Coral Reef or Biergarten with kids/picky eaters?

[TinkerMarie]

I have an ADR for Coral Reef on our last night. I have wanted to eat at Coral Reef ever since I watched the episode of Full House where they go to WDW .... It's just something I want to do someday. "Someday" could be in September.

In reading some reviews, though, it seems not to be too child-friendly. Apparently from some tables you can't see the tank at all, and you may have to wait if you want a table near the tank? I don't think that would go over well with a 4yo, 2yo, and 1yo. The kids would have no issues with the menu, but DH is pretty picky. I checked out the menu and I think the only thing he might try would be the seared chicken breast.

So the kids would love it IF we got a table next to the tanks. Is it likely that we would on a Thursday night at 8 (they won't be cranky, we take late naps and go to bed late, so that's our usual dinner time)?

I was also considering switching it to Biergarten. I think the kids would have a blast there, and DH would like the food. But I never wished that I could eat at the Biergarten! That feels kind of selfish though, and if the kids get antsy because they can't see the fish/we have to wait a long time, I won't really enjoy Coral Reef anyway.

Our other ADRs are 'Ohana, Akershus (princess breakfast), Whispering Canyon Cafe, and Rainforest Cafe. I think that's plenty for the kids and DH ... but I don't want to make them miserable at Coral Reef. I keep checking to see if Biergarten is still available. What should I do?

 

[ktlm]

I can't give you any info about Coral Reef as we haven't eaten there, but I can tell you that if we got to WDW and DH and DD (6) found out that I had not made an ADR for Biergarten, I would be in big trouble!

Every kid I know 5 and under loves Biergarten. It is DH's favorite place at WDW. I really like it too. The food is good. The beer and wine are good. The band and dance floor are fun. DD is an extremely picky eater, and she always eats a ton there.

That said, you are entitled to do something you want to do at WDW too. If Coral Reef is something you have always wanted to do, then go for it.

 

[Pakey]

The tables next to the tanks are mostly 4 tops with a few 2 tops. You are at least a party of 5 so It's not likely you will be right up against the tanks (which aren't the best viewing anyway IMO).

I've dined at both many times and Biergarten is consistently better. There's a better selection of food, the food tastes better and the entertainment is fun for all.

 

[windi622]

I, also, can't give you insight into Coral Reef- as I've never eaten there. We do eat at Biergarten pretty frequently. That is because Biergarten is my sister's "pick" everytime we go. She loves it. With that said, I hate it. The atmosphere is fun, and your kids would probably enjoy it. We are early eaters- and find that it doesn't get too crowded (which is nice). But, personally, I think the food is terrible. It's not that the quality is bad, I just don't like it. I'm German, go figure!

 

[Belleandtinker]

Our whole family enjoys Biergarten. My DS6 loves the pretzels (so do I). He is picky and we always find him something that he likes.

I've never been to the Coral Reef and okay with not going there. For pure entertainment value, I would guess the band/show at Biergartens is better than watching fish. Plus you can walk from The Seas and see the same fish.

 

[JennyWren]

We have ate at both and I would have to say that I would pick the Beirgarten. That being said, my picky eaters just prefer the food and I feel that the service and quality are consistent. Coral Reef has been fairly inconsistent in my experience. One time the food is good, the next mediocre. One time my son ordered something off the children's menu and they brought out something totally different without even asking because 'they no longer carried that item, it was a typo on the menu.' Another time, we had a 7:30 ADR and were not seated until 8:50, by the time our food was ready we ending up having them box it because the kids were falling asleep after a long day in the park.

If you truly want to eat there, make sure DH looks over the menu well to make sure he will have something he likes.

 

[bcrook]

Well I am going to buck the trend here...

My kids and nieces and nephews always look forward to going to Coral Reef. Just being in the restaurant is special to me. Biergarten is uncomfortable with table sharing.

Biergarten is a buffet (horribly overpriced) with food that we don't like much at all.

Coral Reef has some really good options (I find the steaks to be really good and my son loves the lobster bisque).

Biergarten does have the great cheesecake (it is very delicious - but I think it can be purchased outside at a kiosk). Coral Reef has a couple of good options for dessert.

You do end up spending more at Coral Reef but at least it is not a buffet. The Aquarium is beautiful.

The Biergarten's music performances are fun, and I do love the beer in the GIANT mugs.

We tend to visit both on our trips. I look forward to both. But if I had to ditch one, it would be Biergarten. This is exactly what we did for upcoming trip. My nephew's only request for the whole trip was to return to Coral Reef.

 

[TinkerMarie]

Thanks all for the advice.

Really, the shared seating is my only hesitation about Biergarten ... I'm pretty shy and I don't just strike up friendships. I feel like it might be very awkward if there are these three strangers sitting across the table from me and I'm just ignoring them. Especially if they're there for the "beer" aspect because we don't drink.

Is there anywhere better, either in Epcot (because we won't have hoppers and we've planned Epcot for that day) or at a resort or DTD? Something for a shy mom, a picky dad, and little kids?

 

[bcrook]

Thanks all for the advice.

Really, the shared seating is my only hesitation about Biergarten ... I'm pretty shy and I don't just strike up friendships. I feel like it might be very awkward if there are these three strangers sitting across the table from me and I'm just ignoring them. Especially if they're there for the "beer" aspect because we don't drink.

