Coral Reef

[hj8nc]

Hi! We've never been to the Coral Reef Restaurant so was hoping for some insight!!

If you had the choice between dinner at 5:10 on a Saturday or an 11:40 lunch on a Tuesday, which would you recommend based on chances of lower crowds and chances of getting a tankside seat?

I know there is no way to guarantee getting a seat in front of the aquarium, but which would you say we had a better chance of getting a waterfront seat? It'll be me, my husband and my four year old, and I'm not sure how the tables are set up or what the crowds are like. Any info would be very greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

 

[Owl X]

It would depend on the Tuesday and Saturday.

The average Tuesday lunch would most likely be less crowded than the average Saturday dinner.

But a Tuesday with EMH during a Holiday week (such as Nov 22) may be more crowded than the previous Saturday (Nov 19).

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Always lunch! This is one place we usually end up waiting to be seated...

 

[Lisa F]

11:40 for sure. they open at 11:30. Show up 15-25 minutes early (before they even open) and request a table by the tank. You should not have much competition at that time of day.

 

[hj8nc]

Thanks, all!!! Man, this place is great! Every time I've ever asked a question on this board, I've always received awesome feedback!!!!

 

[GillianP1301]

How large is your party? I think that also plays a part in the tank side table seating. Generally only parties of 2 or 4 are seated down there. We are a party of 2 and always get a tank side table, even when the restaurant is quite full. Last time the back of the restaurant was very full and there were 3 or 4 tables for 2 at the tank that were empty when we were seated. It almost looks to me like they prefer to have the small parties down there. Could be because there are no 2 tops in the back, I've never looked that closely.

As for your original question, I do think that 11:40 would be your best bet because the restaurant will just be opening and if you're going to get one, that will be the time to do it.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We have seen larger parties seated up front. They just put the tables together...but it has only been a time or two that we have seen that.

And they do have the same type of table seating on each level where they could put together tables next to the rail (each level has a rail with separate two tops (that are put together most often that we have seen to be four tops) then an isle and then the U shaped bench seating.

It seems more likely that a large party would be given the whole booth (rather than half and then having another 4-6 sized party next to them on the other side of the U) from what we have seen as the norm though.

As a party of 3 or 4 we have almost always been given a tank side seat. The last time we went (almost a year ago ) we were seated at tables along the rail in the top tier. We always thought being up close and personal with the tank was the best place to be. However, the seats we have last time were wonderful! When you are right on top of the tank you can really only see your section of the tank...from where we were in the back, we could see all the windows into the tank! I do think that a booth is probably the worst seating, especially for little kids though because the seat backs are high and difficult to see around...

 

[jillt2ph]

I was also going to say that I preferred the booth seating on the first level vs the tankside tables. Much easier to see a wider variety of fish from the spotting guide.