Christmas season is a wonderful time of year to visit the Walt Disney World Resort.  Decorations abound in the form of Christmas Trees, lifesize Gingerbread houses, unbelievable lighting displays, special Holiday entertainment, and one very special Castle that is transformed into a lighting masterpiece.




Here are some Fun Disney World Christmas Facts to enjoy:

•1,300 decorated trees throughout property


•A wreath 25 feet in diameter adorning the Cirque du Soleil building at Downtown Disney West Side

•10 miles of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

•150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations

•15 miles of garland strung and 1,314 wreaths hung throughout the Vacation Kingdom

•300,000 yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property

•8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort

•100 percent of the lighting used for holiday décor is LED

•11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase

•More than 800 performers each night during Candlelight Processional at Epcot

•More than 200 guest choirs during the entire run of Candlelight Processional

•A Christmas tree in Magic Kingdom with a base 25 feet wide

•One 70-foot-tall tree takes center stage in Disney’s Contemporary Resort entrance lobby featuring nearly 35,800 white LED lights

•6 life-sized creations cooked up by Walt Disney World pastry chefs, including:

•One 16-foot-tall gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa baked with 1,050 pounds of honey and involving more than 160 hours of decorating

•One life-size gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort featuring ponies made of chocolate and fondant, giant candy cane poles, handcrafted poinsettias and hand-painted portraits of famous Disney characters

•100 percent chance of snow flurries during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, taking place on select holiday evenings in Magic Kingdom

•365 days of the year that guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney’s Days of Christmas shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace

If you are looking for a Winter 2012 Getaway to someplace warm, you may want to check out this great deal for the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.  Stay at one of the wonderfully themed Disney World Resort Hotels between January 2 and February 20, 2012 at get a discount of up to 35% off for most nights!

Disney World Vacation Discount!
No package purchases are necessary to take advantage of these great rates, but you must book your Disney World Hotel Reservations by December 21, 2011.

Here are the Discounts:

• Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels                                      35%
• Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels*                                   Up to 35%
• Disney Moderate Resort Hotels*                               Up to 30%
• Disney Value Resort Hotels*                                      Up to 25%

* Exceptions include the following Resort hotels, which offer alternative rates:

• Save 20% at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
• Save 25% at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Save 30% at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Save 30% at Disney's Polynesian Resort

 The number of rooms available at this rate is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same room. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals.

Book Your Disney Vacation Now!
You can book this great rate through Only WDWorld Travel by:

• Calling: 336-899-7943
• Emailing: info@OnlyWDWorldTravel.com

One of the highlights of the Christmas Season each year at the Walt Disney World  Resort is the Candlelight Processional.  This inspirational retelling of the Christmas Story by celebrity narrators accompanied by a 50 piece orchestra and a mass choir is enjoyed by many thousands of Disney World guests each year.

The 2011 version of the Candlelight Processional which is performed 3 times each evening from November 25th through December 30th at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot.  Showtimes are at 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm, & 8:15 pm.  Shows are FREE, but seating is limited.

For those that celebrate Christmas this is a special event that can be enjoyed by the entire family.  The lineup of celebrity narrators include many that have made this a yearly tradition.

2011 Candlelight Processional Schedule
Nov. 25-27: Mira Sorvino

Nov. 28-Dec. 1: Michael W. Smith
Dec. 2-3: Geena Davis
Dec. 4-6: Edward James Olmos (guest shows at 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. only)
Dec. 7-9: Isabella Rossellini
Dec. 10-12: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 13-15: Lorraine Bracco
Dec. 16-18: Chita Rivera
Dec. 19-21: Trace Adkins
Dec. 22-24: Susan Lucci
Dec. 25-27: Blair Underwood
Dec. 28-30: Marlee Matlin


Although performances are FREE the America Gardens Theatre fills up fast.  For a guaranteed seat to Candlelight Processional, guests can purchase a special dining package (on select nights) by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

The Walt Disney World Resort delights guests young and old by having an amazing array of special Holiday Related attractions, displays, and events.  There is so much to see and do relating to Christmas and several other Holiday traditions.


