Epcot's Coral Reef

[Poly 1st Timer]

Sorry to be a bummer but I don't want anyone to make the same mistake!!! This was our one and only disappointment. The Coral Reef at Epcot is OVERPRICED and the decor is gaudey! My husband and I had a $130.00 dinner, went back to our resort and ordered pizza because we were still hungry! He ordered the jumbo shrimp, he got a lousy 6 shrimp and NO SIDES. He is a 215 pound man- 6 shrimp didn't quite cut it! His dinner was $42.00, he also had a 2 mixed drinks, I had the lobster (which was good) with one spoonful of mashed potatoes and a few greenbeans, $46.00, also 2 glasses of wine, our 5 year old would not touch anything on the menu. My husband left sooo angry and HUNGRY! I do not understand why this place is so popular! There are only a few seats near the aquarium, which i suppose might help. We ate at Ohana's the next night and it was wonderful, our best meal of the week! Worth the wait if you don't have priority seating. My advice -- stay away from The Coral Reef at Epcot!

 

[ErinC]

DH and I enjoyed a lunch we had there a couple of years ago. (Costs less and the portions are about the same) We took our extended family for dinner last year and I was embarrassed. It was very expensive and the portions were very small. My dad ordered a side salad with his meal, it was like $7 and the only thing in the bowl was lettuce! Nothing else!! It was a rip off. Ohana's is our favorite family meal, and nobody should ever leave there hungry!!

 

[Poly 1st Timer]

You are soo right! If you go away hungry at Ohana's it is your own fault!!

 

[beccasmom]

I must agree. Although we have not eaten at the Coral Reef in some time, it is not by any means a value. Although my past meals there have been enough for me, the rest of my family really dislikes this restaurant; hence, we have not returned. And we were using a meal plan at the time, which made the final tally (except for drinks) inconsequential. And it has always been very pricey, so I tend to not recommend it unless money is not an object.

 

[Forever42]

You are soo right! If you go away hungry at Ohana's it is your own fault!!

One of my friends just went, and said that they stopped bringing out food in the middle of their dinner, because it was close to closing! They actually had to order dessert.

 

[Poly 1st Timer]

It's not that we are unwilling to pay for a meal that is worth it, it just wasn't worth it!!!! If it was this fabulous thing we would have not had a problem, we did not go to Disney to penny pinch. Even if money is no object please do not eat here!!! Thanks for your reply!

 

[Bracho]

I will agree with the Coral Reef being overpriced but then alot of the dining rooms at WDW are, but to be honest, it's not far to compare it to Ohana's.

Ohana's will keep putting shrimp, steak, turkey or pork loin on your plate until you are full... where everything at Coral Reef is ala carte (?sp) so that's not really fair to compare the 2 since they have very different serving styles...

But you are right in my book, it's hard to justify the price when the portions are getting smaller or are to small to start with for the money you have to pay..

Now I could be wrong......Thanks for the honest report...

 

[scrump]

Yeah, we like Coral Reef as a midday respite from the heat and the activity, and maybe the aquarium, but $130 is a lot of money to spend to still feel hungry. We're glad we did it once, but maybe not again, at least for a long time. Thanks for the report!

 

[sleepydog25]

I, too, always appreciate a report with candor. At the same time, we just came back from WDW two weeks ago where we had a delightful and filling meal at Coral Reef. I helped that we requested seats next to the viewing glass to be fair.

My DW, DD4, and I ate well, were completely full, and though it was a bit pricey, the service was exemplary. The total for the three of us was $130, and that included two appetizers, three entrees, three desserts, and a bottle of wine. My wife really enjoyed her mahi; my blackened catfish was excellent; and DD4 thought the pasta was just fine.

Bracho is astute in mentioning that Ohana's is a different place, thus not truly a comparable establishment. A more apple-to-apple comparison might be V&A's or Artist Point, both of which are quite pricey and offer what many would consider smaller portions, yet are very upscale. I would even grant you that CR isn't quite in the same league as AP and V&A's, too. Still, we lived in both D.C. and Alaska for a few years, and Coral Reef is in line with nicer restaurants in both locations in terms of portions, pricing, and service. . .at least to our experience there two weeks hence. Sorry your experience was less than enjoyable.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

To date Coral Reef is too our biggest disapointment at WDW and Ohanna's our favorite place of all.

We really do not regret doing CR as we were by the tank and so enjoyed that but too found the prices and food totaly out of proportion. WE also had a very rude waiter.

Jordans' mom

 

[becka]

I have heard that same complaint about Coral Reef from others and it is one reason why we have stayed away..it just doesn't seem like a very good value. I have considered making a PS just for dessert one afternoon as a way to enjoy the tank but not spend $100 on lunch.

