Aargh! You guys make up our minds for us!

[centurythree]

After several months and several cancelled and remade reservations, we still can't make up our minds for our arrival night dinner.

We can't decide between the Garden Grill and the Coral Reef.

I'm traveling with two first timers, a parent and her 12 yr old boy. I've been to WDW 20+ times.

We have lunch reservations later in the week for the Coral Reef, and reservations with every WS restaurant we're interested in over the next week or two.

I like the menu at Coral Reef more, and they're indifferent between them on that. They like the idea of a character dinner, but then again we have morning reservations at Chef Mickey's the next day.

I've never been to either restaurant.

I'm setting up a poll, whichever restaurant has more votes wins! If you guys can think of other great first night in park restaurants that we should consider, please be sure to let me know that too!

 

[cruellababy]

Hi! Since you're traveling w a newbie and a child I would have to say the Garden Grill- the atmosphere is a hoot and comfort food on arrival day w the characters can't be beat! A little bit of Disney Magic!

 

[Nie0214]

I like the menu at Coral Reef better myself, but after re-reading your post.. maybe Garden Grill would be better since you already have Coral Reef later in the week?

While we were walking through the land pavilion, I couldn't help but think of how loud it must be eating at Garden Grill.

 

[familyS]

I vote for Coral Reef. It was DS 12's favorite restaurant on our last trip

 

[Canadian Girl 77]

Is your question whether to go to the Coral Reef twice? Only go once. The Garden Grill is really cool. Good food too.

 

[annie1995]

Since you already have lunch ressies at Coral Reef, I'd go with the Garden Grill! We really enjoyed it last year when we went!!

 

[SPAM]

I voted Garden Grill because IMO it has more of a "disney" feel and that is something that is important to me on the first night. We, for example, are eating at Chef Mickey's the first night.

 

[KennySC]

I voted Garden Grill because IMO it has more of a "disney" feel and that is something that is important to me on the first night. We, for example, are eating at Chef Mickey's the first night.

Just when i was confident with my Coral Reef vote you make a very good point about the importance of the first event having the "Disney" feel! There was time when we couldn't start a Disney vacation without first walking down Main Street!! Now I'm totally confused...

 

[dishm12/08]

You already have a Coral Reef ADR and plus it'll be cool for first timers to enjoy a character meal in a rotating restaurant.

 

[OKW Lover]

In your situation, I'd vote for none of the above.

Since you're going to be in Epcot anyway, that first night I'd just grab something to eat at the food court in the Land, or perhaps the fast food place in Japan or China.

 

[septbaby]

I voted in the poll before seeing your post. You seem to be very focused on the Epcot restaurants. Perhaps you should consider some other places:

Grand Floridian - GF Cafe
Polynesian - Kona
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Boma
Wilderness Lodge -Whispering Canyon

If you book Coral Reef for this dinner you can then decide if you want to return for lunch later in the week or change that ADR. We loved our meal and the aquarium atmosphere there.

 

[suzimar57]

coral reef - just being there, with the huge aquarium - welcome!

 

[Simba's Mom]

In your situation, I'd vote for none of the above.

Since you're going to be in Epcot anyway, that first night I'd just grab something to eat at the food court in the Land, or perhaps the fast food place in Japan or China.

I agree with that. Besides, there's the chance of somthing delaying your arrival (flight delays if you're flying, car trouble if you're driving) so we always make it a policy NOT to make ADRs on arrival day. One less thing to stress about if we're late (OMG, we're going to miss our ADR time!) And Epcot has some great CS places.

 

[ajsrph]

I voted Coral Reef, but really could've gone either way. On our first trip with the boys, we did Garden Grill as our 1st Disney meal the afternoon we arrived. They loved it! Then, last year, we did Coral Reef as our 1st meal, and they loved that as well. The food is good at both places, IMO, so it's a total toss-up for me. Coral Reef is neat, b/c of the aquarium, and GG is neat b/c it revolves. That said, Coral Reef is going to be our 1st meal on our up-coming trip in January.

 

[hvivona]

I voted Coral Reef. On our most recent visit we ate at both locations. Garden Grill was a place we ate at every year and Coral Reef was new to us. Notice I said that Garden Grill WAS a place we ate at. Never again. It has gone downhill in service and food quality IMO. Coral Reef was Fantastic!!! It now has a permanent place on our dining list each year.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

My vote goes to Coral Reef

 

[Lisamcd]

I voted for Coral Reef. We had a great time there on our last visit.

 

[centurythree]

All right, it looks like the Coral Reef is it! Thanks everyone for participating!