Coral Reef or Der Biergarten?

[kimj88]

Hi All, just need some advice on choosing between these two, please!
Staying at Beach Club Villa so want to hit Epcot on arrival day for early dinner. DH, me, DS9 and DS4, neither DS has ever been to WDW. Which of these two would be more fun for them to hit on their first night for dinner? We have a character meal planned for first thing the next morning, so keeping it a little simpler for the first night. What do you think? Both picky eaters so food isn't really the basis for the choice, just atmosphere really. Thanks!!

 

[Quin]

Overall I'd go with Biergarten. Coral Reef is great for watching the fish but they're limited to the Kids Menu choices for food. Biergarten is a buffet; while all Disney buffets have a section that *might* be geared more towards kids (usually chicken nuggets, pizza, mac-n-cheese), everybody can sample from every section of the buffet and that gives you all more options. Somehow even picky eaters seem to do well at Biergarten.

And who doesn't love pretzel bread?

 

[Disneylover99]

I agree with the pp...Biergarten

 

[sephorachick]

Biergarten!

my review & pics:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2013/05/biergarten-at-epcot-review.html

 

[PuppyPrincess]

Plus when the band plays, kids can get up and dance. While yours may or may not want to, they may enjoy watching the others. It's a very fun, family atmosphere. We love this place. I always end up eating more than I intended too!

 

[hailbug]

I would choose Coral Reef. It is one of our favorite places to eat at Disney! The food has always been good and we love the atmosphere. The aquarium is really neat, especially if you get a seat right next to it. We ate at Biergarten one time and did not care for the food.

 

[Liam]

Biergarten, just try to book reservation when the band is playing. They do not play all night

 

[hgeisler]

I would choose Coral Reef. It is one of our favorite places to eat at Disney! The food has always been good and we love the atmosphere. The aquarium is really neat, especially if you get a seat right next to it. We ate at Biergarten one time and did not care for the food.

I agree. The food at Biergarten might be a bit much for a picky eater. You also sit with other people at Biergarten (If you care about that.). The atmosphere at Coral Reef is calmer though. Overall, I feel the food is better there.

 

[Pakey]

I think Biergarten is much better than Coral Reef. I've dined at both many times and Coral Reef just isn't as good as it used to be.

 

[sephorachick]

I agree. The food at Biergarten might be a bit much for a picky eater. You also sit with other people at Biergarten (If you care about that.). The atmosphere at Coral Reef is calmer though. Overall, I feel the food is better there.

They have food for picky eaters too. I was worried about this when I went to discover the most amazing salmon here!!!

 

[minnie mum]

Biergarten for sure. The buffet is quite extensive and I challenge even the pickiest of eaters to say they can't find plenty to eat. And it has a very fun atmosphere.

Coral Reef is too iffy. While some like the food there, we have found the quality very poor. The fish tank is great to look at, but the chance of sitting beside it is small, and how will your kids feel if they're placed at the opposite side of the restaurant. We found the noise levels there really bad (awful acoustics due to all the glass) and the service poor. We also had to wait over an hour after our ADR time to be seated. Doesn't happen all the time of course, but is something to be considered.

 

[Neesy228]

Another vote for Biergarten. I dislike everything about Coral Reef.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have eaten at both and really enjoyed them both. Biergarten is more "fun" if that is what you are looking for and we found Coral Reef to be more serene. I thought the food was very good at both.

 

[juliebug1997]

We have eaten at both and really enjoyed them both. Biergarten is more "fun" if that is what you are looking for and we found Coral Reef to be more serene. I thought the food was very good at both.

I agree with the above statement.

Also, I am a moderately picky eater, but I was still worried about eating at Biergarten. I shouldn't have been though because everything was great and we even got seated with a nice little family who talked to us a little. While I loved Coral Reef, their portion sizes were a little small for what we were paying. I would pick Biergarten, but I think either would be a fun first night meal.

 

[wiigirl]

I agree with the pp...Biergarten

 

[mindylee847]

I've never done Coral Reef, but I love Biergarten! I'm not a seafood person and the menu didn't seem to really cater to anything other than fish... go figure.

We did Biergarten for our arrival dinner as well. It was great! There are tons of options and the entertainment was awesome.