Chicago area Diser's - check in here Part 4

[Crissup]

Has anyone here eaten at Coral Reef? Looking for opinions as we have a ressie for lunch there. Would have preferred dinner but every place in Epcot is totally booked, as usual! This is another reason I will probably not be doing any more free dining if it's ever offered again.

The Coral Reef has always been one of my favorite WDW restaurants. We stumbled onto this restaurant about 11 years back for lunch and truly enjoyed the food and experience. The restaurant is tiered like a theater, with large windows into the bottom of the Living Seas aquarium as the "stage" (so to speak). So, as you dine, you get to sit and watch the fish swim by the windows, or the scuba divers swim by if they're in the tank at the time. I love it!!

I've always felt the food was really tasty also. I seem to recall that the lunch and dinner menu is basically the same. It changes each day, but not between lunch and dinner. However, the lunch is much cheaper, so most people who are tuned in prefer lunch. You'll want to ask if you can get a table down closer to the aquarium. On one of Carol and my first dates, I took her here for dinner and we got a small table for two right at one of the large aquarium windows. The whole dinner, we had a large grouper sitting next to Carol staring at her the whole time. :lol Carol had never eaten here before and was thoroughly enchanted.

This is always among one of my top restaurant picks for any WDW trip. Many people get excited over Le Cellier, but I've never been too impressed with them. I can find better steaks in the Chicago area and generally find Le Cellier a bit too crowded (too popular) for my liking.

Another very fun time, if you can do it, is the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. I had always wanted to do this brunch and convinced Carol to keep calling a few years back. It was a very nice buffet and we sat and ate as we enjoyed the show up on stage. We had a ball! Just be careful when they come down off stage because they'll grab you and pull you up onto stage with them and you'll get stuck standing up there shaking your booty and belting out fast beat gospel songs with them.

 

[Crissup]

And what do you think of the choice between eating at Whispering Canyon Cafe or Kona Cafe? I have a ressie for each on the same day. Not sure which one I want to go to. We've (the kids and I) been to Kona before and loved it. Never been to WCC. Can anyone tell me about their food? Already know of the antics that go on there.

Oops, forgot to answer your second question...

I know we've eaten at WCC for breakfast before, but can't really remember the experience. Guess that says a lot right there. I'm sure I enjoyed it, or I would have remembered, but this also means there was nothing about the food offerings that stood out in my mind.

Kona Cafe, on the other hand, is another of my must do breakfast restaurants whenever possible on any WDW trip. Of course, the big draw here for me is the Tonga Toast. As any WDW junkie knows, the Tonga Toast is an old WDW tradition and is one of the mostest awesomest breakfast entrees WDW has ever churned out.

 

[macraven]

bunchkin, last september i ate dinner at kona and at wcc.


i did not enjoy the food or service at wcc. my order was incorrect and it took 25 minutes for it to be replaced. i was with others..they were done with dinner by the time my food came and again it was incorrect.

from what others around me had, not everyone enjoyed the taste of their food. i think that more people go with the skillet.

service was slow. i had the bottomless milkshake but no refills. server failed to bring me another when i requested it. maybe it was the night i was there but the place was packed for a 6:00 seating.

the antics were at wcc: birthday person rode a stick horse around the dining area. ask for ketchup and it is announced to everyone there to put their bottle of ketchup on the table of where he was standing.

it was simple things like that. i could only see and hear what was in my area.

i have been reading on the dis where other people have had the same situation like i did last year. wcc has tables close to each other in sections. it is a much louder atmosphere.

at kona, it is smaller than wcc and the service was prompt. the food was very good. i guess when the dining area is not huge, it is easier for the wait staff to get to you and do check backs with your table.

everybody enjoys different places. i prefer kona. i will not return to wcc this trip.

 

[Bunchkin]

Thanks for the input Crissup and mac!!


Just checked with Disney Dining again and still no ressies avail for Coral Reef dinner. So I guess we are stuck with lunch for now. Hoping to get a table near the "action". Also, thinking of calling there directly to see if I can get a diver to hold up a sign in honor of Tony's b-day which will be a couple days before we eat there.


We loved Kona too. We went there for dinner. The food was wonderful and our waitress was just the best. Not sure if it's always like that or if I got great service because it was just the kids and I and maybe she felt bad for me!!! And the kids loved watching the monorail pull in and leave too.


mac Sorry to hear you had such awful service and food at WCC!! That would have peeved me to no end!

 

[Disneywoz]

Disneynut71,
My DD did the Tea Party in May and loved it. They sit the kids around a table at 1900 Park Fare and then kick the parents out. We went and ate at the GF Cafe. Alice and the Mad Hatter join the kids. They eat cupcakes and then some finger foods. If you have hungry kids, I would feed them first. Then they play games and read stories. It only lasts an hour but our DD talked about what happened for at least 2 hours. She really enjoyed the party and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about it in the future.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Tiggerrn Ok, so you're saying you watch that show.....ALONE!!!....and voluntarily!!!!?????