 

[Poly 1st Timer]

That is a very wise idea, if you must.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Here's a quick question, is everyone referring to the dinner menu being overpriced there? Every time we have been to the Coral Reef it's been for lunch, the servings have been MORE than adequate, (We are light eaters though, maybe that is why?) and it was like $20 a plate. We have never spent more than $45 there for 2 people, thats including drinks and tip. In fact that's sorta become our "fancy" dinner spot b/c we like the tank.

Anyone else confused now? It's been 3 years since we have last been to the Coral Reef and were going again this year for our honeymoon. We even called, spoke to the chef b/c of my food allergies (they were very accomodating and friendly) and got prices, none of which were over $21 for the things we were looking for.

Anyway just wanted to add that viewpoint, perhaps it just depends upon your normal portion size, and what you order precisely.

 

[Poly 1st Timer]

Our whole problem with the coral reef was based on it being portrayed as a high quality class resturant, when in actuality, it is over priced cafeteria fashioned eatery with about 4 fantastic tables that face the aquarium. The decor was subpar and the food slightly above average. The service was average. The price was comparable with dining in NY or downtown Chicago. All we were trying to get across is that if people are counting on this resturant as a highlight of their trip, they will most likely be disappointed.
But then again if spending more money than you need to is your idea of enjoying your vacation, Disney still thanks you.

 

[Philly81]

Our whole problem with the coral reef was based on it being portrayed as a high quality class resturant...

Where did you read/hear that? I have always read negative reviews about Coral Reef. Very sad to hear they are true. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience. That is way too much to spend on a disappointing meal.

 

[bjakmom]

Sorry you did not have a good experience at CR, but in fairness to CR, I just want to say that we had a wonderful meal there in Dec. My sis and I chose it for CP package with our DNeph (7). We have both been visiting WDW for over 30 years with our own kids and had never eaten there - the prices are somewhat high and were not in the 'budget' back then - not to mention the many bad reviews it gets. We booked the first seating for dinner and requested a table by the tank - which we got and enjoyed. Our service was wonderful - sis enjoyed her grilled mahi and shrimp cocktail - I LOVED the tilapia oscar with crab cake and asparagus - Dneph ate most of his roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. Desserts were awesome - chocolate waves for us and DNeph was thrilled with his make your own sundae. We loved the cool, quiet atmosphere - such a welcome break after many days of buffets, noisy sit downs and park food! We were thrilled to have enjoyed such a positive experience since we were prepared for less based on bad reviews - not saying your experiences weren't what you say, just saying that ours was awesome and we will definitely return here.

In perspective - DH and I ate at Emeril's Tchoup-chop while at USF in Jan and our bill there was just shy of $200.00 - excellent food, but the portions were in line with those at CR - not at all what you could compare with an "all you can eat" meal like O'Hana's.

 

[Kuzco]

I LOVED the tilapia oscar with crab cake and asparagus -

Me too. I just ate dinner there in March. I thought that dish was excellent and was definitely one of my top 5 WDW meals.

 

[msteddom]

I had lunch at the CR about a year ago, but I had read these boards before hand so I knew what to expect. I wasn't willing to pay $20 for an entree, but I still wanted to eat there. I was there solo and ordered a glass of wine and a bowl of loster bisque. I paid exactly what I was willing to pay and had a wonderful experience sitting next to the tank. Would I do it again? Probably, Epacot had so many other wonderful dining opportunities that I want to try something different first.


Melissa

 

[RiaLucia]

Me too. I just ate dinner there in March. I thought that dish was excellent and was definitely one of my top 5 WDW meals.

I will defend my CR to the end! I've eaten there 4 times (though, admittedly, I either didn't pay or only paid a percentage since I was a cast member) and every time I've been delighted with my meal. Kuzco and I went on that trip together and I agree with him: one of my top 5 WDW meals comes out of the Reef!

 

[sleepydog25]

But then again if spending more money than you need to is your idea of enjoying your vacation, Disney still thanks you.

A bit ironic of a rejoinder since there are many in this world who think even visiting WDW at all is "spending more money than you need." As for what meals are worth what money, how about this for an example: At WC you spend $22 each for an all-you-care-to-eat skillet meal at dinner, and it's true that if you're a big eater then you can get your money's worth. But, the food to some is truly pedestrian--greasy, overcooked, bland, and often with served with little panache or flair for which WC is known. Yet, if a couple can only handle one skillet of hastily prepared food that can be found at any run-of-the-mill eatery, should that be considered a "good deal"? For many the answer is "yes." For others the answer is "no, thank you, I'd rather spend my money on uniquely good food with a flair."

Granted, not all experiences at CR are up to par, and of all the "fine dining" restaurants you read about in these posts, CR is likely to be the most polarizing. But, I think it's unfair to assume that it shouldn't be considered high quality based and too highly priced based on one visit.