I keep reading terrible comments about Coral Reef.

[DizLicious]

I am planning lunch for our family of 6 including my DD's 4 and 7. I didn't plan on the food at Coral Reef being all that great (we're from the Mid-Atlantic so we get some GREAT fresh seafood here), but I also didn't want the lunch to totally stink. I mainly booked Coral Reef for the aquariums which I thought the kids would enjoy. I have read some pretty bad reviews at several different sites regarding this restaurant.

Also, when I see pictures of the restaurant it looks like only tables of 4 are anywhere near the aquariums. With our party of 6 does that mean we are going to be stuck a mile from the aquariums? I have also seen complaints about that.

We are going in early November for a 1pm lunch during a weekday.

If anyone can suggest a better restaurant in Epcot that the kids would enjoy I would appreciate it. (La Hacienda and Garden Grill are not available) Otherwise I am expecting okay food and luck of the draw with regards to seating. Thanks!

BTW....we are on the free DDP.

 

[marielynn724]

my experiences there have always been great. i find that all of the food that our group hasordered are always really delicious (we've had a pretty good variety of menu items). also, the atmosphere is really the charm of the place (although the food keeps me coming back!). as far as the aquarium, the one whole wall is pretty much aquarium, and all the tables are staggered on tiers so that everyone has a view. the whole restaurant does not take up that much space so no one is "a mile" away. we've sat at some of the farthest tables and i can't complain about our view from there.

 

[nicole0992]

I am another that has only had great meals and experiences here. It's my DH's favorite restaurant in WDW. The views even from the top level are good of the aquarium. We always go for lunch too, btw and get the first seating.

 

[anorman]

We ate there last year. Loved the atmosphere but did not enjoy the food. If you keep your expectations in the low to moderate range you will enjoy it. I read some really positive reviews before we went and expected better and then was disappointed. The aquarium made it worthwhile though.

 

[DizLicious]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I really think the kids will get a kick out of the aquariums, so I will keep my focus on the atmosphere, my fingers crossed on my table location, and my expectations not to high on the entrees.....will probably skip the appetizers, and enjoy a dessert....I've read a lot of good things about their desserts.

 

[lin7]

We eat there every trip. Our last trip our parents came with us and it didnt make a good first impression. They complained about the smell of the restaurant. You could tell the appetizers were somehow premade cause it came out super quick. But nonetheless it was great food.

 

[julie4423]

I've not been there based upon all the bad reviews. I just thought I'd give you an alternative if you change your mind. Biergarten was VERY fun for us. The food is good, atmosphere better, and entertainment best. All the little ones were having a blast dancing with the band. It was far more than I expected when I booked.

 

[EvilQueenT]

we ate there december 09 and also booked thinking that everyone would enjoy the aquariums (which they did) but food was just ok. we're from florida and eat a lot of seafood so maybe our expectations were different. we haven't felt the need to eat there again. i guess it's kind of like people from ny or chicago trying to eat pizza at a theme park.

 

[Forensicmom]

We are also going in November for the first time and have been picking and making reservations for the past two days. What I'm finding out is that there is ALWAYS going to be negative reviews on everything. I read a larger amount of good and great reviews for the Coral Reef. We have reservations there for dinner for one of the days and we're from the mid atlantic too and like our seafood (Maryland is for crabs!). We're just keeping our fingers crossed. ALL of the restaurants I've picked have been based on location, reviews and availability. I've also had friends recommend restaurants and then I checked the menus and there was NOTHING we would eat on there. So that has to be considered as well.

 

[aleshad01]

We really like Coral Reef. My husband and I thought the food was good and the kids loved watching the fish.

 

[sashalovesyou]

I do not like fish, so the menu only had a few things I would eat(on DDP). The spaetzle was awesome though, I don't know exactly what it is supposed to be like but theirs was good. We were kinda far from the aquarium, but you could still see it well. I don't think I would ever get the chocolate wave again though.

 

[Forensicmom]

I also wanted to add that I just read on one review that someone posted "there was no normal food on the menu". I checked and there's a lot of things that sound great to me. We're seafood lovers anyway but most people are going to know it's a seafood restaurant in the first place.

 

[25eels]

I worried about Coral Reef as well, but we were absolutely delighted with it. We thought the food was outstanding, the views were incredible (and I agree that you'll have a great view of the aquarium from anywhere in the space) and the service was top-notch.

SO CR ended up being a very pleasant surprise for us, while we were unpleasantly surprised by a few other places (like Cape May, which everyone loves). I've decided that dining reviews are like bus-stop gossip about teachers. If you listen too hard to people's experiences with teachers, you can't really form a clear opinion of your own.

Good luck!

 

[kelma]

Also, when I see pictures of the restaurant it looks like only tables of 4 are anywhere near the aquariums. With our party of 6 does that mean we are going to be stuck a mile from the aquariums? I have also seen complaints about that.

.[/QUOTE

It's been a few years, so maybe someone who's been there more recently can comment more accurately, but when we were there, only parties of 4 or less could sit right beside the aquarium.

Kelma

 

[wolf29]

We've also read all the negative reviews, but have ADRs for our trip later this month. Looks like a cool venue, and as long as the food is adequate, I'm sure we'll have a great time. Having free dining makes the possible disappointment less painful.

 

[Cloudless Nights]

We have eaten there three times before and always loved our experience and food! And even though I don't eat seafood, I always find something I like--particularly the chicken and spaetzle.

 

[ks10596]

It still is a great place for the atmosphere...

Over a 10 year period we have been before we got married (great food and service).
We went after we got married (yikes! not as many options on the menu and food was so-so)
Went with kids (still not as many options, food so-so and service was terrible).

Because I have to compare to the great first visit I now think this isn't a great option but it seems like most places in Disney are not 'great' anymore (with a few exceptions - we did like Citricos and Shula's)....

 

[kingken]

we have been 3 times over last 6 years and never had a bad meal yet, i'm not a great seafood eater and have had the steak and chicken and been no problems, been at most levels and got good view of tank, only parties of 4 can get next to the tank, i'm going to ask beginning of the day if we can get there, i'll let you know in two weeks

 

[Pakey]

There are tables for 2 and tables for 4 by the tank; since they don't rearrange, they aren't going to combine them to make a table for 6. The booths on the first level usually seat 5. Then the first row on the middle level are tables where 6 can be seated. These are a better view IMO than being tankside.

As for the food, everyone has a different opinion. We have dined here many times and it's definitely not the place it was 10-15 years ago. Still, many people continue to enjoy it.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

It's one of our favorites. I usually get steak. Our son is very picky. We took a PB sandwich for him and he ate the fresh fruit and the make your own sundae from the children's menu.

For my dessert, they let me order a virgin strawberry dacquiry. We were on the dining plan. The waitress saw our anniversary buttons and she brought out a card signed by everyone and I think she put a Happy Anniversary chocolate design on my husband's dessert.

Our first trip, we were right beside the tank. The second we were half way back. But as someone said each row is higher than the others so everyone can see. We liked both table locations.