Any Positives on Coral Reef??

[Emme]

My DH really wants to try this place but I have seen some so-so reviews here. Anyone really like this place and have some positives to give me?

I think we may have to go to the Reef so I am sure there are some of you positive posters out there!!

Thanks!

Emmy

 

[Micca]

The atmosphere is very nice. From what I can tell, if you really know and love high quality seafood, this is not your choice for dining. I believe it's also very expensive given the quality of food.
But I'm from Kansas, what do I know from seafood If it's seafood you are seeking, there are others here who can direct you to better places at Disney. If it's the experience of eating at the Living Seas, lower your expectations, and go for it. Would DH go for some drinks and appetizers and maybe do dinner elsewhere?

 

[MHopkins2]

Best lobster bisque EVER. There are other menu items I've enjoyed over the years, but the bisque never changes and never ceases to amaze. It's also a large and very-filling portion - easily a full lunch by itself if you're not a huge eater, for only ~ $5.

 

[mickeysaver]

I refuse to go there again, but this is based on my one and only time dining there in 1986. I just thought the food was not that great and the prices were just too high. I know that WDW has high food prices, but at 18, I knew that I most likely wouldn't ever try it again. BTW - I am a seafood nut. I love shrimp, clams, oysters, most fishes, lobster, and crab. But, I just can't see paying that much for a big fish tank view and so-so food. Mickey

 

[helenk]

My mother and I really enjoyed it, the food was good, and the atmosphere is really nice. I would not hesitate to eat there again.

 

[disgirl]

We have always eaten at the Coral Reef once each trip. The last two years, we have had lunch instead of dinner, to save a little. It is expensive, but good food and nice atmosphere. I would give it a try. Enjoy!

 

[stacy6552]

I tried something exotic and shouldnt have. But if you arrive early for your PS and ask to wait for a tank side table,and get one you wont care what the food tastes like. If you go with the kids they will have their noses pressed to the glass the entire time and you and dh can actually speak to each other at WDW, go figure!

 

[K9pal]

We ate dinner there for the first time on our last trip. It was excellent, and we had a wonderful server. He made excellent recommendations and didn't rush us at all. It was my favorite meal, although DH liked Le Cellier just a tad better. We'll definitely be going back to CR this September.

 

[Mimi Q]

My family enjoyed it. The atmosphere is very nice. Provides a nice break from the parks.

 

[gdljj]

We loved our meal at the Coral Reef. My DH, DD 7, DS 5, DS 3, and mother all went in March for the first time and had a wonderful experience. We had an early dinner and because of the timing got a front row booth right in front of the tank. The food was good and the service was excellent. The kids and DH loved watching the tank (we have a salt water aquarium at home) and the divers inside. It was a little expensive, but how many restaurants have such great visual effects? Well woth the price.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My family really had an enjoyable time here. The entrees were just okay, but the trio of lettuce was very fresh (it's from The Land) and the dressing was very good. The best was the Chocolate Wave dessert! It was my favorite dessert of the trip. My DS 4 loved his peanut butter playdough also. I would suggest the salad, bisque, and dessert. We also had our best service of the trip here. We got there at 5:20, and there was only one table left right next to the tank.

 

[Kimberle]

We ate there 2 years ago for dinner. We really enjoyed it. The fish tank view is awsome!!!

 

[KathleenFL]

Another vote for the Creamy Lobster Soup .... It's the BEST! On my solo trips, I always try to have a "light lunch" at Coral Reef...
The soup, along with salad & bread (I miss the warm doughy rolls they used to have, though), is fine for me, especially if I'm having a full dinner later......The last time I was there, with friends, I tried the grilled shrimp, & it was very good.....(Of course, I had to have the soup too!)

I've always had a table next to the tank, & the fish are fun to watch.....It's one of the best places to eat alone at WDW, I think......

 

[diznee25]

My fiancee' and I were there last year and loved it so much that we're going back on our next trip!

One recomendation: Lunch & dinner menu are identical, so eat there for lunch and save a few bucks. I believe lunch is served until 4 or 4:30pm.

Michelle

 

[AspiringCindy]

We ate there last Aug. and really LOVED it! We have eaten at many of WDW sitdown Restaurants and this ranked high for us.
K and K, your right! The chocolate wave was incredible. Just skip lunch/dinner and go straight to the dessert!

 

[RickinNYC]

We've eaten there a couple of times and have enjoyed the food. I never really thought the prices were grossly inflated.

I can, however, say that this has to be one of the absolute loudest restaurants in WDW. I had assumed given the tank view, etc... and set up that things would be quieter or at least somewhat muffled. But it didn't bother me too much. It's a fun joint with pretty decent to good food!

 

[kidlit]

We ate here for the first time in May 2002. The atmosphere was great! The food was good, but what made this memorable for us was the ambiance, not the meal. I would eat here again, but definately for lunch not dinner.

Kim

 

[sters]

I ate there years and years ago, but it was OUTSTANDING with a nice atmosphere and not rushed.

 

[deb305]

We have eaten there twice and the food was enjoyable. We mainly go for the atomsphere for the kids. They love the big tank. Also the fish swizel (sp) sticks in their drinks, and the peanut butter playdough for desert make it worth it for them. We also do lunch instead of dinner. It's cheaper and the kids are not so tired and cranky.
If it was just the two of us, I'm not sure what we would do. Probably would book an World Showcase dinner instead.

 

[Took]

I also give a big thumbs up to the lobster bisque--not mediocre at all!

However, if the atmosphere is your main reason for going, you should be aware that understandably but unfortunately cranky children are freqently placed near the fish tank (to keep them amused, perhaps?). With our well-behaved 7yo, we were fored to "watch" the fish tank via TWO tables of almost out of control children. The couple that was seated next to these same two families (obviously a honeymoon couple) were absolutely disgusted. The poor waiter could do little (parents were utterly ignoring the behavior) while the manager finally had to ask both of these groups (no apparent relationship) to keep children from banging on the fish tanks and standing in their seats.

We still like CR and will go again as this was our only negative experience there, but the higher prices definitely seemed higher that day!

Good luck deciding,
Took