Have you been to Epcot's Coral Reef? opinions needed!!

[Catie.Hiltz]

Thinking about trying coral reef in epcot for dinner...

How is the food?

Is there a way to guarantee we get a table right next to the aquarium?

How would this work on the disney dining plan as a table service credit-is an appetizer/desserts/drinks included? ?

 

[bdcp]

We ate there in 2008. We loved it and are going back. We didn't request any particular table and we got one right next to the aquarium. The problem we have is everyone lets their children run up and stand next to it even if it's in the way of diners (which it was). We were seated about 1/2 hour after our ADR without a specific request, and I don't know if they will take them. The food was good and so was the service. I think most of the tables up next to the glass are for 2.

 

[dixonsontour]

You can ask to be seated tank side - on ddp you get an entree, dessert and a drink including smoothies.

There are pictures in my dining review - link in my signature.

 

[Band mom!]

We loved it! We were not seated next to glass, but could still see in the tank without any problems. The kids menus had the different animals on them and the boys loved looking for all of them. This was a several years ago and I really hope they still do that.

 

[tripletmommiesrock]

I love this resturant and have ever since I was a kid. In fact it's about the only thing that I remember from my first trip to Disney World 21 years ago. I go pretty much every time we go to Disney World and the food is good but watching the fish is my favorite. It's a must!

 

[OhThePain]

CR used to be one of my must do's. However, after the last few visits, we won't be going back anytime soon. The service has gone down hill, the menu is lacking and the execution of the dishes has become subpar. It isn't what it used to be. That is just my opinion and always suggest people try things for themselves.

There is no sure way to get a table next to the aquarium. You can ask for one when you check in, but you still may not get a table there. As a PP said, if you do get a table there, you run the risk of having constant intruders on your meal which at first may not bother you, but if it goes on throughout your meal it can really put a damper on things.

If you are using the DDP (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 snack) you are entitled to an entree, desert and non-alcoholic beverage for your meals (both TS and CS). If you are on the DxDP (3 TS, 2 snack, mug) then you also get an appitizer. Tips are not included on any of the dining plans except at dinner shows.

 

[Steph2527]

Sorry to be the downer...but we hated Coral Reef. We tried this restaurant this past December for the first time. We rarely have any complaints about any WDW dining, but the food and service were terrible. Maybe we were just there on a bad afternoon/night, but it was aweful! We did the candlelight processional package (Whoopi was the narrarator that night, which made epcot crazy that night!). Seems like others have really enjoyed eating at Coral Reef, so give it a shot!! Maybe you'll have better luck than we did!

 

[candielips]

We visited CR for the 1st time this past Sept and loved it! In fact, my DH enjoyed his steak there more than Le Cellier.
We had an 11:30am lunch reservation, which was the 1st seating of the day. And since we were the 1st ones to check in we had no problems at all getting a seat tankside. We plan on booking the same time for our trip this Sept.

 

[hrt2hrtmomdeb]

We used to love Coral Reef but the last two times we have dined there it was horrible. 10/09 & 11/10 Our food was cold and not very good and our service last year was the worse we have ever encountered in WDW. We won't be going back for quite some time. But others on here have had positive experiences so maybe it's worth a shot if you've never been.

 

[honeybunches]

We were there in June and it was great. We didn't get a table near the tanks but it was ok because all of the booths & tables face the fish anyway. We did have some trouble with the hostess----our party needed several highchairs, which we requested ahead of time and I got there before our ADR to make sure they would be able to accommodate. The woman who seated us was extremely out of sorts about it, acting like we were a real pain in her rear. But after that it was fine. Our server did a super job and he made sure we got our food right away for all the kiddos in our party.

we are going again in a few weeks and this was one of my dd's requests!

 

[jformica]

Family and I ate there in 2008. The food is good, not great. The atmosphere is what your paying for. The kids loved eating in a restaurant while watching all kinds of fish swim by and quite frankly so did my wife and I.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We enjoyed Coral Reef... we asked for a table by the aquarium and were seated there in just a few minutes. We were there Dec. 2010 for lunch. Fun experience, good food.... my review below has a video of the aquarium from our table. We only had 2 kids come up to our table wanting to see... I moved a chair out of the way so they could get closer (we were 3 people at a 4 top)... didn't bother me at all.

My Dec. 2010 Review of Coral Reef

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I loved it. I ate there on Jan 27, and I underestimated its popularity. There was quite a crowd of people waiting to get it, but a lot of them seemed to not have ADRS, we really only waited like 10 minutes for a table so not bad but I just didn't expect that many people hanging around. It was busier by the time we left. The dining room is also a bit smaller than I expected. There was a little hiccup between the staff as somehow we were seated at the wrong table (one of the larger boothes in the back) and we would have moved if they asked, but they didn't. The food was really great, I had the steak and it was perfectly cooked for me, I would have liked a bit more horseradish in the mashed potatoes, and my friend had the salmon and really enjoyed it, very well cooked but I can't remember off the top of my head what it came with. The bread they brought out was hot and wonderful. The desserts we got were also amazing (the Chocolate Wave and the Baileys and Jack Daniels chocolate mousse). We were at the back of the restaurant, as in the row farthest from the aquarium but still had a great view. The only thing I didn't care for was being asked what I wanted for dessert at the same time I ordered my entree. I'm sure I could have told the waiter I didn't want to decide yet and honestly that's such a small thing I wasn't THAT bothered by it.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

We went to Coral Reef on the last trip we took to Disney. I was really excited b/c I've always wanted to go there. I was really glad that I got to go, more for the experience than the food. And I don't think I'll be racing back anytime soon.

