Coral Reef Dessert Only

[Ltl Mermaid]

Due to the Disney cruise I am taking in May, my WDW trip is going to be shorter than usual. I am staying 5 nights and have 5 full days plus a late flight the last day. I am going with a first timer and want to be able to see as much as possible without being commando! He looked at some menus online and picked 1 restaurant and I chose the additional 5, plus our anniversary dinner at Calif. grille . We are going w/ DDP for some restaurants and paying OOP for others. I REALLY wanted to fit Coral Reef in but our only “chance” to do it would be on the day we are eating at San Angel Inn. He LOVES Mexican food and I don’t want to take away his only restaurant pick…it is his trip too, right ?? So, my question is this: I am eating at Liberty Tree Tavern at 5pm one evening. Do you think we could go into Coral Reef at 11am or 12pm and pay out of pocket just for desserts ( or possibly salad and desserts)? Is this really tacky and frowned upon? Also, what are the odds of actually getting in without an ADR (we are going December 11th, so not peak season or anything like that)? Is it very tacky and/or rude to make an ADR without ordering a full meal? I really think he would enjoy the atmosphere, but I don’t want to plan on it if it will likely be a problem! Thanks for the help!!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I've done this in the past and I've never had a problem with it. We go just for dessert or drinks and appetizers. I always leave at least 20% tip. Sometimes we just want to check out the atmosphere and relax on a hot afternoon. We've always made ADRs for this. The wait staff were always very nice to us and it didn't seem to make a difference to them that we were only there for drinks, appetizers or desserts. We've done this at Sci-Fi, Cinderellas castle (2 years ago), San Angel and this year we're going to the Coral Reef for dessert at 2:00. I forgot to mention, that our drink and appetizer bill can become quite high, especially if we're having marguaritas!!! Have a great time!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Thanks so much! I have never done it before and was little worried that the waiters would be rude or irritated that we weren't going "whole hog"! I am hoping for a table right up front, is 11am (right at the opening of Coral Reef) a good time to make an ADR to try to sit in the fron without a wait??

 

[Carrie772]

You just gave me a brilliant idea! I am so going to make ressies for this now. I want the kids to have the experience, but the food is just too much--in more ways than one--for them. We go to restaurants (like Ruby Tuesday's for a Blondie) at home just for dessert so why not there?

 

[disnut1149]

Thanks so much! I have never done it before and was little worried that the waiters would be rude or irritated that we weren't going "whole hog"! I am hoping for a table right up front, is 11am (right at the opening of Coral Reef) a good time to make an ADR to try to sit in the fron without a wait??

I don't know about the 11:00 time. That's usually when lunch starts, but since it's so early for lunch, I would try it. I've always gone a little later, around 2 or 2:30. I'm anxious for my DGD 3 1/2 to see Coral Reef. We didn't really want to eat luch there. Have a great time!!