]

I disagree. I think that it will work as long as guests are well informed. Bistro de Paris never seemed to have a problem with it's signature status.

I think Lucky was speaking more to its supposed "upscale" nature. How can a restaurant be upscale when its dinners are wearing theme park attire?

I know when I go to an upscale restaurant, part of what makes the ambiance is the attire and attitude of other dinners. If the place stinks like sweat, people are loud and tired, and are dressed for a day of running of running around a theme park, it doesn't make for an upscale ambiance. (Sorry to those of you who think, "I'm on vacation, I'm going to dress in a way that's comfortable to me--if that's the case, maybe you should avoid upscale dining.)

Yeah, the ambiance isn't ideal at the signature restaurants in Deluxe resorts, but at least it's considerably better.

 

[YankeeMouse]

3 words: Cheddar Cheese Soup.

 

[zooey]

I guess we will be going for lunch from now on. Ah well.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Going for dinner in August and I cant wait!!!!

 

[baymenxpac]

I think Lucky was speaking more to its supposed "upscale" nature. How can a restaurant be upscale when its dinners are wearing theme park attire?

I know when I go to an upscale restaurant, part of what makes the ambiance is the attire and attitude of other dinners. If the place stinks like sweat, people are loud and tired, and are dressed for a day of running of running around a theme park, it doesn't make for an upscale ambiance. (Sorry to those of you who think, "I'm on vacation, I'm going to dress in a way that's comfortable to me--if that's the case, maybe you should avoid upscale dining.)

Yeah, the ambiance isn't ideal at the signature restaurants in Deluxe resorts, but at least it's considerably better.

figment, i have to slightly disagree. have any of you been to the california grill lately? it's pretty shameful what people get away with to get in there. i'm not an all-day park goer, so more often than not, i'm usually freshly showered and clothed nicely for every dining reservation i have at WDW. but at cali, i always make sure i have a pair of slacks, dress shoes, collared shirt, belt. basically business casual. the last time i was at the california grill, i was pretty shocked to see baseball caps, shorts...there's no excuse for that. (AND, in general, there's no excuse for a grown man not to take his baseball cap off while seated at a dinner table. come on, guys. i don't care if you're at applebees.)

figment is right that there is absolutely a mentality that people have that says, "i'm on vacation. this is me. deal with it." i just think that's so wrong. i'm not looking to incite a riot here, but i think common decorum is a good rule of thumb, even if you're on a nice break from your 9 to 5.

as far as le cellier, i truly enjoy it. it's one of my favorites on property. the price changes don't really scare me off, but i understand other posters' points. we shall see if it has any impact at all, but i, for one, am still looking forward to my next visit.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

i always make sure i have a pair of slacks, dress shoes, collared shirt, belt. basically business casual. the last time i was at the california grill, i was pretty shocked to see baseball caps, shorts...there's no excuse for that. (AND, in general, there's no excuse for a grown man not to take his baseball cap off while seated at a dinner table. come on, guys. i don't care if you're at applebees.)
.

I go to signature dining venues two or three times a visit, if it is a time of year when it is hot Ill be wearing shorts. If it was acceptable in my mess its good enough for theme park dining.

 

[baymenxpac]

I go to signature dining venues two or three times a visit, if it is a time of year when it is hot Ill be wearing shorts. If it was acceptable in my mess its good enough for theme park dining.

that part you quoted, i was only referring to california grill. i can see wearing shorts to most other dining venues.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I was referring to the California Grill, infact anywhere but V&A. As far as I am concerned Bermuda style shorts are perfectly appropriate for the environment or planters dress in the cooler months