Coral Reef - Nov 2005 - The DIS Discussion Forums

taragl · 06-23-2006, 12:23 PM

I'll admit that we "winged it" for last year's Thanksgiving WDW trip, but I didn't know about you guys back then and we just sorta showed up and wandered around until things caught our interest.

One hungry night, we found the Coral Reef restaurant tucked away at Epcot. We hadn't heard word one about this place at the time, but no one felt like walking any further to get dinner. The wait was long (I had no idea what ADRs were -- I'm mortified!) but we sat and enjoyed the hallway decor for nearly an hour. (At least we were sitting down!)

When it was time to go in, imagine our surprise and delight when we saw the huge aquarium spanning one entire wall! And DS7 was mesmerized by the light up ice cubes in every kid's drink. As we were seated, he whispered to me, "Do you think I'll get one of those, mom?!"

As you can see, he did:

DH had the crab cakes, which he and DS shared and they both declared delectable. DS had something typically unmemorable off the kids menu, but was also given a build-your-own sundae, which thrilled him to no end (first time at Disney, he he). And I had the vegetable strudel, which was crunchy pastry on the outside and savory veggies inside. The blend of flavors was fantastic -- we loved it.

Top it all off with a butterscotch brulee (I'm a sucker for any version of creme brulee) and we had a great evening watching divers and fish swim by. It's at the top of the list for this year!

sistertrip · 06-23-2006, 12:55 PM

Is Coral Reef the restaurant that moves?

Nice review, by the way.

taragl · 06-23-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sistertrip

Is Coral Reef the restaurant that moves?

Nice review, by the way.

Thanks -- I think the rotating restaurant is the Garden Grill, also in Epcot:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...rillDiningPage

First timer · 06-23-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sistertrip

Is Coral Reef the restaurant that moves?

Nice review, by the way.

We actually have a res on 7/2 for the Coral Reef and I was debating cancelling because of mixed reviews. After reading your review I think we will keep it - only we are going to have to hold out and wait for seating near the aquarium as that is really the reason why we are going there. Thank you so much for the review.

kaybird · 06-23-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First timer

We actually have a res on 7/2 for the Coral Reef and I was debating cancelling because of mixed reviews. After reading your review I think we will keep it - only we are going to have to hold out and wait for seating near the aquarium as that is really the reason why we are going there. Thank you so much for the review.

We enjoy sitting next to the aquarium as well, but always have been pleased with any of the seating, the booths are all faced toward the aquarium, and the view is fabulous as each row is on risers. The entire restaurant is very beautiful, and we have always been thrilled with the food.

swankybeth · 06-23-2006, 06:37 PM

Thanks for sharing your review, your son is so cute!

Minniespal · 06-24-2006, 06:42 AM

Enjoyed reading your review ~ Thanx for sharing.

ScarletFire · 06-24-2006, 05:38 PM

Based on the recent good reviews of Coral Reef, I made an ADR for our October trip. Taragl's review sealed the deal with DH. When I mentioned the ADR to my kids, they were impressed because apparently Coral Reef is featured in the Full House Disney episode.

First timer · 06-24-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaybird

We enjoy sitting next to the aquarium as well, but always have been pleased with any of the seating, the booths are all faced toward the aquarium, and the view is fabulous as each row is on risers. The entire restaurant is very beautiful, and we have always been thrilled with the food.

Oh, I did not realize either way you would have a good view. Thank you for the info you really have been helpful! I have not mentioned the ice cubes to my DD15 and DD5, can not wait to see the suprise on their faces!

te2077 · 06-25-2006, 12:40 AM

thanks for the great review. this is our 6th time at disney. we make the coral reef a must do. we have never been disappinted with this resturaunt.

jazmin · 06-26-2006, 12:51 PM

will be going sept 4th to disney world and i want to surprise my bf with a nice dinner. Do they serve steak? cause he is a huge steak eater? Also is it a nice place for romance?

Disney owl · 06-27-2006, 08:32 AM

Great photo thanks

jillmo1474 · 06-28-2006, 01:50 AM

My husband and I ate at the coral reef about 6 or 7 years ago and really enjoyed ourselves. There was absolutely no wait, the place was slowly beginning to fill up. We did not know what to expect in a way, but it was good. I really do not think there is a bad seat in the house as far as a view of the aquarium. There is the first florr or first tier, and we were sat on the second tier. the waiter was more than accomodating especially when we told him we were making a scrap book of the experience and kind of jokingly asked him if they could give us anything , not thinking that he seriously could. He said sure and ended up giving us a bag full of stuff!{menus, dolfin stirrers..ect..} We thought it was cool

Tink-n-Peter · 07-19-2006, 08:23 AM

We just ate at the Coral Reef during our trip and were very impressed with the food. It is included on the Dining Plan too! The best part about our dinner was that we were paid a suprise visit by a scuba diving Mickey Mouse!

thunderbird1 · 07-19-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazmin

will be going sept 4th to disney world and i want to surprise my bf with a nice dinner. Do they serve steak? cause he is a huge steak eater? Also is it a nice place for romance?

They do have steak--you can check out their menu here on the DIS site or here: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cr.htm

And it's VERY romantic, with much of the lighting coming from the aquarium itself. I think for a romantic dinner for two, you'd be better off going with a booth set back from the aquarium. The aquarium-side seats are great for entertaining little kids, but the booths or second tier seats will be a little darker and you won't have everyone staring at you as they watch the aquarium. You'll still be able to see the fish, sharks and turtles just fine. This is one of the places we chose on our honeymoon.

