Coral Reef for lunch? Scared of review

[lippylulu]

We have an ADR at the Coral Reef for lunch because I had heard it was such a wonderful experience and the food is good. I just read the review of the rwstaurant on this website and it sounded terrible---terrible food, terrible service, etc. I don't want to pay for an expensive lunch for 3 people if it will be awful even if there are pretty fish around.

We also have an ADR for Marakesh for dinner right before Iluminations whch I expect will be excellent.

Should we skip Coral Reef and just do counter service for lunch?

 

[graygables]

Everyone's experience will be different. Even different visits have different results. Our 1st lunch at CR was wonderful. Close to the tank (I think saying "pretty fish" is a bit much, however, it's quite monochromatic, but the sharks are cool!), excellent service, delicious food. Our next few visits weren't as spectacular and our most recent was downright awful. We were seated FAR away from the tank and DDs couldn't see a thing. The food/service was dreadful, enough that I spoke with a manager on the way out and our once "must do" became a "not again for awhile".

Also, bear in mind that some people have a food/service expectation. Some people gush over Applebee's while others wouldn't be pleased if Wolfgang Puck cooked for them personally. Some people expect a server to be highly attentive while others are happy if their glass stays full.

I take all dining reviews with a grain of salt and go with what I'd like to try. If it turns out less than stellar, I chalk it up to experience, write my own review, and try not to let it upset my trip.

 

[Aliceacc]

Let the menus be your deciding factor. As the previous poster mentioned, reviews are so incredibly subjective. There's not only the question of the expectations of the writer, but who the waiter/waitresss was, what kind of a day they were having, what was going on in the kitchen.... way too many variables.

So keep your Coral Reef booking (we were there for our last trip in 1990, and they were the first ADR I made for this trip.)

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

We ate there for lunch during our honeymoon and LOVED it!! Our server was friendly, our food was WONDERFUL especially the Butterscotch Creme Brulee!! Dining reviews are subjective though - people give horrible reviews of places I loved!!! I would give it a shot if I were you!!!

 

[DVCJEN]

I thought it was ok. Not great but ok. The atmosphere was not exactly what I expected, for some reason I thought we would be pretty much surrounded by aquarium instead of just on one wall. The food was not bad but nothing I would rave about.

 

[dbmarie]

On our trip in December we gave it another try, it was just plan awful. The nicest thing I can say about the service was that it was absent. The food was just okay. Unless you are going for the atmosphere I would avoid it.

 

[Callalily6]

Does anyone think that this place took a dive (no pun intended) after the DDP? I LOVED it the 1st time. I was actually hoping they'd put us in a back corner. We got put right in front of the tank. The food was fab service was great. 2nd trip, food still good, service overwhelmed - LOTS more people than the last time. 3rd time like the 2nd time - LOTS of people, short on staff. The 2nd and 3rd visits were after the dining plan came out. Anyone else notice that? I got used to the nice restaurants being slow at early dinner hours, but now it seems they are hardly ever slow. CR is still on my must do list. Until they toss the Lobster Soup, Im in.

 

[lindakmonty]

I have to say, we've eaten at several restaurants and Coral Reef is my dh's absolute favorite. That is saying a lot!! I loved it as well, but not sure it's my favorite. I thought the atmosphere, food and service were all wonderful!! I'd eat there for lunch w/o hesitation at all.

 

[sabalpalms]

Coral Reef is one of my fave DW restaurants. The atmosphere is awesome but I thought the food was even better!

 

[xmasmom]

We ate here in October and loved it. It was our first visit and I could not complain of anything. It is now one of my kids favorite becasue of the
fish. We will be back next trip I'm sure.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we ate there in Nov (had been many times b4) and again had a great dinner and we all love the tank watching, diver sign blew my daughter away!!
Very happy campers here!

 

[hildarumpole]

My family had a fantastic lunch at Coral Reef. It was one of the best meals of our trip. Give it a try. We went to a couple restaurants that got rave reviews on the boards and they were terrible.

 

[hipporina]

Coral Reef was one of my favorite meals last year. We all loved it. Our entire group (about 30 people) agreed that we should do it again this year!