Coral Reef, or not to Coral Reef?

[heatherandnick]

We only have a couple lunches planned because we are doing the DxDP and are having many big breakfasts and signature dinners. One lunch we do have planned is Coral Reef. I am nervouse because of (many) reviews I have read. Should we choose another option? Our other lunches are LTT, Sci-Fi, and Chefs. Thanks for the help!

 

[beroh2253]

This has become a must do reataurant along with Le Cellier for every trip to the MK. Me and DW love the NY Strip and dessert the Baileys and Jack Daniel's Mousse

 

[RivieraMaya05]

When we went last May I told my DH not to expect much and that it may possible be the worst meal we eat at WDW. I was totally wrong. The service was great. The food was awesom and everything was really enjoyable. I had some sort of fish over rissoto. It was killer. DH has a steak he really liked. I was really happy with the experiance.

 

[Pakey]

The mahi mahi over risotto is the best dish there. We have eaten here tons of times and the place can be crazy noisy and service can be slow, but I don't think it's as horrible as some people say it is. I prefer to get the earliest seating for lunch, though, because it's usually not as noisy (it's a beautiful, somewhat romantic place if it's empty, lol). The servings are not huge here (appetizers are very small portions) so that's good since you'll be having a bigger dinner later.

Your other choices are just fine too. LTT is decent, not great, but not terrible. They have a nice entree salad that makes a perfect lunch. Chefs is a lunch I always enjoy (much better than I like dinner here). Sci Fi is always fun. Food is not great but the place is so unique that it's worth at least one visit here. And the milkshakes are very good.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

I haven't eaten there but it's on my list. I'm going just for the aquarium view. I can't imagine the food being all that bad, I've heard mixed reviews about so many places I figure since I love fish and aquariums, it's a must do for me.

 

[disneystacy]

I was not impressed with Coral Reef. So many better options in Epcot.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I went for the first time in December. I was with friends and told them I had read lots of negative reviews but wanted to give it a try. We had a really great meal there!

I would give it a try for yourself and with the DxDDP if you don't like it you can always use a few snack credits to get something later. I'm sure you won't be hungry.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I was nervous when I ate there in October because of the Negative Nancys out there. It was my second favorite meal out of the entire trip, following California Grill.

 

[Joshua_me]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/coralreef-revisited.htm

^ Here's a link to Kevin's review and pics, in case you haven't read it.

I think he's spot on with this one. After one horrible dinner one year, and one lunch the next that kept us near the rest rooms for the rest of the day, we stay far away from the place.

Still, some folks seem to love it. Maybe it's luck of the draw.

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

You are ALWAYS going to find negative reviews about EVERY restaurant. It will never live up to everyone's hype. And remember, people are more likely to write a review if it was really great or if they had a horrible experience.

DH and I have been to Coral Reef 3 times. It is his favorite...and, while its not my fav, I have never had a bad meal there. The atmosphere is great with the huge aquarium and our service has always been excellent. We'll keep going back

 

[MissionMouse]

I just read Kevin's 2009 review and it sounds like our experience in 2005..as he stated mediocre, over-priced, and the seafood wasn't as fresh as it should be. Then in 2007, we tried it again and had a great meal. Coral Reef is one of those hit and miss restaurants.

OP, if you are doing DxDP you are going to find yourself eating most of the time. If you haven't tried Coral Reef you might consider it, since you are going to have more food throughout the day than you will know what to do with under the DxDP.

 

[heatherandnick]

Thanks for your comments.

Someone suggested much better restaurants in Epcot...We are already planning on Le Cellier and R&C for dinners. Beirgarten and Teppan Edo aren't really for us since there is only the 2 of us and we would probably be sitting with a larger party. Marakesh isn't really our style, either...any other suggestions for lunch?

Thanks again.

 

[jennipooh]

DS (10) loves it. We have eaten there just about every trip. It has become a must do for him. He honestly has his heart set on it. I have a shellfish allergy and they are very accommodating! I have had the steak several times and the chicken. The steak has always been wonderful. The chicken was not so good last time.
Also, ds used to share with me, but last time he chose to eat off the kid's menu. He did not like that. Waitress warned him about the macaroni and beef but he ordered it anyway and did not care for it so she brought him the grilled chicken, he gave me his corn soup (no seafood in it) and he ate off of my plate again - basically the two of us ate steak and grilled chicken! He enjoyed building his dessert and the the waitress knocked a whole lot off of our bill. I think she only charged for the kid's soup and my steak. The waitress was really attentive, as well. We drink water with our meals and need several refills.
We have been seated near the tanks and on the first tier up from the tank. Don't think we have been seated further back. We were able to enjoy the tanks from either place. Being able to eat with the sea animals is what ds truly enjoys about Coral Reef.
As you can see we love the atmosphere at Coral Reef. But my favorite lunch at WS as far as YUMMY would probably be Les Chefs de France. It is also cheaper (but you are on the plan). They are also super attentive, accommodating and friendly! Plus, Remy was there last time. He was very cute and funny. This will be on our must do list as long as Remy is there btw.

 

[MissionMouse]

Thanks for your comments.

Someone suggested much better restaurants in Epcot...We are already planning on Le Cellier and R&C for dinners. Beirgarten and Teppan Edo aren't really for us since there is only the 2 of us and we would probably be sitting with a larger party. Marakesh isn't really our style, either...any other suggestions for lunch?

Thanks again.

...in Epcot: Chefs de France

You might also consider the Boardwalk/Epcot Resort area right outside the International Entrance between France and England. Most of the good places are dinner only (i.e. Blue Zoo, Flying Fish), but there are three with no dining reservations...casual dining: Beaches & Creme, Big River Grille and ESPN Club.

 

[disneystacy]

Thanks for your comments.

Someone suggested much better restaurants in Epcot...We are already planning on Le Cellier and R&C for dinners. Beirgarten and Teppan Edo aren't really for us since there is only the 2 of us and we would probably be sitting with a larger party. Marakesh isn't really our style, either...any other suggestions for lunch?

Thanks again.

Chefs de France is one I would recommend or Tutto Italiano.

 

[julayla]

We lucked out at Coral Reef, becuase we were seated right next to the giant aquarium. We were also entertained by one of the divers, who mimed trying to break through the glass, playing baseball and golf, blowing hoop-shaped bubbles, etc. It was great! Easily one of the most memorable experiences we had at Disney World.

The food was good, the atmosphere was nice, and our server was attentive. However, it wouldn't have been as fun if we were seated further away from the aquarium. The portion sizes aren't as generous as they are at other restaurants, but since we were on the dining plan, I personally found that a relief. More than once we left a restaurant feeling ready to pop. At Coral Reef, we left feeling comfortably full.

That said, there's no telling if our next experience will be just as good (with prime seating and everything), so we're going to give another restaurant a chance the next time we're in Disney World.

 

[bitohoney]

Coral Reef and 50's Prime Time Cafe are my absolute favorites at WDW! Never had a bad experience at Coral Reef or 50s.

 

[OhThePain]

Normally, I would not reccomend Coral Reef to anyone paying OOP or to anyone who is on the +Dining plan.

However, since you are the DxDP and you are planning on doing it for lunch, then I suppose it is worth a try. The food is nothing special, IMO, but the atmosphere is pretty nice and if your lucky enough to get a seat next to the aquarium then it is worth it.

If you are stuck between 2 places, one of them being Coral Reef and the other being anything else, I would go with anything else.