Epcot's Coral Reef Restaurant will cease serving lunch in early January 2026

[crazy4wdw]

https://blogmickey.com/2025/11/coral-reef-restaurant-ending-lunch-service-early-2026-epcot/

 

[Simba's Mom]

With the increase in the # of "festival days" in Epcot, this doesn't surprise me. Also, on one hand, I can understand this as not nearly as many people have their lunchtime as their sit-down meal, and dinner as QS. However, since I'm one of those people, I'm disappointed that another one bites the dust regarding serving lunch. I've gone in to more than one CS for dinner, and had to ask them if they were open because there was no one in there! Meanwhile, those same places were packed at lunchtime.

 

[Micca]

With the increase in the # of "festival days" in Epcot, this doesn't surprise me.

As a 50s era Mousketeer if I sit down for a long lunch, I'm apt to want a nap afterwards. The festival kiosks are kinda perfect as a lunch option because you can get a little or a lot and you keep moving! Coral Reef just "feels" like a long, slow meal and relaxing while watching the fish.

 

[hardcorestitch]

https://blogmickey.com/2025/11/coral-reef-restaurant-ending-lunch-service-early-2026-epcot/

That’s a bit of a waste of real estate… being open for dinner only is a terrible call.

 

[CynBeth]

We have gone there for lunch on a few trips. Sorry to hear they are removing it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Have a lunch there coming up in a few weeks as part of the Candlelight dining package. It was probably our last choice in terms of restaurant but was all we could get with the package. For some of the popular acts/festivals, I feel like they need that space for the package. It would be a shame to reduce package availability. But I can see where if the restaurant needs to basically force people to eat there, that's not a good business model. Wish they'd focus on quality and menu updates instead. Really wish the concept of a lighter lunch menu would return across all restaurants instead of the all-day menus. Agree with all the comments that I don't really want a big dinner at lunch time, but I do enjoy table service dining -- give me some soup, salad, sandwich options!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

That’s a bit of a waste of real estate… being open for dinner only is a terrible call.

Is it a terrible call? How busy was it for lunch? If it wasn't busy, then it's a good call to close for lunch because you are basically losing money on staffing and overhead.

 

[BrianL]

Is it a terrible call? How busy was it for lunch? If it wasn't busy, then it's a good call to close for lunch because you are basically losing money on staffing and overhead.

I think I would say that if it wasn't buys for lunch, then they needed to do things to get people in there. Offer some lunch specials or something, or maybe even do a QS style lunch like BOG used to do. With it being kind of tucked-away, raising awareness is necessary too.

It seems that a lot of table-service places aren't as busy as they used to be. On the plus side, ADRs seem easier to get, but this is the down-side.

 

[stevelle]

Oh I'm sad to hear this. We often go for a late lunch on the hot summer days when we are there in August. Love to watch the fish tank and cool off. I did notice the last time we were there that it wasn't very busy though. I also like to choose lunch as my sit down meal for the mid day air-conditioning and the usually slightly cheaper prices on the lunch menu.

 

[lukemorenus]

It's amazing to think back when Coral Reef was the hottest reservation on property

 

[disneydreamer781]

That's too bad. I remember when CR opened and we went just about every trip. I haven't been in years, mainly because of all the festivals. They already took away lunch at Rose and Crown which used to be a tradition over the years. Never missed it! Of course, I also remember the Tea service there. It was wonderful! I just hope they don't make the same decision for Tiffins as I'm planning a lunch and dinner there next trip and that is quickly becoming our new tradition.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It's amazing to think back when Coral Reef was the hottest reservation on property

Yes, this is the most disappointing news about Coral Reef. It truly used to be an amazing experience with great food options and service. But not the last 10-15 years (longer?) - just average or below average in our experiences.