Disney's Animal Kingdom
From November 8th through January 4, Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates the Holiday season with wonderful animal themed decorations and two special Holiday themed attractions.

The daily parade has been transformed into the Jingle Jungle Parade where King Louie and Baloo lead this rousing musical cavalcade throughout the park.  Also if you venture into Camp Minnie Mickey you will find that Santa Goofy has set up his Holiday Village there.  This is an excellent opportunity to get your picture taken with your favorite Disney Characters in special Holiday outfits.


Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios has many decorations throughout the park, but none that get as much attention as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which are operating from November 10th through January 3rd. 


This multi-million light display in the Streets Of America section of the park may be the most amazing Christmas light display that you will find anywhere.  A Disney World tradition since 1995, it gets bigger and better each year.  Now it contains even 3D effects set to amaze all that see them.  This is something that has to be seen in person to truly appreciate.
 


Epcot
From November 25th through December 30th Epcot World Showcase Guests will get a taste of how the Holidays are celebrated at each of the 11 World Showcase Countries.  Unique storytellers that represent the cultural traditions of each country tell the story of the Holiday traditions that they celebrate.  Then each evening in the America Gardens Theatre a celebrity narrator leads that now famous Candlelight Processional that tells the Christmas Story with a 50 piece orchestra and mass choir.


Magic Kingdom
The charm of Main Street U.S.A. comes alive with the wonderful Holiday decorations.  Not to be outdone from November 8th through January 8th Cinderella Castle shimmers with over 200,000 LED lights and 500 strobes to become a glistening ice-castle each evening.  The Castle Dreamlights create a perfect Holiday memory for all that are lucky enough to see it in person.


The Magic Kingdom is also home to Mickey Mouse's special Holiday party called Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights from November 8th through December 18th.  During this special ticketed event Disney Characters are dressed up in their Holiday finest and the Magic Kingdom glistens with Christmas lights and decorations.  The highlight of the evening is the special Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade complete with Toy soldiers and Mickey Mouse himself.


Other Holiday Attractions
The Holiday Decorations are not limited to the four Disney World Theme Parks, you can find an amazing array of decorations on each of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, as well as, Downtown Disney.  Throughout Disney World you will discover over 100 uniquely decorated Christmas Trees and numerous Gingerbread and chocolate creations to delight the guests.

The Grand Floridian Resort is home to a life size Gingerbread House created by Disney's own staff of talented chefs while Downtown Disney hosts the Festival Of The Seasons where you can get your picture with Santa Claus from November 18th through December 24th.

The Disney Dining Plan can be a great option for your Walt Disney World Vacation.  Knowing some extra tips on how to get the most from the Disney Dining Plan can make it even better.

Tip #1 Use The Extra Day
No Matter which Disney Dining Plan you choose there is one important fact to remember:  All Disney Dining Plan credits last until midnight of the day that you check out of your Disney World Resort.

This applies even if you check into another Disney World Resort on that day.  This is a great tip for those who like to split their trip at two different resorts.

Many families realize that the Disney Dining Plans can almost be too much food.  By budgeting your expenditures and occasionally sharing a Quick Service meal, you can actually  stretch your Dining Plan credits to either last an extra day or at least cover one meal on that extra day.

This is also a nice feature if you decide to take a "day off" from Table Service meals and get something lighter one day instead.  This way your valuable Dining Credits don't go to waste.


Tip #2 Epcot Restaurants Provide Best Table Service Value
If you are looking for the best use of your Disney Dining Plan Table Service Credits in terms of dollars spent if paying out of pocket, then Epcot is your best place to eat.  Here you will find Le Cellier, Les Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Tutto Italia, Le Hacienda de San Angel, Restaurant Marrakesh, & San Angel Inn. 

These seven Table Service restaurants all have entrees that range from $20 - $35.  They are all available as options when you have the Dining Plan.  So if you had your heart set on Filet Mignon, then by all means get the Dining Plan to avoid having to pay at Le Cellier (One Table Service Credit For Lunch, or Two for Dinner.)


