Coral Reef??

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

I have a lunch booked there because last time we went it was a 2TS place and I didn't want to use 2 and my kids will love the huge fish tank.....

Now I am reading that the food isn't that great anymore???


Anyone that has been there recently can tell me their thoughts. I had read from someone that used to love it that the food has gone downhill and the wait time was very long, an hour.....I don't want to waste time waiting for an ADR...


Any advice would be great!

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

We go there every trip and we have never had bad food or service. I have been there twice a year for the last 3yrs. My 7 yr old loves it and I am sure your children will enjoy it too! We also have always done lunch there. I do not recall it every being 2 TS. Enjoy!

 

[Samantha/NC]

We were there last September and it is only 1TS

Samantha

 

[Pakey]

I think Coral Reef has went downhill in the past few years, it is certainly not as good as it was 15 years ago, let alone 5 years ago. Many of the unique items on the menu have been removed as more time on the dining plan has passed. It used to be 2TS but has only been 1TS for quite some time.

I've eaten here at least twice a year for quite some time now but our visit this year will probably be our last for awhile. The food really isn't that special anymore and I've seen the tank plenty of times.

And yes, the waits to be seated can be long.

 

[henry72]

we went 3 years ago. We had an ADR but still had to wait 40 minutes. Food was okay - nothing great. Waiter was not friendly at all. We have gone there before with better results but that was at least 9 years ago....

 

[mlittig]

Coral Reef is one table service credit We ate there the last two trips and had a 50/50 split opinion. The first time in 08 the servings were extremely small and not that great. We went again in 09 because one of my daughters had never been, this time not expecting much. However, we were very pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of the food The food was great and the portions much improved. So I guess it really depends. The atmosphere is great.

 

[Oz-kateer]

Was there last month and it is 1TS credit, lunch or dinner.

Food was fine, steak was nicely cooked, ambiance was good, we arrived 10 mins before our reservation time and were seated immediately. Table had a great view of the fish tank.

Portions were adequate for a dinner but not as huge as at some places, but at least here there was no waste.

Service was fine, our waiter made recommendations for half a dozen seafood dishes and was so enthusiatic we didn't have the heart to tell him neither of us actually eat seafood and had already read the menu online and decided on steaks.

The dessert was nice - we had The Chocolate Wave.

 

[eventamy]

Coral Reef was our worst meal of the trip last February, for lunch. We also didn't ask for a table with a view of the tank and regretted that. We were in the middle all the way in the back and my kids couldn't see the tank at all. So if you do go definitely ask for a table closer to the front!

Edited to add: Actually, it was tied for the worst meal of our trip. It tied with the Cracker Barrel restaurant down the road that my mom was so excited to go to. YUCK! And I'm not picky! It was just disgusting! Old veggies served to my kids, the soup was gelatinous in consistency and tasted horrid. But I'm hoping it was just a really bad day! I always encourage people to try things they think they would enjoy because you never know, it may turn out to be your favorite. I just don't think I'll be giving Coral Reef a second chance anytime soon, there are too many wonderful restaurants at WDW for us to try!

 

[TDC Nala]

It was 2 TS years ago, when the dining plan first started, and now it is 1. They are correct in doing the change, as it isn't worth 2 TS. It takes forever to get seated. The food was pretty good but what I had is no longer on the menu.

 

[joeathome167]

I think Coral Reef has went downhill in the past few years, it is certainly not as good as it was 15 years ago, let alone 5 years ago. Many of the unique items on the menu have been removed as more time on the dining plan has passed. It used to be 2TS but has only been 1TS for quite some time.

I've eaten here at least twice a year for quite some time now but our visit this year will probably be our last for awhile. The food really isn't that special anymore and I've seen the tank plenty of times.

And yes, the waits to be seated can be long.

I think the problem with WDW dining is the expectations. Folks on this website lose site of the fact WDW is a theme park not fine dining. I'm sure the food at most of the restaurants is similar in quality since it all comes from the same suppliers and purchased by the same people. Each restaurant is themed, so of course there will be different offerings but you can't expect fine dining inside the confines of an amusement park. There are exceptions. WDW does offer the occassional fine dining experience at some deluxe resorts.

Maybe the quality and selection has decreased lately, but so has the economy. Disney is a business and if they can cut a corner and get away with it, I hate to say this but they will. All this said, we have had good food at WDW and bad. Also we've had good service and bad. The same as about every restaurant we've ever been too.

I hope no one takes this personally. Although, I'm sure they will.

 

[SaraJayne]

We ate at Coral Reef last week during prime dinner hour (6pm) and were seated within 5 mins.

The food was good and our waitress was very friendly and knowledgable about the menu.

We've eaten there every trip and never had bad food or bad service.

 

[KsSteve]

We went 2 1/2 weeks ago, and the food was great. Didn't wait more than 10 minutes with ADR.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting some fine dining for the prices that are being charged. And Disney used to offer fine dining in the parks - yes, even at Coral Reef. The current standardization and downgrading of ingredients is a relatively recent development.

And yes, they have gone downhill at Coral Reef from what they were in the early 2000s.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I think the OP knows that it's only a 1 credit TS now.

