Epcot help??

[foxxxy83]

Sorry, meant to ask in last post... are quick service places usually mobbed with people?? What's the best time?? I'm trying to weigh up quick service dining against making reservations somewhere. TIA

 

[Elise79]

Sorry, meant to ask in last post... are quick service places usually mobbed with people?? What's the best time?? I'm trying to weigh up quick service dining against making reservations somewhere. TIA

Depends what time you want to eat.

We usually grab lunch a bit early (before 12) and beat the rush which means no queues and our pick of seats

If you have to eat between 12 and 2 it can get busy but they are usually well organised so while there is a lot of people there isn't too much of a wait.

 

[foxxxy83]

OK cool. Was considering making reservations at Coral Reef as a treat but am slightly worried my son might have one of his "off" days... why are these things always so confusing! Lol! I was thinking early lunch (just before 12)... are there any quick service places you would say are AMAZING??.. only thing we don't tend to eat is seafood but we do like to try new things Also, can children order off Adult menu or are they limited to the children's menu?? Thanks!

 

[2Tiggies]

There are some great CS restaurants at Epcot, particularly in the world showcase. What appeals to you is a matter of personal preference and you are best having a read through the menus online and seeing what appeals to you.

Yes, children can order of the adult menu. The only time they may NOT do so is if you have them on a children's dining plan and are paying with dining credits. if you are paying out of pocket you may order what you wish. Kids meals tend to be fairly small at the CS locations whereas the adult portions are usually on the opposite extreme. Just so you are aware depending on your child's appetite. My 10 year old and I still shared most of our meals last year (CS) because we just can't finish one each

 

[foxxxy83]

My son NEVER stops eating so Desperate Dan size portions are required for him! Lol! I've read nearly ALL the menus coz I thought that would help me decide but I just wondered if any really stood out for being better than the rest? Also, has anyone eaten at Coral Reef who can share their experience with me? Eg how would you rate staff, food and do you get a great view of the fish tank or is it just the lucky few who get sat next to it who have a great experience. Shark's Underwater Grille at SW seems the same so just wondered. Thanks!

 

[NikkiMouse]

My son NEVER stops eating so Desperate Dan size portions are required for him! Lol! I've read nearly ALL the menus coz I thought that would help me decide but I just wondered if any really stood out for being better than the rest? Also, has anyone eaten at Coral Reef who can share their experience with me? Eg how would you rate staff, food and do you get a great view of the fish tank or is it just the lucky few who get sat next to it who have a great experience. Shark's Underwater Grille at SW seems the same so just wondered. Thanks!

We ate at Coral Reef way back in 2008 and vowed never to go back.

The only appealing thing was the tank! Staff were minimal in their contact. Food was meh!

I think the podcast crew's last review was of the same opinion! Sad little crab cake!

There are far better places for food in Epcot!

Meant to add...
We had great seats, two tables away from the tank and timed our dining for the divers in the tank. It was DH birthday and they waved to our table and had a birthday message written underwater. That was cool but not enough to make up for the food and staff :-(

 

[dixonsontour]

My DD was 6 last trip and Epcot was her favourite.

Definitely do 2 Epcot days minimum.

1 day do future world and rides like test track and soarin - club cool where you can try coke products from all around the world was also a bit hit.

Spend some time in the aquarium part where nemo ride and crush show is too. Crush show is a big hit with kids.

1 day do world showcase- time time to watch the shows like the acrobats. For younger kids they can colour and have a duffy bear stamped at each kidcot stop. You can also buy a kids passport for $12 ish- in every country they will write a little message in and stamp it.

My DD loved phineus and pherb missions - did all 6. They give the kids an interactive phone as they do a mission around a country - she loved UK and china missions best.

Also fun to try different snacks as you go around the 'world'.

 

[foxxxy83]

Really?? OMG! Sounds TERRIBLE! Got REALLY good reviews on TripAdvisor as well! Thanks for posting your experience!

 

[wayneg]

We ate at Coral Reef way back in 2008 and vowed never to go back.

The only appealing thing was the tank! Staff were minimal in their contact. Food was meh!

I think the podcast crew's last review was of the same opinion! Sad little crab cake!

There are far better places for food in Epcot!