Tip #3 Think Buffet For Older Children and Character Meals
If your children are in the 7 - 9 year old range and the normal children's meal isn't enough food for them, then you should consider one of the Disney World Buffet or Family Style Dining Options for Table Service meals.  Even though they pay the children's Dining Plan rate, they are allowed to eat whatever they want at the buffet.

Many of the Buffets also have have Disney Characters.  This means not only can your children eat all they want at the buffet, but you have the added special touch of getting to meet and interact with the characters.  These make great memories for your family vacation.

Recommended Buffets (all for 1 Table Service Credit per person) include: 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian Resort), Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom), Chef Mickey's (Contemporary Resort), Princess Storybook Dining (Norway in Epcot), Biergarten (Germany in Epcot - No Characters, but lively entertainment).


Tip #4 Use the Snack Credits
The snack credits provide some of the most fun for my family when we use one of the Disney Dining Plans.  There is such a wide variety of options, there is no excuse to not use your snack credits.

Even if you do not "snack" or feel the need for extra treats, you can use the snack credits for many breakfast items ranging from: pastries, muffins, yogurt parfaits, & fruit bowls.

Children enjoy having the option to "spend" their snack credits on the items of their choice.  They like the competition of finding the best use for their credit, whether it be a Butterfinger Cupcake from Starring Roles or warm Cinnamon Roll from the Main Street Bakery.


Tip #5 Quick Service Means More Than Burgers
Disney World provides a wide variety of Quick Service Dining options, so don't feel that you are forced to spend your Quick Service Credits on Burgers or Pizza, but you can if that is what you crave.

From Barbecue Ribs at Flame Tree Barbecue, Fried Shrimp at Columbia Harbour House, Moroccan Shawarma Platters at Tangierine Cafe to Salmon at Sunshine Seasons there are plenty of choices which to use your Quick Service credits.

The Quick Service Credits even allows you to choose entrees or combination meals that normally cost over $10 each.


Tip #6 Takes The Stress Out Of Vacation Dining
The Final Tip and one that doesn't credit enough publicity is the stress that the Disney Dining Plans take out of your vacation.

By allowing you to be able to order what ever you want off of the menu for the same price, you don't have to worry about your child who wants to try the $28 entree.  You also don't feel guilty about getting the most expensive item on the menu yourself.

The Disney Dining Plans enable you to relax and enjoy your vacation without worrying about the prices on the menus.  For families on a budget (and who isn't) it is also nice to know what your food expenditures will be ahead of time, so that you can budget accordingly.

Strongly Consider The Disney Dining Plan
The various Disney Dining Plans will never be the inexpensive way to visit Disney World for your vacation, but there are a number of advantages to choosing to add it to your vacation. 

With minimal effort you can get your money's worth and the stress reduction definitely makes it all worthwhile.  Take advantage of some or all of these Tips and have a great Disney World Vacation!

TEA, the Themed Entertainment Association announced the winners of the 18th Annual Thea Awards, which recognize and honor excellence in the creation of extraordinary visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places.  Disney was well represented by garnering 4 awards including:

• THE BUZZ PRICE THEA AWARD
  Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements (formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award)
  Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering
• THEA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
  
  Star Tours - The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood
  Studios at Walt Disney World (Attraction Refresh)
• THEA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
  The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
  (Show Spectacular)
   
• THEA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
  
  Animation Magic in the Animator's Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line's Ship - Disney Fantasy (Ingenious use of Technology)
  
  

Here is more information about these deserving recipients from the official TEA Press Release:

The Buzz Price Thea Award - Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements

(formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award)
Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering


Joe Rohde is a 30-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, starting his career as a model designer on Epcot, and continuing with projects for Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.; and Disneyland Paris. Joe led the team that conceptualized, designed and built Disney's Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. He continues to oversee new attractions for that park and is also responsible for the creative design and content of Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, at Ko Olina, O'ahu, Hawai'i, which debuted in August 2011.

The challenge of creating Disney's Animal Kingdom, a park with a strong wildlife conservation message, involved years of research and negotiation with constituents from the scientific community, the world of zoos, and representatives of indigenous communities involved in the stories created in the park. In the process of developing the park itself, Joe was instrumental in the development of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, which has supported more than 180 nonprofit organizations in 111 countries totaling nearly $18 million.