We've been there twice in the past 2 years and if they didn't have the Land and Sea appetizer, I'd never go back.
The first time we went, we waited for well over an hour--it was ridiculous. There were so many people waiting and it took so long, we ended up sitting on the floor.
The second time we went, I think we waited about 20 minutes, so not too horrible.
The food both times (except for the appy) was mediocre at best. I got the steak the first time, and it was tough and dry. I know most people love it though, so maybe I just went on a bad day. I got the mushroom lasagna the second time and again, it was dry and blah.
The service was good the first time, the waiter the second time was rude and obviously disinterested.
I'd go back just for that appy alone though. I think it is that good.

 

[tony67]

I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting some fine dining for the prices that are being charged. And Disney used to offer fine dining in the parks - yes, even at Coral Reef. The current standardization and downgrading of ingredients is a relatively recent development.

And yes, they have gone downhill at Coral Reef from what they were in the early 2000s.

I just want to agree with TDC Nala on this, yet again.

The issue for most of us is how good Disney Dinning was and how much degraded in the last 4-6 years.
If you were not fortunate enough to have tried the food at that time then you don’t know what you are missing.
It was good quality and it was very fairly priced. Today it is overpriced for the quality they provide.
This is because they have to work within the constraints of what Disney credits them for each entrée.
They make up some of this money from those paying OOP to subsidize the DDP IMO. (I have confirmed this with staff at some of the locations.)

Epcot has gone from a dining destination to just a place to eat (actually I don't even bother eating at the Disney TSs anymore).

We are at a point where the staff at some of the restaurants are embarrassed with what is being passed off as real <insert country here> food.
The ones that are still trying to have traditional food are not doing it as well as they once did because they have to work within the constraints of the dinning plan.
Thanks to the DDP they are still full every night though, so why provide better quality.
If you do complain they will just give you another credit.

One of the issues is that people do not push back because it is Disney.
They are just glad to be there and I can understand that. Many people may only get 1 or 2 trips to Disney in a lifetime.
In the end though Disney does enough volume that they can provide quality food especially at the prices they are charging.
They do not have to over standardize until every menu seems the same.

In the end it is sad to say but I would rather eat at a Red Lobster then Coral Reef.
(nothing against Red Lobster, I just don’t go all the way to Florida to eat at a Red Lobster)


BTW: One of the best meals I have had anywhere in the World (the whole world, not just Disney World) was 6-8 years ago at the Coral Reef. It was a whole fire roasted Piranha. This is the kind of thing you will probably never see in Disney again.

 

[disfanforlife]

We were just there last week and enjoyed our dinners very much. I had the trout and thought it was delicious. We also liked the rolls that were served before dinner, warm and fresh. We were seated within five minutes of arriving and had a great experience. Will go back again for sure!

 

[DrmWvr1299]

We are eating at Coral Reef for the first time this next trip. I have no fine dining expectations...we are going for the atmosphere more than anything. My sil has never been to disney so I am hoping she is more delighted with the atmosphere of the resturant than the food

 

[United544]

Your experience may be different and some of the other posters have had good experiences.

However, that being said, we were there last January and the food was mediocre at best, it was extremely loud, and the wait staff was not friendly. I love seafood and so despite these issues I was willing to go back, and tried talking my wife into making a reservation for our trip this January (simply because, it's one of the few seafood restaurants you can go to with kids); but she refused.

So, I think Coral Reef is very hit-and-miss on the food quality, ambiance, and service. You may have a wonderful time with great food, or you may decide to never go back

 

[texasteacher35]

I think the problem with WDW dining is the expectations. Folks on this website lose site of the fact WDW is a theme park not fine dining. I'm sure the food at most of the restaurants is similar in quality since it all comes from the same suppliers and purchased by the same people. Each restaurant is themed, so of course there will be different offerings but you can't expect fine dining inside the confines of an amusement park. There are exceptions. WDW does offer the occassional fine dining experience at some deluxe resorts.

Maybe the quality and selection has decreased lately, but so has the economy. Disney is a business and if they can cut a corner and get away with it, I hate to say this but they will. All this said, we have had good food at WDW and bad. Also we've had good service and bad. The same as about every restaurant we've ever been too.

I hope no one takes this personally. Although, I'm sure they will.

I totally agree! We are there for the whole Disney Experience, not for prime rib and expensive resaurants...plus, my ds4 would not be interested in ANY of that! LOL I love that Disney offers us some fun dining experiences with and without characters! The fish tank at Coral Reef and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant is fantastic, and it really makes you feel like you are under sea! My little guy and my WHOLE family LOVED that place! I could care less if they served up hamburgers! Really! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Disney!!! Just the way it is!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

It's all due to your preferences - if you are looking for excellent food, that isn't the place. Coral Reef has become a very inconsistent restaurant - you could have a great meal one day and a mediocre one the next, it all depends. If your main interest is a fabulous atmosphere and okay food works for you, then it'll be fine. Many of us have other expectations and it's not that that's wrong. Those looking for a better food experience will be leaving more seats open for those who are happy with OK food, a pretty restaurant and a big fish tank, so everybody wins.

Personally I do not intend to give them a break on mediocre food just because it's Disney, but I'll eat other places if I don't like it (I did like Coral Reef in September to the point of making another reservation, but cancelled it after they took the blackened catfish off the menu). I've pretty much already given up on the buffets except Biergarten.