Coral Reef- Tank seating

[hammie59]

Anyone know what our chances would be to sit by the tank at Coral Reef? We were there once before (party of 8) and were seated at farthest table away, which was upper tier booth on back wall. (It was a nice view of the tank in general, but couldn't really see the fish that well.) I didn't make any type of seating request since we had a rather large group and was just happy they put us all at the same table.

Anyhow, since we'll only be a party of 4 this time, I'm willing to wait for a table if possible. So just wondering how hard it is to do this since my kids would love to actually be able to see the fish.

PS- The only reason we'd be going here a 2nd time is if we could sit close. We're paying OP so I'm trying to find the best of the best in atmosphere for the kids.

 

[churchpilot]

My husband asked for "first available" and we waited about 10 minutes and were seated front and center by the tank (4 of us) It was wonderful.

 

[sjs314]

I have been twice , once a party of 3 and once a party of 2 and both time been seated far from the tanks, although in all fairness I did not ask to be near the tanks.
We are considering going there this vacation and since we will be a party of 2 and I have noticed the tables in pics for two right up to the tanks, gonna request it at check-in and keep fingers crossed

 

[Dacky619]

I would just get there early and request seats close to the tank. It worked for us.

 

[disneychic2]

The first time we went to Coral Reef, we got a table for two right down by the tanks. The next year, when we checked in, we said we would wait for a table near the tank and we got it. (after a short a wait). This last time, we didn't request, but we had Candlelight dinner ressies and we got a nice banquet table that seats four, just for the two of us. It faced the tank and was a great view! I think if you request when you check in, they will accommodate you, but you may increase your wait time a bit. Try making your ressie at a less popular time and the wait won't be as much. You're kids will LOVE it!

 

[sleepydog25]

Echoing what others said, if you're willing to wait and it's not too crowded, then I've found the CMs more than willing to accomodate your request. I've always tried to go early, too. One slightly humorous downside to sitting right next to the tank, however, is that other diners--especially smaller children--will come right up to the tank while you're eating, so it can get a little noisy and crowded around your table.

 

[sjs314]

Echoing what others said, if you're willing to wait and it's not too crowded, then I've found the CMs more than willing to accomodate your request. I've always tried to go early, too. One slightly humorous downside to sitting right next to the tank, however, is that other diners--especially smaller children--will come right up to the tank while you're eating, so it can get a little noisy and crowded around your table. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for mentioning that aspect, it is something that never crossed my mind as I would never do it myself or allow my children when they were younger to do that. In fact the first time we ate there in '89 my youngest DS did nothing but moan and grown during the meal because he was so disappointed at not being able to see the fish up close. Not sure if I will ask now for a tank seat now or not, not quite sure if I want anyone hovering around our table while we will be trying to eat.We were planning on eating at Coral Reef since it use to be one of the more quiet relaxing places to eat.

 

[Pakey]

I've had 100% luck getting seated by the tank by making the earliest lunch reservation. 3 times we have been seated tankside, twice as a party of 4 and once as a party of 2.

I've had 100% nonluck sitting next to the tank for all of other meals here. That would be as a party of 2, 4, 6 and 11.

IMO, the best seats in the house are the booths on the first tier. While not exactly tank side, they are not far and offer a less distorted view (and there are no children with rude parents allowing them to shove you over to touch the tank.

 

[nibor]

go around 4:45 ask for your tank table, eat slow, wait for the diver's the kids love them, get the drinks with the light up cubes, the fish love them, good luck

 

[Pugmalion1]

We've been there three or four times, and all except one time we were seated at a two-top in front of the tank, twice at the same exact table.

I think you have much more chance getting a table up front if you're a party of four or less, because of all of those tables on the ground level. You can request a booth up front, but keep in mind that you might not be the only large group doing so.

 

[hammie59]

Echoing what others said, if you're willing to wait and it's not too crowded, then I've found the CMs more than willing to accomodate your request. I've always tried to go early, too. One slightly humorous downside to sitting right next to the tank, however, is that other diners--especially smaller children--will come right up to the tank while you're eating, so it can get a little noisy and crowded around your table.

