Coral Reef Restaurant - Diver/menu - Discontinued for 2009

[disneymath]

Thanks.If not for the need for room for the stroller,would you have been given a table by the tank?In other words,is everyone who has reserved the diver given an opportunity to sit at a Tier One table?I REALLY want to sit right by the tank! Thanks again.

We actually had a table on the first tier ... it was a half-moom banquette that faced the tank - no room for the stroller. So they moved us to the table directly behind our "reserved" table up on tier 2. Six individual chairs (not as comfy as the banquette seating - but still a great view. The tables on the first tier that are literally "right against the tank" only seat 2 or 4 people, so this wasn't an option for us.

I think they do try to seat you on the first tier if you have a diver reserved ... since Disney will never leave a table empty if they can help it, you may have to wait for another party to finish before you are seated. This may mean that parties of similar size who arrived "after" your party will be seated before yours will. (I had to do some fancy talking to keep the men in our party from raising a fuss ... thankfully I knew from reading here on the DIS what was likely going on. )

 

[disneymath]

How do you go about reserving the diver?

Thanks!

If things haven't changed since December, you simply call the Coral Reef (after making a ressie with Disney Dining) and request the diver. They will ask for your ressie confirmation number and then check their records. If your ressie date/time fits into the divers' schedule - it's yours. The CM will then ask what you want your message to be.

Please note that they only send down maybe 2 or 3 divers per lunch/dinner service. They also cautioned that it was not a guaranteed thing ... the divers' first priority is to the Living Seas inhabitants. (Again, back in December the diver was a free perk ... not sure if it still is.)

Also, if you are interested in personalized menus, you should mention it when you call about the diver. (Unfortunately, I don't have the Coral Reef phone number to give you.)

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have reserved the diver and requested the menu for my Birthday this Summer.I assume I will need to sit at a table by the tank in order to see the diver and sign.Do I need to request a table by the tank when I check in or will they already know I will need a table there.Thanks.

We were on the second tier and had no problem seeing out diver.He came down in the window in front of us.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Thanks.If not for the need for room for the stroller,would you have been given a table by the tank?In other words,is everyone who has reserved the diver given an opportunity to sit at a Tier One table?I REALLY want to sit right by the tank! Thanks again.

You are better off across from it or on the second tier. I think they tables right against it are to close and you dont get the whole picture or everything going on.

 

[skw444]

(phone number removed)

 

[WEDWDW]

We actually had a table on the first tier ... it was a half-moom banquette that faced the tank - no room for the stroller. So they moved us to the table directly behind our "reserved" table up on tier 2. Six individual chairs (not as comfy as the banquette seating - but still a great view. The tables on the first tier that are literally "right against the tank" only seat 2 or 4 people, so this wasn't an option for us.

I think they do try to seat you on the first tier if you have a diver reserved ... since Disney will never leave a table empty if they can help it, you may have to wait for another party to finish before you are seated. This may mean that parties of similar size who arrived "after" your party will be seated before yours will. (I had to do some fancy talking to keep the men in our party from raising a fuss ... thankfully I knew from reading here on the DIS what was likely going on. )

Thanks again!

 

[WEDWDW]

If things haven't changed since December, you simply call the Coral Reef (after making a ressie with Disney Dining) and request the diver. They will ask for your ressie confirmation number and then check their records. If your ressie date/time fits into the divers' schedule - it's yours. The CM will then ask what you want your message to be.

Please note that they only send down maybe 2 or 3 divers per lunch/dinner service. They also cautioned that it was not a guaranteed thing ... the divers' first priority is to the Living Seas inhabitants. (Again, back in December the diver was a free perk ... not sure if it still is.)

Also, if you are interested in personalized menus, you should mention it when you call about the diver. (Unfortunately, I don't have the Coral Reef phone number to give you.)

I sent some pictures and a message for the personalized menu,but they didn't ask for a message for the diver.I just thought the diver would have a sign that said Happy Birthday and then my name.Do they use the same message for the diver as they do for the menu?Thanks!

 

[MLC]

Does everyone get the same menu or can you have different menus for everyone in your party?

