Cape May or Coral Reef

[DWFamilyof6]

Which would you choose for dinner? Cape May or Coral Reef. We'll be going in early September. 2 adults, 4 kids. Spending midday and afternoon at Epcot then hopping to HS for Star Wars Fireworks. We went to Cape May our last trip and enjoyed it. My kids are crab legs lovers but I think they would love the Aquarium at Coral Reef. Any reviews for Coral Reef and kids?

 

[Aristo-cat]

Cape May, hands down. All you can eat crab legs!

 

[Tallent]

Cape May, hands down. All you can eat crab legs!

Isn't that only on certain days though? The only reason I haven't booked there is they won't have the crab legs on the night we were thinking of :-(

 

[jdisnut]

Funny, I'd have said Coral Reef, hands down. I'm not a huge fan of buffets in general, and there's something about seafood from a steam tray that is unappealing. I'm not naive enough to think Coral Reef is doing things much differently in its kitchen, but at least I don't have to see the food sitting out there like that. This just might be my own neurosis.

But regardless, I like the atmosphere at Coral Reef and I like being served by a waiter. Cape May Cafe doesn't so much for me.

 

[Aristo-cat]

Isn't that only on certain days though? The only reason I haven't booked there is they won't have the crab legs on the night we were thinking of :-(

It is every night! We loved this restaurant.
We went to Coral Reef 10 years or so ago, and never again.
Reviews of this restaurant have remained consistently poor as well.

 

[Tallent]

It is every night! We loved this restaurant.
We went to Coral Reef 10 years or so ago, and never again.
Reviews of this restaurant have remained consistently poor as well.

Off to see if I can get an adr for next week! Thanks!!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Between the two Cape May. Coral Reef has gotten abusrdley bad.

 

[NuJoy]

You did not say what the ages of your kids are; but I would personally choose Coral Reef for the simple fact that Mama would barely get to eat if I had to help fix plates for 4 kids at a buffet. Even if they are old enough to fix their own plates, I find buffets generally more of a hassle and sometimes chaotic. The dessert party is going to be quite stimulating so I would enjoy the calming colors of Coral Reef's decor and the aquarium beforehand. In addition, I just find Coral Reef to be a more sophisticated experience. One word of caution. I have experienced major back ups to being seated at Cape May; but I've heard the same happens at Coral Reef. This is why we always book Coral Reef at the first lunch ADR time of the day. I'd make sure I had ample time to finish before heading to the dessert party whichever one you choose.

 

[JuniorSkipper]

I do think that the food at cape may is a lot better than at coral reef. I did not have the best experience there, however sitting in an aquarium is so cool. Overall thought I would have to choose cape may I've always had good seafood there, and since it is a buffet there usually is options for everyone

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have eaten at both and felt like the food was good at both. I would say it would depend on the atmosphere you are looking for. The Coral Reef is a gorgeous restaurant and isn't very big, so it is fairly quiet and serene in there. Cape May is a huge place with lots of hustle and bustle of people going back and forth to the buffet.

 

[happy2012]

Cape May Cafe, no doubt.

 

[DWFamilyof6]

Thanks for all the feedback! We are wanting to see the Star Wars Fireworks not the dessert party so we should have a little more cushion for time. I think I'm just going to put it up for vote from the kids and see where we fall.

 

[Baklava]

Cape May was a "must do" and Coral Reef was a "never again."

 

[figment7]

Coral Reef is hands down one of the best restaurants! Aside from the incredible view, that is truly a unique experience, the menu is fresh, clean and worth the trip!

 

[DekrRini]

I love Cape May, but the last time I was there in May, I had a terrible time with getting the crab meat from the legs. It wasn't worth the time it took. The young man sitting across from me didn't seem to have any trouble though. I think he had a bottomless pit. He went back 5 times while I was sitting there and he'd been seated before me.

I've not had bad food or service at Coral Reef, but it's not a must do for me. I like the atmosphere and feel like I can eat at a slower pace than at Cape May. For me, I'd probably still choose Cape May because I like it just a bit better.

 

[MeghanEmily]

I've heard Coral Reef get a lot of flack, which doesn't really line up with our experiences. In the last 5 years, we've have two amazing meals there, two decent ones, and no particularly bad ones. I kind of got the impression that it used to be quite good, went into a period of going downhill, and then improved again recently with new kitchen management, but I could be wrong. Either way, we tend to keep it on our short list for ADRs. We love the aquarium, service has been hit or miss, and the atmosphere is nice. We're trying Cape May for the first time this August so I don't have any advice in terms of comparison, but other than the fact that they both serve seafood it seems they're two very different experiences, so your getting the family to vote is probably a good call.