Coral Reef, anyone been recently?

[Disneynutbsv]

How is the food there? Is this a place kids (9, 9, 15) would like? Thanks for the help!

 

[lwilliam]

since Coral Reef has been moved to 1 TS credit
(we will be on the dining plan)
Thanks - Lucy

 

[Schachteles]

I am wondering the same thing about going there. Our daughters will be four and one when we go for a late lunch. My husband REALLY wanted to eat there...personally I could have done without, but I figured I better let him have ONE choice for our vacation since I have become a planning NUT!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

We were just there on feb 2nd. To be honest it was the most expensive meal and the worst food we ate all week. HOWEVER, I think we may have just been on an off night. They tried to seat us in the back row, with a very bad view of the aquarium, but after seeing 4 windows table empty, I asked politely and was nicely accomadated at a tankside table. The bread and appetizers were good. The desserts, if you stick to the butterscotch creme brulee or chocolate wave were fantastic! Unfortunately our filets were butterflied and burned to a crisp and served with an overpowering sauce and bland potatoes. I would return however and try the Tilapia which gets rave reviews consistently. It was fun to dine there. It was 136.00 for 2 adults (no alcohol) but thankfully we were on the dining plan. Try it! the tables across from the tank windows ?(not directly next to them) seemed to be best as you see out of various windows at a time and see all the divers shenanigans.

 

[JESW]

We had always wanted to eat there and had lunch last august. I did not like the food at all - I had a fish sanwich that tasted horrible - forgot what DH had but he didn't like it either.

But there are many folks who DO like the food so it may just be a matter of personal taste.

One thing to note tho - you are NOT guaranteed a seat near the tank. We were way in the back and could hardly see it. If your children are expecting to be right up against the tank they may be disappointed.

Jill

 

[Super Goof]

We had dinner there last month and enjoyed it. We were seated in the very back row on a busy evening there. They weren't the best seats for viewing, but our DD6 and DD7 still were able to see the fish and marine life fairly well.

I wrote a review of our Coral Reef experience here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1004348

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Thanks for the review Super Goof! (love the name btw)

 

[mom22princesses]

We had dinner there 2 weeks ago and really enjoyed it! We waited for a table next to the tank and it was well worth it. My DDs (4 &7) enjoyed it immensely. We saw a bunch of divers swimming around and they kept coming to the window to wave and blow kisses to my DDs. We also saw multiple sharks and the huge sea turtles. Two sea turtles actually "kissed" right in front of our table (according to my DDs, I'm not exactly sure what they were doing!)

We enjoyed the meal. The appetizers were very good (we had the crab cakes, & beef skewer). I thought my entreel (tilipia with crab cake on top) was a bit bland but good. My daughters both had fish and enjoyed it. My older dd wanted salmon and it was not on the kid's menu but the waitress said it was not a problem to do a child's sized salmon. We really enjoyed the desserts! My one DD had the make-your-own sundae and the other had the Life Preserver (blue jello and berries). They both really enjoyed them. I got the chocolate wave but my DH got the best dessert that we had our entire trip! It was a Happiest Celebration chocolate something ... I do remember it came with some type of fruit garnish that he asked to be left out. It was a decadent chocolate cake-souflee type with a gooey center ... yum, yum, yum!

I'd say some of the food was so-so, but the entire experience was wonderful!

 

[TikiGoddess]

We ate there in Oct. and really enjoyed it. We were seated on the bottom tier closest to the tank and it was a blessing. The boys were mesmorized by the fish. Our food was really good too. I've read other reviews that didn't care for the food and most of them were during lunch. We had dinner there so that might have made the difference. We also stuck to seafood. My dh had the Oscar Tilapia and loved it. I had the salmon which was also good. The appetizers were good as well. Shrimp cocktail- which was enormous, crab cakes and dh had the lobster bisque-he also really liked this. Our dessert was the chocolate wave-very good. The boys did not like the life preserver dessert. I think it's definitely worth one TS credit, but might stick to dinner instead of lunch.

 

[KP's Mom]

We were at the CR about 3 weeks ago. None of us were overly impressed, but we all still enjoyed our meal. DD5 enjoyed watching the fish. I wish we would have done another character meal instead, however, that is simply based on my DD's age. I would not do it if I were not on the DP. No way. Much too pricey for what you actually get.