 

[sallyjane]

The personalized menus are only for the people you want them ordered for. I ordered one for my son that said "Happy Birthday" and his name and the pictures of him that I emailed in also his menu had a special Nemo theme to it. I didn't want my daughter to feel left out so she had a menu that said "We love you" with her name, pictures of her and a princess theme. It was really fun for the kids and they felt very special. If they do start to charge a fee for the menus it might be worth it for something special. The CM's put a lot of work into the menu's so I wouldn't be surprised if there is now a fee to do this- I know there was a rumor of a charge starting for this year. I would post a picture of them but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it- I think they are too large or my system is too slow because of dial-up?

 

[libinatorsmom]

I have arranged this for our May trip - and there was no fee involved!!! I am so excited and it is a surprise for hubby and daughter!!!!

 

[disneymath]

I sent some pictures and a message for the personalized menu,but they didn't ask for a message for the diver.I just thought the diver would have a sign that said Happy Birthday and then my name.Do they use the same message for the diver as they do for the menu?Thanks!

Our menus read "Merry Christmas ..." and went on to list all six of our names. They were deocorated with Disney Characters in Xmas gear.

The diver's sign read "Merry Christmas! Love ####" (my name).

 

[roxy83]

Thank you for the information! I am going to add this to my list "to do".

 

[MLC]

Thank you all for your help

 

[MLC]

How long should I wait before I call Debbie again? Don't want to be pushy.

 

[sahlink]

Can anyone do this or does it have to be an occasion?? Has anyone done this? What would you says for just "something special" but no occasion?

 

[pta-mom]

How long should I wait before I call Debbie again? Don't want to be pushy.

Debbi is really busy & typically takes a few days to call back. I would give her a week to reach you before trying again.

When I called & got her answering machine, I left my ADR time/date for the Coral Reef, requested the diver & told her what I would like on the sign. She called back, got my answering machine, & confirmed the info along with giving me her email so that I could send the photos.

Piece of cake!! I'm very excited for my boys as I know they will be shocked!

 

[pta-mom]

Can anyone do this or does it have to be an occasion?? Has anyone done this? What would you says for just "something special" but no occasion?

I have no special occasion...just requested a "Hi to **** & **** from Ottawa."

For their menus, I will do a "Mom & Dad loves you guys tons & think you're both pretty special" theme!!

 

[tinkntraining]

It's still free!! I have a diver and personalized menu reserved for my girls during our May trip (which will be the only surprise I have left ). I dealt with Debbi, who is wonderful! Warning -- this "perk" is very popular, and they get many, many phone calls and can only do a few per day. But, if you can be patient (I found it very, very difficult), someone will call you back. If your ADR fits with diver-availablity, they'll give you an email address to send photos and what kind of message you want. If your scheduled ADR time doesn't fit, they will re-arrange it for you (if they can) when the diver is available. Debbi took care of all of that for me, because originally our ADR was for a time after the diver left for the evening. When I asked how the diver would know we'd arrived, she said not to worry, "it's magic!"
I can't wait and hope you get yours, too!

 

[Millie12591]

How long should I wait before I call Debbie again? Don't want to be pushy.

I would say wait about a week or so and then try and keep calling during the day before lunch hours, and see if you can get ahold of her in person. I wouldn't leave another message, just keep calling a couple of times a day (this means to those out there who have a bit of zeal, to not call every five minutes LOL) to see if you get her on the phone personally. She's wonderful, and she really goes out of her way to do this for the people who love Disney, so please everyone be patient and give her serious kudos when you do talk with her. Let her know how much of a rock star she's become here on the DIS boards. If any of you out there are thinking of doing this last minute, I would seriously ask that you don't push trying to make this happen by calling and calling and leaving tons of messages, Debbie will call you if there is any hope of you getting in on this wonderful opportunity.A lot of people are in on using this perk and it's starting to wear thin on the people who work at Coral Reef.

 

[faindrops27]

Ok, well I called coral reef. A male manager told me to send in a email of what i wanted. I still have yet to hear back and it has been 2 days. What is the number to contact Debbie, or should I just wait?