Coral Reef or San Angel?

[Delphinidae]

For our day in Epcot, I'm trying to decide between a 6:00 dinner at Coral Reef, or 7:00 at La Hacienda de San Angel. We have never been to either one. Looking at the menus, I will say that I like San Angel's better, but is the experience at Coral Reef not to be missed? It will be me, my husband, DD13 and DD10. What are your and your kids' experiences? Also, I noticed on the menu at La Hacienda de San Angel there are a couple of entrees meant for 2 people. If 2 of us order one of these, will we still each be charged a dining credit?

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

WE have not eaten at San Angel, so I can't say, but we have eaten at Coral Reef a number of times. Coral Reef has the GIANT aquarium. You can watch the sharks & fish while you dine.
Coral Reef gets a lot of mixed reviews. I had a very good steak there and really enjoyed the Jack Daniels Chocolate Mousse for dessert. We are going to San Angel later this year to try it out.

 

[Heidi K]

We did both on our last trip and much preferred the food at San Angel (we were not on dining plan, though). Coral Reef does have a fun atmosphere but there are so many levels of seating, you probably won't be close to the tank.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Coral Reef does have a fun atmosphere but there are so many levels of seating, you probably won't be close to the tank.

This. My kids claim that Coral Reef was their favorite but we were not near the tanks and the food was so so. And I'm not impressed with Disney's tank upkeep - we have been to a couple far nicer aquariums.

We have not eaten at San Angel but the kids liked the pyramid and volcano in Mexico.

 

[Huff]

Have not tried La Hacienda San Angel but have been to San Angel Inn (two very different restaurants) many times and love it. The menu was more appealing to me than La Hacienda. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is one of Disney's best. Inside there is also a small boat ride thats fun to ride before dinner (can ride even if you don't dine here). That said the huge aquarium to watch while dining at Coral Reef is very unique and the food has always been good every time we've visited.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Have not tried La Hacienda San Angel but will be returning to Coral Reef for our 10+ dinner this fall.

 

[Delphinidae]

Hmm, so it's still kind of a split vote lol. If we ate at La Hacienda, would that be a good spot to stick around after we were done eating to watch IllumiNations? Or is there a good chance that when we walk outside of the restaurant there will already be a mob there? Our reservation is at 7:00.

 

[Aliceacc]

My kids have had better luck finding something they liked on the menu at the Coral Reef.

 

[Disney_Mama]

Going with kids I would pick Coral Reef. It's on my kids to do list each time they go and we have always enjoyed our food.
I have eaten at San Angel with just my DH and it was just because it was on my bucket list of restaurants. I know my kids would not have liked it.

 

[gorkt]

We have kids of similar ages and we are going to try San Angel inn. We are more into Tex Mex instead of Seafood in any case so it was an easier choice, and I really love the ambiance.

 

[Chelle's Belles]

Another vote for San Angel Inn. That's always a "must do" for our family. Good food, excellent margaritas and fun atmosphere.

 

[rg35]

Some are providing input on San Angel Inn, but the OP was asking about La Hacienda de San Angel.
They are two different restaurants.

I would pick La Hacienda over Coral Reef. Coral Reef is fine, but YMMV with how much mileage your daughters get out of looking at an aquarium while eating as they are somewhat on the older side.

The food at La Hacienda is better than Coral Reef. I shared the dinner for 2 with my sister a couple of years ago and we both really enjoyed it. Were not on dining plan so I can't inform about if they will charge you two credits.

 

[OhThePain]

Coral Reef < La Hacienda de San Angel < San Angel Inn

We have had a few miserable experiences at Coral Reef. The food is just not good, the menu isn't creative at all, the service has always seemed to be awful and sitting by the tank is a nightmare. We were not impressed with La Hacienda. It was fine but we just weren't impressed. We did enjoy our lunch at SAI last week. We prefer the atmosphere and food at SAI over La Hacienda.

 

[Hikergirl]

Its just dh and me but we are doing both. We love Mexican food so I planned an ADR at La Hacienda so we can hopefully see Illuminations.
Dh isn't a huge seafood eater but I am. As long as there is a steak or salmon option he'll be fine. I know Coral Reef gets mixed reviews but we have never been there so I'm going more for the atmosphere.
If we had the kids with us and could only do one, we'd probably pick La Hacienda because the menu will appeal to them more than the CR one would.

 

[maltdizzy]

I would look at the menu and pick from there.

I, too, have had lousy experiences with Coral Reef. We won't go back, but I'm sure those here who rave about aren't lying and did have great experiences.

It's been since the '80's since I ate at La Hacienda de San Angel, that was last century!

 

[Delphinidae]

Coral Reef < La Hacienda de San Angel < San Angel Inn

We have had a few miserable experiences at Coral Reef. The food is just not good, the menu isn't creative at all, the service has always seemed to be awful and sitting by the tank is a nightmare. We were not impressed with La Hacienda. It was fine but we just weren't impressed. We did enjoy our lunch at SAI last week. We prefer the atmosphere and food at SAI over La Hacienda.

