Coral Reef or Via Napoli?

[MeghanG855]

We have reservations for both, but only want to keep one. Which one is more kid-friendly? This will be my kids (4,4 & 2) first visit to Epcot. We aren't seafood eaters (I know there are other options), but I think they would LOVE to see all the fish swimming around while eating dinner. On the other hand...they love pizza too lol. Anyway - which would you recommend?? Thanks!

 

[hedberg1661]

While I agree with you that the fish tank is cool the food at Coral Reef is consistently bad. I recently ate at Via Napoli and it was amazing. Expensive for pizza but really good so that gets my vote.

 

[Pumbaa_]

comes down to what is more important - the food (pizza) or the cool room? You may also not be seated close to the tank

another consideration, what is your touring plan for the day? Will you be in the countries? Do you want to backtrack all the way back to Coral Reef? (that would be the deal breaker for me!)

 

[MeghanG855]

At this point, I don't have a plan. Once we can book fast passes then I feel like I will have more of a concrete plan of what our day will look like. We are doing the dining plan... Is the pizza worth the TS credit?

 

[MichiganScott]

Grab a pizza from Via Napoli and bring it into Coral Reef

Kidding...or am I?

 

[MeghanG855]

Grab a pizza from Via Napoli and bring it into Coral Reef

Kidding...or am I?

Hahaha!

 

[Lisa F]

At this point, I don't have a plan. Once we can book fast passes then I feel like I will have more of a concrete plan of what our day will look like. We are doing the dining plan... Is the pizza worth the TS credit?

just in case you didn't know, Via Napoli will not let you share on the DDP - so if you were planning to share a pizza, you can't. each person at the table on the plan needs to order their own pizza or entree.

Can't comment on the pizza, haven't had it.

 

[MeghanG855]

just in case you didn't know, Via Napoli will not let you share on the DDP - so if you were planning to share a pizza, you can't. each person at the table on the plan needs to order their own pizza or entree.

Can't comment on the pizza, haven't had it.

Good to know! Thank you!

 

[Lisa F]

Good to know! Thank you!

it seems silly because pizza is probably the most shareable entree out there but apparently via napoli is very strict (have read on the boards).

I would pick coral reef. I can get pizza at home... eating in a big aquarium, nope. If you can do that at home maybe. I have eaten there on and off over the years every so often and it has always gotten some bad reviews but I have always enjoyed it.

 

[MeghanG855]

it seems silly because pizza is probably the most shareable entree out there but apparently via napoli is very strict (have read on the boards).

I would pick coral reef. I can get pizza at home... eating in a big aquarium, nope. If you can do that at home maybe. I have eaten there on and off over the years every so often and it has always gotten some bad reviews but I have always enjoyed it.

That's what I am thinking too. Plus with them being so young I think the aquarium might keep them a little more entertained (which results in a better meal for everyone! lol) We went there 7 years ago and I don't remember not enjoying the food.

 

[Lisa F]

That's what I am thinking too. Plus with them being so young I think the aquarium might keep them a little more entertained (which results in a better meal for everyone! lol) We went there 7 years ago and I don't remember not enjoying the food.

yeah I just reread your OP. there is very little fish on the kid's menu and one of the lower level chefs used to post here and talked about how they make their mac and cheese from scratch and it looked pretty decent. The steak on the adult menu also gets consistently good reviews here. Honestly, ironic as it sounds, I think the people who are most disappointed are the ones who ARE fish eaters. that said I will probably order the shrimp and grits, which has gotten a couple of good reviews on the dining reviews boards.

 

[lady_hlh]

yeah I just reread your OP. there is very little fish on the kid's menu and one of the lower level chefs used to post here and talked about how they make their mac and cheese from scratch and it looked pretty decent. The steak on the adult menu also gets consistently good reviews here. Honestly, ironic as it sounds, I think the people who are most disappointed are the ones who ARE fish eaters. that said I will probably order the shrimp and grits, which has gotten a couple of good reviews on the dining reviews boards.

Thanks for the tip about the shrimp and grits, I miss the blackened catfish and grits that they had years ago so now I'm more excited about our reservation.

Also when our DD was little she loved CR just because of that aquariam. This year she is excited to go back again because they have a vegan entree on the menu.

 

[Pumbaa_]

it just seems wrong to eat fish in an aquarium

 

[Lisa F]

it just seems wrong to eat fish in an aquarium

if that's wrong I don't want to be right!
lol

 

[goofyintoronto]

it just seems wrong to eat fish in an aquarium

HA! I agree!

Via Napoli is one of my fave places to eat....so that obviously gets my vote. Since your kids apparently love pizza, its a no brainer. Plus its quite loud in there, so dont worry about your tots being rowdy, they'll blend right in.

Its true that your kids might like the atmosphere at CR. Tough choice....or not. I pick Via.

 

[Candycane83]

it just seems wrong to eat fish in an aquarium

LOL, I think when we were kids, my parents would take us there and tell us which fish is edible as they swim by

 

[MeghanG855]

HA! I agree!

Via Napoli is one of my fave places to eat....so that obviously gets my vote. Since your kids apparently love pizza, its a no brainer. Plus its quite loud in there, so dont worry about your tots being rowdy, they'll blend right in.

Its true that your kids might like the atmosphere at CR. Tough choice....or not. I pick Via.

Honestly...if I could just get a reservation at Akershus (my daughter loves princesses) this whole situation could be avoided! lol

 

[Disgirl614]

The Coral Reef's food isn't very good, but the atmosphere is great! If I were you, I would go to Via Napoli and just pay a visit to the living seas pavilion

 

[rosiebean]

CR's food is ok, but the fish are great. Still, you might not get seated close to the aquarium. When we went, we were about as far away from the fish as we could get. You could still see the, but it wasn't close enough to keep my kids interested (they were with me on that trip, and ages 7 and 8 at the time). Personally, I'd go to Via Napoli...it's a very vibrant atmosphere, and very kid friendly.

 

[shortnsassy730]

Coral Reef is gross. And there's no guarantee you will get seated by the tank. Will that cause fussy kiddos for you? I love Via Napoli. And honestly, it's one of the more affordable out of pocket restaurants if you want to share a big pizza. Then you can use your credits for another Table Service during the week. Or even a 2 credit show or table service.