Didn't Like Coral Reef?

[TotalDisneyFan1018]

Hi guys I'm new here and I just actually returned from Walt Disney World. We stayed a nice weekend just to get a fix until we go next time. We ate at the Coral Reef Saturday night in EPCOT and we didn't like what we saw. Once we arrived we first had to wait a total of an almost 45 minutes for our table even with reservations. When we got in we couldn't even see the Fish taken which was a little disappointing. I thought the tank was all around you but I guess I was wrong. Anyway I wasn't impressed with the food either. I got the Mahi Mahi, hey it's a seafood place, and It was burned and had no flavor. The food portions are also VERY small. The best part was the desert. We got the wave or whatever and it was SO good. Anyway, I honestly didn't like it. I mean it's one bad experience and i'm willing to give them another shot. So what about you guys?
- TDF

 

[britterbell]

We (as a group had an ok experience) DS had a meltdown, didn't eat anything. Everyone was in a bad mood. But me, I had a great experience! I LOVED the chicken I ordered. There was a stingray that looked at me the WHOLE time. (I looked at it too ) It was cute. I would go back, just earlier in the day so there won't be so many meltdowns. I hope you give it another try!!!

 

[smye1stdisneycruise]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. We went last September and our experience there was amazing! We too had to wait (15-20mins) but were then sat right on the main level right beside the tank, I had learned (thanks to the disboards) that you can arrange a personal menu which I did for DD(7)and to have the diver bring a message to my daughter saying hello from her favorite princess Ariel. My DD and DH were shocked & amazed! That ofcourse was a major highlight but I have to say we really enjoyed the food as well. I had the steak and DH had the mahi-mahi which he really enjoyed. Our favorite dessert was the baileys and Jack Daniels mousse! We did do a lunch as opposed to dinner so maybe it was less busy but I really hope that you have a better experience next time! There are so many restaraunts to experience at WDW why not try something new! Just my thoughts! Take care!

 

[goofy4prez]

Overall our experience was pretty good. Our wait was only about 10 minutes. We were lead to a table all the way at the top of the dining room. When asked if we could move closer to the tank they were very good and took us right up to a table next to the tank.

The food was good. My dw and dd enjoyed the chicken they ordered. I ordered the steak and thought it was pretty good. We would be willing to go there again in the future.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I'll just re-post my standard response to Coral Reef threads:

We ate there in May of 07. Suffice it to say that I would I would rather bounce across Epcot on a pogo stick, at high noon, NAKED, before I'd ever set foot in that festering cestpool of rudeness again. JMO.

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[TotalDisneyFan1018]

I'm sorry I didn't have a good experience... i'm gonna give it another shot yet I would enjoy eating in a different land
- TDF

 

[TotalDisneyFan1018]

I'll just re-post my standard response to Coral Reef threads:



.

Yea I don't feel left out
- TDF

 

[jrt1176]

I havent eaten there. I havent been to WDW in a while and I believe it was closed when we were there last...

But, I dont think I have seen good reviews on here, overall, from the place...

 

[ticktock]

I went there because of the candle light processional. I'd heard the food was bad ect and wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised by the food. I have allergies and the chief wasn't as knowledgeable as at Cali Grill or Flying Fish but he was better then the chief at Le Cellier or France. We did have to wait a long time but it was a busy weekend. We were also sat at the top of the room, next time I'll ask for a table closer to the tank. All in all not a bad experience. Not great but we are snobby about food. I have never had a GREAT meal in Epcot, Coral Reef was better then most. Of course that could have been because everything was made fresh especially for me. This is the only perk to having food allergies.

 

[dansyr2514]

I've eaten at coral a few times and I have to say, when we went last august it wasn't great as it used to be. It was still on the good side and the ambience and waiter was great but the food portion were on the small side and just good.

 

[Pakey]

I agree that Coral Reef is one of the places that has went downhill since the popularity of the dining plan. The menu has been dumbed down, they are constantly way behind on ADR seating, service is slow, and the place is noisy and packed with kids having meltdowns which bounce off that glass. With that said, we still enjoy going here for the earliest lunch seating when they first open for the day. It's quieter, we are seated on time, the place is half empty so service is improved. If I could not get that first ADR of the day, I would never step foot in the place again.

 

[squirrel]

Well we didn't have a great experience there either.

It was the only restaurant that the chef didn't come out and talk about what he could do for my niece who is lactose intollerant. We even spoke to all the chefs at the CS places.

