Coral Reef...Is it good??

[onejellyshelly]

Really wanted Le Celier, but as everyone know, not open on 9/28 or 10/1. So we decided on Coral Reef. Is this good enough to keep, or should I try another country??

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[flamom]

i had wonderful lunch at coral reef on 6/20 the food was wonderful as was the atmosphere we got lucky and had a seat by the tank. my children loved it too. hope this helps your decision.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

We really liked it there last year. The two of us aren't big seafood fans but we managed. The New York Strip was very good and id say it was right on par with Le Cellier if not BETTER. We also ordered seared chicken breast and thought it was terrific! We made our ADR's to head back here this year and cant wait as it was a wonderful meal.

 

[eventamy]

If you do go and the view is important to you, request a seat by the tank then. We went in February and I didn't ask, against my better judgement. We were seated all the way in the back and my 2 young children couldn't see at all and lost interest within 30 seconds.
Our food was terrible too. We won't be returning.
Personally I would do another restaurant in World Showcase.

 

[Anonomom]

We ate there on 9/11 last year, and had a mixed experience (the fact that I can remember all dates and times should be an indication!). Ressie was at 6:50, didn't get seated until 7:30. Service was sllllllooooooow. Plus, it was my MIL's birthday, and I asked when I booked what I could do to get a seat by the tank. They said "no problem, just ask that night and you'll get it." When we showed up, I asked and was told that there is only one table near the tank for a party of our size (4 adults, 1 kid), and that I'd have to wait 1.5 hours to get it. I wish I'd known beforehand that my chances were so slim, b/c I really hated disappointing my MIL.

That all said, the food was terrific. I had the NY strip and it was my favorite dinner of the trip.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love Coral Reef. Good food and an Awesome Atmosphere.

 

[swooshfan2]

Went last year and had no complaints at all...its a great view and it was a good meal. The catfish had a lot of flavor, and the dessert was above average. From the negative reviews I've seen, I was expecting a lot worse, but I wanted to give it a shot for the atmosphere alone. I just put in my ADRs for my next trip, and I'll be back there on 09/29, so it definitely has my recommendation.

 

[onejellyshelly]

i had wonderful lunch at coral reef on 6/20 the food was wonderful as was the atmosphere we got lucky and had a seat by the tank. my children loved it too. hope this helps your decision.

We really liked it there last year. The two of us aren't big seafood fans but we managed. The New York Strip was very good and id say it was right on par with Le Cellier if not BETTER. We also ordered seared chicken breast and thought it was terrific! We made our ADR's to head back here this year and cant wait as it was a wonderful meal.

We ate there on 9/11 last year, and had a mixed experience (the fact that I can remember all dates and times should be an indication!). Ressie was at 6:50, didn't get seated until 7:30. Service was sllllllooooooow. Plus, it was my MIL's birthday, and I asked when I booked what I could do to get a seat by the tank. They said "no problem, just ask that night and you'll get it." When we showed up, I asked and was told that there is only one table near the tank for a party of our size (4 adults, 1 kid), and that I'd have to wait 1.5 hours to get it. I wish I'd known beforehand that my chances were so slim, b/c I really hated disappointing my MIL.

That all said, the food was terrific. I had the NY strip and it was my favorite dinner of the trip.

Love Coral Reef. Good food and an Awesome Atmosphere.

Went last year and had no complaints at all...its a great view and it was a good meal. The catfish had a lot of flavor, and the dessert was above average. From the negative reviews I've seen, I was expecting a lot worse, but I wanted to give it a shot for the atmosphere alone. I just put in my ADRs for my next trip, and I'll be back there on 09/29, so it definitely has my recommendation.

Thanks you guys, you are making me feel better with my choice.

 

[clc053103]

I was there 9/17 last year during free dining- I can honestly say, during free dining Coral Reef has all the atmosphere of a truck stop. We also waited for our table. Service was terrible. Food was fine, but it was sooo loud you couldn't really enjoy or relax. And we had to wait in line for the bathroom, the place was so mobbed. However, if you have a very loud child, it's a great place to take them and not worry about being disruptive!

