Coral Reef

[toymom10]

It seems to get mixed reviews. Last time we were in the world ('02) we went and were not impressed. It was dark and cold inside and the food was 'meh'. For our trip next month I am considering it, because our boys would absolutely love the atmosphere (and unlike Mom, food is not one of the most important parts of their vacation)! I would hate to waste one of our meals and $ - we are not doing DDP - for food that isn't worth it. And will we really be able to see the fish? Can I request a table against the aquarium wall? Are there any safe menu items we should stick with if we go? Thanks!

 

[milmore104]

We LOVE the Coral Reef. We go twice during every trip. It's one of our DD (9) favorite places as well. Never had a bad experience there w/ food or service.
One of my favorites (not a seafood person) is the NY strip. I actually ate it all. DH's favorite was the lobster raviolli. Which I have to say I tried as well and it was yum-o! Bailey's moose for dessert...not for children.
I also loved the chicken dish (don't remember name). It was a wonderful chicken breast w/ apple smoked bacon. Can't wait to go back.

As far as view. You can see the tanks from anywhere. You can request a table alongside the tanks. However a longer wait may be involved.

 

[sharonabe]

But if you're doing it just to see the aquariums, you can do this for free after the Nemo ride or by walking into the aquarium section there at the gift shop.

We enjoyed our meal at Coral Reef, but if you're not sure, go somewhere else to eat and just plan 30 min or so into your day to walk around and explore and see the aquariums.

 

[jlk806]

We love the coral reef! On our last visit I had the mahi mahi and my husband had the seared chicken (he is not into seafood). We loved the food and the atmosphere. The service was a little slow but we still love it there.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We love the Coral Reef. I eat the NY strip, DS16 loves the Mahi Mahi, and DH bounces between the two. I have also had the chicken ceasar salad and it was good.
We have sat at the tables nexxt to the aquarium and those further back. I prefer to be further back so you can see everything. We had the first table up front where the turtle usually rests and could not see everything. We also had a lot of people crowding in to take pictures.
It is a wonderful restaurant!

 

[jwfla422]

After many times of missing the ADR boat on this one, we got in there last October for lunch and were rather impressed.

At the time they had trout on the menu and it was excellent along with the accompaniments. DD was happy with her macaroni and meat standby.

It was relaxing, nicely paced and entertaining watching the fish tank. We have it on our schedule again for our next trip. I will try to get the review up on my website soon.

Yes, you can request a table by the aquariums although you can see them from most tables in the restaurant although it would be quite fun and entertaining for the little ones to sit by the aquarium. I would think most of the menu items should be fine.

www.disneydiningreviews.com

 

[Pakey]

Coral Reef is still dark, cold and very noisy. I've eaten here so many times that I've tried everything on the menu. The only dish I think is very good is the mahi mahi. This will probably be a long meal as the service here is not that good. We have found it's best to make the earliest lunch ADR as it's usually not as busy or noisy and the service is a bit better.

The tables right up against the tank seat 4 and there are a few 2-tops. You can request to wait for one upon checkin but in all honesty, I don't think they are the best seats in the place as you only see what is right there in front of you and it can be a bit blurry. We prefer to sit in the booths on the first tier or the tables or booths on the second tier.

 

[jacksmom]

We love Coral Reef! It is one of our favorites that we eat at every trip!

 

[Minniemama350]

We will never go back. Hated the food and the service was awful...and I'm pretty easy to please!

 

[landshark]

I really wouldn't waste the money on it. If all you want to see are the fish and marine life, that can easily be done just going through the pavilion at your leisure.

We went there this past Sept. for my DBF's birthday and were really underwhelmed. He had the lobster ravioli and I had the chicken breast with bacon. He though his dish was fine, but nothing special, and we both thought our dishes were overly salty. The almond gelato for dessert was quite tasty, but I wouldn't recommend the restaurant on that alone.

We would've sat elsewhere but my DBF asked our waiter if we could sit near the tank. I don't know if our waiter was in a bad mood to start with, but he seemed really irritated by the request. The people at the table next to us (no more than 2 or 3 feet between tables) got more service from him than we did. The seating looks like it's set up so you'll always have a view of the tank no matter where you sit--kind of like in a theater.

 

[EastonCat]

I don't think that my review of the restaurant's quality will be any better than the others - sometimes it's good and sometimes it isn't.

If you choose to eat there, the best way to get an aquarium seat is to go for lunch or during a non-crowded dinner and ask.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

It was our best meal in 07. The food was better than Cali. Grill, LeCellier and Narcossee's. Everyone in our party of 7 agreed!

 

[mjp12831]

Agree with OP (and answers seem to back it up) - for every person saying they loved CR, you get one that hated it, so it is very hard to plan to go there.

We had an ADR there last year and ended up cancelling because of hearing stories from another group who had been there the previous day (poor service and food quality). The rest of our party kept their ADR though, and loved it and raved about it, so I figured we missed something and was planning to book it for this trip.

Then I read all of the mixed reviews here - so I cant bring myself to book it - too many other options that dont have the negative reviews that CR has - I dont want to "risk" it.

 

[mirokey]

I'm taking the plunge in April! I've heard mixed reviews but really wanted to try it out this time around.

 

[Tinker Pam]

We loved it in Dec 09. Found the steak better then LeCellier and it is one of only 2 restarurants that we will be going back to this time.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Coral Reef is my favorite WDW restaurant - I have gotten the steak every time I have gone and each time it has been superb.