Getting a table at Le Cellier in Epcot‘s Canada pavilion is one of the most sought after reservations in all of Walt Disney World.
Why do people love Le Cellier so much? There are many reasons.
First and perhaps foremost is the food. The restaurant is a classic steakhouse with a few interesting twists. It serves up tender steaks as well as a selection of seafood dishes. The signature Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is well known, and just thinking about the tender and flavorful Mushroom Filet Mignon makes my mouth water. Regional dishes inspired by the provinces of Canada make for some unique selections.
Next up is the atmosphere. They don’t call it “Le Cellier” (meaning “the cellar”) for nothing. However, this is no dark and dank basement at your grandma’s house. The design looks like a fine wine cellar. It’s dark, rich, cozy, and uniquely elegant.
All of this makes for an expensive but memorable experience.
The flip side of all these great attributes is that Le Cellier is almost always fully booked.
Alternatives
If you can’t get into Le Cellier and you are still looking for a Disney steakhouse experience, consider these options:
1 – Shula’s Steakhouse
The Walt Disney World Dolphin is often overlooked when it comes to dining options, but it has some wonderful restaurants including Shula’s Steakhouse. If you are looking for a traditional steakhouse with a classy and masculine feel, consider Shula’s.
2 – Yachtsman Steakhouse
If you enjoy the nautical atmosphere of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, consider Yachtsman Steakhouse if you have a hankering for a good piece of fine quality meat.
3 – Bull and Bear Steakhouse
If you are willing to spend some big bucks and you are willing to hike over to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, which is surrounded by Disney property but is technically not part of Disney’s land, the Bull and Bear can be a great choice for some choice meat as well as an unforgettable meal.
How To Get In
If only Le Cellier will do, here are some tips for how you can get in. These tips are useful for getting in to Le Cellier or any other popular Disney restaurant:
1 – Make your reservations at the 180-day mark
Disney’s Advanced Dining Reservations open up 180 days in advance, plus an extra 10 days in advance for people staying at a Disney Resort. A neat trick is that you can make Advance Dining Reservations for your entire vacation starting at 190 days from the first day of your vacation (180 days plus 10). Take advantage of this little trick. This may be your best chance of getting reservations at the most popular restaurants later in your trip. Be sure to call as soon as the Disney dining reservation center opens for the day, and get down to business right away: even the time you spend in small talk with the reservation agent could cost you a coveted spot.
2 – Keep trying
If you do call to request a reservation 180 days in advance and find that your first choices for restaurants are booked, don’t give up. Keep calling back. Many people change or cancel their reservations. If you call at just the right time you still might get the reservation of your choice.
3 – Try a different time
Many people want to make their dinner reservations between 6 and 8 PM. These time slots often fill up first. Be flexible and consider times before or after the traditional dinner rush time. An early dinner reservation will give you more time to explore the parks in the evening. A late time may be a great way to finish off your day.
4 – Split up your party
If you travel with a large group, consider splitting the group up into smaller parties. It is often easier to get reservations for smaller groups then it is for one very large group all sitting together.
5 – Try getting a walk-up table
If everything else fails and you still have your heart set on a particular restaurant but can’t get a reservation, consider walking up to the reservation desk and simply asking if they have any free tables. This is the least assured way of getting into the restaurant of your choice, but sometimes it does work. People make last-minute cancellations and sometimes that can work out to your advantage.
What do you do when Le Cellier is booked up?