 

[Chevyscool]

We really enjoyed our meal last year at CR! My two little ones adore sealife, and we were lucky enough to get a table right in front of the tank! They had such a fun time spotting all their favorites...for them the food was a far second compared to the atmosphere. They still talk about eating there...so I booked it for our trip in September.

The food is good, but IMHO, the atmosphere is what makes CR...if you get a good table. I'd say try it and request a table by the tank.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

I love Coral Reef - one of my favorites. I've had excellent meals there (I always get the steak) and the atmosphere is great with the aquarium view. I know I'm in the minority, but I like Coral Reef much better than Le Cellier.

 

[onejellyshelly]

I was there 9/17 last year during free dining- I can honestly say, during free dining Coral Reef has all the atmosphere of a truck stop. We also waited for our table. Service was terrible. Food was fine, but it was sooo loud you couldn't really enjoy or relax. And we had to wait in line for the bathroom, the place was so mobbed. However, if you have a very loud child, it's a great place to take them and not worry about being disruptive!

Everything does have a sliver lining

 

[MarkinNM]

Even though I have never eaten there, Coral Reef was on my Radar this trip but just did not work out in our plans, I would not have any hesitation in eating there, enjoy and let us know how your meal was!!!

 

[disney queen]

YIKES!!! never again. we went for candlelight package a few years back and it was not disney standards.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We went with our nieces in January (tons of pics and review in my link) because I thought they would love the setting, which they did but the two of them and DH didnt like the food...I had the grouper and loved it. Dh had the steak and didnt like it at all. Kids had pizza and fries and it was gross, a pita shell with sauce and cheese and mushy fries.

I have current lunch and dinner menus in my June link

 

[lucytootsie]

We went in Feb. Iloved my meal I had the catfish. dtr's was good also. I think the hubby had the fish of the day pretty bad we both tried it.

 

[Kathy Z]

We had dinner there on May 14th and were seated right by the tank. I think our ADR was 5:30 pm. When we checked in I only requested that we have a table with a view of the tank (they have a wavy divider between tiers and I had read that if you're seated by a high point of the wave the children can not see the tank.) I think there were several tables by the tank that seat 4 persons.

All of our food was great (although saltier than my DH and I prefer as was almost all the Disney food.) There was a nice selection of wine by the glass. Our service was fine. The girls loved the atmosphere. I would go there again but not on our next trip if I'm able to get in the many ADRs that I want to try that we could not do in May.

One thing - the portions at Coral Reef are moderate size, not the enormous size that most Disney restaurants have. It was plenty for us.

 

[goofy4prez]

We ate at the Coral Reef in January; with great concerns from previous posts we were not expecting much, and really enjoyed it. The only complaint we had was not with the restaurant, but with other diners. We had a seat next to the aquarium and had to deal with people leaning on our table to take pictures, or deal with someones booty next to our plates of food so they could have their picture taken as the sea turtle swam by.

 

[Kathy Z]

We ate at the Coral Reef in January; with great concerns from previous posts we were not expecting much, and really enjoyed it. The only complaint we had was not with the restaurant, but with other diners. We had a seat next to the aquarium and had to deal with people leaning on our table to take pictures, or deal with someones booty next to our plates of food so they could have their picture taken as the sea turtle swam by.

Having heard about that problem prior to our dinner there I was slightly worried when we were shown to our wonderful table. But we were very fortunate and had no other guests coming near to our table for a view of the tank. From my seat I could see about 2/3 of the rest of the tankside tables and never saw anyone being bothered with that type of behavior from other guests. I guess it is the luck of the draw. Also, I would think that if one group of people sees others being rude like this they might think it is acceptable behavior and also do it.

 

[onejellyshelly]

We ate at the Coral Reef in January; with great concerns from previous posts we were not expecting much, and really enjoyed it. The only complaint we had was not with the restaurant, but with other diners. We had a seat next to the aquarium and had to deal with people leaning on our table to take pictures, or deal with someones booty next to our plates of food so they could have their picture taken as the sea turtle swam by.

Oh my goodness, how rude of those people.