Enjoy!

06-23-2006, 12:23 PM	#1
taragl Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 100	Coral Reef - Nov 2005 I'll admit that we "winged it" for last year's Thanksgiving WDW trip, but I didn't know about you guys back then and we just sorta showed up and wandered around until things caught our interest. One hungry night, we found the Coral Reef restaurant tucked away at Epcot. We hadn't heard word one about this place at the time, but no one felt like walking any further to get dinner. The wait was long (I had no idea what ADRs were -- I'm mortified!) but we sat and enjoyed the hallway decor for nearly an hour. (At least we were sitting down!) When it was time to go in, imagine our surprise and delight when we saw the huge aquarium spanning one entire wall! And DS7 was mesmerized by the light up ice cubes in every kid's drink. As we were seated, he whispered to me, "Do you think I'll get one of those, mom?!" As you can see, he did: DH had the crab cakes, which he and DS shared and they both declared delectable. DS had something typically unmemorable off the kids menu, but was also given a build-your-own sundae, which thrilled him to no end (first time at Disney, he he). And I had the vegetable strudel, which was crunchy pastry on the outside and savory veggies inside. The blend of flavors was fantastic -- we loved it. Top it all off with a butterscotch brulee (I'm a sucker for any version of creme brulee) and we had a great evening watching divers and fish swim by. It's at the top of the list for this year! __________________

06-23-2006, 12:55 PM	#2
sistertrip DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 762	Is Coral Reef the restaurant that moves? Nice review, by the way. __________________ August 2006 - Animal Kingdom Lodge May 2005 - Saratoga Springs (AKA "Home") August 2003 & July 2004 - Coronado Springs 1993 & 2000 - Offsite <><

06-23-2006, 06:37 PM	#6
swankybeth Loves bubble tea! Got my internship @ WDW! Her Prince Charming proposed with a glass slipper and rose petals Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rockville Centre, NY Posts: 4,362	Thanks for sharing your review, your son is so cute! __________________

06-24-2006, 06:42 AM	#7
Minniespal The Original 'Free Spirit' Who's Next?? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 52,291	Enjoyed reading your review ~ Thanx for sharing. __________________

06-24-2006, 05:38 PM	#8
ScarletFire DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 641	Based on the recent good reviews of Coral Reef, I made an ADR for our October trip. Taragl's review sealed the deal with DH. When I mentioned the ADR to my kids, they were impressed because apparently Coral Reef is featured in the Full House Disney episode. __________________ 1972 Polynesian Resort 1974 Contemporary Resort 1978 Treehouse Villas 1993 Delta Resort 1999 Best Western Lake Cecile 2003 Radison Resort Parkway 2004 Coronado Springs Resort 2004 Contemporary Resort 2005 Vero Beach Resort 2005 Boardwalk Inn 2006 All-Star Sports, Boardwalk Villas, POFQ 2007 All-Star Music, Saratoga Springs Resort, Pop Century 2007 Animal Kingdom Lodge 2008 The Dolphin 2008 Boardwalk Villas 2009 Boardwalk Villas Saratoga Springs

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06-25-2006, 12:40 AM	#10
te2077 Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 416	thanks for the great review. this is our 6th time at disney. we make the coral reef a must do. we have never been disappinted with this resturaunt. __________________ 2/13/08-2/19/08 POP!!woohoo: (can you tell were excited??)

06-26-2006, 12:51 PM	#11
jazmin Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 28	will be going sept 4th to disney world and i want to surprise my bf with a nice dinner. Do they serve steak? cause he is a huge steak eater? Also is it a nice place for romance?

06-27-2006, 08:32 AM	#12
Disney owl DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: West Yorkshire U.K Posts: 3,724	Great photo thanks __________________ Sue JUNE 1996 DLP - Camp Davy Crockett JUNE 1998 DLP - Camp Davy Crockett AUGUST 2000 DLP - Offsite JUNE 2001 WDW - Offsite OCTOBER 2002 DLP - Offsite AUGUST 2003 WDW - Offsite JUNE 2005 DLP Davy Crockett Ranch AUGUST 2007 WDW - Offsite SEPTEMBER 2008 DLP - Offsite

06-28-2006, 01:50 AM	#13
jillmo1474 Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4	thouroughly enjoyed coral reef My husband and I ate at the coral reef about 6 or 7 years ago and really enjoyed ourselves. There was absolutely no wait, the place was slowly beginning to fill up. We did not know what to expect in a way, but it was good. I really do not think there is a bad seat in the house as far as a view of the aquarium. There is the first florr or first tier, and we were sat on the second tier. the waiter was more than accomodating especially when we told him we were making a scrap book of the experience and kind of jokingly asked him if they could give us anything , not thinking that he seriously could. He said sure and ended up giving us a bag full of stuff!{menus, dolfin stirrers..ect..} We thought it was cool __________________ Jillmo

07-19-2006, 08:23 AM	#14
Tink-n-Peter Never gonna grow up, not us! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 202	We just ate at the Coral Reef during our trip and were very impressed with the food. It is included on the Dining Plan too! The best part about our dinner was that we were paid a suprise visit by a scuba diving Mickey Mouse! __________________ DS DD DW DH DVC Members since 2005 2004 Dolphin 2006 Saratoga Springs 2007 CBR July 2008 BCV 10th Anniversary Aug 2008 4 Nights CSR; 8 nights BWV

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