Coral Reef needs a VEIWING window

[SnowandMittens]

I don't know about you guys, but the last time that my Dbf and I ate at Coral Reef, we were given one of the AWESOME tables, up next to the tank.

I know that they do try to honor seating requests, but the family that sat in the booth across the aisle from us was INSANE!

I understand little kids, about 5 years old or so, will sometimes be a handful and run around and be loud, and we were fine with that. It was only when she pushed BEHIND my chair and climbed up to see the fish, standing ON our table, did we start to have a problem. We very kindly spoke up to the parents to let them know that we had an additional guest, whose shoes were on the same table as our wine and food, and they brushed it off, saying a kid should be able to see the fish.

"Not on our table..." I said, and they finally came a got her. Throughout the rest of the meal, kids would come, without asking, and push my chair in to get between the two tables so they could see the fish. To people who haven't eaten here, there is HARDLY any room between the tables in front of the window. They were physically pushing me into my food.

There were a few families that very nicely asked if we wouldn't mind if their kids could get a closer look, and we obliged them with no problem... they asked.

The kicker is when I left to use the bathroom, the DAD of the first little girl of the post was standing where my chair was supposed to be. He had moved my chair so he could take pictures of the sea turtle that decided to lay in front of the table. My bf looked mad, but I had enough by this point. I asked him to move so I could continue eating my dinner, and when he ignored me, I told him that I really didn't want to cause a scene, but I was paying just as much for food as he was, and he was in my space. I ended up getting a manager and Disney security had to escort them out of there.

It was a nightmare, and when we were reliving it on the plane ride home, something novel hit me....

Why, oh why, don't they just take away two tables from one of the windows so that the kids can get an up-close look at the fish.

I'm aware that they can go into the seas to do this, but it would have probably saved our entire meal.

Anyone else think this is a good idea? Especially ones that were harassed just because of their table placement?

 

[donald&daisy]

Wow. That is beyond rude. I wouldn't have dealt with it at all after the feet on my table. My Dbf and I have had a table right next to the tank as well and I know what you mean about it being close quarters. Really, I think it is easier to see sitting a bit further back. And there is a viewing window...its called the Living Seas and its right next door, lol. I would have had to ask the staff to step in if my warnings weren't heeded. There is no reason to act like that. I expect a certain amount of craziness, espcially at places like Ohana or Crystal Palace, but the Living Seas I expect to be a bit more sedate. Sorry for your experience.

 

[Telcogirl]

WOW! The audacity of some people never ceases to shock me. I am sorry you had such an eventful dinner.

The Coral Reef is one of of our favorites. We have never sat at the tables close to the glass like you did.

You have a great idea about a viewing area. You should send it in!

 

[SnowandMittens]

In hindsight, I probally would have been more agressive about the kids coming up. I probally would have stopped them and said something to the parents the first time.

The food was great, and after they left, we didn't have any problems with the kids. We have an ADR for September and I'm hoping nothing like that happens again, because I'm going to be assertive about it!

Thanks for understanding... some people just don't get that being selfish and inconsiderate can ruin a night.

 

[inkedupmomma]

My son is one of those out of control kids, and I can tell you with certainty, that I would NEVER let my son do that! That is called bad parenting! I am not one to judge another parent, but good grief, this kid was on y our table.. I wouldn't let my child on our own table, let alone on somebody elses I am so sorry for you to have gone through that! I woulda poked the dad with my fork or something

Anywho, I agree, they should have a viewing spot for the children! I know you can see it in the other area, but it is part of the fun of eating there.

I hope the food was good at least..so many people have bad food experiences there, and we love it!

 

[disneykc9691]

I have eaten here a few times in the past. last year my family was given a tank side table and yes people do come up to take pictures which is very rude. i had the seat right next to the tank and the sea turtle was sitting next to me and everyone thought it was the coolest thing and wanted a picture but we never encountered rudeness of that level. I hate when parents don't watch their children in public places like that.

 

[PalmettoPrincess]

WOW!!!! That is crazy! I'm sorry you had a bad experience as well, but I'm glad that you're still going back! [I love the Coral Reef too!] I've had a table right near the tank before and never had a problem, of course I don't think there were many kids in there at the time. Still, we have another reservation for Aug to eat there, and I will definitely keep this in the back of my mind! It amazes me how rude some people can be, but especially at WDW!!!! People with children are not the only ones that wish to have a nice time!

 

[SnowandMittens]

I loved Coral Reef's steak and the food was pretty amazing. Our server, bless his heart, just looked mortified the entire time.

I'm kicking myself for not saying something sooner, but we knew it wasn't our servers fault that people can't behave.


It's reminding me of that picture of the family with their feet in Cinderella's fountain.

 

[TDC Nala]

This is the reason that if I ever eat there, I will request a table away from the aquarium.

am also pleasantly surprised to see that Disney security actually asked that family to leave the restaurant.

