Do we want to eat at Coral Reef?

[4mykids]

We have ADRs at the Coral Reef during free dining. We cannot make up our minds. We have eaten there twice before with mixed results. One time (11 years ago) it was very good, the next mediocre. Have not been back in years. Has anyone been lately? Do they change the menu during free dining? Should we try Chefs instead? HELP!

 

[patsal]

Ate at both Coral Reef and Chef's in July. Chef's was definately the better of the two meals. CR was noisy, crowded, and our server was barely able to be found. Chef's was crowded, noisy, but not as crazy loud--at CR we couldn't even hear one another at the table. As far as food the meal at Chef's was far superior and after years of eating at CR we could only shake our heads and unfortunately agree that the DDP has changed WDW dining for the worse. CR is off our list for dining.

 

[DisneyNotes]

We have ADRs at the Coral Reef . . .Should we try Chefs instead? HELP!

I vote for Chef Mickey's! It's fun and they put out a huge variety.

 

[RoseNJ]

I'm glad someone else thinks Coral Reef is noisy. We ate there 8/17 and were really bothered by the noise. The food was OK. I thought both the tuna my DH had and my Mahi-Mahi were too salty, appetizers were OK and desserts were excellent. Service was also excellent.

 

[HappyTap]

We visited Coral Reef on 8/14 and had a fabulous experience. Outstanding service, excellent food, great atmosphere. We were seated on the top level but still had a great view of the aquarium. I had read that I needed to get the chocolate wave for dessert, but our server actually wouldn't let us order it! He insisted we get the jack daniels mousse, and he was absolutely right. When he brought it out, he told the kids to pick either me or DH for something, but wouldn't tell them what. They picked DH. Our server placed the mousse in front of DH, scooped a big spoonful of the mouse (with all layers), and fed it to DH. We all got a big laugh and really enjoyed our food.

DD and I both had mahi mahi & lobster soup, DH had lobster salad and crab cake, and DS had mac & cheese. I would highly recommend it.

 

[cymbaldiva]

We visited Coral Reef on 8/14 and had a fabulous experience. Outstanding service, excellent food, great atmosphere. We were seated on the top level but still had a great view of the aquarium. I had read that I needed to get the chocolate wave for dessert, but our server actually wouldn't let us order it! He insisted we get the jack daniels mousse, and he was absolutely right. When he brought it out, he told the kids to pick either me or DH for something, but wouldn't tell them what. They picked DH. Our server placed the mousse in front of DH, scooped a big spoonful of the mouse (with all layers), and fed it to DH. We all got a big laugh and really enjoyed our food.

DD and I both had mahi mahi & lobster soup, DH had lobster salad and crab cake, and DS had mac & cheese. I would highly recommend it.

That's great to hear - We're dining at Coral Reef on our first night and I'm really excited to be trying it!

 

[slo]

I'm not a big fan of Coral Reef, and I would choose Chef Mickey's in a heartbeat. Granted, the aquarium is amazing to look at in Coral Reef, but we didn't like the menu at all I don't love the food at Chef Mickey's either (but I like it more than Coral Reef), but it's a heck of alot of fun, and it's a must do restaurant for all of our WDW trips

 

[cmurray234]

I can't remember EXACTLY what fish dish I had when we went, but it was so salty I couldn't even eat it. Worst meal I've ever had at Disney World - and that includes counter services. Aquarium is cool though....

 

[4mykids]

Thanks to all who have replied. I was actually asking about Coral Reef vs. Chefs de France (not Chef Mickey's). Does anyone know if either change CR or Chefs de France change their menus during free DDP?

 

[Cookie5nupe]

Me and my dgf just ate at Coral Reef this past wens. The food was good......had the land/sea for appetizer and filet entree.....but the atmosphere left some to be desired.

We had a seat for two right in front of the tank.....and adults and children were hovering around our table the whole meal, taking pictures and looking at the fish. They were literally breathing down our necks. It was definitely irritating.

Don't get me wrong this may have been an isolated incident and the food was great.....but it definitely effected our meal.