Why is sitting by the tank a nightmare? I was also thinking about San Angel Inn, but the menu at La Hacienda looks a little better for us, even though now I'm wondering if ANY TS will be a good choice for us at all since my 10 year old picky eater will most likely be forced to order from the regular menu -_- Also I thought La Hacienda may allow us to get a closer spot to watch IllumiNations from after we eat, is that the case?

Its just dh and me but we are doing both. We love Mexican food so I planned an ADR at La Hacienda so we can hopefully see Illuminations.
Dh isn't a huge seafood eater but I am. As long as there is a steak or salmon option he'll be fine. I know Coral Reef gets mixed reviews but we have never been there so I'm going more for the atmosphere.
If we had the kids with us and could only do one, we'd probably pick La Hacienda because the menu will appeal to them more than the CR one would.

Have you watched IllumiNations from here before? Can you actually watch FROM the restaurant or from outside it after you eat? Our ADR is at 7, would that time work?

 

[Hikergirl]

Why is sitting by the tank a nightmare? I was also thinking about San Angel Inn, but the menu at La Hacienda looks a little better for us, even though now I'm wondering if ANY TS will be a good choice for us at all since my 10 year old picky eater will most likely be forced to order from the regular menu -_- Also I thought La Hacienda may allow us to get a closer spot to watch IllumiNations from after we eat, is that the case?



Have you watched IllumiNations from here before? Can you actually watch FROM the restaurant or from outside it after you eat? Our ADR is at 7, would that time work?

No I havent been there before, but I read here about being able to see Illuminations from inside if you are lucky enough to get a table by the windows. My ADR is for 8:30

 

[OhThePain]

Why is sitting by the tank a nightmare? I was also thinking about San Angel Inn, but the menu at La Hacienda looks a little better for us, even though now I'm wondering if ANY TS will be a good choice for us at all since my 10 year old picky eater will most likely be forced to order from the regular menu -_- Also I thought La Hacienda may allow us to get a closer spot to watch IllumiNations from after we eat, is that the case?

Have you watched IllumiNations from here before? Can you actually watch FROM the restaurant or from outside it after you eat? Our ADR is at 7, would that time work?

The reason it was a nightmare is the last time we had a table next to the tank, our table was overrun by other guests who wanted to look at the tank. I am not a fan of people yelling and screaming in my ear back to their table, peoples hands all over my table when I am trying to eat, being coughed on, etc. And it wasn't just kids. It just made it a really unpleasant experience. Maybe it doesn't happen often, but I doubt our experience was the only time.

It's not easy seeing IllumiNations from inside LH. If you don't get a window seat, it isn't really worth it, IMO, especially if its your only night in EC. People who get a seat at the window tend to camp out, so you need a 7:15 or so ADR in order to get one of those tables, and even then it's all luck (you can't request a window seat). The only restaurant you could book and guarantee a spot for IllumiNations is Rose and Crown in the UK. They have some tables that overlook the lagoon but also have a standing area to watch from and the view is pretty good. There are a ton of great places around the World Showcase Lagoon to watch from. You are better off with a 5:45-6 ADR anywhere and then look for a spot when you are done. The only thing you'll really be closer to in either of the Mexico restaurants is the exit at the end of the night, but we much prefer to take our time leaving and walk around the World Showcase a little to let the lines at the bus die down.

 

[Delphinidae]

The reason it was a nightmare is the last time we had a table next to the tank, our table was overrun by other guests who wanted to look at the tank. I am not a fan of people yelling and screaming in my ear back to their table, peoples hands all over my table when I am trying to eat, being coughed on, etc. And it wasn't just kids. It just made it a really unpleasant experience. Maybe it doesn't happen often, but I doubt our experience was the only time.

It's not easy seeing IllumiNations from inside LH. If you don't get a window seat, it isn't really worth it, IMO, especially if its your only night in EC. People who get a seat at the window tend to camp out, so you need a 7:15 or so ADR in order to get one of those tables, and even then it's all luck (you can't request a window seat). The only restaurant you could book and guarantee a spot for IllumiNations is Rose and Crown in the UK. They have some tables that overlook the lagoon but also have a standing area to watch from and the view is pretty good. There are a ton of great places around the World Showcase Lagoon to watch from. You are better off with a 5:45-6 ADR anywhere and then look for a spot when you are done. The only thing you'll really be closer to in either of the Mexico restaurants is the exit at the end of the night, but we much prefer to take our time leaving and walk around the World Showcase a little to let the lines at the bus die down.

So do you think our 7:00 at LH is too late, then, to eat and then find a spot outside the restaurant? Assuming we don't get a window seat inside. If that is the case we may just eat QS somewhere for supper a bit earlier instead and then try to find a spot to watch from, since we already have a TS booked that same day for breakfast. I just hate the thought of having to find a spot to camp out for an hour or two when we could be doing other things!

I see your point about Coral Reef. I wonder if this is the case inside BoG also, as I really would like to explore all the rooms and take some pictures of the interior, but I don't want to encroach on anyone trying to enjoy their meals!

 

[rg35]

When we dined at Coral Reef last year a few kids were going up near the glass to take a closer look, but nobody was loud or invading the space of others. Maybe we were lucky to eat with properly behaved group of diners.