Best TS in Epcot with little kids? Right now we have Coral Reef

[dreambound]

We have little ones. We have a Coral Reef lunch right now. We're not a big eating family but we want a fun experience. Kids and dh have left this one up to me, so I'm not married to the Coral Reef idea.

Any suggestions? I have all my important ADR's, but I'm running a bit late on the rest.

Thanks!

 

[SmallWorld71]

You don't say how old your kids are, but my kids 11,8,4 really enjoyed the Biergarten. They loved the show with the unusual instruments and went down to dance also.

 

[dreambound]

6 and 3. Thanks!

 

[hthrbells]

I am telling you cancel Coral Reef!!!!
If you do not get a tank side seat it is horrible!!! We were about as far away as you could be, even with a tank request. We had at the time...last Dec a 2 and a half year old and a 10 month old and we were so surprised with the Beirgarten. It was a walk up.....last minute and it was wonderful!!!! There is an Ompah band at dinner and there is a place for the kids to dance......so much fun!!!! Good luck!!!! I am so excited for our next trip!!!!

 

[dreambound]

Thank you!!!!!!!!! Biergarten would be RIGHT up my daughter's alley!!!!!! She loves to dance publicly.

I'll cancel Coral Reef. We're hearing horrible reviews.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

This is another vote for Biergarten! Kids seem to have a ball. The other place I was thinking was the TS in the Land. I've never eaten there but I think there's character interaction and if the food's half as good as Sunshine Season Food Fair, you've got it made!

 

[iradi8]

My kids love the Garden Grill in The Land at Epcot. It is a character meal and the whole restaurant rotates very slowly -- you will see different scenes from the Living With The Land boat ride.

If you do go to the Garden Grill make sure you've been on the boat ride first so you'll know what you're seeing

 

[septbaby]

I say you've already nailed it. Coral Reef was one of our best dining experiences. We cleaned our plates, and it was the only meal where our 5yo cleaned his. We had middle tier seating and loved the turtles and fish in the tank. They give the kids a sheet where they show the sea life and they can mark them off as they find them. Your two are at an age to love that. We even showed up 30-60 mins early and were seated right away in a crowded dining room.

Sorry OP was so disappointed, but perhaps a lot of that stems from having expected a tank side table and not getting it. Your kids are older, should be able to see anyway and will likely really enjoy the atmosphere. I really would not trade that one.

Now for a meal where your 6/3 yr olds can dance I've seen the cutest photos and heard rave reviews about Playhouse Disney's bfast or lunches. We had a bfast ADR for that one, but cancelled it as we needed pool time and already had a dinner ADR for that same day. That would have been just too much food for us. We didn't even finish a shared CS bfast platter we did have that morning!

For our 2008 trip Mom has chosen to return to Boma, Chef Mickey's for our now 6yo and Coral Reef is possibility for my choice.

 

[dreambound]

I went ahead and switched. I was surprised by how easy it was to get a ressie this late in the game. We got exactly the time we wanted.

I saw that Garden Grill has Pluto and that pretty much did it for me. DS really would love face time with Pluto, and my kids are extremely hyper so the thought of trying to keep them from going to the aquarium at Coral Reef just exhausts me already. Garden Grill's menu works better for our family as well.

But face time with Pluto, that's worth it!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Good choice, I think. The Garden Grill is on the top of our list to try next trip. Like I said, we were huge fans of Sunshine Seasons.

 

[WEDWDW]

I went ahead and switched. I was surprised by how easy it was to get a ressie this late in the game. We got exactly the time we wanted.

I saw that Garden Grill has Pluto and that pretty much did it for me. DS really would love face time with Pluto, and my kids are extremely hyper so the thought of trying to keep them from going to the aquarium at Coral Reef just exhausts me already. Garden Grill's menu works better for our family as well.

But face time with Pluto, that's worth it!

Thanks everyone!

There are two levels of seats at Garden Grill.Be SURE to request the lower level-VERY little of Living with the Land can be seen from the upper level.It is a MUCH better experience from the lower level.

 

[dreambound]

There are two levels of seats at Garden Grill.Be SURE to request the lower level-VERY little of Living with the Land can be seen from the upper level.It is a MUCH better experience from the lower level.

Thanks! When and where do I make this request? When we check in at the restaurant or with reservations? Is it hard to get the lower level?

Thanks for the tips!!!!

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks! When and where do I make this request? When we check in at the restaurant or with reservations? Is it hard to get the lower level?

Thanks for the tips!!!!

I would call and have this request noted on your ADR-which may or may not do any good.LOL The main thing is to request it when you check in at the restaurant.Also tell them that you don't mind waiting a few minutes if a table is not immediately available.Be VERY pleasant,but let them know the request is important to you.I think both levels have the same number of seats,so your request should not be extremely hard for them to fill.I have only eaten there once.I think it was only my second trip and I was still a Walt Disney World novice,so I really didn't know about the difference in the two levels.I just remember sitting there the whole time wishing I was on the lower level.

 

[solferino]

We love the Garden Grill! If there weren't so many other restaurants to try in addition to our must-do's, I would consider doing it 2x a trip.

 

[disneybride96]

Garden Grill!!!