Meant to add...
We had great seats, two tables away from the tank and timed our dining for the divers in the tank. It was DH birthday and they waved to our table and had a birthday message written underwater. That was cool but not enough to make up for the food and staff :-(

We also had a poor server and average food but I know others who go every trip and never had a bad meal.
All Disney restaurants are the same, none are perfect, all have the odd bad server (or good servers who have an off night)
If they were consistantly bad for every meal they would close down or change things.
We were put off going to Rose & Crown for years due to the odd bad review, eventually ate there and had one of the best meals of the trip.

My advice is try for yourself.

 

[2Tiggies]

Really?? OMG! Sounds TERRIBLE! Got REALLY good reviews on TripAdvisor as well! Thanks for posting your experience!

I've said before: Trip Advisor - many reviews can be taken with a grain of salt. You have to look at what the people rave about and what it is that they criticize. It's amazing what some folk base a review on. TA can be great but I'd never make a final decision based on the reviews on there.

As Wayne says, only way to decide is to try it for yourself. One man's meat is another man's poison. You cannot base an overall decision on someone else's one time experience. They might not even be rating the place on the same criteria you are which makes it totally irrelevant to the next person's decision. Go with an open mind, book what looks good to you and just enjoy it.

 

[tinkerpea]

Hi we have been to coral reef quite a few times and really love it!
When we went for the very 1st time in 2008 it was AWFUL we said we would never return, food was poor and waiter was so rude to my children it had me in tears! ( and it takes a lot to do that )
We was a party of 8 spread across 2 tables with 2 tables in between us and he thought after giving us awful service he would get the 18% mandatory tip! No way in hell.....??

Anyways the next time we went the boys begged us to go, so we decided to give it another go,
Our server was wonderful we got seated on the 1st section next to the tank as we asked to wait,
I also have a son with autism he will be 11 next month and its rare he is willing to wait for anything but he was adamant that's what he wanted to do,
We got seated with in 15 mins and it was amazing! Sensory overload in a good way.

Food was really good, we enjoyed it so much we go back every yr! We always wait for tank side or 1st row. Never been a problem sometimes they try to put you off saying it will be an hour wait, but never in our last 8 visits has that been the case, and our server once told us when she came 5 mins after being told wait time would be an hour,that the podium staff say that to put you off as some don't like you waiting for the tank!

Epcot
Our boys really enjoy it, figment is a great ride and has a load of fun things to do at the exit for a child with sensory seeking issues as there is lots to touch and places to jump around where they can jump on patches that light up.
Test track
It's another firm favourite but be sure to FP it as the Q can get very long

World showcase is a wonderful place to walk around the 2 rides they have are very fun, we like to look at the different country's our boys used to get bored easily but I take them to try new food snacks and make it Interesting for them.

My son also eats like a horse, its the one thing I noticed about him compared to my other 2!
Yet he is skinny as a rake,
Don't be worried though if his appetite isn't the same, our AS kiddos get so overwhelmed by Disney that food seems to be the 1st thing to get effected, we struggled to get our son to eat on so me days just too much to see and do, do that's why we do as many TS meals as we do,
I like to make sure that once a day we sit down to concentrate on food!!
Even if its a character meal it's better for us then lots of busy rushed QS places plus he gets overly panicked and melts down if we have a tray of food but no where to sit, this can happen a lot at bush times!

 

[arieliwish]

We love Epcot, always been my favourite park - I actually think it's my favourite place on earth (second is the Tuileries Gardens in Paris!). Maybe it's because I was 12/13 when it opened and I remember watching Newsround reports showing it, so I always had a great expectation and fascination for it.

There are some great rides, there are other activities and attractions, and there are many quiet places where you can stop and watch the world go by, and take in the wonder of it all. It's not MK, very different feel and atmosphere, but it is wondrous. The lands are great too and we have a tradition of having the kids try on the hats in each land, pics have to be taken of course!

This trip we popped in almost every day, some days for breakfast or dinner, or just to wander the lands while the kids headed to test track or Soarin. Mousegear is a fab shop too! I also think getting in and out of the park is relatively easy, always think MK is a hassle to get in and out with the parking away from the entrance and the distances involved. Would love to stay at the Yacht or Beach club so we could stroll in.