 

[3girls4me05]

I am in shock! I ate there with my family and we were on the tier up from the tank level. We could see just lovely from our seats and my children were not allowed to get up at all (well except when one had to go potty). Seriously, people are ridiculous! I would have also been more aggressive and when that child went to climb on my table I would have stopped him and lifted him right down. Yes, I know that is putting my hands on someone else's child but I would have turned to the parents with a sicky sweet smile on my face and said "Sorry, I was afraid he was going to fall and get hurt".
I don't think Coral Reef has to add a viewing window..people need to have their children under control.

 

[bubblycoconut]

I'm sorry to hear that. I can't believe that someone let there kid climb up on your table. That's awful. Some people are just really rude and inconsiderate. I'm glad they were finally escorted out of the restuarant.

We ate there in 2007 and had a booth away from the tank and had no problem seeing. It didn't even cross my mind to take our son up to the front for a picture. He was able to see the tank from inside the living seas before we had dinner so he was all set. Luckily he was happy viewing the tank from our table once we got to the restuarant.

 

[Lilo'sMommy]

I'm so sorry that happened to you! As a mother of 2 boys that are often out of control (hopefully only in the privacy of our home), I was so embarrassed for those parents! Personally I would have left the restaurant before I let my kids act like that. I'm glad that you stood up for yourself and that management and security backed you up. Hopefully the family learned their lesson and it won't happen to anyone else!

 

[oybolshoi]

So sorry to hear about your experience at Coral Reef. Unfortunately there are a lot of inconsiderate people in the world, both with children and without them, and it's a real shame that another family seemed to think their wants were somehow more important than your dinner.

I was pleasantly surprised to read that the restaurant asked them to leave - that's something Disney needs to do more often with unruly guests of all ages.

You have a great attitude about the whole thing, so good for you!

 

[princessjane]

that's got to be one of the rudest dining incidents I've heard about. I would have been totally furious and the inner Redhead in me would have totally lost it. You did the right thing by calling a manager. I agree, they do need a viewing area.

 

[jennipooh]

WOW...that's crazy.

Maybe the other family was one of those that "paid a lot for their vacation" and thought that gave them the run of the place. As opposed to you two who weren't even entitled to your own table! Thankfully, we mostly just hear about these people on the DIS. So sorry you had such an uncomfortable experience.

We loved Coral Reef and both tables we had there were the front row of the next tier up from the tank and I felt that we had a wonderful view. I remember thinking that there couldn't have been a bad view in the place.

My son is 10 now and has always been "all boy", active, friendly... but still I would never allow him up from his seat at home or at a restaurant. Not at any age. Of course, I think my son is the cutest, funniest, most interesting kid in the universe... but that doesn't mean I expect others to want him on their table!!!

Again...that's just crazy!! And the other family was escorted out ... I can't imagine what a scene that was.

As for the viewing window...it sounds like it might help control families like you dealt with. But as a mom, I feel that it would be rude to allow my child up from the table during a meal other than a buffet, and I might be uncomfortable with him going back and forth the entire meal. I would also wonder how much the foot traffic would impact those around it.

 

[SnowandMittens]

I do see your point about not wanting your child up and about during the meal... I think it would be a great way to exit the restraunt... guiding them past a window that is not occupied by a table so whomever wanted to spend a little extra time there, and not walk back into the Seas, could do so.

I was also suprised that Disney auctually backed us up on this as well... I wrote a letter thanking the server, who tried his hardest and gave us a free bottle of champange after they left (that helped diffuse the situation... haha.) and the manager, as well as the security guards, who helped them leave.

 

[1hero2princesses]

Sadly the behavior of people just never surprises me anymore. That was some really rude people with really bad parenting. We ate there last September with a 5, 3 and 17 month old. We we up on the tiered tables. It never even occurred to me to let my kids go to the tank. They could see fine where they were. There is clearly no room in between the tables to go to the tank. It would be like deciding to go sit on someones lap in the movie theater because you thought they got better seats. We are hoping to go again this fall. I am not sure if I would even want a tank table. You definitely did the right thing informing the manager when they refused to be polite and leave.

 

[Shazzie B]

It would be like deciding to go sit on someones lap in the movie theater because you thought they got better seats. .

Might try this next time I go

Glad your meal wasn't too spoilt

 

[ElizabethB]

We've dined at a table next to the aquarium several times. We've had children come up to see better and adults take pictures. We don't mind. And, happily, no one has ever stood on our table!

I know I'll be flamed for this, but the DDP is bringing people into the restaurants these days who don't really belong there. They ought to be eating at Pecos Bill's!

Fortunately for us, the food has declined so much in quality, we won't even go to Coral Reef anymore. Our last meal was about 9 months ago. It was dinner. The steaks were only so so. We were not impressed.

We've also given up on lunch.

Dramatic views of fish don't make up for bad food.

 

[Shazzie B]

I know what you mean -unfortunately manners seem to have taken a nose-dive.

If you can't teach your kids to sit and eat in a civilised way what hope is there?