Coral Reef or Cape May Clambake?

[Eliza'sMom]

We're trying to decide between these for dinner on our upcoming stay. It will be me, DH and our almost-3-year-old. All three of us love seafood, so that's likely what we'd be having either place.

I'm not huge on buffets and the Coral Reef menu appeals to me, as does the setting. I know DD would love to watch the fish during our meal, but if we're stuck at the top of the restaurant, will it be worth it?

DH loves crab legs and DD's favorite food is shrimp, so Cape May would work (we'd book on a fried shrimp night, provided that schedule stays the same), and since DD will be 2 we wouldn't have to pay for her at Cape May.

So who's been to both? Any input? Which would you choose? Thanks!

 

[rcraw45425]

Never tried Coral Reef but have had Cape May several times. The buffet is not bad at all, many non seafood items that are actually quite good like the ribs and the cornbread. I booked for our precruise night in April, see now that they have a fried shrimp night, which is good because in the past it's been strictly mussels and clams, and the crab legs used to be an additional charge. THe desserts are very good, and the variety is decent.

 

[starann]

Been to both....

I would pick Cape May for the kids. The fish tank at CR was neat, but it really won't keep their attention long (and you can see the aquarium after Nemo.

The food at CM was really good! Fresh crab legs and plently of non-seafood stuff!

 

[shocker]

Been to both-and always Pros and Cons to both so you'll have to decide based on what's most important for your group.

Cape May

Pro-Love the dessert alcove, next time I'll start here and eat any real food if I have stomach space left.
You're DD can have as much of the adult food options (i.e. seafood) she wants.

Con-The seafood options here are not plentiful, if you like the very few they offer, you'll be fine, if not you won't. Although we liked the dinner we did not come out thinking it was a great "seafood" buffet, just a great buffet.
You or DH will find yourselves up and down getting food for self and/or DD and may not be as restful as you'd like.

Coral Reef

Pro-waitstaff brings all food so would be some pampering to have all the food brought to you, I thought the view was decent from everywhere and it is possible to "visit" the glass up front before or after you dine or see upclose the tanks in the lobby

Con-not sure you're DD will have many seafood options on the kids menu so you may want to order a few appetizers and make a family meal out of your entrees with her. Not AYCE, if you taste something you'd like more of you can't get more without $$$$.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

do they have crab legs every night at Cape May and is it fresh and plentiful?

 

[daisyduck123]

We've been to both several times. In fact, we just ate at Cape May 5 days ago.

Cape May gets my vote...the buffet has a huge variety and you can eat, eat, & eat. The crab legs are fresh & plentiful.

 

[donnaf516]

Another vote for Cape May here. We did both with dd3 and ds7 last year. The tanks kept them entertained for a little but they were over it pretty quickly. We did get to see Mickey in the tank! That was pretty cool.

We did dxdp last year but this year we're sticking with the regular one. Cape May is on our list of adrs...coral reef is not.

 

[Cinderella94]

Cape May!

 

[dvcHammer]

Coral Reef consistently get horrible reviews, not just bad, but horrible. (see the ones on this site and others) We have tried it twice over the years and it has not been worth it. It's better to go into the living seas to see the fish.

Cape May has always been good and sometimes excellent.

 

[DCbride]

We did both when DD was 1 week away from being 3. We booked lunch at CR and we so excited to be seated next to the glass. Unfortunately, she fell asleep right before being seated and slept the majority of the meal. When she did wake, she glanced at the fish, but nothing special. We didn't order off the menu for her she just shared our dessert. So if you are not close to the tank, I am guessing it will not matter.

Cape May would be free for which is a plus that doesn't last long. They have some great desserts, so once DD ate her meal, she loved eating cupcakes as we filled up on seafood. We booked the first dining time so it was not crowded around the buffet as the set up is a bit strange and can get crowded. We were also the family of the day so that made the experience even better.

 

[Queila]

We ate at both on my last trip (you can check the reviews in my TR) and found them to be two very different experiences.

My daughter was 2 and a half at the time and she was slightly scared of the big fishes in the tanks at Coral Reef. While the food at Coral Reef was very good you will probably have to order from the Kid's Meal and pay for it for your daughter. Otherwise she will have to eat off your plates. On the other hand, at Cape May you can just get up and make her own plate as many times as you want.

I liked them both for different reasons but if I had to chose to go back to one of them I would say Cape May for the food. Coral Reef for me falls in the category of places everyone should go at least once for the experience but it was not enough to make me want to go back.

Q

 

[SarahKate]

We went to both for the first time on our May 2010 trip.

Coral Reef was really neat as far as the decor and ambience go. DD 8 enjoyed watching the fish. But it wasn't enough for long-term entertainment. We were a little leery because of the negative reviews. But we had a good experience. The food was not phenomenal - I've had better but have also had worse!

Cape May on the other hand. We absolutely LOVED it. The seafood was so fresh and the crab legs were the best we've had, anywhere. Don't know if they just had an extra good batch what but everything was fantastic and we're actually going back (next week!!).

Coral Reef is one that we're happy to have gone to, but will likely not return any time soon.

 

[mommie2angels]

Coral Reef - been there down that but won't go back unless someone in our party just really wants to. I agree with the others that the fish are nice but not for a long period of time. Food was good.

Cape May - we would go every trip. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! Crab legs fresh & plentiful! Crack beautifully too! Even by our 8 year old on her own. They have fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, some type of fish that occassionally changes, usually salmon, clams & mussles. They have plenty of non-seafood options also. Dessert - wonderful!!! I would go just for the bon bons!

Hope you enjoy whatever you choose!

 

[Agri]

For your daughter's age - I'd pick Cape May all the way. She'd be able to have all the 'adult' food she likes. (I honestly dread the day I have kids and want to take them to WDW with the limited options on the Kid's menus.)

Cape May has a large variety which is great because seafood on its own isn't as filling as other meats. There are also plenty of non-seafood selections as well.

CR has a limited menu and if you could eat a pile of crab legs with just some clarified butter to dip it in, you'll be disappointed as all the seafood is seasoned. (Nothing against seasoned food, just sometimes I'm more into just plain ol' scallops, crab, etc. than really complex dishes.) As others have said, you can see the tank after you ride the Seas. I would wait until your daughter is older to eat there.

We have reservations for dinner at both this time, mostly because this is our last trip for awhile and CR was a special memory for my mom and I. Cape May is our first dinner reservation while we are there this upcoming trip and the one I picked for her to get presented with a birthday cake. 'Nuff said.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Cape May is so much better

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

We definitely love CM Clambake. I must say we never eat at buffets in the real world, only at Disney. But the quality (and quantity! ) can be beat. The ambiance at the BC location is great also.

Also to note: we did CM Clambake on Christmas Day 2007 and it was the best! It was one of the only food offerings on Dis property with the "Proper Christmas Dinner" offerings like turkey, stuffing and gravy... which was a MUST for our family since it was our 1st time away from home on Christmas ever.

Coral Reef is good when it is good. And the fish wall is so cool. But IMO spotty food/service for the price coupled with it being more "adult" leads me to not recommend it for families.

Enjoy! We do!