Joe speaks regularly about design and narrative and has appeared at NASA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the TED conference, Portland Creative conference, and has been the keynote speaker at SIGGRAPH in Boston and Yokohama, Japan, as well as many other venues. He is also a member of the Explorers Club.


Star Tours - The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood

Studios at Walt Disney World (Attraction Refresh)
This nomination recognizes the complete reimagining of Star Tours, the first simulator experience installed in a themed environment. The original attraction had been in operation since 1987; new technologies were available that could enhance the experience. At the same time, the Star Wars mythology has remained ever relevant to succeeding generations of fans. The challenge was to remain true to the vivid stories while making use of new technical tools and guest interactive capabilities.

The refreshed attraction has succeeded both operationally and with the extremely loyal Star Wars fan base. For the guests, the most compelling feature is the variable content that affords multiple storylines, locations and characters. This element of surprise is driving multi-generational audiences to return again and again to get a shot at exploring different vistas into many realms of the Star Wars Galaxy.

Comments from the Thea Awards Committee:

Today's audience expectations for a high tech science-fantasy world as renowned as Star Wars far surpass the analogue entertainment world that existed back in1987 when Disney originated this granddaddy of simulators that became an industry template. To achieve a breakthrough experience, all new "state of the art" 3D digital media systems were a given, but what really brings Star Tours-The Adventures Continueto life is a unique branching story structure employing multiple destinations and characters. This non-traditional storytelling device evokes curiosity by providing 54 potential show experiences resulting in a dramatic increase in attraction repeatability. To bring a layer of personalization and relevance, image capture systems are used to integrate riders into the varied story branches. All of this is fed into multiple motion programs designed for each random sequence, creating a multiplicity of kinetics for the 54 distinct profiles and unique real-time guest integrations. While the major components create the guest "wows", every nook and cranny along the pre-show queue likewise received new story elements and advanced special effects. This has extended the experience of this "galaxy far, far away" way beyond the doors of the Starspeeder 1000 and repositions the total experience firmly in a new century.



The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

(Show Spectacular)

A new nightly show at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, Florida. "The Magic, The Memories and You!" is a richly emotional and spectacular 10 minute show presentation. Using classic Disney icons and images, the show uses "mapped projection" to transform the castle into an ever-changing and magical canvas. In preparation for this nightly event, photographers have spent the day out in the park, capturing thousands of images of that day's guests having fun. Five hundred of these images are selected and incorporated into the show that night. The result? A show that is different at every performance and engages the audience in a unique way, and at a whole new level.

Comments from the Thea Awards Committee:
This show demonstrates excellence for the artistic and creative way that technology was utilized to create a memorable and compelling experience. Impressive as the technology is, the show is ultimately successful because it uses that technology, along with visual creativity, adept directorial pacing and showmanship together with a stirring musical score in an innovative and compelling way to create a most memorable, unique and emotionally fulfilling experience for its audience.


Animation Magic in the Animator's Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line's Ship - Disney Fantasy (Ingenious use of Technology)


Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the visual joy of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called "Animation Magic." Guests are invited to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. After dinner, animated curtains are opened on screens and Sorcerer Mickey conjures guests' drawings - now fully animated and brought to life side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White in scenes from beloved Disney movies. At the conclusion of the show, Mickey returns to say "so long" to the guests and, as he does, credits roll onscreen showing each guest's name listed as a guest animator.

Comments from the Thea Awards Committee:
Delightful image capturing and video magic have made it possible for a guest's sketch to come to life moments after being drawn. The amazing animation, from a simple face expression to a complicated dance step, is made possible in this ingenious use of technology. Everyone from Grandpa to a child can be an "Animator" and see their drawings come alive. A refreshing new take on "interactive" without the typical monitor screen.