I've read that before, about people crowding up at the glass where people are eating and never understood it! I mean, the same view can be seen on the other side in the actual aquarium part. I think it's so rude.

 

[sjs314]

I've read that before, about people crowding up at the glass where people are eating and never understood it! I mean, the same view can be seen on the other side in the actual aquarium part. I think it's so rude.

My thoughts exactly and I am really reconsidering requesting a table near the tanks in fact might just decide to pass entirely on Coral Reef, I do not remember seeing this type of behavior on my two previous times there in 1989 and 2006.

 

[missminniemouse]

As prior posters have said, there will be kids crowding around your table to get up to the tank if you have a tank-side table. We found it really annoying, especially when the parents were right behind them with their camera and flashes kept going off in our faces during our whole meal. Plus, I didn't care much for all the little dirty hands constantly on the back of my chair and my back. I'd request a table in the first tier. We've been seated there before and you get a great view of the tank without the hassles of being right next to the tank.

 

[goofy4prez]

I have been to Coral Reef three times and the last I actually asked not to be seated right next to the tank. The last time we sat by the tank it wasn't the kids that were a problem, it was the adults.

We had a woman who was taking a picture of the aquarium who felt it was her right to put her rather large "blessed assurance" right smack on the end of our table while we were eating. It would have been rude if it were only a quick picture, but it was downright obnoxious when she tried to take several pictures and she actually got mad at me when I asked her a second time to please get it off the table; she coped an attitude and told me to "blank off" (edited) right in front of my dd who was 12 at the time.

 

[hammie59]

we had a woman who was taking a picture of the aquarium who felt it was her right to put her rather large "blessed assurance" right smack on the end of our table while we were eating. It would have been rude if it were only a quick picture, but it was downright obnoxious when she tried to take several pictures and she actually got mad at me when i asked her a second time to please get it off the table; she coped an attitude and told me to "blank off" (edited) right in front of my dd who was 12 at the time.

Wow

 

[chamonix]

Omg, what is a "blessed assurance"? I was thinking you meant her behind, and I couldn't imagine that it was on your table and you had to ask her to take it off?! What?

If it was a purse or something, I would have just picked it up and put it on the floor. I wouldn't even ask....since she didn't.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

We must be lucky (or maybe we look smelly and intimidating or something), but we've been to the Coral Reef four times since 2006 and sat at a tank-side table on three of those four occasions and have never been crowded or even approached by anybody trying to get close to the glass. I would not let the possibility of such behavior deter you from eating at what I consider to be one of the best non-signature restaurants in the World.

 

[goofy4prez]

Omg, what is a "blessed assurance"? I was thinking you meant her behind, and I couldn't imagine that it was on your table and you had to ask her to take it off?! What?

If it was a purse or something, I would have just picked it up and put it on the floor. I wouldn't even ask....since she didn't.

"Blessed assurance" was something my mother use to call my backside right before she was ready to give it a good crack with the wooden spoon. She use to tell me, I assure you son, while you might not think getting spanked right now is fun, in time you will find it a blessing. So yes, it was her backside, rump, butt, hynie, fanny, maximus bootimus, keister or booty. With that said, you can see why I was not able to pick it up and put it on the floor.

 

[jmkst58]

"Blessed assurance" was something my mother use to call my backside right before she was ready to give it a good crack with the wooden spoon. She use to tell me, I assure you son, while you might not think getting spanked right now is fun, in time you will find it a blessing. So yes, it was her backside, rump, butt, hynie, fanny, maximus bootimus, keister or booty. With that said, you can see why I was not able to pick it up and put it on the floor.

 

[Fabooliss]

I would just get there early and request seats close to the tank. It worked for us.

Us too. (Booked a 5:30pm ADR, arrived about 5, seated well before 5pm)
Good luck!