Coral Reef Restaurant - Diver/menu - Discontinued for 2009

[princess_disneymom]

I will be requesting a diver and personalized menu for my DD8's birthday in November. My question is that we will have a party of 6. Is there seating for a group of six next to the tank? Thanks! This thread really helped!

 

[LisaNJ25]

I will be requesting a diver and personalized menu for my DD8's birthday in November. My question is that we will have a party of 6. Is there seating for a group of six next to the tank? Thanks! This thread really helped!

Across from yes but not right up against it. We had a party of 6 and were on the second tier. but on the outer edge. The view was perfect.

 

[princess_disneymom]

Across from yes but not right up against it. We had a party of 6 and were on the second tier. but on the outer edge. The view was perfect.

Sorry this may be a dumb question but when we see the diver will I need to go downstairs to take pictures? Will others get annoyed with us moving down to see the diver? Is the sign large enough for my DD8 to notice it? Thanks!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Sorry this may be a dumb question but when we see the diver will I need to go downstairs to take pictures? Will others get annoyed with us moving down to see the diver? Is the sign large enough for my DD8 to notice it? Thanks!!

not a stupid question at all.. yes, you will be able to see. There are 3 I believe maybe 4 large panes of glass. With us the diver came down in the pane that was closest to us. He was also pointing at out table. I guess he was told before hand. personally I liked the second tired better since you got a better view of the 'whole picture' instead of just being right up against the glass.

Also, the diver came out afterwards adn gave us the sign.

 

[LSchrow]

i have a diver & menu set up for DH for our 25th anniversary (btw, in over 20 years of going to WDW, & celebrating different occassions (birthdays, graduations, other anniversaries, "remission", etc), we've never expected, or received, confetti, cards, or anything we did not specifically pay for ~ so this is an incredibly wonderful "over the top" bit of pixie dust ).
as you might be able to tell lol, i am a bit excited & thrilled to surprise DH (we're not mushy ppl, just a couple who still actually love one another, & are still best friends, after 25 years of good & bad, ups & downs ~ weird, i know lol). i really want to thank debbie with a little "something" as this means so very much to me ~ does anyone have any suggestions? (i know she can't accept a monetary gift (think that would be a bit tacky anyway b/c she really seems to enjoy doing it for the love of "making magic")).
i'm at a loss....alcohol, candy, or flowers don't seem appropriate (don't know if she even likes any of them). any ideas?

 

[tinkntraining]

i have a diver & menu set up for DH for our 25th anniversary (btw, in over 20 years of going to WDW, & celebrating different occassions (birthdays, graduations, other anniversaries, "remission", etc), we've never expected, or received, confetti, cards, or anything we did not specifically pay for ~ so this is an incredibly wonderful "over the top" bit of pixie dust ).
as you might be able to tell lol, i am a bit excited & thrilled to surprise DH (we're not mushy ppl, just a couple who still actually love one another, & are still best friends, after 25 years of good & bad, ups & downs ~ weird, i know lol). i really want to thank debbie with a little "something" as this means so very much to me ~ does anyone have any suggestions? (i know she can't accept a monetary gift (think that would be a bit tacky anyway b/c she really seems to enjoy doing it for the love of "making magic")).
i'm at a loss....alcohol, candy, or flowers don't seem appropriate (don't know if she even likes any of them). any ideas?

I totally understand your excitement for your special extra "pixie dust" moment. And i agree with you that Debbi really seems to enjoy making the magic happen (What a great job to have, making people happy! ) Sometimes, I think it's the little, personal things people do to show gratitude toward someone, that are the nicest gifts of all. How about writing (not typing, old-fashioned writing) a short note to Debbi before you leave home -- explaining how much her extra touch meant? Have it in an envelope, ready to go when you tour Epcot that day. Drop it off at the restaurant's check-in desk after your special moment. I think too often, people only take time to write when something goes WRONG -- think of how rewarded she'll feel when she reads your heartfelt words? Just a thought.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Great idea... I was thinking of simply sending a thank you card to her after we return from our trip... and letting the powers at be at Disney know what a wonderful CM she is...

 

[princessmorgan]

I was thinking the same thing about Debbi. Thanks for the great idea about the note. We will be there on April 13th and she has been so helpful in setting up a diver and menu for my husband and daughter. I'm having a diver announce to my husband whether we are having a boy or a girl (I'm pregnant). He has no idea that I'm even having a sonogram before our trip!

 

[tinkntraining]

I was thinking the same thing about Debbi. Thanks for the great idea about the note. We will be there on April 13th and she has been so helpful in setting up a diver and menu for my husband and daughter. I'm having a diver announce to my husband whether we are having a boy or a girl (I'm pregnant). He has no idea that I'm even having a sonogram before our trip!

