Coral Reef - drowning?

[CanadianImagineer]

This may be somewhat of an odd question, but for those of you who have dined at Coral Reef, does it actually feel like you're underwater? Do you get a sensation as if you're drowning? Also, I'm not big on seafood, did the fish make you lose your appetite? My family realllly wants to dine here but I'm not so sure..

 

[disneygal2007]

One whole wall is the aquarium. The back of the building is wall. So if you get that feeling just look to the wall. Also there is other things on the menu. You can go to allears.net to see a menu.

 

[hgoff79]

The fish didn't make me feel sick, but I will say that the giant sea turtles grosses me out big time. Otherwise, it was just fine.

 

[gobo2]

What is gross about the turtle?

 

[OKW Lover]

It's no worse than watching a movie on a big screen. There are plenty of non-aquatic things (furniture, food, people) to focus your mind on if need be.

 

[hgoff79]

He just weirded me out because we were RIGHT there in front, literally inches away. He was there sleeping, then opened his (her?) eyes, swam away for a bit, then came back to the exact same spot. I'm not a fan of water or aquatic creatures (made the ADR for my in-laws sake b/c I wanted a diver for FIL's birthday), and tht just sent me over the edge.

 

[Arcturus1020]

This may be somewhat of an odd question, but for those of you who have dined at Coral Reef, does it actually feel like you're underwater? Do you get a sensation as if you're drowning? Also, I'm not big on seafood, did the fish make you lose your appetite? My family realllly wants to dine here but I'm not so sure..

I didn't feel like I was underwater while dining there at all. The staff and food were exceptional there, and one of the nicer places to eat (IMHO). I had the Seafood Linguini, and my wife had the King Crab Legs (no longer on the menu). Excellent. They do have a strip steak on the menu now, if you'd prefer that instead.

 

[CanadianImagineer]

Thanks for the replies! We'll be trying it out in May... and I'll tell your turtle friend you say hi

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

The only thing that kind of erked me was thinking ... oh snapper huh? Is that one swimming right by us?

They do give you an aquarium guide so you'll know what kind of fish are swimming around but it feel weird staring at the kind of thing that you are about to eat in it's alive state.

I ordered steak.

I'm NOT a swimmer and kind of afraid of water because of my germaphobe-ness and because I had a near drowning experience when I was 5 but the feeling of drowning in the Coral Reef didn't even cross my mind.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I think it's a really cool looking place to eat. Good food to. No fishie smell either.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

The fish didn't make me feel sick, but I will say that the giant sea turtles grosses me out big time. Otherwise, it was just fine.

This turtle? I think he's/she's cute...

He was starring at a table for most of the time when we were there, except when he decided to take a once-around the aquarium. That may have creeped me out, luckily we were about 3 tables down. We were also about three tables down from some birthday divers for a little girl, see below:

 

[DaveStroem]

Mmmmm Turtle meat is good. Had some in the Cayman Islands (it is legal there as it is farm raised).

 

[ChloroFiend]

My fiancee is pretty claustrophobic and she had no issues with any feelings of being trapped underwater or anything.

As far as the menu and atmosphere goes...its a mixed bag. There's some very good menu items, like the blackened catfish with pepper jack grits or the lobster bisque. The decor and scenery is nice, but the last few times we've been there its been overrun with misbehaving children screaming, running around, etc. We probably won't go back, which is a shame since its one of my favorites.