Coral Reef - Seating

[Zeebs]

I know the general consensus seems to be that there is no bad place to sit at the Coral Reef, however, I have read a review recently where they (the family) were sat in the middle in the booths?? Because they had small children the children couldn't see over the seats to see the fish.

Can someone please confirm for me if this is correct?

We have a reservation for 4.00 pm and I am assuming that as this is when the restaurant is opening for service we should just about get the pick of tables.

We are a group of 6, 4 adults and 2 children (2.5 and 10 Months). Should we ask for a seat near the glass?

Thanks in advance.
Kirsten

 

[Tink888]

The aquarium is visible from every seat in the restaurant, but yes, the best seats are the ones up front since they are the closest. I would request a seat up front if you have really young kids. You aren't guaranteed to get one but it never hurts to ask. Personally we've always been in the back but my kids are older.

One thing we did notice with the seats closest to the aquarium was that a lot of parents (not seated in front) would let their kids go down to the front in between the tables to watch the fish. If that is something that would bother you while you were eating, you might want to sit further back.

 

[TexasTodds]

When we went in January we were also a group of 6, but with 3 adults and 3 kids. I noticed that all of the tables right against the glass were all tables for 4. I asked for, and we were seated in the lowest tier, but in one of the semi-circle boothes against the lower wall. My kids had a great view, and I truly think that you could see more of the whole tank since you weren't right up against the glass. At least that is an option if being against the tank doesn't work out.

 

[Zeebs]

thanks very much for your responses, I don't mind sitting a wee bit back I just don't want the kids, because they are short, to have their view obscured from the bench seats they are on. I think I might go and see if I can find some pictures of the restaurant.

Kirsten

 

[Disney Fans]

We (group of only 4) had went there also with very small kids ages at the time were 1 and 2 ( and the next year 2 and 4 and the next year after that 3 and 5) and we still couldn't get a table close, we have always been set at the highest level?? I don't know why I am thinking just bad luck. So after trying a few times a few years we just do other places. Feel that one may just be bad luck for us.LOL

 

[TigerKat]

We noticed when we were there lots of kids around the tables closest to the aquarium and we were very glad we weren't sitting there. In this place further back is better!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We noticed when we were there lots of kids around the tables closest to the aquarium and we were very glad we weren't sitting there. In this place further back is better!

You'd think management would put a stop to that. It could lead to a miserable dining experience.

 

[suzimar57]

we've always had (without asking for it) seats directly against the aquarium - nice, but actually too close - i would think sitting up a level would give you a more panoramic view of the tank - plus yes, little kids tend to climb around you to see the tank when you're right there (where are your parents??!!)

 

[Zeebs]

We noticed when we were there lots of kids around the tables closest to the aquarium and we were very glad we weren't sitting there. In this place further back is better!

My only concern with sitting a wee bit back is that the seating looks like, from the photos I can find, that if you were short you wouldn't see over the seats to see the tanks, adults will be ok I think but my wee guys won't see much. If I am looking at the pictures right.

Ahhh as I said before we have I think one of the first ADR times for dinner so I will ask nicely for a table where the kids can see the tank. I am sure it will be all good.


Kirsten

 

[CoolDisneyKitten]

You do have one of the first ADR times for dinner, but they're also open for lunch, and as far as I know they don't close between the two. When we were there a week or so ago, people were waiting an hour+ past their ADR times. By the time we left, it was about 3:30 and people were still waiting to be seated for their 2:30 or 2:15 ADR times. I wouldn't count on the restaurant being empty.

That being said, we sat by the tank and there were kids in a booth one level back from us, but none directly around us. If you want a table right by the tank, the best thing to do would be to just ask nicely when you check in. It never hurts to ask!

 

[maj42169]

We noticed when we were there lots of kids around the tables closest to the aquarium and we were very glad we weren't sitting there. In this place further back is better!

Didn't see any kids crowding around the tables when we were there. We sat in the booths in the middle of the resturaunt and thought they were wonderful seats! The booths faced the aquarium so everyone could see just fine including my very petite DD.

 

[TigerKat]

Didn't see any kids crowding around the tables when we were there. We sat in the booths in the middle of the resturaunt and thought they were wonderful seats! The booths faced the aquarium so everyone could see just fine including my very petite DD.

We sat on the second tier and loved the view. I only noticed the kids crowding the tables because so many people were complaining.

 

[ilovefishsticks4]

That is correct, their really is no bad seating.

 

[hollibo83]

Sorry the photo is so large but this is where we sat at Coral Reef and we had excellent views of the aquarium. I did see some younger kids behind us up on their knees in their seats trying to get a view of the shark as it swam by. I think no matter where you sit you still get pretty good views of the aquarium.

 

[Pakey]

If you are in the booths in the 3rd tier (highest tier) small children will not be able to see over the people sitting at the tables in the front of that tier unless they stand up on the booth seats. I saw plenty of children standing a few days ago when we dined there. For adults, every seat has a good view. Seating for 6 is a bit more limited here and this place is always packed unless you get the very first seating for lunch. We had lunch at 12:00 this past Tuesday and they were already behind by then!

 

[daneenm]

We sat at a table in the back tier and had a WONDERFUL view. I beg to differ with the opinion the closer is better. We could see the whole tank, follow all of the fish and watch the divers as they swam through. Had we been closer we would not have been able to take it all in nor see it all.

--Daneen

 

[iluvpluto27]

We were sat right next to the tank and although we had a great view people did let their kids crowd around us which was annoying. One woman thought it would make a great photo opportunity to get some pictures with her daughter sitting on the little ledge in front of the tank. I'm sure it was a lovely picture, but to get it the little girl had to stand on top of an un-occupied table, putting her shoes on the bread plate etc. Just unhygenic.

 

[Zeebs]

We were sat right next to the tank and although we had a great view people did let their kids crowd around us which was annoying. One woman thought it would make a great photo opportunity to get some pictures with her daughter sitting on the little ledge in front of the tank. I'm sure it was a lovely picture, but to get it the little girl had to stand on top of an un-occupied table, putting her shoes on the bread plate etc. Just unhygenic.

Now that isn't nice....

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will just ask nicely for a place where the kids can see without having to stand on seats and if there is one available great if not, so be it. Bring on the food....

Kirsten

 

[cinderellamom123]

I sat on the floor with the kids in a rounded booth (about 6 feet from the glass) It was ideal. Just remember that often there are divers that could freak out your kids while you are trying to have a nice quiet dinner. Warn them in advance. If you go in January, I am going to be a diver. Yipee!

 

[dvcdisney]

we've always had (without asking for it) seats directly against the aquarium - nice, but actually too close - i would think sitting up a level would give you a more panoramic view of the tank - plus yes, little kids tend to climb around you to see the tank when you're right there (where are your parents??!!)

We too had mostly had the seats against the aquarium. And I didn't mind too much if the kids would QUICKLY go to the glass (these kids usually have their parents waiting for them and would never go in front of my children, and the parents always called them back very shortly).

However, it's the kids who push, step or climb over your bags to get to the table. In my experience, these kids usually do not have parents with them. The parents let them loose in the restaurant and bother the other guests. We had a table close to us with two small children against the glass. A couple of kids came up to their table, pushed their way to the glass and literally stood to the side of one of the children sitting on the table (obstructing his view). The child (I would estimate as probably 2-3yrs old) tried to pushed the kid away and to the parents surprise the kid moved back and before the parents can say something the kids ran away, in all different directions. Needless to say, my son saw the whole thing we had a long discussion about why some parents do not teach their children well.