Not sure of Chef de France though. As far as the menu changes I doubt they change them much if at all. What they have now is prob what they'll have when you go.....for the most part.

~cookie

 

[GoofyTraci]

Our family ate at Coral reef just last week and the food was great. I was really surprised after reviews on here. The Land see App was good. My son had such a great time looking at the fish I actually got to enjoy my dinner and my 12.00 glass if wine. good luck

 

[angiedora]

We are eating there on our Epcot night. I can't wait!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd last been to Coral Reef in 1994, and remembered it as just OK. Yet, I've been there 3 times in the past year, and loved it every time. Lunch tends to be calmer, but I've enjoyed both lunch and dinner there.

 

[goofy4tink]

We ate at Chefs de France on August 7 and at Coral Reef on August 9. Loved CR...I was actually surprised at how much we enjoyed it since I had read varying reports on it. But, we lucked out and got a table tankside but at the very end of the row so there weren't many people hovering around...just 3 kids for about 2 mins. Dh told me that his dinner was the best he had had that entire week!! As was my beef.
But, we were sorely disappointed in Chefs. The service was incredibly slow, dh had to keep reminding our server that he had asked for more iced tea. And the iced tea wasn't iced, but tepid. His flounder was really fishy, and since flounder is one of the few fish I will eat because it isn't fishy, this seemed to be out of the ordinary. Fishy flounder is not a good thing. My beef was passable...had the steak au poive. I've had much better at home. It was crowded and noisy. I had really looked forward to this meal but found it to be totally lacking in many aspects. Won't be going back.

 

[eeyoresnr]

we have ADR's at Coral Reef for our 2nd night in Dec, and have the diver booked as well...can't wait

 

[shmedly123]

we were there 2 years ago and my wife said the mahi was good but a little salty. I am not a seafood eater so I ordered steak and it was very good.

We are very excited to take my daughters there next month as I know my 3yr old is going to love the tank...hopefully she won't "irritate" somebody by being excited to see fish and sea turtles at DISNEY WORLD.

 

[carol-lamb]

We ate lunch there for the first time this past June and it was one of our favorite meals of the trip. I know my son's fiance had the lobster salad and loved it. I had a pesto rissoto dish that was excellent. My daughter had the caesar salad, which she was was good. I think my son had blackened catfish and also thought it was good. The bread they served was very good also. We had very attentive service.

 

[ajsmommy1129]

We have ADRS at CR for 9/11/07, and I am very excited, and glad to hear some good reviews! My DH is a big fish eater, so this was his pick. I personally, am a little weirded out about eating fish and seafood in front of all those fish...all I can think of is poor Sebastian (from The Little Mermaid) turning green seeing Louie cooking all the fish!

 

[Danemom]

The differences in opinion are so funny! Our favorite meal last Sept was at Coral Reef. Delicious steaks (maybe that's the trick, don't eat seafood?) ... we thought they were much better than Le Cellier, which gets raves. And Chef Mickey's is so loved, but we ate there 4 trips ago and it was so unbelievably bad, we still won't go there.

I know my 3yr old is going to love the tank...hopefully she won't "irritate" somebody by being excited to see fish and sea turtles at DISNEY WORLD.

I hope your daughter is excited and loves Coral Reef. I also hope she enjoys it from your table, not mine. I think people only get "irritated" when children are allowed to stand at the tank. There just is not room for that without intruding on the diners seated by the tank. Have a great trip!

 

[septbaby]

We have ADRs at the Coral Reef during free dining. We cannot make up our minds. We have eaten there twice before with mixed results. One time (11 years ago) it was very good, the next mediocre. Have not been back in years. Has anyone been lately? Do they change the menu during free dining? Should we try Chefs instead? HELP!

Honestly, if you've been there done that and can't make up your mind go elsewhere, you've already dined with the fishies so no novelty points. I spoke to a CM on Sunday and there wasn't a Coral Reef ADR to be had (we already had ours) she was quick to tell me to keep it, we want the novelty. So if you cancel they'll be an excited group ready to snag it. Hopefully you'll try something else or return to an old favorite.