coral reef?

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Coral Reef: (*Rev 10/21/2015*)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: C
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Steamed Mussels, Crab Cakes
. . . entree:.. Grilled New York Strip Steak, Grilled Mahi-Mahi
. . . dessert:. Baileys and Jack Daniel's Mousse
.
NOTE1: The Coral Reef is a nice respite from normal dining, as is the wall which is the
aquarium. One sees fish and sees divers tending to the fish and tank. Best views are
from the second seating level, not right up against the tank. For best dishes, try the
Mussels for an appy and the Mahi for the entrée. Other seafoods are not good choices.
The non-fish selections (eg. rubber chicken) are run of the mill or worse. New York Strip
and Smashed Potatoes is always a good choice, Tell them to rest steaks before service
at the table. Service can be spotty - be prepared for slow waitresses. For those looking
for a quiet and romantic outing, this is a place to pass, the high noise level drowns
out most conversations.
.
NOTE2: As a side point, some people fear a "fishy smell". If the fish is fresh, cooked
properly, and the kitchen ventilated well, there is no fish-smell. I have yet to see or
experience such at Coral Reef.

 

[goofy4prez]

Are there better dining options in WDW other than Coral Reef? Yes. For that matter there are better dining options in Epcot than Coral Reef. But with that said, I have been to CR three times in the past and have never experienced gross, inedible and disgusting food. I have never experienced pungent odors of fish filling the air. And I have also never experienced terrible service.

What I have experienced is a decent restaurant that I would not call excellent but rather one that is good. I have always had good food; I have always had good service; I have always had a good time while there; And I have always left satisfied with my dining experience. The one drawback I have experienced though is all three of my visits we were seated later than our scheduled ADR time. The worst being our first visit which was 30 minutes late. The other two were no more than 15 minutes late.

I have not been to CR in the last couple of years but is a restaurant I am certain to visit again here in the future. What I have learned over my time here on the DIS since 2008 is too take every review with a grain of sand, whether a positive review or a negative one. If the theme looks interesting to me as does the menu then I'm going to give it a try. There will always be those who think it's the greatest thing in the world since Wonder sliced bread and others who will think it's the worst thing since Ford built the Edsel. In most cases it will fall somewhere in the middle which still means you will enjoy your experience.

 

[Mrsjvb]

food was one of the better meals we have had in the parks. but the WAIT even with ADRs was stupid long and the ambiance sucked. there were parties of 4 and 6 that had been waiting for over an hour past their ADRs. we were only a party of 2 and still waited about 30 minutes past. once inside it was VERY distracting with conversations and loud clattering of flatware/ dishware.

our service was very slow and the wait between turning over tables was ridiculous.. the two tables that sat 6-8 each right by us sat dirty for a minimum 15 minutes.

 

[nilla]

Best desserts on the property, from what we've seen.

We've never had to wait any more than at any other WDW restaurant, and the service has always been top-notch.

We also love the meals, and the setting is tough to beat. I find it odd that it gets such poor reviews. It's a "can't miss" for us every year.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We've eaten at Coral Reef twice, the last time in November. Both trips were great. Excellent service and very good food. When we ate there in November, they had just changed some things on the menu and I had the new seafood pasta dish - it was DELICIOUS!!!

 

[fireman1]

Thanks all.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that CR is hit or miss. WIth that said, I would never suggest not trying it, especially since your wife and son want to go.

Our last meal was so-so, but that can happen anywhere. I htink that the CR is an experience, just as many other restaurants in WDW are described, and one that your family will enjoy.

As others have said, the food, even on an off night, is not gross or inedible. The restaurant is clean and the service is good. There is no fishy smell. This is one I plan to take our friend's little girls to in December when we go back. They will love the aquarium!

 

[RhodyChief]

We went a couple of years ago and had some of the best service I remember having at a DW restaurant. I got the lobster mac and cheese and thought it was just okay, but my wife's dish (I believe it was salmon) was excellent. I'd definitely say it's worth doing once.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We have eaten there 3 times. The first time, it was not very good and the service was not very good. The second AND third time we ate there, we had a really good meal and good service. I had the steak last time and I was very surprised at how good it was. I am ready to go back there again. We requested a table right in front of the aquarium. They said we might have to wait a little longer, which was fine for us. The wait turned out not to be very long at all. We were happy.

 

[ggdvc]

We've only eaten there once (April 2014), but we all enjoyed it. We did have a long-ish wait, but were rewarded with a table right in front of the aquarium. I had the mahi mahi and asked for it blackened, and it was PERFECT. I think my dad had the trout (also blackened) and my mom either had the salmon or the mahi mahi. The only reason we went there is because our trip was during Lent, and needed a meatless Friday dinner - and we wanted something other than fish & chips.

 

[LemonNeko]

We went in 2013 and it was my parents favourite meal. I thought it was okay but not fabulous (and my mom and I ordered the same thing). The themeing is very unique.

 

[DWillowBay]

This was my worst restaurant experience at WDW. LOOOOONNNNNNGGGG wait time. SLLOOOOWWWW service. AWWWWWWFUL food. I was wishing for the atmosphere to override the negatives, but alas....no....it was frustrating and unfulfilling.

 

[theostwalts]

I ate there with my dd's in November. We all thought the food was very good. One of us had the shrimp scampi and the other 2 had shrimp and grits. All of the food was better than we expected based on previous reviews we read on here. We were pleasently surprised. This is a place we would try again. I agree with the previous poster that you really need to try places you are interested in. We also ate at Tony's in the MK and it was very good as well.

 

[midge3426]

We ate at the Coral Reef in September and we thought that the food was good. It wasn't the best food on Disney property, but it was satisfactory. They are slow to seat people and the service lags, but you have that wonderful wall of fish in front of you for entertainment.

 

[hygienejean]

We have been there about 3 times. Long waits to be seated each time. Two good meals, one not so good. I think all seats have a view of the aquarium but if you are seated closer I think it is a bit more enjoyable. I would definitely go back. I think if you have never been there, I would rec trying it. Have fun!