OK, OK. I confess. I think it's kind of cute for a tween show. I was curious to see how it all started since DD didn't find it til this past year, and I really didn't pay it much attention until I had nothing better to do with my time.
We ate lunch at WCC last fall. It was a little pricey (for you that doesn't apply since it's free dining), and I wasn't all that impressed. Kids had very large burgers (could've split one). I had pulled pork sandwich (didn't care much for it). Don't recall what DH had, but we didn't go back there (and we were staying at WL), so that must say something. We preferred RF counter service.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Disneywoz, to our thread. Come join us often.

 

[Disneywoz]

Thanks. I am originally from Wood Dale (over by O'Hare) and found this the other day as I am trying to sell some HSM tickets for Saturday. Coming up tomorrow and looking forward to Portillo's for lunch. Then hopefully some good bohemian food, as well as some good pizza. Its all about the food. Plus it will be a lot cooler than here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where I live now.

 

[Disneynut71]

Disneynut71,
My DD did the Tea Party in May and loved it. They sit the kids around a table at 1900 Park Fare and then kick the parents out. We went and ate at the GF Cafe. Alice and the Mad Hatter join the kids. They eat cupcakes and then some finger foods. If you have hungry kids, I would feed them first. Then they play games and read stories. It only lasts an hour but our DD talked about what happened for at least 2 hours. She really enjoyed the party and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about it in the future.

Thank you for the info. My DD is so excited. The only problem is 1900 Park Fare is closed so it will be in GF Cafe. I did call DVC Member Services and we can pool hop. So DS and I will be hanging out at the pool while DD is at the party.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Hey all. Not having much luck with the Dis Store getting the backpack in DD wants. Thankfully, I've been calling and not driving there.
Slo, it was great to see you today.
Bunchkin, I think I will be in your area tomorrow (sort of). DD has an audition at noon for the Nutcracker near the Rialto theater. I hope she does well. First time audition for this. And it is with a different ballet company than the one she did Peter Pan with. I don't think it is quite as exhausting as the IYB Theater. Not as many rehearsals and only 1 show.
Well need to get dinner going. DD has tonight.
Later

 

[Bunchkin]

Tiggerrn I was just teasing you about the Hannah Montana!

The Rialto is like 10 minutes from my house....if that!!!

You should let me know what time you'll be leaving there and stop by before you head home.





We might not even be able to make our WL lunch ressie. I have it just in case! It's a late lunch, 2:10pm. Our plane lands 11:35am, then we'll take the Magical Express to Ft. Wilderness, then check in, get our golf cart, change into shorts!!!...because I'm sure by then it will be cold here.
Then of course wait for the launch to WL.
So we might just stick with our 5pm dinner ressie at Kona.

 

[HERSEY]

Bunchkin You might be able to make it for lunch. But don't stress about it, We didn't have ressie and we were able to walk right in. I thought the best thing about WCC was the apple pie.

We ate at the Coral reef and really liked it, we were there for lunch (cheaper). I'm thinking about making ressies again for this trip.

Disneywoz Welcome

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Tiggerrn I was just teasing you about the Hannah Montana!

The Rialto is like 10 minutes from my house....if that!!!

You should let me know what time you'll be leaving there and stop by before you head home.

change into shorts!!!...because I'm sure by then it will be cold here.

That's OK. Tease all you want. I am not embarrassed.
And it had better not be cold in 1 month and a few days from now!!!! I'll just be getting my leg back. I need to wear some shorts and 2 (TWO-I Say) Crocs flip flops!!!!! without a silly winter boot.
Kellie's audition is at 12:30ish. I will call when we are done.

 

[HERSEY]

Tigg I would say "break a leg" to your daughter but your family takes things to literally. I hope Kellie does very well.

I don't think it rained last night maybe I can sneak in a quick mow before we have to go out to watch the Cougar's game tonight. It's my works annual outting. I hope the humidty comes down a bit.

Bunchkin Mac SLoAre you both really excited about this trip or am I the only one who is ready to jump out of her skin?

 

[slo]

No storms last night!!!
It was so nice to have an uninterupted nights sleep!!!
(I'm sure all of you feel the same way )



DMM - I've had that happen with a garbage truck before too For us it happens after a holiday when the garbage schedule is screwed up

HERSEY - I chuckled when I read "we should all turn into ducks"
**I am getting very very excited about our trip, but I still have a long way to go Kevin was telling me that it's good we stayed up late and made booked our excursions and spa treatment, because he tryed booking me a pedicure and manicure yesterday, and everything is all booked up. I wonder if we'll have a full ship I guess we'll soon find out.