The food was just ok for me. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either. We weren't seated next to the aquarium, but the restaurant has seating sort of like a theater, so everyone can see, even if you aren't up close.

As other PPs have mentioned, kids running around this restaurant is a bit of a problem and because of it, I'd be hesitant to sit tank-side. We were 3 rows back and there was a child literally hanging over the side of our booth, practically in our booth. And there was very little going on from parents to stop their kids. I had both DS6 and DD4 there and they didn't run around like hooligans (I believe I did have to threaten one with a trip to the bathroom ), but plenty of kids did.

 

[THREEAMIGOES]

Hi,
We were just there for dinner using our TS last week and it was our worst dining experience during our trip. We would NOT recommend it.

Food: Ordered 2 mains: New York Striploin and Jumbo Seared Sea Scallops. Steak tasted like it was previously frozen. Scallops were large but lacking in flavour. Kids menus average. Almond gelato deserts were nice.

Service: Our biggest disappointment here. Worst service we have ever experienced at a dining establishment. Just plain bad/rude. Server never smiled, never greeted us and hardly spoke. He just stood next to our table and asked for our order. We had to ask what the special of the day and the soup of the day was. Response to our question for drink selection was his pen pointing to the selection on the back of the menu. "Umhum" was the response to our requests for a glass of water. Never came to ask how food was. Took the dinding cheque after we signed it without acknowledging us or saying thank you.

I can't believe we still tipped 18%. We were on the fence but it was our first TS of our trip and I didn't know that this was not the norm for service at WDW lol.

View: We requested table upon entering restaurant but they were unable to give us one (based upon availability). Didn't seem to matter because kids were not interested in looking at the fish at all. Nor were we - it wasn't as spectacular as the we expected. Quite dark in the restaurant.

Hope this helps. In our opinion, Epcot has the best selection of TS restaurants of all parks. There are so many other lovely restaurants in the park. We will definately not go back to Coral again. The service has really left us with a bad memory!

 

[tzolkin]

Wow all these posts about kids running around and going up to the tank while others are eating are ridiculous. Why would parents think that type of behavior in a restaurant is acceptable?


We went in September and had a good time. It was our first meal during our trip. We were seated in the front of the second tier. I thought this was a nice spot because you had a view of more of the tank than if you were right next to it. The kids enjoyed watching the animals (especially the turtle) and the divers. They also enjoyed the food. My two little ones had lobster soup (the kid's meals come with an appetizer on the DP), fish, and veggies. My older DD and DH had the steak. (They also thought it was better than the ones they had at LeCellier).

It did take a very long time. I'm really not sure why, but I think we were there for two hours. It just took a long time for the server to come back to take our orders (drinks, food, dessert). I thought at first it was because my father has a food allergy (so the chef has to come out to discuss the menu), but we never had any issues at any other restaurant. The kids were occupied watching the tank and it was pouring outside, so we didn't mind too much but I was not expecting a meal to take that long.

 

[hope3702]

I actually didn't think it was worth it...Went a year or so ago and it did not leave the impression on me I thought it would. California Grill/Flying Fish/Boma etc did...Coral Reef did not for me...

 

[prattpak]

Wife and I loved loved loved this place. We got a tank-side seat for 2 and had an amzing meal watching the turtles and rays swim by. Highly recommend it!!

 

[disneybliss2]

I'm usually very easy to please when eating at WDW. We tried Coral Reef for the first time this past summer. Out of all of our meals we ate, it was the worst. In fact, it was a huge disappointment. I'm glad we tried it because curiosity would have nagged at me until I did--it just sounds like a really fun dining experience, especially if you have kids. However, the ratings for this restaurant, at least for us, proved true. The food wasn't horrible, but it wasn't special by any means--very bland. We had a range at our table too--seafood, steak, & pasta for our kids. Nothing was great. The service was horrid! WDW is known for great service both at restaurants and throughout the parks. However, great service did not exist inside this restaurant while we were there. It was also a lot louder than what I had anticipated. It didn't have the intimate feel I thought it would have. Seeing the tank while dining was fun, but it didn't have the awe factor I had anticipated it would. More than anything, it was the very bland, poor quality food that will keep us from going back. For us, there's too many wonderful retaurants we'll go to again or try other new ones before we'd go back to CR again. With all that said, though, you could go and have a totally different experience. I have a friend who loves the place. Go try it and form your own opinion. At least then you'll know. You may find a winner or know not to go back. Good luck with your decision!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I just have to chime in again and say that I'm not a pushover at restaurants but I'm not the worst customer to please either. I really enjoyed my meal, as I said the food was great, the service was fine (I hate when waitstaff hovers and asks me how things are before I even taste anything) and since we were in the back tier we didn't have any trouble with kids.