Dinner at Coral Reef Before Illuminations

[adoborocks]

Hello everyone!

Need your advice. Planning to visit Disney World for the first time with my girlfriend this January. We're planning for dinner at the Coral Reef restaurant, but want to make sure we finish in time to have a railing spot for Illuminations.

What time should I make my reservations for? How long before showtime should I plan on staking out a spot? Has anyone ever done this before? Illuminations that night will be at 9pm.

Thanks!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Have dinner at a normal dinner hour and you should be fine.. I would not make it for anytime after 7:30pm. I would actually do 6pm and that is a great time to eat too.. not too late for food to sit in your stomach

 

[minnie mum]

I'd opt for an earlier ADR rather than later. This place is notorious for seating guests late. Last time we ate there we waited well over an hour. We would have gone elsewhere, but it was a monsoon outside. But I digress. Try for one around 6:00-6:30. If you're done early then you can take a nice stroll in WS and scope out a prime spot.

 

[LilyWDW]

I'd opt for an earlier ADR rather than later. This place is notorious for seating guests late. Last time we ate there we waited well over an hour. We would have gone elsewhere, but it was a monsoon outside. But I digress. Try for one around 6:00-6:30. If you're done early then you can take a nice stroll in WS and scope out a prime spot.

I have to agree here. Coral Reef is one of the top restaurants that has reports of running late... and the later the ADR the later they are running. So, I would make the reservation for no time past 6:30.

 

[Sugardimples]

I agree with no later than 6:30. We had a 7:00 ADR last month and Illuminations started while we were still in the restaurant.

 

[Vemnox]

Not to be brash, but I think you should be more concerned about how you're going to get a 6:30/7:00 ADR at Coral Reef less than 60 days out. I'd be shocked if anything remotely around that time were still available this close out.

 

[LSUfan4444]

If I was eating in Epcot and wanted to see Illuminations for 9 pm I would make reservations some time bewteen 6 pm - 6:30 pm.

I would take my time during dinner, then after we ate head to the country with my favorite adult beverage and find a decent spot while we drank our drink and waited for the show.

 

[freshmanjs]

I would strongly advise that you consider a different restaurant. Besides the timeliness issues that others have pointed out, Coral Reef is just not very good. The food is mediocre at best and there are many better places to eat in Epcot. Plus, if you eat in World Showcase, you will be closer to a good spot for Illuminations. An early ADR at Hacienda, for example is great. You can then head right out to the large viewing area and grab a spot.

 

[ashlinicoleee]

First, I think the food is amazing. They have a lobster bisque that's to die for. The ambience of the restaurant you can't get anywhere else. I wouldn't change your reservation to a different one. I would recommend trying for an earlier one though. It will be in January which is a low crowd time. We are going in January and I just booked ADRs not even a month ago and had no problem getting one anywhere except for BOG.

 

[freshmanjs]

First, I think the food is amazing. They have a lobster bisque that's to die for. The ambience of the restaurant you can't get anywhere else. I wouldn't change your reservation to a different one. I would recommend trying for an earlier one though. It will be in January which is a low crowd time. We are going in January and I just booked ADRs not even a month ago and had no problem getting one anywhere except for BOG.

there are plenty of other (and better) aquarium restaurants. even Rainforest Cafe at AK has better food and a big fish tank in the dining room.

if you mean the excessive noise and chaos, i agree, that is tough to replicate elsewhere.

 

[BayouMickey]

Idk I personally like coral reef....

 

[bladiator]

My sister wanted me to get us reservations at Coral Reef for our trip (which I have) but I always think about changing because there is so little good report from DISers. I'm glad to see a couple people standing up for it!! I don't want to change my sister's only request, lol.

 

[CAStevens218]

We are planning the same thing in February, and we currently have our ADR for 6:00PM. On our last January trip (marathon weekend and the week after), we were shocked to see how empty the World Showcase was during Illuminations. If we wanted to, we could have had a railing spot anywhere for the show. We chose to take a seat a bit farther back because we have seen it multiple times. I wouldn't count on this...but it was our experience in January 2012.

We have eaten at Coral Reef before and enjoyed it. The atmosphere is great, and the food is not so bad. The menu has changed since we ate there last and we are excited to try some of the newer options.

Like everyone else said...go with the earlier options so that you don't have to worry about rushing. You don't want to have that on your mind while you try to enjoy your meal.

Have fun!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Coral Reef is as far as you can get from the lagoon and still be in the park. If you have given yourself plenty of time, make sure you have enough time so you don't have to be running through the park. BTW, the plaza between the two stores at the juncture of Future World and World Showcase is a great place to watch. and you would not need a railing spot.

I have no quarrel with the food in Coral Reef, although there's no way I'd call it "amazing," it's been pretty good, but I can vouch for the excessive noise and chaos. Last time I was there it became obvious that parents were allowing their kids to treat the restaurant as a playground, I suppose because the presence of the aquarium led to a lot of kids getting out of their seats, running through the restaurant, yelling, and climbing on tables and chairs nearest the tank. it is also true that Coral Reef is notorious for seating ADR holders late.

 

[ashlinicoleee]

there are plenty of other (and better) aquarium restaurants. even Rainforest Cafe at AK has better food and a big fish tank in the dining room.

if you mean the excessive noise and chaos, i agree, that is tough to replicate elsewhere.

Rainforest doesn't compare to coral reef for me. I think the food at rainforest isn't up to par. And excessive noise at coral reef? I have never experienced that. But there's gorillas coming to life in rainforest, which is annoying.

 

[Vemnox]

I think the "idea" of the Coral Reef is good but the reality is very different. The fish in the tank are the same one's you see in Sea Base Alpha, so there's that. The restaurant is loud despite what anyone says. The food is okay but nothing to write home about. I, like others, would recommend using the opportunity to dine on something completely unique in the Showcase than spending beaucoup money to sit in some proximity to a tank you can freely see on your own anyways.