 

[foxxxy83]

Awww thanks for all the help guys, your posts have REALLY helped! Got an 11.45am reservation at Coral Reef and going to ask if we can wait to sit next to the tank coz I was in hospital when it was my 30th birthday this year so this a belated birthday present to myself

 

[Elise79]

Another one that won't be going back to Coral Reef - tried it twice and didn't even get seated the 3rd time (they were running late and we had somewhere to be after which was going to be cutting it close as we had waited 30 minutes to be seated).

Service was average at best and as I don't eat seafood choice was limited.

It is also very expensive for average. This is our opinion though.

As for Epcot counter service - sunshine seasons in the land is very good plus most of the world showcase pavilions have a different CS and most are good.

 

[flortlebap]

I won't be going back to Coral Reef either - the service was appalling, the server was rude, they got our order wrong and then brought us burned steak (three times) when we asked for rare!! Then when DH got up to complain about us being left for so long he overheard the server swearing about our table to a manager...

It's the only time I've ever asked for the tip to be removed from the bill.

Epcot is an absolute must see for us, though. In our last week long trip we did a full day and then went back for an evening to walk (and drink lol) around the World Showcase.

 

[NikkiMouse]

Awww thanks for all the help guys, your posts have REALLY helped! Got an 11.45am reservation at Coral Reef and going to ask if we can wait to sit next to the tank coz I was in hospital when it was my 30th birthday this year so this a belated birthday present to myself

Please please please go in with low expectations!

It has a 'captive audience' to quote Kevin from the disunplugged podcast.

Here is a link to the show for the review.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2013/06/18/dis-unplugged-podcast-061813-orlando-show/

I know other folk have had better experiences than mine and I don't want to put them down but I have eaten in some of the best restaurants all over the World and at Disney and this is nowhere in that league!

If you are happy to risk your time and money for poor quality food and service then absolutely experience it for yourself!

I have read a few of your posts and I get the impression that this is the start of your once in a lifetime trips and I really want you to have a great time!

I just don't think you will have that here

 

[Nicnic]

Sorry, meant to ask in last post... are quick service places usually mobbed with people?? What's the best time?? I'm trying to weigh up quick service dining against making reservations somewhere. TIA

If you don't mind eating outdoors and off your knee!!
Then you could get fish and chips from Yorkshire next to Rose and Crown, then if you head round to the left (other side of rose & crown) you will find some seats by the water, very peaceful if you time it right.
Or if you want some cool air con, then Sunshine Seasons is a good choice, plenty of seating and not your usual offerings.

Hmmm might go there in 3 weeks and 6 days time for a strawberry shortcake. Yummmm. Lol
In fact, think I will have the fish and chips with a cheeky pint of cider then go for dessert!

 

[catherine]

We also love Epcot, it my DDs favorite park. We spend a lot of our time there, especially around WS and in particular Japan and China.

We have eaten at CR lots of times and have always had really good service and food. However other than the last couple of trips we had always ordered steak, which has been cooked to perfection. The last couple of times we have been there our oldest DD has ordered a couple of variations of Lobster and pasta dishes. The first time she tried this the food wasn't warm all the way through and the second time she ordered a similar dish, she said that she could have cooked something better at home with a packaged pasta! So I think that if we go there again we'll be sticking with the steak!

 

[HippieChickadee]

Hey guys! Just wondered how good Epcot really is?? I know it's a Disney park so really I should spend a full day there but is there enough to warrant spending a full day there. We're likely to do Test Track and maybe the whole Figment thing. Just wondered if there's anything else people would say you HAVE to see/do when you're there?? TIA!

Wow really? I could spend every day there

 

[catherine]

We also love Epcot, it my DDs favorite park. We spend a lot of our time there, especially around WS and in particular Japan and China.

We have eaten at CR lots of times and have always had really good service and food. However other than the last couple of trips we had always ordered steak, which has been cooked to perfection. The last couple of times we have been there our oldest DD has ordered a couple of variations of Lobster and pasta dishes. The first time she tried this the food wasn't warm all the way through and the second time she ordered a similar dish, she said that she could have cooked something better at home with a packaged pasta! So I think that if we go there again we'll be sticking with the steak!