Getting a table by the tank at Coral Reef

[yaya74]

As the title suggests, how "easy" is it to get a table by the aquarium at CR? My ADR is 4:50p. TIA!

 

[maxiesmom]

It is pure luck. You can request one of those tables at check in, and they will accommodate you if possible. But you won't know until you get there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Also, be aware that kids can, and do, try to get right up close to the tank. So, you may very well have kids shoving behind you. I didn't see one child behind me, when they tried to squeeze behind my chair, my chair moved and almost dumped my drunk in my lap!

 

[DisneyHardin]

For an ADR that early, you will probably have good luck. We ate there last year and I didn't make any special requests and we got a table by the tank. As people above had said - kids and other gawkers will crowd your table.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We got a table by the tank on our last visit. We requested a seat by the tank. They said we might have to wait a little longer, but they would get us one. Turns out we didn't have to wait very long at all. Maybe waited an extra 10 to 15 minutes past our reservation time. We enjoyed our meal and the view. No one standing around our table trying to look in the tank. I guess we got lucky on that, according to other posts here.

 

[Lothlórien]

You can ask for a table and if it is available they will gladly seat you there. You might have to wait a few minutes, but earlier dining times makes it easier.
I can tell you from experience that guests, especially children, will be all up and around your table while you are eating to see the sea life and take pictures.

 

[yaya74]

I can tell you from experience that guests, especially children, will be all up and around your table while you are eating to see the sea life and take pictures.

You mean that children would stand by my table to check out the tank though their tables are not anywhere nearby while I eat?????!!!! How rude! Hope by eating there early would mean less people and less rude people/kids around my table.

Or should I request a back-end table and let my kids go bother others...LOL!!!

 

[Lothlórien]

You mean that children would stand by my table to check out the tank though their tables are not anywhere nearby while I eat?????!!!! How rude! Hope by eating there early would mean less people and less rude people/kids around my table.

Or should I request a back-end table and let my kids go bother others...LOL!!!

Yeah, it has happened to us a few times. Adults as well. I have even been bumped by adults trying to take pictures of their kids by the tank while I was eating.

 

[ggdvc]

We've only eaten there once and completely lucked in to a table in front of the tank. There was a couple who checked in right before us who requested a table by the tank (and said they were willing to wait), and they were just getting their entrees when we were walking out. I don't now how their ADR time compared to ours, or if they were a walk-up.

 

[sndral]

We've eaten @ CR several times and it's been hit and miss. We ask for a table by the tank and let them know that we don't mind waiting for it. We tend to eat later and the last several years end up tank front more often than not.

 

[baivasps]

We have eaten there 3 times and have always asked for a table by the tank. The first time we were already getting it. The next two times they said we might have to wait a few minutes but it didn't take long at all.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The Coral Reef is a nice respite from normal dining, as is the wall which is the
aquarium. One sees fish and sees divers tending to the fish and tank. Best views are
from the second seating level, not right up against the tank.

 

[d-train]

Have to share my little bit of pixie dust moment... December 31st, about 12:30 in the afternoon, walked up asking if they happened to have a table open for two. CM said to wait a few minutes, they came back to us, and brought us to a table next to the tank! No ADR! I think our Just Married button helped in that instance though...

Fantastic meal! Great fun to watch the sea life swim by us!

 

[SunnieRN]

Hmmm so if we ask for a second level table, we should be able to see well but not have kids pushing behind us to get to the tank!! Sounds good!!!

I wish they still had the divers who would hold up personalized signs!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

You mean that children would stand by my table to check out the tank though their tables are not anywhere nearby while I eat?????!!!! How rude! Hope by eating there early would mean less people and less rude people/kids around my table.

Or should I request a back-end table and let my kids go bother others...LOL!!!

It happened to us too. Thank goodness my DH is the kind of guy who just made more room! LOL!

Hmmm so if we ask for a second level table, we should be able to see well but not have kids pushing behind us to get to the tank!! Sounds good!!!

I wish they still had the divers who would hold up personalized signs!!!!

Oh yes! That WS so much fun! We celebrated my DH birthday there, and after we were seated on the upper tier, we were moved to the table by the tank. DH was like What the heck????? Moving from cozy upholstered seats to a hard straight back chair? Well after dinner, as he was getting ready to pay the bill (yes, he had to pay for his own birthday celebration!LOL!) the diver motioned for him to sit back down. ANd there came the sign! He is talking about that since!!!!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

Also, be aware that kids can, and do, try to get right up close to the tank. So, you may very well have kids shoving behind you. I didn't see one child behind me, when they tried to squeeze behind my chair, my chair moved and almost dumped my drunk in my lap!

It's not just the kids, several years ago I had a woman lean up against our table and stuck her big butt right smack on our table while we were eating so that she could take a picture of a sea turtle. I asked her, "Do you mind we are eating here," to which she responded, "relax jerk, it's no big deal." I'm usually pretty mild, but I did respond back that yes, your butt is big and it is a big deal when it's on my table, move it...

 

[goofy4tink]

You mean that children would stand by my table to check out the tank though their tables are not anywhere nearby while I eat?????!!!! How rude! Hope by eating there early would mean less people and less rude people/kids around my table.

Or should I request a back-end table and let my kids go bother others...LOL!!!

Yep, they will!! I can't imagine parents allowing their kids to do it, but they do. I don't really mind if a child says excuse me, and then slides in for a quick look. But, when they charge in, like a bull, expecting guests who are dining at a tank-side table, to move for them? Um, no. Not acceptable.

It's not just the kids, several years ago I had a woman lean up against our table and stuck her big butt right smack on our table while we were eating so that she could take a picture of a sea turtle. I asked her, "Do you mind we are eating here," to which she responded, "relax jerk, it's no big deal." I'm usually pretty mild, but I did respond back that yes, your butt is big and it is a big deal when it's on my table, move it...

Oh man....I wouldn't have been able to keep my mouth closed!!! And what came out wouldn't have been very polite!

I actually prefer the tables on the outside of the second level. the view is better, and you don't get jostled.

Way back when, I arranged for a diver to hold up a sign for my family. We were leaving on a cruise the next day...the sign wished my family a bon voyage!! Dd was supposed to get a personalized menu but that never happened.

 

[yaya74]

Thank you all for the feedback to my question. I guess I will just sit where-ever they seat us and enjoy our meal.

 

[Nancyg56]

It's not just the kids, several years ago I had a woman lean up against our table and stuck her big butt right smack on our table while we were eating so that she could take a picture of a sea turtle. I asked her, "Do you mind we are eating here," to which she responded, "relax jerk, it's no big deal." I'm usually pretty mild, but I did respond back that yes, your butt is big and it is a big deal when it's on my table, move it...

Yikes!!! Lol!!! Even my mild mannered DH would have issues with a big butt perched on our table!

 

[Nancyg56]

Yep, they will!! I can't imagine parents allowing their kids to do it, but they do. I don't really mind if a child says excuse me, and then slides in for a quick look. But, when they charge in, like a bull, expecting guests who are dining at a tank-side table, to move for them? Um, no. Not acceptable.


Oh man....I wouldn't have been able to keep my mouth closed!!! And what came out wouldn't have been very polite!

I actually prefer the tables on the outside of the second level. the view is better, and you don't get jostled.

Way back when, I arranged for a diver to hold up a sign for my family. We were leaving on a cruise the next day...the sign wished my family a bon voyage!! Dd was supposed to get a personalized menu but that never happened.

My DH did not get the menu either. That's okay, that meal had stood out for him almost 10 years later.