Has anyone been to Coral Reef recently?

[Simba's Mom]

We ate there in November. I had mixed feelings. The food was pretty good, our server was nice, and we had a great table, right next to the tank. BUT, there were several unsupervised young children running about. Not sure where their parents were, but we, and the family at the table behind us, certainly did not enjoy having our meal interrupted because we just happened to to be seated at a table with a better view of the fish than they appearantly did. It really didn't leave me feeling like I would want to dine there again on our next trip.

Perhaps this is a reason why they should put solos next to the tank at Coral Reef! I enjoyed having kids come up and look in the tank. They were always extremely talkative and loved impressing me with what they knew. The parents always came over and were very appologetic about their children "interrupting" my meal, but as a solo (and hoping-to-be grandmother some day), I welcomed the young company. I can see how they might not be welcome if a couple was trying to dine together, but as a solo sitting by the tank, I loved it.

 

[Pakey]

We were just there 2 weeks ago. We go to Coral Reef every time we take newbies to WDW because everyone loves the novelty of it. This most recent trip we were seated right next to the tank. I prefer to sit a bit higher to get a broader view. I too find the kids running up onto our table very annoying. If they want to stand on the glass, they should go on the attraction on the other side IMO and not do it while people are trying to eat right there. To avoid this, I usually book the first seating for lunch. It's usually quieter, we get seated on time (a problem at this place--later ADR's are usually running behind).

The food is decent but not spectacular. Flying Fish has much better seafood but it's the decor at Coral Reef that makes up for it.

But they did take my key lime martini with the graham cracker rim off the menu which is a strike against them!!!!

 

[moparop]

We were there on Friday night. We were seated right next to the tank. My DSes 3 and 1 loved watching the fish and we had many divers stopping by to make faces and do tricks for the boys. The food was good restaurant fare but nothing that knocked my socks off. Our waiter was amazing! My son came down with the flu in the restaurant and acted like it was nothing to be calling in the cleaning crew to take care of the floor.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Food was great atmosphere is better. Definitely a must on all of our trips.

 

[beroh2253]

Not hardly! I would never allow my children to run up to the tank and disturb another guest who is having their meal or enjoying their time at the restaurant. I am not saying kids should not have fun and enjoy themselves (WDW is a place for families of course), but I don't want someone else's rowdy kids running up and crowding my family just because they want everything their way........like I said, respect other people and their personal space. ]



I didn't say they were rowdy. 2 little girls just came up to the glass behind us to get a better look at the fish. I didn't mind that. If they were standing and looking over our table then I would have said something. I do agree parents should keep their children under control, none of the kids there were acting up.

 

[apostolic4life]

I didn't say they were rowdy. 2 little girls just came up to the glass behind us to get a better look at the fish. I didn't mind that. If they were standing and looking over our table then I would have said something. I do agree parents should keep their children under control, none of the kids there were acting up.

I know you didn't say rowdy (sorry if I put words in your mouth); I was elaborating on prevalent behavior I have seen at WDW. So many people let kids run wild with very little oversight or consequence. I would not mind a polite child (accompanied by an adult) who graciously came by and viewed the tank in our area; It's the ones who have a sense of entitlement which drives them to demand everything from everyone, that gets to me (seems like these are the majority at WDW though).

 

[beroh2253]

I know you didn't say rowdy (sorry if I put words in your mouth); I was elaborating on prevalent behavior I have seen at WDW. So many people let kids run wild with very little oversight or consequence. I would not mind a polite child (accompanied by an adult) who graciously came by and viewed the tank in our area; It's the ones who have a sense of entitlement which drives them to demand everything from everyone, that gets to me (seems like these are the majority at WDW though).

I agree. I remember yelling at our 2 (they would get so wound up being at WDW) shown in the picture when younger. Going with them this June, DS21 and DD19 now older , I hope I do not have to do any yelling. Got ADR's for June at Coral Reef I kinda hope we aren't right up at the glass.

 

[MissFitt]

I was there last week and it was terrific! Had the crab legs which is a great addition to the menu. My kids loved being near the tank and seeing the divers and marine life. We even had a wonderful server who kept us up to date with the score of our beloved Giants game

 

[monte]

I was there last week and had a very pleasant meal. I also had the crab legs and thought they were very good. Our reservations were for 4:30pm and we requested a table next to the tank, which we got, and I think that made the meal all the more special. Enjoy.

 

[magsnden]

we LOVED it! we were there in november and sat in the middle on the second tier. this was the perfect location, IMO. it was so cool to see all the fish, our kids loved that. the other group of our party were on the top and said they had great views too. we saw the scuba divers and the kids thought that was really cool. then we saw one scuba diver proposing to another!!! we thought that was really cool!
i had the crab legs - absolutely delicious. also the pasta dish is very good.


as for the kids standing around your table... if it happens to you, you, as an adult, should be able to find a NICE and direct way to ask that they return to their seats. if you are uncomfortable doing this, ask your server!!! i'm sure it happens ALL the time and they know how to deal with it. sometimes the parents ARE oblivious, but that doesn't mean you should let some kids ruin your meal!

 

[stellablue]

I was there last week and had a very pleasant meal. I also had the crab legs and thought they were very good. Our reservations were for 4:30pm and we requested a table next to the tank, which we got, and I think that made the meal all the more special. Enjoy.

For those of you who had the crab legs, did you find them filling?

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I was there on my birthday last week- 1/18 We loved it!! Because we were a party of 2, it seemed a little cramped, since we didn't get a big booth obviously, but we were right by the tank, which was perfect viewing to see a diver come and wish me a happy birthday!

Service and food was excellent!

 

[KelsiesMommy]

DH had the crab legs and was stuffed enough to not be able to finish all his dessert

Here's our food from last week:

bread basket- very good!

New York Strip and au gratin potatoes- 2nd best steak I had all week (first was LeCellier!)

DH's crab legs

Chocolate Wave

Butterscotch creme brulee

 

[ShhhQ]

This was my choice for my Birthday last August.... and was the best meal of our entire trip... the only restaurant we plan on repeating this year as well!!!
We sat next to the tank and I was so busy taking pics of the fish I almost forgot to eat! But the food was awesome! I ate everything on my plate, which also was the only time that happended all week. The only downside, was that even though we had ADRs there was a bit of a wait to be seated... but worth it!

 

[MEM]

We love Coral Reef too! That is the only ADR DD11 asked for on our upcoming trip in June. We enjoy the Mahi-Mahi followed by the chocolate wave.

 

[stellablue]

DH had the crab legs and was stuffed enough to not be able to finish all his dessert

Thanks for the pics!
That bread looks great-what kind was it?

You sold me on the crab legs. I despise corn though, I wonder if I can sub for the grits or broccolini?

 

[mpmluvstigger]

Thanks for the pics!
That bread looks great-what kind was it?

You sold me on the crab legs. I despise corn though, I wonder if I can sub for the grits or broccolini?

I was wondering the same thing! That corn relish looks scary...

 

[luvtogo12]

DS and I ate there in August and it was out favorite meal of the trip. I would love to go again.

 

[JSTX]

We ate at Coral Reef last week for the first time, and really enjoyed it. We definitely plan to eat there again when we go back in July.

We got to sit up front and had a great view of the tanks. Our daughter was told that she was sitting in the same spot that Harrison Ford had sat when he ate there a couple of weeks ago. So that made her night.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

The bread is a sourdough type it was very good!

The corn stuff... I'm sure you could substitute another side for it. DH didn't ask (he didn't eat it either)