Garden Grill or Coral Reef...Opinions Please

[engle]

I need to choose between the 2 and have never been to either. We love all kinds of food but bad service works my last nerve. Also, which has better atmosphere? We are 3 fun loving adults....so characters would be fun! I would love to hear all of the opinions of all of you in the know!!

Also, does GG serve alcohol??

I am finally venturing out of World Showcase to eat so help me make the best choice!

 

[MEGADAN]

Although Coral Reef gets some bad reviews for the food, it has a nice atmosphere. It is so relaxing to dine while watching the fish.
Garden Grill is certainly fun but it is very loud.
I guess it will depend of what type of dining mood you are in.
Enjoy!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I need to choose between the 2 and have never been to either. We love all kinds of food but bad service works my last nerve. Also, which has better atmosphere? We are 3 fun loving adults....so characters would be fun! I would love to hear all of the opinions of all of you in the know!!

Also, does GG serve alcohol??

I am finally venturing out of World Showcase to eat so help me make the best choice!

These two restaurants are so different, you can't hardly compare them. That being said, we have eaten at both and like both. In fact, we will be eating at both on our upcoming trip in December. Garden Grill was enjoyable for us because we have 4 young children and they serve a very simple basic meal, nothing fancy by any means - which is always a good thing when you have kids. And of course, our kids loved the characters. We loved Coral Reef in the past and we got to eat in front of the tank, so that made it extra special. The food was excellent and we really loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. So, like I said, we do like them both, but there is no way my husband and I would make an ADR at Garden Grill if the children were not with us. We would happily go back to Coral Reef though. Hope this info helps with your decision. Either way, have a magical vacation!

 

[Tink030]

I need to choose between the 2 and have never been to either. We love all kinds of food but bad service works my last nerve. Also, which has better atmosphere? We are 3 fun loving adults....so characters would be fun! I would love to hear all of the opinions of all of you in the know!!

Also, does GG serve alcohol??

I am finally venturing out of World Showcase to eat so help me make the best choice!

We did both when we went in Sept.
I liked the Coral Reef much better.

We have 3 children and the only one that really enjoyed the Garden Grill was our 3 year old (because of the characters).
Also my sister had talked it up so much that when we did go I felt like it wasn't all that.
The food was not good at all.
They bring out a small plate of food for your party to share and tell you that it is all you can eat.
But we didn't have them bring out anymore (not because it was so filling)
but because it was not that great.
Coral Reef was much more relaxing, the food was a little bit better.
Hope this helps
Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

My husband and I eat at Coral Reef for lunch on almost every trip to WDW. I have not eaten at the Garden Grill since 2002. I don't like their food and the restaurant is rather boring for me. I prefer the wall of fish to watch.

 

[Tam1067]

We've had dinner at Coral Reef twice, and at GG once. No question--Coral Reef is much better. We found the food at GG to be among the worst TS meals we've had at any restaurant in WDW. Coral Reef is one of my DH's favorites, and it's on our "must-do" list for our 2009 trip.

 

[Stitchfans]

For me personally I would pick Garden Grill. You will spend a lot less money and not walk out still hungry after spending a fortune.

 

[SGMCO]

If you enjoyed Lunch when you were in school then eat at GG--
it taste like school lunch room food. I thought it was a waste of money.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

For me personally I would pick Garden Grill. You will spend a lot less money and not walk out still hungry after spending a fortune.

Unless you are one the dining plan, then cost doesn't factor in. At least not for us.

 

[Stitchfans]

Unless you are one the dining plan, then cost doesn't factor in. At least not for us.

Doesn't work for us.

 

[habg1]

We went to the Garden Grill last year with our 2 Daughters. The characters were great, food good, atmosphere was good. The characters came to our table several times and gladly gave autographs, sat down, gave my kids "bunny ears" and took pictures. See pic below.

It was not too "corny" for adults. I was actually thinking of bringing my parents there this year. But we decided to do Coral Reef instead. Go figure!

I would give Garden Grill a chance. The revolving floor was cool!

 

[Lynn5700]

Coral Reef

 

[lvloopingbag]

Coral Reef for sure......

 

[DisneyRockstar]

If your all about fish and and aquariums. Do Coral Reef

If your all about characters and if your bringing kids, Do Garden Grill.

 

[mpetti]

I vote for GG. Went there many times with my 2 DS and the character interaction is great. The food is good and you get plenty. The staff is very friendly and great with the kids. The characters came around many times. On our last visit in Aug 07 sitting next to us was a father with his 2 young children. The Little girl was a Special Needs child. It touched my heart to see how special everyone treated her. From the characters to the staff at GG. She was one happy little girl . What ever you decide I am sure you will have a great time. Enjoy.

 

[bsmcneil]

I don't like seafood (actually I'm afriad of fish - they look weird) and I'd say you should go to Coral Reef. It's a better place, overall, than Garden Grill (which I was very excited about).

 

[engle]

We have no children and are not on the dining plan...so cost is not a factor and while we like the characters, they are not a priority for us. So if food and atmosphere win out, it sounds like I should lean towards Coral Reef. Thanks for the input. I'd still love to hear more opinions!! Can you ask to sit in a certain area when you make an ADR??

 

[firsttimer2007]

Coral Reef

...and our server was excellent! Food was GREAT! Have ADR's twice this trip.

 

[mccathy]

I think you can ask to sit near the aquarium when you check in. They were the only restaurant that wouldn't let us check in 15 minutes early - made us come back right at 6pm!? Other than that, it was great. There were a lot of people waiting, but after we checked in, AT the correct time, we got to our table real quick - but our table was near the back of the room - not right by the aquarium. Would have been very cool to be near the front - one table was so lucky the sea turtle parked himself right next to one of the guys and then a sting ray (I think?) kept swimming past them. I think they stayed a long time.

I loved the food there (I'm not a big fish eater, but got the Salmon and loved it. My husband usually loves seafood, but ordered steak? And loved it. We had our two kids with us - they shared a cheese pizza.) Now I am stuck on where to eat next time we're in EPCOT. I missed my fish and chips this trip, want to try the restaurant in Germany, but enjoyed Coral Reef so much!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Coral Reef for sure. I did both and I didn't like GG at all. Coral Reef was one of my favorites all week. Garden Grill had bland food, and 2 of the 4 characters were out of character. Service was good though.
Coral Reef had amazing food (steak was awesome) and the tank made it such a nice atmosphere.