Has *ANYONE* really liked Coral Reef???

[CathieArms]

Or, is it pretty much either hated or "Meh!" by most?

I like the idea of Coral Reef because my 13 year old really loves anything to do with sea life and I think she'd enjoy the atmosphere. But, the idea of paying big bucks for barely passable food and still going away hungry is just not appealing to me.

Thoughts? I'll be going with my Inlaws, dh, dd (13) and ds (4).

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

DS8 and I really liked Coral Reef for lunch. He was happy with his pizza. I had tilapia(I think) over salad, it was very good. I'm sorry to hear all the negative reviews. The atmosphere is also nice.

 

[septbaby]

The three of us really enjoyed lunch at Coral Reef. We ate everything they put in front of us, including 2 baskets of bread. The tank and kids activity sheet were great.

Are you on the DP? This was also a great choice for the DP as it probably is a bit pricey. My gut tells me there is something costly about being TS in Epcot, seems several of those places are pricey.

 

[CathieArms]

Nope - not on the plan. We were thinking about eating "dinner for lunch" that day. Further thoughts?

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Apart from the waitress pocketing our change on top of her tip and trying to tell us it was normal in Florida the meal was great. Had a couple of glotinis sat right by the tank which the kids loved.

 

[trappednabox]

I'm hoping to hear some good things too! We're really looking forward to CR in June, but would hate for 8 people to walk away disappointed.

I learned a long time ago about reviews here, and going in with an open mind, but it's hard to keep that nagging feeling that I should have changed it out of my mind


I'm really hoping we find another happy surprise like we did with Tony's and San Angels

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I tried this a few years ago and everyone in my party loved it. We did it again on the next visit, but I haven't been able to get a reservation the last few times I've gone to WDW. My brother loves animals, so he was really amazed with the huge tank. I really liked the food - their vegetarian dish was really good (although I think there is a new one on the menu now).

We've also had outstanding service on both occasions that we've dined there. The last time I visited was about a years go. I can't imagine that the service has gone so downhill since that time.

It is a little bit pricey, but if you are on the DDP then you are getting your money's worth!

 

[MJAJmom]

Had lunch there in Oct and loved it. I had the lobster soup and lobster salad which was excellent. Our server Jayne was wonderful and extremely professional and responsive. The only issue we had was the A/C was very cold and we were pretty chilly in our shorts and tshirts.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

Nope - not on the plan. We were thinking about eating "dinner for lunch" that day. Further thoughts?

Even though I enjoyed my meal, there really are better places to eat in Epcot, escpecially if you are not on the meal plan (CR is expensive). For the money-I would look at menus and see what appeals to you and your family

 

[MickeyNicki]

We ate there in January and I was the only one out of the 4 of us that liked it. I had the caesar, the fish of the day which was pan sauteed grouper with risotto and the butterscotch creme brulee....I would go back in a heartbeat but DH wont...he did not like the steak at all.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Lunch at The Coral Reef in Epcot...

Sea and Land - grilled shrimp with cucumber salad and barbecued beef skewer with creamy polenta

Creamy Lobster Soup - chervil and brandy

Grilled New York Strip Steak - served with roasted potatoes, watercress and tomatoes tossed in caramelized shallot vinaigrette

Lobster Salad - on a toasted baguette with a cup of lobster soup and mixed greens

Pan-seared Tilapia - served with a roasted white and green bean salad tossed in a tomato vinaigrette Not 100% sure on this...