You are quite welcome for the tip! I used to be in customer service and still have a letter a customer sent to me thanking me for something I'd done -- so I know how much it means.
And Congratulations!! Your own special pixie dust! What a wonderful way to surprise him! Make sure you take photos and post them afterward. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[WEDWDW]

I handled all my arrangements with Debbi via email.That way she could handle things when she had time and I didn't feel like I was "bothering' her with a phone call.I have yet to "talk" to her-I hope to meet her this Summer.She is just as wonderful via email.I think it took about 7 days for her to respond,but when she did,she answered all my questions quickly and it was DONE! As popular as this service is becoming,do you think it will eventually be discontinued or become a charged service?

 

[princessmorgan]

I will definitely post pictures. I am so grateful for these DIS boards. I have learned so much and have gotten great ideas for this trip.

 

[Millie12591]

Sorry this may be a dumb question but when we see the diver will I need to go downstairs to take pictures? Will others get annoyed with us moving down to see the diver? Is the sign large enough for my DD8 to notice it? Thanks!!

Not a dumb question at all, you'll be able to see fine.

But may I suggest to anyone out there with kids wanting to come down to the lower level to see the tank up close to at least ask the people at the table if it's OK. We had a lot of kids coming up right there next to our table, while I didn't mind I thought it to be pretty rude that no one asked first, some would even allow their children to linger and talk very loudly and not have any consideration for the fact that there were people trying to have a great dinning experience. I hate to sound like a total snob but..... We have children and think that most people know that you don't allow your children to be a bother or a burden on others, after this dinning experience I realized that's not always the case. We paid for our vacation and Dining just like everyone else, but we don't make others have to endure our children and impose on their experience. OK, off my soap box.

 

[niclmac]

Oh this all sounds so wonderful. I am so excited for you all. Can anyone please post Debbi's email? I would love to surprise my hubby for our anniversary in Sept.

 

[MLC]

Debbi just called me back. I am all set. She is wonderful. Disney is lucky to have her.

 

[jake&samsmom]

From my trip report: (Oct. 2007 WDW trip)

I had arranged for a personalized menu for my son Jake as part of the surprise for his 7th Birthday. (Only I knew about it, not even DH knew about the surprise.) It was so beautifully made! Debbi, the Coral Reef Manager did such an awesome job. Here it is...

Cover

Second page

Third page

[/QUOTE]


All of a sudden, a diver appears out of nowhere at Jake's side of the tank! She beckons to Jake to come up closer to the glass...

Then, she surprises him with a sign that says....

Jake comes up closer to the glass to read the sign....

The diver then gets a handfull of seashells from her pocket, and pretending its confetti, proceeds to shower it all around her and around the sign....

She then does some backflips in the water, which I didn't get to photograph as I was getting teary-eyed and happy that the surprise worked out so well. Everyone around us cheered!

 

[LaCroix101103]

Me, my wife, and our 4 year old are going to the world this Sept. We will be there for my wife b-day, we will be at the coral reef ( she love's that place). I was just wondering if anyone knew about how much this diver with a message costs, or how much it might be to get her a cake at the reef?

I would be very thankful for any help on this.

 

[Aliceacc]

The diver ane menu are FREE!!!

You just need to contact Debbi at the Coral Reef.

The menus are open to anyone. The diver is first come, first serve, for the time you'll be at the restaurant. You'll need your ADR confirmation number to book either one.

 

[misricsmith]

Sub Going In December
Dh Birthday
He Will Love It

 

[jpharrisjr]

Thanks to the DIS! I have contacted the Coral Reef and have set up a very special dinner for my DW and I for our 1st anniversary. I called Debbi and left a voicemail, she called me back the SAME day! We talked over the phone, set up the initial diver thing, worked out the right time for ADR, had to be moved a little, which is incredible because when I called originally, I got the last one for the day. When I asked how she was able to change my ADR she said, Magic! LOL She loves her job. Anyways after setting up the time over the phone, she tok my email addy, and then emailed me the info, and asked for me to come up with a message for my banner for the diver, and pics and message for the menu. She even set up a FREE champagne toast. Debbi is an absolutely wonderful CM and I wonder is Disney knows how lucky they are to have her. And all this was possible because of...the DIS! Thanks all for your wonderful advice.

 

[jazzmine]

We just got home from our vacation and my husband's birthday surprise! It was my birthday too (yes, we share an April Fool's day birthday) but since it was the big 3-0 for him, I wanted to make it extra special.

Here is his menu (and our birthday pins):

Here he is with the diver (he was SO surprised!):

And here is the great cake that they made for us ($12.50):