 

[pooh2001]

Coral Reef kids menu...

Illuma Beverage - Blue Whale $5.25

Grilled Chicken Breast- $7.99
Grilled Mahi $8.99

The above two entrees are served with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Cheese Pizza $4.99
Triton's Pasta - Pasta with Marinara or Alfredo Sauce $4.99

Coral Reef Candy Bar - peanut butter crunch bar $3.00
Life Preserver - jello, fresh fruit, and crispy granola $3.75
Build Your Own Sundae $5.25

 

[maine_jennifer]

I ate lunch there in October and it was THE best meal of my trip. Hopefully it will be just as good in June. That's what I'm hoping at least.

Caesar salad was realllly good. Whatever steak type thing I had for lunch was good. Chocolate wave is amazing!!

Cheers!

 

[Uncleromulus]

THink you and the kids would like it. here's a link to the review I did in October--
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=10231352&postcount=1

 

[Disneynutbsv]

THink you and the kids would like it. here's a link to the review I did in October--
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=10231352&postcount=1

Thanks! Great review!! We just might have to go there!

Is it by chance you get seated by the tank??

 

[pooch]

Same dates, now we're looking at the same restaurant, great minds do think alike!! We'll be making our ADR's next week, so excited, and will be looking to do Coral Reef on Sun 8/27 about 7PM. If you're there, wear a pin or something. Would love to meet you!!

Pooch

 

[Uncleromulus]

Not certain how "tank seating" is handled. Probably have to ask at the podium when you check in..

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Same dates, now we're looking at the same restaurant, great minds do think alike!! We'll be making our ADR's next week, so excited, and will be looking to do Coral Reef on Sun 8/27 about 7PM. If you're there, wear a pin or something. Would love to meet you!!

Pooch

Bummer! We are already scheduled for Hoop de Doo for that night. We were thinking of doing Coral Reef on Friday, September 1st.

 

[mom22princesses]

We asked for tank seating when we checked in. We were told the wait would be about 25 minutes (which it was). But, it was well worth the wait! Have fun!

 

[BlindTyldak]

I make it a point to eat there every time - I wouldn't miss it for the world. I have always gone for dinner, so I can't speak for the lunches. Also, I'm not sure if you are still allowed to do this, but when we went last the meal plan (this was when they were called magical wishes) just indicated a "meal", not "children's meal" for the young crowd, so my daughter, four at the time, got the filet minon with a lobster tail, since she LOVES steak. I ate the tail, of course! If you are still allowed to do this, remember that you have the whole menu to choose from, and yes they DO take reasonable special requests, so don't be afraid to ask for that chicken breast plain if you have a picky eater.

If you are going on a meal plan, and this we have verified, there is NOOO maximum on your entree price that you can get. If you don't mind some imput, ask your waiter. You will get the best tasting (and probably the most expensive!) item on the menu. We even did this at a Magical Gathering of 12 and the waiter brought out a HUGE selection of dishes. we made our own buffet line and everyone got to try a bit of everything! I thought the herbs on the salmon dish we got were a little heavy, but that aside all the food was wonderful. Whatever you do don't pass on the lobster bisque and the Chocolate Wave at the end.

I have noticed that the noise level has gone up during our last visit since we had been there a few years prior, so I think they changed just enough of the design during it's remodelling that it's not dampened as much. even so, we were still able to carry on a regular conversation just fine.

 

[cara loves the poly]

We were just there on feb 2nd. To be honest it was the most expensive meal and the worst food we ate all week. HOWEVER, I think we may have just been on an off night. They tried to seat us in the back row, with a very bad view of the aquarium, but after seeing 4 windows table empty, I asked politely and was nicely accomadated at a tankside table. The bread and appetizers were good. The desserts, if you stick to the butterscotch creme brulee or chocolate wave were fantastic! Unfortunately our filets were butterflied and burned to a crisp and served with an overpowering sauce and bland potatoes. I would return however and try the Tilapia which gets rave reviews consistently. It was fun to dine there. It was 136.00 for 2 adults (no alcohol) but thankfully we were on the dining plan. Try it! the tables across from the tank windows ?(not directly next to them) seemed to be best as you see out of various windows at a time and see all the divers shenanigans.

No,, it wasn't an off night,, the only thing decent was the wait staff. We will never go back!