Grilled Pork Tenderloin - served with sweet boniato potatoes and green beans drizzled with pecan sauce

Grilled Mahi Mahi - served with spiced pineapple chutney over cashew-jasmine rice finished with coconut rum beurre blanc

Blue Glow-tini

Our lunch at the Coral Reef was very good and we will return! The lobster soup is what keeps us coming back... and the desserts! Sorry I don't have any dessert pics for you. The chocolate wave was as good as ever! The Coral Reef is not the best restaurant on property, but it's certainly not the worst, either. We've never had a bad server and the food has always been good - some meals were better than others, but overall, it's a place we will return to. Yes, it can be expensive, but what isn't in Disney? The unique dining setting/theme is worth a try at least once, IMHO.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We really have liked the Coral Reef on all of our trips, and if it was at any other park we'd go more often. But there are so many EPCOT places we like that we have to alternate. I don't eat seafood but loved the steak, everyone else has been happy with their seafood. I am always surprised to hear the negative reviews, but to each his own.

We obviously are not the only ones to like it, it's difficult to get into!

 

[Rebelmom67]

It was ok, nothing special. I enjoyed my dinners at Nine Dragons, Le Cellier, Akershus, Biergarten and Tutto much, much, MUCH more!

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have always enjoyed Coral Reef. I have had some exceptional meals there and a couple that were very good. Never anything below that. Our service has also always been excellent. We love the atmosphere, and I always like to add when writing about this restaurant, you don't need to be next to the tank to have a good view. The restaurant is tiered and even when we were on the top most level, we had a nice view. In some ways, I prefer to be further back.

Like all things, whether it be a ride, resort, show or restaurant, opinions vary. You never know for sure how you will like it until you try. I am very glad I didn't listen to reviews about this, Sci Fi, CBR and many other things I reserached and found lots of negatives on. I would have missed some great experiences!

And that recent review by Kevin whatshisname on the dis podcast, is his usual style. Like most reviewers, I think they go in with very different expecations and critieria than most of us do and almost enjoy finding somthing to gripe about.

And I am like MIckeymomofthree. I don't do Coral Reef everytime since I have so many Epcot favorites. But if I had more time or lived local, I'd eat there often. Its never disapointed.

 

[Golden Rose]

The Coral Reef has always been on our must do list because of the aquarium. DS (age 4) is loves animals of all kids, and the Seas is by far his favorite part of Epcot. The Coral Reef is on our must do list for every trip - it is DS's favorite restaurant. (Ok, it competes with Pizzafari for that title, for different reasons.)

DH and I always said we put up with the food because of the atmosphere, but we're definitely foodies and we're used to some amazing seafood in Houston. However, last trip (in January) we had one of the best meals of our trip during our lunch at the Coral Reef. We were really shocked.

It was better than Fulton's, the other seafood meal from that trip, in all ways - better food, better service, and a much better atmosphere. The lobster bisque has always been good - last time not only was it excellent, but so were all of our entrees. Plus, we had a window table, and a stingray visited our table for about half of the meal. Couldn't have asked for a better lunch.

Anyway, we really thought quality had improved from our previous time eating there. I don't know if we just happened to hit a particularly good day, or if they're just generally better these days. We're going back in May, and we hope we'll have just as wonderful a meal.

 

[MomofLogan&Evan]

Our family actually really liked the food. My kids loved the pizza on the kids menu. My filet was great and so was my husband's ny strip. The dessert was just okay though. The worst part of the restaurant was just how long the meal itself took. It was about 2 1/2 hours which took way much time away from riding any rides in the evening!

 

[ntsammy5]

Yup - I really like it - but we haven't been for a couple of years

 

[njmom08]

We ate dinner there last year and really enjoyed it. We had a 4:30 reservation but showed up early and we were one of the first tables seated for dinner. We had a table right next to the tank which the kids loved. I had the Mahi Mahi and it was delicious! I can't remember what dh had but I know he enjoyed the dinner as well. My cousin went after us and thought it was very noisy and did not enjoy it as much. I guess it's hit or miss.

 

[scheddj]

It was the best meal of our trip last year. The steak was far better than the one at Le Cellier.

 

[Lynn5700]

We love it there. To be honest, the steak they have there is the best flavored steak I have ever had so far in Disney.

I love the atmosphere. I'm a pisces so I guess that's why. I love fish.