Our server wouldn't get the chef. Our orders were mixed up, he argued with me about what I ordered. He even rolled his eyes at my neighbour. Didn't refill our glasses and when I asked for some more pop he took forever to get some. My niece didn't get a dessert in the confusion as it was taking so long for our meal and the dessert to be served. The manager was called and eventually we got our dessert, but by then we had had it - the children were getting very restless. I think we were there for about 2hrs.

 

[Dr. M]

Coral Reef was our favorite dinner last year during free dining. My husband loved his Mahi-Mahi and wants to return this year for the same dish. My DD11 was excited to be able to order off the adult menu. She ordered the steak and I thought that surely that was too much food for her. She is a pettit, lean ballerina, but she finished every bite because she said it was really yummy. She is also a very picky eater, so I was very pleased. I had the pork chop which was so mouth watering good. This is a huge contrast to when we went 2 years prior. The steak was so bad, my husband would only eat one bite--and he is definitely not picky when it comes to meat. We wanted to try Coral Reef again last year because we loved watching the fish. I'm so glad we returned and we are planning another dinner there this time again for free dining

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Tried it in '07 and had the worst service ever! So bad I got up and left! A first for us at WDW! Management did all they could to make things right and begged us to stay and try another server but I was done with the place by then. It was really bad!

I'm going next month and we're going to go in and try dessert. I hope to feel differently then. (Not going in for an entire meal...just not ready for that yet!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Before I start, let me fend of any accusations by stating I am NOT defending Disney, nor do I think Disney can do no wrong. I am SIMPLY explaining/responding to several issues raised by the OP and another poster in this thread.

Once we arrived we first had to wait a total of an almost 45 minutes for our table even with reservations

Disney dining reservations are not actual reservations; they are the the extreme version of call-ahead seating - instead of calling from your car on your way to the restaurant, you call three months ahead from your office.
When you check in at the restaurant, you are seated at the next available table for your party size at or after your reservation time. There is not a specific table being held for you at the designated time. Management projects how quickly tables will turn over, but they can't force diners to leave.

When we got in we couldn't even see the Fish taken which was a little disappointing. I thought the tank was all around you but I guess I was wrong.

Well, no - but it does take up one entire (long) wall - were you seated in a different room? I thought (especially because the tables are 'tiered') that every table has a view of the aquarium tank?

I had learned (thanks to the disboards) that you can arrange a personal menu which I did for DD(7)and to have the diver bring a message to . . . That ofcourse was a major highlight

That (the diver and sign) ended at the end of 2008.

 

[Neesy228]

We had the worst dining experience of our 10 day trip in September here. Our server was horrid. Food was ....unimpressive. We waited for 30 minutes past our ADR time, in a packed lobby. We would have left, but my DS was really excited about the fish. We're not going back. Once was enough for us!

 

[Mamu]

Went once almost 9 years ago. Family loved it all except DH.

We did get a seat by the tank and I would return, just haven't yet. I know this restaurant sometimes gets bad reviews. Because I haven't been in so long, I can't really rate it.

I have found over the years some restaurants I loved, I do not care for anymore. Others I was disappointed in on the 2nd try loved them. Disney does change chefs and menu's every so often. Sometimes the changes are for the better, other times even though I loved them they changes so much I won't return.

 

[daisygirl902]

I liked the atmosphere (we were right by the aquarioum wall) but was a bit dissapointed in the food. I had the catfish with pepperjack grits, and it was OK, the rest of the table had very average food. Not a fantastic experience, but then again when you are competing directly with Le Cellier, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown it's tough to stand out...

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I think the theme of the restaurant is very cool and DD is in love with it because of that. However, me, DH and DS did not think the food was all that great. It was good, but nothing spectacular or memorable for us.

As for the wait time, we had ADR's and still had to wait maybe 20-30 minutes, but expected that. I don't know if there are multiple seating areas, but everyone in our room, no matter what level of seating they were on seemed to have a view of the fish tank. I didn't notice any obstructed views, but I suppose I could have missed something.

 

[java]

Years ago this was a must do for us. The kids loved it and we loved it.
We even had a favorite waiter- who is still there but I am having brain freeze and can't remember his name.

Well last time we went the food was so poorly prepard that we took it off the list. oh and our waiter wasn't there that night and the waitress we got was awful!
It's hard though because disney moves chefs around so often-that a place may have a bad couple months - then they change a chef and it's amazing again.
Sorry you had a bad experience.