Coral Reef Grill- worth it?

[petitephlox]

Hi,
I was thinking of reserving a table for lunch at Coral Reef Grill the day we're at Epcot-- mostly because I know my dd(4) would get a big kick out of it! I'm far more interested in noshing around the world showcase, but I want her to have fun. Do people feel it's worth the time/cost? I was thinking DH and I could eat light so we could continue to munch.

 

[goofy4prez]

Your going to get a whole lot of mixed opinions about Coral Reef. Many are going to come on here and tell you it is terrible, worst food ever, smells like fish, terrible service, I was rushed to the hospital within minutes because of severe and almost fatal food poisoning, too this day I still suffer from PTSD and etc. Then others are going to say that they love Coral Reef, the food is great, A must do for me and etc. I'm of the opinion that it is a good restaurant with good food. Sure it has it's issues (most do in Disney), but overall I enjoyed it and will go back again in the future. My biggest complaint has been that I am rarely seated at my ADR time. I say if the menu and theming look appealing to you then you should go and enjoy... Try it out for yourself.

 

[CynBeth]

We have been there for 1 dinner and 2 lunches and had great food and service each time.

 

[Anal Annie]

Have only been once. It was good although not memorable enough for me to remember what I had to eat - and I have pictures of our meals (just last summer). Seems like the portions were sort of on the small side…especially small for 18 yr old DS….he can ALWAYS eat more!! LOL

 

[Lisa F]

It is one of my favorites as well. It holds a special place in my heart as the first TS restaurant I ever ate on a high school trip in 1991 with my best friend... we decided to have an elegant "grownup" meal there. I go there every so often and I have always had good experiences. I am looking forward to taking my son there for lunch on our next trip in December. I plan to make a first seating for lunch reservation to maximize chance of being on the tank.

You could always go and order a couple of appetizers, a kid meal for her, then eat around the world. just consider it a first course. The creamy lobster soup has been on the menu forever and is one of my favorites. I have also read good things about the creamy crab-spinach fondue. The calamari also sounds good to me I am kind of a seafood girl I guess.

 

[lovin'fl]

Its fun to eat there. Food is meh at best but nice view, very entertaining. Lunch isn't too busy so you might even get seated close to the tank... maybe request that. Share a meal or get a couple apps so that you can snack around world showcase.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We've been there twice for dinner and had a great dinner both times. The service and food have been really good both times. This past fall we were seated at a table right by the tank and it was an amazing experience to have while eating dinner.

 

[petitephlox]

Alright, I'm sold! thanks for the ideas- we'll try for the first lunch seating, too, and just nibble a bit so we can continue to munch around, haha!

Goofy4prez- that sounds horrific! I'n sorry you had to go through that!

 

[alliecat523]

Its fun to eat there. Food is meh at best but nice view, very entertaining. Lunch isn't too busy so you might even get seated close to the tank... maybe request that. Share a meal or get a couple apps so that you can snack around world showcase.

This. I could take it or leave it but my daughter went wild to see the sharks swimming right by us as we ate. There was also some sort of SCUBA tour and the divers swam up to us and waved.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

The atmosphere is great, I would do it again if my kids were younger. The food is so so.

 

[Skullcrusher]

Hi,
I was thinking of reserving a table for lunch at Coral Reef Grill the day we're at Epcot-- mostly because I know my dd(4) would get a big kick out of it! I'm far more interested in noshing around the world showcase, but I want her to have fun. Do people feel it's worth the time/cost? I was thinking DH and I could eat light so we could continue to munch.

So like PP stated you will get mixed reviews. Mine is I shall never darken their door again. Whether it is worth it our not is subjective, and really only you can decide. Also as PP stated I found the food to be not just not good but poor. It does have a musty smell. But if you can get a tank side table the view is really entertaining.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

I really like Coral Reef and have eaten there 3 or 4 times. That being said, I don't know if I would eat there if I wasn't on the dining plan. It is kind of expensive for what you get, but when you pay the same price no matter what it doesn't bother me as much. I will say, they have one of my favorite desserts in all of WDW at Coral Reef. It is a chocolate mousse infused with Kahlua and Jack Daniels in layers. It is just so good. DS 3 loved it when we went last summer. Watching the fish in the tank was super cool for him. I have not ever had bad service here and have never noticed any odor. If you like seafood and think it would be fun, give it try.

 

[SSRFred]

I went with my DS9 for the first time last October. I made an ADR for 11:30 am and we got a table right next to the tank. The view was amazing and I would go back again just for that. Our server was wonderful, fun and attentive. DS thought his mac n cheese was the best he's had at WDW, and he has eaten a lot of mac n cheese at WDW over the years. My food was fine, not great, just fine. I definitely prefer snacking in the world showcase, but I would definitely go again if my son asked and probably just have an appetizer and enjoy the view.

 

[Lisa F]

I really like Coral Reef and have eaten there 3 or 4 times. That being said, I don't know if I would eat there if I wasn't on the dining plan. It is kind of expensive for what you get, but when you pay the same price no matter what it doesn't bother me as much. I will say, they have one of my favorite desserts in all of WDW at Coral Reef. It is a chocolate mousse infused with Kahlua and Jack Daniels in layers. It is just so good. DS 3 loved it when we went last summer. Watching the fish in the tank was super cool for him. I have not ever had bad service here and have never noticed any odor. If you like seafood and think it would be fun, give it try.

I love that your 3 year old loves mousse with Kahlua and JD. Kid after my own heart

 

[PurpleKomodo]

The dessert is my favorite. Not his. He doesn't like chocolate (wierdo)

 

[lubob]

Nice looking aquarium, the food is not great just ok. Was there for the first time 3 weeks ago. Nothing worth going back a second time for !

 

[JRennie]

Your going to get a whole lot of mixed opinions about Coral Reef. Many are going to come on here and tell you it is terrible, worst food ever, smells like fish, terrible service, I was rushed to the hospital within minutes because of severe and almost fatal food poisoning, too this day I still suffer from PTSD and etc. Then others are going to say that they love Coral Reef, the food is great, A must do for me and etc. I'm of the opinion that it is a good restaurant with good food. Sure it has it's issues (most do in Disney), but overall I enjoyed it and will go back again in the future. My biggest complaint has been that I am rarely seated at my ADR time. I say if the menu and theming look appealing to you then you should go and enjoy... Try it out for yourself.

This made me laugh

 

[TeamSy]

First time there we had a WONDERFUL experience. The food was great and the service was amazing. We were also seated AT the tank (which of course added to the coolness). That was 2007. Went back in 2010 and wasn't wowed (not just because our table was far up). The food wasn't as good as we remembered and neither was the service. Haven't been back since, but am not one of those don't ever eat here. It wasn't a bad experience it just wasn't as good, and there are SO many places to eat at Epcot! That in itself is a struggle lol! Have been thinking about giving it another try. I mean it's been YEARS! I say go for it.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We have been there 3 times. We enjoy it. We ask to be seated right next to the aquarium. The first time we ate there, it was not that good. The 2nd and 3rd times we ate there it was VERY good. The New York Strip steak was tender & juicy. I had the Jack Daniels chocolate mousse for dessert. Very good.

 

[Disney_Mama]

I have only been for dinner and we love it.