Coral Reef or Whispering Canyon

[Harlemgirl720]

I have two ADRs for Sept 1st. Both are for lunch. After reading reviews, I am contemplating cancelling Coral Reef. On a hunch, I just called and made a reservation of Whispering Canyon for lunch at 1230pm. Which should I keep?

 

[Tam1067]

We had dinner at WCC twice in 2004 and once last year. I have to say that the food and service there were mediocre in 2006. My kids did not enjoy it, so we removed it from our list.

This year, (last week in fact), we tried Coral Reef for the first time. DH absolutely loved his food as did the kids and I. Our service was very good. The atmosphere was nice. We saw lots of fish and divers waved and blew kisses.

Whenever you read negative reviews here, you need to take them with a grain of salt. I would say that you're wise to go with the one you initially wanted to try. If you don't love it, then you know not to return there. For us, CR is now one of our good restaurants we'd like to return to on the next trip, but WCC is not. Now you're also going to get responses here going the other way, saying CR is awful and WCC is great--so again it's all a matter of opinion. I will say that on this recent trip, we dined at 8 different TS restaurants on the DDP and never had a bad meal or negative experience at all.

Another plus for CR is location. You'll be in Epcot, so it's easy to get there. If you go to WCC, you need to get over to the WL, and unless you're staying there already, that will take quite a lot of time out of your day. I don't think it's worth it in that case at all. But again, that's just my two cents.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Thank you for your input. I was just thinking the same thing. I will stick with the Coral reef. I was looking at the menu for WWC and I don't think my hubby will like it.

 

[JenGray]

She's right.
WWC is very difficult to get to. It took us a good two hours to get there a few years ago. It was okay, but not worth the time. I did enjoy the BBQ food, but didn't care for the rude wait staff. I know that's the role they are supposed to play, but I didn't care for the way our girl did it.
CR was nice. They have the best corn chowder.... I highly recomend it! Although, we didn't have good luck with the service there, it seemed to take an extended amount of time. But... it wont stop me from going back again.

Our most fav rest is Brown Durby. We usually share our DDP there to cover the 2 TS points, or just pay out right for it.

Have fun!

 

[JenGray]

You'll like POR. We used to stay there every time until buying into the DVC.
I would still like to stay there but the points are too high.
The resort grounds are beautiful. You'll always see wild life, lizards, frogs, etc.. If you don't get a room by the main lobby, you may have to do a lot of walking, but it is worth it. I'm sure you've done your research, but if not... there are all kinds of things to do there. Fishing, boating, bike riding, etc.
One thing to remember and deffinitly try out.... There is a piano player in the main lobby at night. He's hillarious and very good with the kids. I don't think he's there every night... so be sure to ask about it when you check in.

 

[momof3angels]

I am planning on going to Coral Reef for dinner on our upcoming trip. The atmosphere is very relaxing and enjoyable. I think the location is perfect and if you time it you could have dinner and then enjoy Illuminations. Which is always wonderful.

Debbie

 

[septbaby]

I few weeks ago I was able to get an ADR for Coral Reef. We are having a late lunch there on Aug 31st. We'll spend most of the AM in MK then head over to Epcot. I know we'll get pulled into something as we enter Epcot or are leaving MK, so we shoud still be good for a 2pm ADR. We are excited to dine with the fishies! We have and early AM that day and this forces a nice break for us and our 5yo. Also I think we can get him to eat pretty well if he knows he can have a make you own sundae when he's done!

 

[dlwharp]

Just want to put a plug in for Coral Rees - we ate at CR for the first time last year on the spur of the moment. It's now on our "must eat at" list. The food was very good - more upscale - and the atmosphere was great. The decor was fabulous and the service was fine.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Jen,

I hope I will like the POR. My GF stayed there last year and loved it. We are going the same time but this time she is staying at the CBR. I am looking into buying DVC at the AKL Villas but I am not so sure. I will try to take a tour when I am there. Time permitting.

 

[JenGray]

Jen,

I hope I will like the POR. My GF stayed there last year and loved it. We are going the same time but this time she is staying at the CBR. I am looking into buying DVC at the AKL Villas but I am not so sure. I will try to take a tour when I am there. Time permitting.

