Coral Reef or Cape May Clambake?

[CapnJacksGirl]

I'm struggling to decide between Coral Reef and Cape May Clambake for dinner on our second EPCoT day. My DH narrowed the choices to those two and left it to me, but I can't decide. Can anyone help out with my choice? We've never been to either and walking to BC isn't an issue. Our group will be three seafood lovers, two kids who'll eat anything, and me (not a seafood lover but can find something on any menu).

TIA for the help!

 

[lumpydj]

My personal choice would be the Clambake. I have yet to have a good meal at Coral Reef - plus it's really loud. All of us (including DD11) LOVED the food at the Clambake. I'm sure you'll find someone with the exact opposite opinion though!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Since you have kids, I suggest the clambake. It's such a fun atmosphere, while the Coral Reef is a little more upscale.

 

[dawnbu40]

Another vote for Cape May! We were there in Sept and it was delicious! We enjoyed it so much we wanted to go back a second time on our trip but it was booked solid. It's already on our "must do" list for next year

 

[Brook1099]

have only eaten at the Clambake, it is one of our must do if staying at Beach Club.

 

[nessz79]

I also prefer the Clam Bake! Coral Reef can be exciting with the aquariums, but you can see all the sea creatures you'd like in the Living Seas pavilion.

The Clam Bake has something for everyone with their buffet. The food is delicious, especially the desserts! It's a very casual atmosphere, which is great with kids...and with the buffet it's easy to get up and walk around as needed (for restless children).

 

[septbaby]

We really enjoyed Coral Reef: the food, service, aquarium and atmosphere.

Though you may not mind walking to BC, booking something inside the park certainly keeps things simpler. Our 5yo really loved the aquarium. The restaurant is literally built underground, there was a hard rain storm while we were having lunch, we were totally clueless of the storm until we walked to the lobby to for a rest room stop and saw of the wet bodies laying around waiting for a table.

Coral Reef will also be a served vs buffet meal. We are big fans of buffets, but it certainly was nice to have someone serve us lunch after a long hot morning in the parks.

Just think about your day and decide which will be work best.

 

[Don Disney]

Cape May has been pretty good each time we've been there;We book it twice per trip for dinner.Good food,service,and atmosphere,and our DD's,now 5 and 6,love coloring on the"table cloth"!Always something for everyone. We generally try to book dinner at the park we're in,but being that hoppers are not in the budget,we book most of our meals outside of the parks with the exception of Crystal Palace and an Epcot restaurant.

 

[robinb]

Hmm ... tough call. I love them both. I think that Cape May has more seafood items (including crab legs) and a wide variety for the kids. OTOH, I had a GREAT steak at Coral Reef and the view was really beautiful.

I guess if your seafood lovers want crab legs I would go with Cape May. Otherwise, I would go with Coral Reef.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I vote Coral Reef!

 

[DonnaDuck]

Cape May is a "Do Not Miss" for us... The seafood lovers in my crowd love it here, but there's something for everyone! It may be that our reservation is usually always at the opening of dinner...but our food here has always been hot & fresh! My boys love coloring on the table & the desserts are AMAZING!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

I'm going to go against the current here and say Coral Reef. I am not overly impressed with any buffet at WDW with the exception of Boma's (which I think was above average but not great). I personally have never had a bad meal at Coral Reef, but I can't say the same for Cape May. I didn't like it for breakfast and I didn't like it for the clam bake. JMHO

 

[Sweettears]

We've never been to the Cape for the clam bake. We generally do TS and aren't particularly fond of buffets. However, we do love seafood. Is Cape MAy better than most?

 

[Sweettears]

I'm going to go against the current here and say Coral Reef. I am not overly impressed with any buffet at WDW with the exception of Boma's (which I think was above average but not great). I personally have never had a bad meal at Coral Reef, but I can't say the same for Cape May. I didn't like it for breakfast and I didn't like it for the clam bake. JMHO

I'm with you Goofy4. Never been to Boma's but what was your issue with Cape May?

 

[n2mm]

Been to both many times and would choose Coral Reef. We tend to avoid the buffets now during our WDW trips. Standing in line to get food several times gets old for us. We find the food to be OK. We like going to a restraurant and having our food brought to us. Plus it keeps us from going overboard and feeling stuffed afterwards. Coral Reef is a must on every trip (5 trips a year) and often twice per trip (lunch and dinner).

 

[MSLRAC]

I'd pick Coral Reef simply because our clambake dinner was a nightmare. We (along with a lobby full of other groups) waited an hour past our ADR time, they then attempted the seat most of the lobby at the same time thus making the buffet area a madhouse the first go around, the cold items were warm, the hot items were cool, all of the crab legs we tried (we tried a lot) stuck to the shells, the non seafood items were lacking, the service was poor...it was honestly our most disappointing meal, especially after have 2 fabulous breakfasts there. The only bright spot of the meal was dessert.

So as hit or miss as the Coral Reef reviews can be, I'd pick it in a heartbeat over the clambake.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

As I expected, this hasn't helped one bit! As with all threads of this nature, there's always those totally for a restaurant while others are staunchly against it. I don't know how many times I've seen people running down restaurants that we simply wouldn't miss! It's fun to see what people's opinions are and there reason behind it.

So, for all you Coral Reefers, what's your favorite entree? DH loves mahi mahi (probably more than he loves me) but he prefers it blackened. The latest menu shows it with rock shrimp ragu which he definitely wouldn't go for, seeing as he's a "keep all the foods in their separate place" kind of guy. He did mention that the trout sounded really good. Any suggestions or critiques on the trout? I'm sure I'll be getting the steak (if we go to CR), and I've heard it's pretty good.

Thanks for all the input - I'm really enjoying it!

 

[n2mm]

As I expected, this hasn't helped one bit! As with all threads of this nature, there's always those totally for a restaurant while others are staunchly against it. I don't know how many times I've seen people running down restaurants that we simply wouldn't miss! It's fun to see what people's opinions are and there reason behind it.

So, for all you Coral Reefers, what's your favorite entree? DH loves mahi mahi (probably more than he loves me) but he prefers it blackened. The latest menu shows it with rock shrimp ragu which he definitely wouldn't go for, seeing as he's a "keep all the foods in their separate place" kind of guy. He did mention that the trout sounded really good. Any suggestions or critiques on the trout? I'm sure I'll be getting the steak (if we go to CR), and I've heard it's pretty good.

Thanks for all the input - I'm really enjoying it!

I love their mahi mahi. We ate there last week and one of our friends had the lobster ravioli and enjoyed that too. My DH has had the steak and finds it very good. They do have a couple of great deserts too. I love their chocolate wave and their chocolate mousse. Both are great.

 

[doclegler]

I've never done Coral Reef, but we totally enjoyed Cape May (even though I'm not a seafood lover!). They had really great meats and side dishes that even my pickiest child would eat. And the desserts were all YUMMY!!
My kids love the atmosphere of the Beach Club too and we spent a few hours just checking it (and the boardwalk area) out.
My vote is for Cape May. We have a reservation for November and can't wait!!

 

[Ohiodisneyguy]

We do both. I've had the steak and the mahi at CR, there both wonderful. But with kids, I would go with Cape May, crab, mahi, and steak.