Coral Reef restaurant reviews

[Llama mama]

Hello,
I read some current reviews on a FB page. Has anyone gone lately and had a good review?
Thx

 

[team bradfield]

Save your money, 3 times not bad but never really impressed

 

[Tink0808]

Agree save your money . It’s a no for me.

 

[Jonnnyap]

My wife and I went years ago, and it was so loud with mediocre food that we haven’t been back. The carpet was old, the table didn’t seem clean, and the service was rushed. We REALLY wanted to like it because the theme and concept are very appealing to us, but I’m very hesitant to try it again. There are so many other options in EPCOT and other parts of Disney World, I’d recommend somewhere else.

 

[Lewisc]

Our food wasn't bad enough to send back.

 

[Minnie1222]

We ate there twice last month. I forgot to book ADR at Epcot so it was either that or La Creperie. Regardless, I don't understand why the place has low reviews. The food is decent. Their Spanish and Irish coffees are very good.

 

[slo]

When we went I really struggled to find something I would like on the menu. I’m not sure if others would agree with me, but I wish WDW would have normal dishes and not these fancy dishes that not everyone enjoys. If the menu had more every day type dishes, we’d return to Coral Reef again and again.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I would pass. It is loud, dingy and the food is mediocre at best.

 

[_19disnA]

It USED to be that the main attraction of eating there was you got to see the aquarium without all of the gyrations the ride included. Disney has since redone the ride, so I would skip the restaurant if your main goal is seeing the aquarium.

 

[BrianL]

It USED to be that the main attraction of eating there was you got to see the aquarium without all of the gyrations the ride included. Disney has since redone the ride, so I would skip the restaurant if your main goal is seeing the aquarium.

I don't recall that The Living Seas ever had much in the way of "gyrations" - it used the same omnimover belt. You did however have to ride it to get to the Sea Base aquarium as it was so deep under the sea that you had to take a Hydrolator to get down there and back up. You couldn't just go in the exit like you can today.

To add, I haven't eaten at Coral Reef in like 30 years, but I generally hear that it is average at best. I sometimes want to go back there just to see, but the menu isn't that appealing to me, since I am not a big seafood eater outside of fish (no shellfish and such). I'm not going to go if I am going to end up ordering the chicken, you know?

 

[_19disnA]

Several years ago when I believe the ride first opened, you would first get moved into a large open area when you stood and watched a short movie about the history of the oceans. Then you went to another area when you waited for one of the elevators that gave the illusion of going underwater, but in fact you weren't going anywhere. When we were last Disney a few years ago, it seems like they had rearranged the ride and getting to actually see the aquarium which was the whole point of the ride was much more straightforward. The elevator to nowhere/hydrolaters had been eliminated as well.

 

[BrianL]

Several years ago when I believe the ride first opened, you would first get moved into a large open area when you stood and watched a short movie about the history of the oceans. Then you went to another area when you waited for one of the elevators that gave the illusion of going underwater, but in fact you weren't going anywhere. When we were last Disney a few years ago, it seems like they had rearranged the ride and getting to actually see the aquarium which was the whole point of the ride was much more straightforward. The elevator to nowhere/hydrolaters had been eliminated as well.

Right. You would watch the short film and then move into the "hydrolators" to take you deep into the sea. Then you boarded the same omnimover that they still use today for Nemo, except they were "sea cabs" and I believe they were forward facing. You went through glass tunnels to the Sea Base, which is largely the same. Then you had to take a "hydrolator" back up, so you couldn't just go in the back door to the aquarium. It was all gated through the queue.

 

[GoingSince1990]

We had two deeply disappointing experiences there, but have not been back for several years. The problem with Coral Reef is that to be fair I probably SHOULD try it again, but given all of the wonderful World Showcase dining options I can never seem to bring myself to pull the trigger and possibly "waste" another Epcot meal there.

 

[Tiggerish]

I had a much more positive experience this past February, We were a party of six and I have to remain seated in my power wheelchair.

The first thing the seating person said, you will have sit in the upper level because of the wheelchair. When the seating hostess took us towards the tables, she said we had to be spilt up at two tables because of the chair. She indicated a four top and then a two top down a couple of tables from that. Those table were also empty so that was a strange placement.

That was not acceptable to me and I started to speak up. But our server had just arrived and told the seater to step aside and proceeded to re-arrange the tables to seat us all together. The seater was visibly upset, stepped away and came back with a supervisor. The supervisor very calmly removed another table and chair so there was plenty of room for the wheelchair.

The server was a gem - she was a long time cast member and told us lots about the history of the Coral Reef and gave excellent advice on what to order.

Everyone enjoyed their meals. Even me. I do not like seafood and was only going to order a dessert. She said she could bring me a plain salad and a side of mac & cheese to go with it if I wanted a bit more of a meal. That was perfect for me.

 

[Mazz519]

We used to go to Coral Reef every year was one of our favorites, In 2021 we went and meal was not good at all but we said your allowed 1 bad time it happens, went again 2023 and again meal was flat with limited choices havent returned since said we will take a break but just keep hearing bad reviews so were staying away

 

[miked1978]

If you've never done it i would do it at least once. Its been about 5-6 years since we last done it and its always been ok. Nothing spectacular but you can't beat the scenery.

 

[Disnsyncey]

When we went I really struggled to find something I would like on the menu. I’m not sure if others would agree with me, but I wish WDW would have normal dishes and not these fancy dishes that not everyone enjoys. If the menu had more every day type dishes, we’d return to Coral Reef again and again.

oooo interesante.....I saw this comment and went to look at the menu....and I was like "wait...it looks super boring! and you have only 6 options?!??!"

so I guess they have a target consumer in mind and its neither of us HAHAAH

I don't really order an "every day" type dish at a restaurant, as I could make it at home (or figure out how if I really wanted to haha) so I want something special and adventurous normally.....

 

[Skicks35]

Does anyone happen to know if larger parties/tables (party of 8) can be seated down right next to the aquarium or are all of those tables more for smaller parties of 4 or so? From what I remember, most tables down there are for 4, but haven't been in a while.. Have a party of 8, but my 2.5 year old would get a huge kick out of it, so trying to figure out if I need to split up our party or will the entire group be able to sit together (maybe two tables next to each other?). Thanks!

 

[CarolynFH]

Does anyone happen to know if larger parties/tables (party of 8) can be seated down right next to the aquarium or are all of those tables more for smaller parties of 4 or so? From what I remember, most tables down there are for 4, but haven't been in a while.. Have a party of 8, but my 2.5 year old would get a huge kick out of it, so trying to figure out if I need to split up our party or will the entire group be able to sit together (maybe two tables next to each other?). Thanks!

I don't remember the size of the tables next to the aquarium, but when we ate there a few months ago we were on the upper level, and I think we could see a broader view of the aquarium from there. So it might not be such a bad thing to be farther from the window there.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I don't remember the size of the tables next to the aquarium, but when we ate there a few months ago we were on the upper level, and I think we could see a broader view of the aquarium from there. So it might not be such a bad thing to be farther from the window there.

I was thinking that too, the closer you are, the less you can see