Epcot’s Le Cellier Steakhouse, one of Walt Disney World’s most popular table-service restaurants may be undergoing significant changes in its operation, transitioning to a Signature Dining sometime in fall 2010 or early 2011.
According to a rumor circulating on the discussion forums of The DIS, one of the largest and longest-running of the Disney fan websites, Le Cellier staff has been informed that the restaurant will be upgraded to Signature Restaurant status as early as September 2010. (Update: October 2010 and January 2010 have been offered as more probable dates for any shift.) This information and its source were treated as credible enough for The DIS to send a Twitter link to the discussion on May 14, 2010.
The restaurant, which is located at below the Chateau at the Canada pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, specializes in Canadian regional cuisine. It addition to its famed Cheddar Cheer Soup made with Moosehead Beer, the menu focus on omnivore fare geared toward meat-lovers, especially prime rib and filet mignon as well as fish and seafood. Appropriately given the restaurant’s design as a wine cellar, Le Cellier also offers a range of wine selections and Canadian beer. (See AllEars.net for a representative Le Cellier menu.)
Update, Aug. 8, 2010: Beginning March 1, 2011, Le Cellier wil become a Signature Dining experience for dinner only.
If Le Cellier does indeed shift to a Disney Signature Dining experience, the restaurant will likely undergo several changes that may affect Disney guests’ dining plans. The most obvious change would be increased prices. Signature Dining restaurants are, on average, more expensive than other table-service restaurants, a change which would affect both guests paying "out of pocket" (for each meal individually) and those participating in the pre-paid Disney Dining Plan (DDP); Signature Dining experiences on the DDP require two table-service credits rather than one.
For an overview of the Disney Dining Plan, click here.
And if Le Cellier Steakhouse upgrades to a Signature Dining experience, there would likely be other changes to align it with restaurants with the same designation. A menu redesign would take place, with new dishes reflecting the price increases mentioned above. Also, Le Cellier might shift to accommodate fewer tables; Disney’s Signature Dining restaurants tend to offer guests an intimate, exclusive dining experience – though Le Cellier is already a relatively small restaurant.
In addition, a “Resort casual” dress code would probably be adopted (e.g. no tank tops, cut-offs, swimsuits or cover-ups, hats for men, or torn clothing; business casual is recommended – khakis or dress slacks for men, dresses or dress slacks and capris for women – although nice shorts and dressy t-shirts are allowed). Although not strictly enforced in the theme parks, the dress code is recommended for Signature Dining restaurants.
As of this writing, the following Walt Disney World Resort area restaurants are designated Signature Dining experiences. (Note: not every restaurant participates in the DDP.)
- Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge
- Bistro de Paris, France, Epcot’s World Showcase
- California Grill, Contemporary Resort Citricos, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Flying Fish Café, Disney's BoardWalk Resort
- Fulton’s Crab House, Downtown Disney Marketplace
- The Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Jiko, The Cooking Place, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Narcoossee's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Shula’s Steak House, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Todd English’s bluezoo, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Victoria and Albert's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Yachtsman Steakhouse, Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Considered in the context of Epcot’s announced dining changes to take place fall 2010, Le Cellier’s potential shift to Signature Dining status makes some sense. The highly anticipated new dining options for the World Showcase expands Epcot's casual dining experiences.
The expansion of Mexico’s Cantina de San Angel (to be renamed Hacienda de San Angel) adds more al fresco dining plus table-service dinners. Via Napoli, a Neopolitan pizzeria in Italy, will offer 300 seats to World Showcase. Both these restaurants will open this fall. A transformation to Signature Dining for Le Cellier, if true, might be considered a means of balancing these dining options.
As of this writing, Walt Disney World has not released information confirming the possible shift of Le Cellier Steakhouse to a Signature Restaurant.
This article is part of the Disney Dining series. You can also read other articles on Disney news, deals, and advice, or sign up for a free subscription to this Disney Travel column.
Comments
I wouldn't mind if it changed, but they would have to start serving better steaks for it to be worth the change. And less crowded would be a plus, the tables are very close together there as is, and it's always very crowded. I would miss the nice sandwiches at lunch though, if they changed.
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