Is there anywhere better, either in Epcot (because we won't have hoppers and we've planned Epcot for that day) or at a resort or DTD? Something for a shy mom, a picky dad, and little kids?

I like cape may seafood buffet for dinner, I thought raglan road was comfortable with a wide range of menu choices, and I really like Olivia's at old key west for something more casual.

Also,I like the grand Floridian cafe for any meal.

In Epcot, I can't recommend anything that meets your criteria.

Have fun planning.

 

[MissionMouse]

Considering how close some tables are at many of the TS restaurants ( Le Cellier is one) there isn't much difference as some make it out to be at Biergarten. Table for eight and another family of four will be one the other end of the table. Our conversations have extended from saying hi and then bye. Drinking is at all the TS restaurants at Epcot. The only place we found it a little out of control was Coral Reef with seafood not being fresh and service during some trips needing to be self serve.

Overall, if you are clearly wanting to known where to take a picky kid eater?
Seafood is not typically the choice and options are limited. If your kids like chicken, pork, ptotatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, chocolate cake, cookies or vanilla pudding the Biergarten should be considered

Other options: Via Napoli, Tutto Italia or an arrray of TS options in the Epcot Resort area- just exit out the Internation Entrance between France and England - 5 minute walk

 

[katieam1]

We have done both several times now. They are both very different so I am not one to compare food because they are not in the same food catagory. Our family tends to go to Coral Reef more because for us what is a trip to WDW without having a meal watching the tanks. I would look over the menus and go from there. They are both very fun!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We've done both and would choose Biergarten! There's a great selection, you should be able to find something they would eat. Our kids didn't mind Coral Reef but I'd have to say it was forgettable, as they don't remember eating there but always want to go back to the "dancing restaurant" (Biergarten)

 

[JennyDrake]

I will eat just about *anything* and am a Hard Core Foodie. DH is strictly meat and potatoes. He LOVED Biergarten; I thought it was awful.

 

[jimmytammy]

Never been to CR before, so no opinion. But we have been to Biergarten several times. Kids do fine there, The band is entertaining, food is good. Try little bits of this and that then go back for what trips their trigger. Atmosphere is tops!

 

[jennypenny]

We've eaten at both several times. The biergarten is usually our first meal after we arrive in WDW because we usually miss at least one meal travelling and we're starving.

I like CR, but I find it hit or miss. And for some reason it's really loud. It's nice. And when we're with another party that wants to try it we go, but when it's just us we don't bother anymore.

The Biergarten--It's overpriced for a buffet, but the service is good, the entertainment is good, and the food is always what we expect. My boys can be picky and they love it. There is plain chicken, chicken schnitzel which tastes like nuggets, and mac and cheese. And you can get a plain, whole apple on the dessert bar which pleases them. They also have pretzel bread which fills them up when they're not in the mood for real food.

I have to give the nod to Biergarten. And we're foodies and find the food to be exceptionally good for a buffet. (it's actually the only one beside Tusker House that we're willing to do)

Oh yeah, and those liters of beer are fun

 

[si-am]

Thanks all for the advice.

Really, the shared seating is my only hesitation about Biergarten ... I'm pretty shy and I don't just strike up friendships. I feel like it might be very awkward if there are these three strangers sitting across the table from me and I'm just ignoring them. Especially if they're there for the "beer" aspect because we don't drink.

Is there anywhere better, either in Epcot (because we won't have hoppers and we've planned Epcot for that day) or at a resort or DTD? Something for a shy mom, a picky dad, and little kids?

If you're going to be offended by the beer, then by all means eat somewhere else. We ended up sitting with some tee-totalers at Biergarten once who were SUPER judgmental about the fact that we were having beer with lunch. It made the whole experience very uncomfortable. But if you just don't want to drink and don't care if others do, then no problem.

Most kids really do love Biergarten, though. Coral Reef is nice, too, but if not having a table next to the tank will put a damper on your experience, then maybe look elsewhere.

 

[jennypenny]

We ended up sitting with some tee-totalers at Biergarten once who were SUPER judgmental about the fact that we were having beer with lunch.

I would have found that really funny. Even if you don't speak German, I'm pretty sure anyone can sound out what "Biergarten" means. Hello? Would they be surprised to find people drinking margaritas in Margaritaville??

 

[buzzmom3]

We've done both and prefer Biergarten. The food was very good and the kids loved the atmosphere. We did not have to share a table but we would have been fine if we did. We also didn't drink at dinner and still had a great time.

 

[mom of princess]

We have eaten several times at Biergarten and it isn't on our list for this summer. We are trying Coral Reef though because DD chose it without knowing about the trip. We are a family of 3 and don't enjoy dining with others. Especially since our last trip we were seated with a bunch of adult males, no children, who had obviously spent a few hours there before we were seated. I have no problem with drinkers but they started swearing and being rude to the waitress, totally not caring that our DD was there (and was only 5 years old). So if you are a larger group or don't care about sitting with others, it is a good choice with nice variety of food on the buffet.
We booked CR but are willing to drop it if they surprise us with an opening of the new Be Our Guest restaurant. That would be our ultimate choice!