Coral Reef for Lunch or Wing it...

[pddmom]

I'm debating over canceling my ADR for an early lunch at the Coral Reef. We'll be traveling with 2 small kids and all the grandparents and I'm not sure the lunch menu will really satisfy. Plus, I've been reading and seeing all the wonderful food from Food & Wine (we'll be there 1st week of Nov.).

I originally booked it thinking the kids would love the aquarium aspect, but they'll see that at the Living Seas.

Any opinions anyone want to share?

 

[disneyin2008]

I guess the question is whether there is enough choices at the food booths to satisfy the kids? Depends on how picky your kids are of course. Plus, the food is a bit pricey at F&W booths for what appear from the photos posted to be rather small servings.

Otherwise....you're right....the aquarium would probably be enjoyed by small kids closer up, not stuck sitting at a table instead of hands and nose pressed against the glass, lol.

 

[cookleitz]

We dined at Coral Reef at lunchtime with our then four year old in January. It was a delightful meal that my son still talks about. We all found our food to be delicious and very filling. It's our personal preference to enjoy a sit down lunch when we're at Disney. Our son is typically in a better mood earlier in the day and after eating breakfast on the run, we're all ready for a nice, relaxing, sit-down lunch.

Whatever you decide, there's no doubt you'll enjoy yourself and some really yummy food!

Chris

 

[perriwinkleblue]

We enjoyed the food and atmosphere at Coral Reef but really, my ds couldn't have cared less about the tank after the first 20 min. (he was 2). If you decide to skip it Sunshine Seasons food court inside the Land has some good lunch choices. Everyone could choose what they want and you could still "graze"on something tempting as you pass the food booths.
BTW Sunshine Seasons has a bakery counter with GREAT desserts

 

[MariDisney]

FWIW...our dinner at the Coral Reef last week was the worst dining experience we've had at WDW ever. I had been to CR once before for lunch and was lukewarm about it. I thought we'd give it another try this trip, and it was truly terrible. I'll have to write a full report, but here are a few highlights...

1. Our waitress was TICKED OFF that we wouldn't order dessert as we ordered our apps and entrees. We prefer to linger a bit and never order dessert until later in the meal. She threw the menus onto the table and said "well, try and look them over soon".
2. When I ordered the catch of the day, which had a truffle oil on it, she said "Um, do you really want the truffle oil?" I said I did. She informed me "Just to let you know, it smells really weird". With such a high recommendadtion from the waitstaff...who could pass it up?? I DID get it with the oil and it actually was quite tastey.
3. The restaurant was LOUD. I know I'm in WDW and I expect noise and kids at all my meals. But the noise level in here was like Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday afternoon loud. I couldn't take it and had a splitting headache by the end.

I have to say it's rare for me to complain about WDW restaurants. I have pretty reasonable expectations. But this experience was just bad. I say, enjoy the booths instead.