1st day lunch - Garden Grill or Coral Reef?

disneyfansx5

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Mar 4, 2006
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We will arrive at WDW around 10:00 a.m. Help me decide if we should have our first dining experience with Chip & Dale or with the fishes. I would love your opinions. We plan on eating lunch around 1:00 p.m. and spending the day leisurely enjoying Epcot and topping it off by eating dinner at LeCellier and staying for Illuminations that night.
 
GG.

If you're already going to LC, then a meal at CR the same day might be overkill. GG is a more relaxed meal atmosphere for lunch. You'd get to see the characters and get thrown right into Disney mentality at GG. Then you can go over to the Seas and check out the fishies!
 
I would have to say Coral Reef for a few reasons. One it is my fav place to eat in all of WDW. Two being that they generally have lighter and smaller portions for lunch and this will work out well for eating a larger dinner.
 
We have eaten at both, and enjoyed both. However, I think the two experiences would be totally different. Coral Reef was a neat experience, but for your first day, Garden Grill will totally get you into the Disney mood. The character interaction at GG is wonderful, and you're eating while rotating through a ride. It's just a fun, laid-back first meal to get you excited and start the magic.
 

Thank you all for your responses. I think we will stick with GG and enjoy the character interaction.
 
We had and loved lunch at Coral Reef on our first park day. It was a great break and just good food, fun with the fishies and just a respite on a hot day. My 6yo nephew ate all three courses: apples, pizza and sundae, not something he does everyday. I think the menu at Coral Reef is so much better.

You can stop in the character center at Epcot and get your first taste of on the way to lunch. Also be sure to check out the Nemo and Crush ride/show either before or just after lunch as they are in the same complex.
 
Garden Grill is far far superior in the eyes of our family. Coral Reef is definitely unique for the setting, but our food was not very good (with the exception of the chocolate wave cake, not to be missed if you are a chocolate fan). If you go to Coral Reef, request a table by the glass. We were told that seats were already fixed, but they accomodated us anyway.
 
i have to say, i am a coral reef fan...i have eaten at both and i dont really care for garden grill. the atmosphere is nice, but i like coral reef much better for the food, atmosphere, and service altogether.
 


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