Tiggerrnnnnnnn - It was great to see you too, and thanks again for coming to the store

Bunchkin - Registration went great yesterday (thanks for the good luck ) In the past I always went during the 10-12 shift, and this year I went to the 4-6 shift, and let me tell you, it was great!!! I will never go to the 10-12 shift again It wasn't crowded, I had no waits, it was awesome!!!!
**I"m going to when I say this......
We didn't like The Coral Reef The restaurant itself is beautiful, and we really liked that. But we didn't like the menu at all The food is real fancy (sorta like gourmet), and I had a hard time finding something to eat. I did decide on some type of pasta, but I didn't care for it (not because it was fixed poorly - I just didn't like it). I can't remember what Kevin and Tim got (we went last January), but they were very indifferent about their food too. If the menu was like a Red Lobster, or a Joe's Crab Shack, it would be great. I"m sorry to be the only person that didn't care for it there, but I wanted to be honest with you
**I think Whispering Canyon is a fun restaurant, and we've eaten there twice - once for breakfast and once for dinner. We ate in January for breakfast, and Kevin and I really enjoyed it. The food was good, and the restaurant was very very uncrowded. I can't give you an honest opinion about the dinner food because I wasn't feeling good, and didn't order anything off the menu. Kevin enjoyed his food though, and we'll definitly be going back there our next trip They have a dinner skillet for dinner that looks really tasty, and it's all you can eat (like Garden Grill). The restaurant is pretty noisy, but my kids naturally loved that!! I would give this restauant a try since you've never been there before.

Crissup - Don't knock me out for not liking Coral Reef

Mac - I didn't know Whispering Canyon had a bottomless milkshake. I'm sorry yours didn't get refilled - that would make me mad too

Disneywoz - Thanks for the review about the tea party. My girls would love this the next time we go to WDW

Disneynut - Did you start packing yet? I bet you are getting so excited!!!



Well, Katie is up, and I gotta go put on her shows.
Have a good day today everyone!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Morning all. Just a quick fly-by before I go jump in the shower. Then I have to get DD all made-up for the audition.
It rained here hard last night, but brief. No thunder/lightening. Thank goodness.
Hersey, I would be excited, too if I were getting ready to return to WDW. I was wishing we hadn't already planned to go to CA, so I could've planned a trip during free dining. Maybe next year. DD next ballet trip to Orlano was postponed a year to 2009, which leaves 2008 open for me. (Even if I have to go by myself)
Have fun at your work outing tonight.
Well, I better jump in the shower. Have a good day all.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

morning everyone

How exciting for those of you heading to Disney soon!!!!! I want TO GO TOO!!!

Good luck to your daughter Tig!!!

Hope you all are having a happy FRIIIIDDDAAAAYYY!!! This week seemed to have lasted WAAAY tooooo long! So thank goodness the weekend is here! We have ALOT of garage cleaning to do, since next weekend is the neighborhood garage sale!! I LOVE GARAGE SALES!!!

But of course Sal is making me work the entire time and no sneaking off to other peoples! He says we have enough stuff AND i'm the only one that can speak Spanish He's too funny!

 

[Crissup]

Bunchkin Tig Crissup How did Sunday's storm affect you? No tornando damage I hope.

Interesting, I must have clicked on the little quatation mark button on a previous visit and then never replied, because it just showed up now when I went to reply to something else. So, the little quote button works across multiple visits. Cool!!

In case I never did answer, the storms didn't affect us at all. The lawn desperately needed the rain, so that was good.

Crissup - Don't knock me out for not liking Coral Reef

Oh well, we all have our faults. Guess we found yours.

 

[Bunchkin]

Happy Friday to all!!

I need to go drop off Lauren's lunch order at school today! We finally got the kid's class assignments in the mail yesterday! And boy are they excited about getting back to school. Not sure if Lauren is getting a locker yet. Some of the 4th graders do and some don't , per her understanding.

Spent a good chunk of last night writing their names on all their school supplies and packing up the stuff in the backpacks. Boy, I hate that job!


And why do the teachers need wipes when there is a sink ,or in Hunter's case a bathroom, in every room??

Oh well, we all have our faults. Guess we found yours.

Oh that was funny!!!! You're baaaaaad!!

Tigg I would say "break a leg" to your daughter but your family takes things to literally.

Oh that was really funny too!!!


It MUST be Friday!!!!




Hersey Yes, we are totally excited about our trip!!! We are doing lots of stuff we haven't done before on this trip!!! Trying to squeeze it all in is the hard part, but we'll manage!




DMM I just cleaned our garage last weekend and it never seems to be enough!! It's always a disaster!!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I have to agree there! The garage became dumping grounds for everything! No matter how much we clean, i think the boxes multiply on their own!! I must be the only person that can shop her own garage sale and want to keep stuff!!