Thea Awards Nominating Committee
Brad Merriman (Management Resources) Chair
John Robinett (Economics at AECOM) Vice-Chair
Steve Thorburn (Thorburn Associates) Board Liaison
Karen McGee (BRC Imagination Arts) Coordinator
Marty Sklar (Marty Sklar Creative Inc.)
Monty Lunde (Technifex)
Bob Gurr (GurrDesign)
Tony Baxter (Walt Disney Imagineering)
Don Iwerks (Iwerks Entertainment founder)
Barry Upson (Barry Upson Company)
Yves Pepin
Bob Rogers (BRC Imagination Arts)
Bob Ward (Strategic Insights & Creative Imagination)
Kim Irvine (Walt Disney Imagineering)
George Wiktor (The GW Group)
Jeremy Railton (Entertainment Design Corp.)
Steve McIntyre (Anitech Systems)
Phil Hettema (The Hettema Group)
Dawn Hollingsworth (Zuzink)
Patricia MacKay (Ones and Zeros)
Larry Wyatt (MSI Design)


About TEA
The TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) is an international nonprofit alliance founded in 1991 and based in Burbank, Calif. TEA represents some 7,000 creative specialists, from architects to designers, technical specialists to master planners, scenic fabricators to artists, and builders to feasibility analysts working in more than 650 firms in 30 US states and 40 different countries. TEA presents the annual Thea Awards and the TEA Summit and hosts the annual SATE Conference (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience). TEA also produces a variety of print and electronic publications, including the TEA/AECOM Theme Index, TEA Project Development Guidelines, TEA Annual & Directory and Thea Awards Program magazine.

About the Thea Awards

Like the TEA, the Thea Awards, sponsored by Economics at AECOM, were created to bring recognition to achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. From a modest beginning in 1994, the Thea Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence. The public is welcome to attend the black-tie 18th Annual Thea Awards Gala, which will be held March 17, 2012 at the Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Calif. USA. Tickets may be ordered online at teaconnect.org. The name of the award is a play on three words: the first is "Thea," the Greek goddess from whom all light emanates. Thea was the mother of Helios (the sun), Eos (the dawn), and Selene (the moon). The second key word is "Theater," a word derived from the goddess Thea. The third word, of course, is TEA, the name of our association.

As mentioned on the Disney Parks Blog, the incredible night time show "The Magic, The Memories, & You!" is receiving some special additions and updates for the Holiday season (starting now.)

The Magic, The Memories, & You!
The Walt Disney World Resort created a hit when it started showing "The Magic, The Memories, & You!" this past January in the Magic Kingdom Park.  The show projects images onto Cinderella Castle from a number of sources creating an unbelievable transformation to the castle.  It is quite a sight to behold.

For the Holidays the Disney Imagineers have decided to "Plus" this great show by adding Holiday themed elements like gift wrapping the castle complete with bows, adding candy strips, and transforming Cinderella Castle into a magnificent Gingerbread Castle.  The above picture shows a representation of what the Gingerbread Overlay will look like on Cinderella Castle.

Holidays At Disney World
This is just a small taste of what is to come as Disney World begins its transformation for the Holiday Season involving Christmas Trees galore, decorations, and a wide variety of Holiday inspired entertainment that can only be seen during this time of the year.

Disney World Cast Members do more than just bring joy to the guests at the Walt Disney World Resort, they volunteer their time to support worthy causes helping helpful in their local communities and around the world.  Through a program started by a Disneyland Cast Member in 1995 called Operation Uplift, Disney Cast members can brighten the days of members of our armed forces by writing postcards to soldiers to thank them and encourage them while they are away from home.

Here is the Disney Press Release detailing this great VoluntEAR effort:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2011 — While the nation takes time this Veterans Day to honor those who have served in the armed forces, Disney VoluntEARS have been busy sending their regards through Operation Uplift.


Operation Uplift was founded in 1995 by a Disneyland Cast Member after reading a letter from a soldier during Operation Desert Storm explaining that troops didn’t receive much mail.

Since that time, Disney VoluntEARS around the country have sent more than 90,000 postcards of support, encouragement and thanks to servicemen and servicewomen serving domestically and overseas.

One of those VoluntEARS is Karalynn Rieff, a training analyst for Global Business Technology Strategy who co-chairs the Operation Uplift drive for her team at Walt Disney World Resort.

“This year I was pleased to carry more than 1,000 postcards to the post office,” Rieff said. “In the four years since our team has participated, we’ve sent postcards to service persons in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan and many other locations.”

