Coral Reef Restaurant?

[carrollchristoph]

Weirdly, this is on our must-do lust. The fish is delicious & the atmosphere is really fun. Like many restaurants, the service can be very slow, but this is endemic at Disney

 

[EclecticWAHM]

We went to Coral Reef on the last day of our trip last summer and will absolutely go back again. We were on the second level, but still had a great view of the tank and saw tons of creatures swimming around. We had a reservation and didn't wait at all to be seated, even on a really busy day. Our server was terrific and we enjoyed the food. It's on our must-do list for sure!

 

[lovethattink]

We love Coral Reef! You get a fish guide as you are seated. We only eat lunch the items we like best are on the lunch menu. I get the mushroom stuffed phyllo with no sauce. Dh gets the Mahi. DS(17) gets the pork tenderloin, and DS(6) gets pizza or grilled chicken. For dessert my oldest always gets the chocolate wave cake, and ds gets the kid's icecream that comes with fixings.

 

[tripletmommiesrock]

My first time I ever went to Disney was at 9 and that resturant is the only thing that I remember from that trip.

 

[cwooten2006]

Our whole family LOVES eating at the Coral Reef. You get an excellent view of the marine life in the aquarium no matter where you are seated. We've been seated on each level and been happy with the view every time. The only thing we haven't managed yet is to sit tank-side. That's on our agenda during the trip my husband & I are taking for our anniversary at the end of the month. We have early dinner ressies so I'm hoping they can accommodate.

The last trip we skipped CR because we wanted to try some new restaurants, and the kids threatened mutiny. CR was the ONLY place that they demanded we make ADR for during our upcoming spring break trip. Everyone loves the lobster soup, my husband really enjoyed the Mahi Mahi, and my steak was really good (I'm just not a seafood eater). The chocolate mousse was excellent also. The atmosphere is very nice - we even enjoyed the decor in the waiting area (lots of glass fish sculptures, etc).

During our first meal to CR, we were even treated to seeing Mickey Mouse dive. That was really cool, and our waiter assured us that was a rare sight, so we considered it very magical, indeed! You can't go wrong taking your kids to CR - they'll love it! Enjoy!

 

[princessmom29]

We LOVE Coral Reef. We have done it twice over the last 3 trips and loved it both times. The seafood is good, and this is coming form someone who grew up on fresh gulf seafood. DH enjoyed the steak both times, and the aquarium is fabulous. The last time we were there we got seats agianst the glass and had a great time watching the tank!

 

[MommyBell08]

We are going to the Coral Reef for the first time this trip. SO xcited after reading this thread! 22 days!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We really enjoyed Coral Reef... and yes, lots of marine life. Here's a video of the marine life from our table.... a full review is at the link in my signature.
Click this photo to see the video!

 

[KiSStheGiRL2430]

On WDW website it states that you can get fresh Maine Lobster tails at Coral Reef. When we went in 05 I know we had it but when we returned in 2009 it was no longer an option. Now according to the website you can again however, its not listed on any menus I have found. Does anyone that has been recently know what the deal is right now?

 

[turtlebean]

Coral Reef has always been our first night dinner and probably always will be. We ate there on the first night of our first trip and boys have loved it ever since. When we were talking about where to eat when we went back this year, both boys said we have to eat w/the fish. I think that this was one of their favorite restaurants. My boys both loved watching the fish swimming by and the divers. The first time we went we were sitting in the booth across from the tank and got to see 2 divers. This last time we went in June, we sat on the second level and still had a great view. This time we saw about 15 divers. They do give you a fish guide and I think it was a great distraction while waiting for our meal. I like seafood, but I'm not a huge fish fan. I get the ny strip and it is delicious every time. DH really likes the mahi mahi. The boys usually get pizza but their favorite thing is the plastic dolphin they put on the cup when they bring your drink out. I'm not sure how old your boys are, but my boys were 2 and 5 when we first took them (they were 4 and 7 on our last trip). Even when we talk about going back to WDW, they always say we need eat w/the fish first. I think your family will really enjoy the meal.

 

[Fjobe]

DH and DS ate there while DDs and I ate a Akershus. They loved Coral Reef. Both of them had steak (so there is food other than seafood). DH said it was his favorite meal while we were at Disney. We were on the free DDP, so I am sure some of the views in here are skewed by whether it was a free meal or if the meal was paid for OOP.

 

[canadianmom2three]

I think I may be the only person in the "Never Again" file for this resturaunt.....

Mostly because I do not eat seafood. When my family visited Coral Reef in 2003 (My parents planned and payed for the trip so I had NO say in the details) the waiters didn't seem to care that there wasn't anything that I could eat on the adult menu and wouldn't allow me to order off the children's menu. I literally didnt eat.

It was cool however to see the tank but in my opinion it was sort of small? It was only on one side and I sort of imagined it to be multi sided and easier to get close to? I'm not dishing on it because lots of people love it but if you have people in your party who don't eat seafood dont go there!!!!

Hmmm interesting post. I am actually allergic to all shellfish, and my dad is allergic to both shellfish and fish. I booked Coral Reef for our upcoming visit after taking a look at the menu and thinking there was enough other choices Maybe it is worth a second look to make sure, although I imagine that the menu has changed since 2003. I did feel kind of bad about choosing to book a seafood restaurant, and then noting on the form that there were shellfish and fish allergies. However, my mom and all 3 of my kids LOVE seafood, and I think the atmosphere will be really neat. Off to check out the menu again to make sure there is really something that my dad can eat!!