You will have a great trip. It's too bad your GF couldn't stay at POR too....
This will be our first time to stay at AKV. I hope we like it. Most people say its a nice resort. My husband wants to buy points there, but I want to check it out first. We have a new baby and think he would really enjoy the animals when he gets older.
DVC is a good choice if you find yourself going more times then not. We started going twice a year and each time spending sooooo much money. In the long run it was going to be a lot cheaper to buy in.
Hopefully you'll get a chance to check out the hotel and program. I heard sometimes they give you free fastpasses for just checking it out. We always wanted to do that, but never had the time. Ended up buying over the phone sight unscene. After making the first call they will send you a hard back book and video with details on all the DVC resorts. Our girl did not presure us to buy.
Anyway.... sorry for all that! Have a great time!

 

[budbeerlady]

Keep coral reef. It was our best meal last year, DD loved the tank. WCC is toned down alot for lunch, And it looks like their lunch menu might have changed. (I am thinking of dumping my WCC lunch)

 

[mom2my3kids]

We are trying Coral Reef also, I was nervous after all of the bad reviews but thought I will kick myself if I didn't at least give it a chance..Last year everyone raved about Tusker House, I told my husband we have to eat here everyone says its out of this world. YUCK we all thought it was gross the only thing we thought was good was the chicken. See everyone has different taste so give it a try..

 

[summerlandjeff]

We've done lunch at both....

We were unimpressed with WCC. Service: Poor, Selection: Limited, Food: Just ok, not great.

We loved Coral Reef: Atmosphere: Interesting, Service: Good, Food: GREAT!

All the hype about the "hijinx" at WCC didn't live up to our expectations either. Stick to the reef!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I did cancel the WCC and kept Coral Reef. It made sense to drop WCC because of travel time. As for DVC, I did receive all the materials in the mail and have a nice representative calling me from time to time. It does make sense but I just want to make sure its the right choice. I think once I get hubby down there to check it out, he will probably want to purchase points. The last time I spoke to the Rep, she said there were offering bonus points which has to be utilized within 6 months of purchase. Its good but what if you don't use them? I guess you just lose them. We only go to Disney once a year but I guess with purchasing points, you can have family members use them and the contract is for 50 years.

 

[septbaby]

I am not a DVC owner, but find out if the points are good at any Disney DVC location. There are two beach locations that I am aware of: Vero Beach, FL and the Hilton Head location. Hilton Head is one of my favorite vacation spots. I haven't been in a few years, but always looking for a way there.

Good luck with your decison.

 

[Grumpy's_Gal]

It's so funny reading these posts...I was thinking about cancelling my dinner reservation at Coral Reef because of all the poor reviews. The first few I dismissed, then I kept seeing more and more, and asked my BF if he wanted to swich. Now I'm reading lots of good reviews in this thread...I think I'll just stick with Coral Reef and hope for the best!

Lori

 

[Harlemgirl720]

DVC is really good. They have spots all over the world. Carribean, England and other locations. They have the Atlantis in the Bahamas and a few spots in Hawaii.

 

[JenGray]

I did cancel the WCC and kept Coral Reef. It made sense to drop WCC because of travel time. As for DVC, I did receive all the materials in the mail and have a nice representative calling me from time to time. It does make sense but I just want to make sure its the right choice. I think once I get hubby down there to check it out, he will probably want to purchase points. The last time I spoke to the Rep, she said there were offering bonus points which has to be utilized within 6 months of purchase. Its good but what if you don't use them? I guess you just lose them. We only go to Disney once a year but I guess with purchasing points, you can have family members use them and the contract is for 50 years.

If you don't use the points you can save them for the next year. We bought the smallest amount of 150 and have used them all so far. It doesn't take much especially on the weekends and depending on the size of unit you get.
We stayed in a 2bed room and 1bed room back in Feb. That spoiled us so much we don't think we can stay in anything smaller. It was nice to have the extra bathrooms and kitchen.
I would like to do the cruse (sp?) but it would take a lot of saving up before we can go.