Coral Reef, table by the tank

[MickeyNicki]

How do you go about getting a table by the tank? Is it first come first serve?

 

[Aimeedyan]

It's up to the host/ess as to where people are seated. I suppose you could ask for a table next to the tank and be prepared to wait for it.

Have you been to Coral Reef before? I am not sure why anyone would want those tables, except maybe if they had a young child that enjoys pressing their face against the glass. It doesn't offer a good look at all since you're so close. We had a table on the 1st level but a booth away from the tank and it was a fantastic view of the entire tank, not just the 2 ft around our table. I imagine the tables a level or two up would be even better.

Also - be warned that there were lots of small children allowed by their parents to squish in between the tables next to the tank so they, too, could stick their face on the glass and point to the fish up close. If we had been seated there, I would have gotten annoyed by the added company but it may not bother you.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Yes it's first come first serve. I had ask to. Tell them your request when you ck in.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Aimeedyan's advice is good--you might find that your "tank table" is crowded with kids that aren't your own!
Once we saw a couple of kids running from one table to the next trying to follow along with a shark as it went to and fro in the tank. Their parents were nowhere to be seen.
Fact is that most of the tables have a pretty decent view.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've been seated at the worst possible seat in the house---back row, upper left corner---and still found it perfectly pleasant.

I know folks get worked up over being seated just so, but this is one place were I don't much care.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Honestly we have not been there since 99 and I remember being in a roundish booth away from the tanks

I am bringing 2 nieces with me and they love the aquariums so I though this would keep them occupied if they get antsy during dinner.

Maybe I will try and get seated a bit back from the tanks so they can get a great view...maybe see a shark!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Have to agree with Aimeedyan and Uncleromulus - last time I was at Coral Reef, I was seated at one of "those" tables. Really, pretty much all you can see is your 'window', and maybe a little bit beyond. Those seats are WAY too close to the tank to be considered worth waiting for (unless, as they both said, you have kids who would be pressed up against the glass anyway - then, PLEASE request one of those tables). Also, they only seat four.

 

[tavettava]

Have to agree with Aimeedyan and Uncleromulus - last time I was at Coral Reef, I was seated at one of "those" tables. Really, pretty much all you can see is your 'window', and maybe a little bit beyond. Those seats are WAY too close to the tank to be considered worth waiting for (unless, as they both said, you have kids who would be pressed up against the glass anyway - then, PLEASE request one of those tables). Also, they only seat four.

We were there in May and we had a booth on the 2nd tier and it was awesome. My kids loved it. We did see people letting their kids run up to the glass disturbing who was sitting there. We had a late ADR and it was getting empty when we left so my kids got to go up and look closer with no one ate the front tables. They really enjoyed it and one of the staff came and talked to us about some of the fish and such that were in there.

 

[TigerKat]

Also - be warned that there were lots of small children allowed by their parents to squish in between the tables next to the tank so they, too, could stick their face on the glass and point to the fish up close. If we had been seated there, I would have gotten annoyed by the added company but it may not bother you.

Saw this first hand, were glad we were on the second level.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I think they try harder to accommodate parties who have a diver scheduled, so they can be seated close. You could have a diver do a sign for your nieces (like "Welcome to Disney" etc.) and they would love it! I had a diver scheduled last year for my dh and we waited a few extra minutes and I was told (away from dh) that they were making sure we could get next to the tank. Our dd was 6 and it was heaven for her to be occupied for the whole meal!

PM me if you want more details and I'll try to dig out the number we called.

 

[stitchywoman]

I'm getting a diver for my dh for our honeymoon. The manager at Coral Reef was so nice. Our reservation was for after they stop doing the divers, so at first she wasn't going to be able to do it, but was still going to make the special menus for us. She called me back less than an hour after we got off the phone and asked if I could arrive a half an hour earlier for a new reservation and she would have the divers do one right before their time ended.

I can't imagine what I would do if someone let their rude children practically sit in my lap during my dinner. I like kids, and if someone was polite and asked I would have no trouble allowing them to look, but the lack of manners that parents bother to teach their children astounds me these days.

I have a stepdaughter, so I'm not talking as someone who has never raised kids. I can't understand how some people can allow their children to think the world owes them something.

So please, if I get seated at a tank side table and you are there, just ask....I'll be glad to oblige.

To the OP I hope your trip is absolutely lovely.

 

[Snork]

My wife and I ate there on EPCOTs 25th (and our wedding anniversary) and were seated next to the glass. The majority of those tables were tables for two if I remember correctly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, you're right - they are twos, but there's one right next to the tank and one right next to it, a couple of feet away and closer to the open walking area. They can be pushed together to hold four.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think I am going to try and get back from the tank so no little ones try and crowd the table but still close enough so the kids have a great view. Seeing how we are going in later Jan and an early ADR I am hoping for a not too crowded atmosphere....who am I kidding!