Didn't Like Coral Reef?

[Kit'smommy]

I don't think the issues with CR are all recent. Actually, I have seen more favorable reviews of the food in the last year than I did in previous years when we considered going there.

The wait problem seems to be an issue based on the number of comments that I see on it. I know we waited about 25 minutes even though we had a fairly early dinner ressie. By the time we left, it looked like the whole park was outside waiting.

The restaurant was very loud. Our server took forever to take our drink order, bring drinks, take our food order, bring the food, get the extra catchup we needed, etc. By the time she came back to take our dessert order, DH and both declined because we were tired of waiting.

The food was so unremarkable that DH and I can't remember what we ordered - and we ate their back in December.

We won't be going back.

 

[libinatorsmom]

We went in 08 - and decided we are not going back there in 2010... we were sat right next to the tank too... we too had to wait FOREVER even with ressies I think close to 30+ mins.... Then we didnt think the food was neccessarily bad but just not great and we think there are so many other restuarants we liked better and ones we wanted to try...

 

[MickeyNicki]

We went to CR last month, we were seated right away on the third tier but still had a gorgeous view of the tank. Last time we ate here was about 11 years ago and I remember our family all ordered fish and DH and I had the filet...they all wished they ordered the filet too!

The kids did not like the pizza or fries at all so they made a meal of bread and the make your own sundae.

DH and I shared a caesar salad that was good, I loved the pan seared grouper special but the scallop risotto was too salty for me. DH did not like the flavor of the NY Strip at all....the butterscotch creme brulee was to die for.

So this place is off our list for a few more years....

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We've tried it twice (1996 & 2005) and disliked it both times. Food was bland and service was horrible. Will never be eating here again.

I don't mind waiting so I don't remember what the wait times were for both times (we mainly go to WDW to eat ). I've waited over an hour past my ADR time for 'Ohana and Sci-Fi (for lunch) and we still go to both every trip.

 

[wezee]

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



.

***ditto****

 

[Dee718]

I went a few years back with just me and my daughter. I felt that the restaurant lacked ambiance. The food menu not that extensive and the portions not so good either. I don't think I'll give it a chance again unless something changes.

 

[falling2infinity319]

I booked Reservations for this for good Friday and now you guys have me nervous lol.

I don't think I'm going cancel, as I want to see what it's like, but I definitely feel nervous now, lol.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Been here a couple of times and they were all good times and good food. Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[homerjay316]

June '08 - We also had to wait for a table, even with an ADR. We had an 11:00 lunch ressie, which I believe is opening time, so it seems that a table should have been ready upon arrival. The hostess told us they were behind opening because the power had went out that morning. It seemed reasonable at the time, but given the experiences of others I wonder if it was true now or just a convenient excuse.

The wait was about 20 minutes. The server was fine. The food was acceptable. The fishtank was fun. It wasn't a bad experience, but given the number of TS restaurants in WS we've never done, it will be a long time before I return to Coral Reef.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

We had a wonderful experience.

Coral Reef and Les Chefs de France were our top two restaurants last year. At Coral Reef, we only waited about....... 2 seconds until they called us to be seated. We asked for an aquarium seat, which we got. Our service was great, he was always around and made sure we were ok even with 2 other tables of 2 and one table of 8. I'm picky so I order special stuff all the time and everything was correct. It only took us about an hour, if that- but it wasn't a rushed hour.

Everything was perfect.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I was there last September. We had a table right in front and loved being next to the fish tank. The atmosphere was fantastic. The food and the service was fine. I'm planning to take my family there next month and look forward to going back.

 

[pigby]

I booked Reservations for this for good Friday and now you guys have me nervous lol.

I don't think I'm going cancel, as I want to see what it's like, but I definitely feel nervous now, lol.

Don't be nervous - we had a fantastic experience here in August and our going back in May for our anniversary meal - I thought the service was great and we did enjoy the food. We didn't have to wait at all for our ADR - interested in what time people had booked their ADR - ours was pretty early at 5.30pm but suppose the waits get longer later in the evening (together will all the Epcot restaurants).

We had a long wait at 1900 Park Fayre in August at a later sitting - but it didn't detract from the experience. Our longest ever wait (with an ADR) was definitely Boma - well over an hour - but that was a few years ago.

 

[MelanieC]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We LOVE Coral Reef!

 

[mollyw]

For us, Coral Reef was one of the magical memories. I had arranged for a diver and had ADR's. We were seating in a booth up top, and couldn't see very good. I was a little surprised because I thought we would be down below but never said anything. Pretty soon, the manager came and whispered something to me. The waiter handled it so well, and said Dreams come true, you get to sit at a table near the tank. Woohoo, they moved everything. DS is a leap day baby so the diver's sign said Happy Leap Day un-birthday and he was so surprised. Everyone sang to him.
The non-alcoholic smoothies were included in our dining plan. Food was delicious but I did research and knew what to order and the wave was yummy.
It was lovely and one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[TotalDisneyFan1018]

Their is mixed thoughts on this place. I personally didn't like it but that doesn't mean someone else won't either... I'm just gonna stick with another rest.
- TDF

 

[cropper]

As others have said, waits are expected even with ADR. But, maybe ADR times need to be spaced out a little further because people like to sit and watch the tank? Do you consider that someone is waiting for your table as you sit there and relax? For me, sometimes yes, sometimes no.

At home, what makes for consistantly poor service is management...or the manager. Staff isn't happy because of the person who bosses them. I think it shows in the wait staffs attitude. Wonder if that is the case at CR?

Also with service, if there are too many tables for the waiter to handle (slow service, takes forever to refill, get ketchup, etc), maybe there needs to be more wait staff. This is also a management staffing issue....sometimes.

As for food quality, we went in Oct 07 and it was wonderful. But that can change with menu changes or chef, your personal tastes, or just a bad night. I think that happens anywhere.

 

[cj9200]

Sorry to hear about some having a problem with service. My daughter and I were on the other side of the glass last Christmas Eve. I wanted her mom to watch her dive so we set up a reservation at CR. The problem is that mom is confined to a wheelchair and I was worried that she would not be able to get to the table while we were on the tour. I talked to a manager a couple of days before and expressed my concerns. He assured me that was not a problem. Before the tour we dropped her off at the restaurant and the hosts/hostesses were aware of the issue and could not have been nicer. Because of them, we felt OK with leaving her on her own and she got to see her daughter scuba dive. Not sure what she had (I think a risotto) but she said she liked it.

On a side note. Watching you eat from the other side is cool. On our dive, there was a little girl sitting right next to the glass. I waved and she meekly waved back. I waved harder, she got bolder and waved harder. I waved with both hands and she waved with both hands. I shook back and forth, she shook back and forth. She was giggling by then. One of the Disney divers gave my daughter one of the congratulatory notes to show to another family and the boy the note was directed to was jumping up and down. Sorry they have stopped this. So if you do go and see some divers in the tank make sure you wave hello.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Ariel Wannabe: You cracked me up, but why don't you tell us how you really feel?!?

 

[Qtips4Mick]

We went once for the first time last year and were also very disappointed. No view of the tank and the food was poor. IMO. Maybe because it was over-hyped?

 

[TotalDisneyFan1018]

To your post I also find that the picture Disney has is very different then what the place looks like. It through me off guard... I expected something totally different.
- TDF