Rieff said the most rewarding part of participating was the opportunity to share the magic of Disney with military men and women who are serving far from friends and family.

“It’s nice to know that a little postcard with Mickey saluting in front of the flag and a few words can bring some happiness to someone, even when you don’t know where – or who – they are,” she said.

Dining at the Walt Disney World Resort can be a big part of your Disney World Vacation experience.  There are so many different dining experiences to enjoy, that you never have to have the same vacation twice.

Today at Only WDWorld we take a look at the most popular of the Epcot restaurants, Le Cellier.  Located in the Canada Pavilion, Le Cellier Steakhouse recently made the move to the rank of Disney Signature Restaurant status.  This included an overhaul of the Dinner menu and a dramatic increase in prices.

For those more value oriented you can still get a great meal there during lunch with a wide variety of choices and more reasonable prices for this top notch restaurant.  The lunch menu and the lunch time dining experience is what we will be reviewing here.


Lunch At Le Cellier
Le Cellier continues to be the most popular restaurant in Epcot and reservations are a must.  This is especially true during lunch hours of 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, when you can still dine at this great restaurant without paying the Signature Restaurant prices that you will see during Dinner hours.  Disney World has put the Le Cellier Lunch Menu online which makes it easy to see your options.

Le Cellier literally means "The Cellier" aka basement, providing a somewhat darkened setting with stone walls.  Although it is suitable for families, it also makes a great place for couples to dine.

During our review lunch, my family of 4 tried different entrees ranging from soup & salad to Le Cellier's Signature Filet Mignon.


Soup & Salad at Le Cellier is certainly not your typical fare, especially when it includes a bowl of the famous Le Cellier Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.  The basic salad was also a work of art.  Although billed on the menu as "Soup & Salad" if you order a bowl of the Cheddar Cheese Soup and ask for the "House Salad" to accompany it, you will get one of the best and most economical meals at a Disney World Table Service Restaurant. 

The most difficult part about this meal is that you are ordering soup & salad when there are so many tempting dishes on the menu.  The Soup lives up to all of the hype and is highly recommended.  Forget the tiny portions that you can get at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and opt for an entire bowl!


My son opted for the Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken.  The is a great entree salad that he thoroughly enjoyed.  The portion was large and it was very filling.


Both my wife and daughter opted for their favorite item on the Le Cellier menu: Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon served with Wild Mushroom Risotto and finished with a White Truffle Butter Sauce.  For a lunch price of $26.99 versus the $41.00 price for this dish during dinner hours you can't beat it.

This is truly an amazing dish and is also highly recommended. 


Don't forget that any meal at Le Cellier includes their complementary bread service including Sourdough, Multi-Grain, and Pretzel bread sticks.

Review Summary
Le Cellier provides the Disney World Guest a chance to have an excellent lunch with a range of price points from around $15 for steak sandwiches, entree salads, or soup and salad options to $27 for their signature filet mignon. 

The food is incredible and this is definitely one restaurant that is worth making the reservations way ahead of time to enjoy.  Even if the new Signature Dinner Menu is out of your price range, don't be afraid to dine here for an incredible lunch.

The “Taste of Disney” web series on Disney.com offers guests the rare opportunity to explore the delectable culinary experiences found at Disney Parks and bring the magic into their homes. Mother and daughter hosts Pam Brandon and Katie Farmand are back for the second season, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look into the amazing food and special events of Disney Parks.

This season’s episodes feature in-depth interviews with the head chefs and event planners from Disney Parks, sharing their secrets from the most magical dining spots in the country. Fans can look forward to:

• Finding out how 900,000 sumptuous samplings, 338,000 wine glasses and 100,000 desserts are made and distributed over the 45 days of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Seeing how some of their favorite iconic foods like Disney’s Polynesian Resort “Tonga Toast” (pictured above) and Main St. Confectionary’s Mickey inspired candy apples are made
  

• An interview with the chef de cuisine of the Flying Fish Café about the restaurant and one of their most popular signature dishes

• A look at how Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa has inspired the all-new Hawaiian kiosk at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and tips for hosting an authentic luau at home